 
OOPS
• We are showing you both of these
photos because the Levan Town Council was
sworn in twice. The first time, left, was on
January 2nd, the second was on Monday,
January 7th. According to Mayor Shepherd,
official swear in's are to be done on the
first Monday of the year. This fact was found
out after the first swearing in, on a
Wednesday. The second on the first Monday,
makes it official. We assume that the mayor
and new councilmen are just eager beavers
trying to get the job done. The official crew
are left to right, Mayor Robert Shepherd,
councilmen Paul Mangelson and Ralph Brooks,
and new town clerk Candace Jackson.
By Rebecca Dopp
Times-News Correspondent
The Levan Town Council met Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002 to
swear in new members and discuss important issues. However,
because of a misunderstanding of when council members could
be sworn in, any decisions that were made by the new council
at the first meeting were invalid, according to Mayor Bob
Shepherd. A special meeting will be held Jan. 9th at 7:00
p.m. to handle business. The official swearing in took place
Monday, Jan. 7th.
•New council members were sworn in by Judge Sharla
Williams. They are Robert Shepherd, mayor; Paul Mangelson
and Ralph Brooks, council members. Candace Jackson was
selected by the council to serve as Town Clerk.
Action discussed and voted on at the January 2nd meeting
will not take effect because of the snafu. Therefore, any
actions voted on will need to be voted for at the special
meeting.
At the meeting held on January 2nd the council tried to
take the following actions.
New duties were assigned and ratified. Paul Mangelson
will be in charge of roads, water and beautification; Ralph
Brooks will be over the cemetery, garbage and
beautification; Rod Wankier will be over planning and
zoning, electrical and parks; Ryan Aagard will be over
natural gas, cable TV, animal control and the fire
department; Bob Shepherd will be over employees and anything
additional. Golden Mangelson, former mayor, was asked to be
over the Utah Municipal Power Agency.
•Levan's current bookkeeping program has some
shortcomings and Mayor Shepherd reported that he had
contacted Caselle, Inc. of Spanish Fork about the purchase
of new software that would help meet Auditor Greg Ogden's
needs. Nephi and Mona are currently using the Caselle
program.
He reported the cost of the program would total $12,000:
$3,000 for individual programs general ledger, accounts
payable, utility and billing and cash receipts. There would
be a $3,000 deduction if the program were to be used only on
one computer. The proposed cost would be $8,850 for the
program, $3,800 for conversion, and $3,600 for training.
Mayor Shepherd felt that the existing 260-270 customer
accounts did not justify the expensive cost of the Caselle
program and reported that because of current town finances,
funds were not available to purchase the program.
Ryan Aagard asked if it would be feasible to update the
existing program to meet the auditor's needs. Andrew
Robinson reported that it would take 8-10 hours to update
the individual funds, excluding the water fund which is
already acceptable, and 10-20 hours to work on the general
fund. Mayor Shepherd entertained the notion of keeping
Andrew Robinson on as a computer specialist at a rate of
$25.00 an hour. The approximate cost would be between $1,000
and $1,500.
Rod Wankier put in a motion to keep the program Levan is
already using and work out the problems, saving the $16,250
it would eventually cost to purchase the Caselle program.
Ryan Aagard said, "As long as we can keep Greg Ogden happy
with what we've got for $1,500-$2,000, I think we'd better
stick with it." He seconded the motion.
A unanimous vote was taken to stick with the current
program and keep Andrew Robinson on to work on the
individual programs for the next few months. The council can
then readdress the subject and determine if they have the
money in the budget to purchase the Caselle program.
•$50,000 in grant money from the state to improve
the park and ball fields has to be applied for by Jan. 15,
2002. Levan Town would have to match 50% of that money.
Labor and equipment could be used as Levan's match. The
state would not consider anything less, according to Rod
Wankier. "They wouldn't even do the paperwork on it", he
said while referring to last years attempt to apply for
$25,000 in grant money.
Mayor Shepherd held concerns over the proposed grant
money saying, "I have some concerns about having it because
of the financial situation we are in right now. Without any
money, it's kind of hard to look ahead and obligate
ourselves some more."
A question of Levan's financial obligations was made by
Golden Mangelson concerning money owed to the state. Andrew
Robinson assured him that the sales tax and IRS reports were
up to date and the only other obligation to the state was
$10,800 for retirement.
Paul Mangelson put in a motion to table the issue until
October or November when the council could reconsider
applying for a grant. Applications can be made every year.
Ryan Aagard seconded the motion and the motion carried.
•Utah Power and Light Representative Delynn Rodeback
discussed the renewal of the existing franchise agreement
with Levan City. Council members had a concern over specific
wording in the agreement and asked that it be amended and
re-presented at a later date. No action was taken.
•After the executive session, a 3-2 vote was taken
to allow city employees to work 5 days a week, 8 hours a day
instead of the 4-10 that was previously done. Paul Mangelson
made the motion and Ralph Brooks seconded. Rod Wankier and
Ryan Aagard were opposed.
•Due to technical problems with Levan's garbage
truck, garbage was not picked up on its usual day. Former
Mayor Andrew Robinson reported that an agreement with Nephi
Mayor Chad Brough was made to provide temporary pick-up
using Nephi's truck until repairs could be made. Levan
wouldn't have to cover the cost of the truck, but would need
to pay the driver for his time. An estimated repair cost was
given at $6,000-$10,000 to replace the engine in Levan's
truck.
•Appreciation Resolutions were presented and
ratified by the previous council. Those receiving were Shawn
Bryan and Jason Worwood, city employees, for their
successful efforts to improve the town of Levan. Rachelle
Bryan was commended for her service to the council and the
town while she served as town clerk. Further resolutions
were presented to Alden Shurtz, Craig Worwood, and Andrew
Robinson for their service on the council and for all that
they had done for Levan Town.
A resolution was presented by Jason Worwood on behalf of
Utah Municipal Power Agency to Andrew Robinson for his
service on the Board of Directors of UMPA.
A letter of appreciation from Jason Worwood, Shawn Bryan
and other appreciative citizens was read expressing
gratitude to the council for all that they have done on
behalf of Levan.
The special meeting will be held tonight at 7 p.m. and
the next scheduled Levan Town meeting will be held Feb. 6 at
7:00 p.m.
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