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  • State of Utah recognizes the creation of Juab Recreation District; resolution needed


By Mryna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent

Juab County has officially received the certificate from the Lieutenant Governor Gary R. Herbert's office recognizing the creation of the Juab Recreation District.

The next step that needs to be taken is for the county commission to adopt a resolution creating a governing board and listing any limitations or directions the county commission wishes to impose on the district.

"We received the certificate from the Lieutenant Governor's office certifying the creation of the Juab Special Service District," said Jared Eldridge, Juab County Attorney, in a memorandum to commissioners.

"Since we have now received the certificate from the Lieutenant Governor's office, the recreation district is now officially created."

Craig Sperry, county recorder, has also received a copy of the documents from Herbert and those have been placed with the documents creating the district and filed in Juab County Clerk/Auditor Pat Ingram's office.

"As we have discussed before," said Eldridge, "the statute states that the board can consist of between three and seven board members."

However, any municipality within the district that offers the same services that the district will offer is entitled to a board position. Eldridge said this appears to be in addition to the three to seven members allowed by the state statute.

The commission can also determine to place limitations on the board. For example, they could limit the types of recreational activities the district will administer.

If the communities of Nephi, Mona, Rocky Ridge, Eureka and Levan each had one board member, that would add up to five. If one member was added from the Juab School District, there would be six.

Commissioner Val Jones said he would call Eureka's mayor and find out if he thought there should also be one member from the Tinitic School District on the board.

"I think it is a good idea to have all three commissioners sit on the board," said Robert Steele, commissioner. "I think we need some controls. We can be out-voted but we can still make recommendations to the other board members."

There is the potential of having quite a bit of money under the control of the board, said Steele, and it would be better to have some type of control by elected officials who would be directly responsible to the people of the district.

"The district is created with no money to spend," said Neil Cook, commission chairman. "If the folks of the county don't pass the taxing question on the November ballot, it will remain a district with no money."

"It seems there is a possibility of getting the question passed," said Steele.

He said he did think that all those members of the board should be appointed to position by the community governing body.

So far, said Jones, the names that he had been given from three communities had been appointed by the city councils of those cities. In fact, two were council members.

Perhaps "What limitations do you think we need to place in regard to the structure and authority of the board?" asked Cook.

He said the fire district board has a lot of power and, he assumed, the recreation district would also have that same type of power and authority.

Steele suggested commissioners consult with other commissions in the region to find out how they have handled similar recreation district boards and what restrictions they had placed.

There will be an AOG meeting held in Richfield next week. Commissioners could request copies of written documents dealing with those recreations districts. They could also discuss, at that meeting, how special service districts dealing with recreation had been outlined in other areas.

Millard County, said Steele, has been operating a recreation district for some time and so had other nearby counties.

"Those other guys have been in the business of recreation long enough that they know whether what is being done is working or not," said Steele.

In addition, he said, state representatives will be on hand at the meeting and the subject could also be discussed with them.

In his memorandum, Eldridge said he could have a resolution ready for commission meeting on June 19.

"After your discussion at commission meeting (June 5), I would appreciate if you could put in writing your direction as to the number of board members and any limitations or directions you want included, so I can be sure to draft the resolution according to your wishes," said Eldridge.

Commissioner's agreed that after the meeting in Richfield, they will discuss more completely what should be included in the resolution. They will then direct Eldridge as to their concerns and desires.

They will then direct Eldridge to prepare the resolution for the June 19 agenda and will address its adoption at that time.

"We do have some pressure to get things done so that we will be ready for the ballot in November," said Cook.