By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab County received a valid protest for the James
Smithson annexation petition for property which petitioners
desire to have become part of Mona Town.
In a letter sent to Mona Town Council, Juab County
Attorney David Leavitt said the Utah Code requires a
prescribed response to the protest.
"Utah Code requires the formation of a boundary
commission now that a valid protest has been filed," said
Leavitt. "Furthermore, the formation of a boundary
commission requires the obtaining of a feasibility study to
aid the boundary commission in determining whether the
annexation should proceed."
"A boundary commission has already been formed by the
commission," said Mayor Bryce Lynn.
Glenn Greenhalgh, county economic advisor, was
appointed to that commission, said Lynn. In addition, the
commission also includes two of the Juab County
Commissioners and an elected representative selected from
each of the communities.
The code also requires that the county and the
annexing municipality jointly bear the costs of the
feasibility study.
"Our early estimate suggest that such a feasibility
study would cost between $15,000 and $20,000 which would be
50 percent the responsibility of Mona Town," Leavitt
said.
Two options, under the law, are open to the town
council. First, the town council can send a letter to the
county attorney documenting the promise to pay half of the
feasibility study as required by law, or second, deny the
petition for annexation.
"The county views this as a matter of local importance
and is willing to expend money on its share of the
feasibility study if Mona Town desires to proceed," said
Leavitt.
Nila Keyte, town clerk, said Smithson had contacted
her. "He said he was aware of the protest and would table
his request until October."
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