By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The annual process of identifying projects for Juab
County and the communities of the county for consideration
for CIB capital improvements projects has begun again.
Emery Polelonema and Russell Cowley, representing the
Six County AOG, met with Juab County Commissioners to
discuss allowing the men to visit with the various city
leaders to talk about projects they consider important for
each community.
"We want the community leaders to understand that
there is not as much money available this year as there was
last year," said Cowley. "We are about 20 percent off."
Polelonema said the Utah Permanent Community Impact
Fund Board (CIB) met August 3 and approved $10,501,290 in
grants and low interest loans to assist rural communities in
the Six County region of the state.
This meeting marks the beginning of the Board's three
funding cycles for 2007. The Board funds annually in April,
August and December.
"The CIB money for these projects comes just from the
coal, oil and gas money that goes in that pot," said
Cowley.
On the list the county commission reviewed, were also
projects which may qualify for Community Block Development
Grant (CDBG) money.
The needs in rural communities are greatly impacted by
the extraction of oil, coal and gas. CIB funds allow
communities to make necessary improvements for public needs,
including water, roads, and public safety.
"I look at this list and I wonder why we try," said
Neil Cook, Juab County Commission chairman.
Six County Region (Central Utah) received help in CIB
money for the Town of Central Valley received $295,000 grant
in supplemental funds for street and bridge improvements and
to purchase maintenance equipment; Richfield City received
$1,500,000 grant and $500,000 in a 10 year 0 percent
interest loan for street improvements consisting of
extension of Technology Drive, construction of a parallel
bike/pedestrian path and trailhead parking.
Sevier County Municipal Building Authority received
$525,000 grant and $525,000 in a 30 year 0 percent interest
loan for the expansion and refurbishment of the Central Utah
Public Health Department building that includes the addition
of a basement and an expanded parking area and Mt. Pleasant
City received a $4,000,000 loan for 12 years at 0 percent
interest for street and drainage improvements and
replacement of two bridges.
Delta City received two CIB awards. One for a $30,000
grant for a study to determine size requirements, floor
plans, cost estimates and construction of a new Civic Center
and the other, a $3,073,000 loan for 30 years at 0 percent
interest, for water system improvements including
construction of a new culinary water well, installation of a
new sodium hypochlorite generator and construction of a two
million gallon storage tank.
The town of Redmond received a $53,290 grant to
construct a veterans memorial on granite blocks topped with
two bronze statues.
The Community Impact Board is a program of the Utah
Division of Housing and Community Development, a division of
the Utah Department of Community and Culture.
It assists state and local agencies and entities that
are impacted by mineral resource development on federal land
through grants and low-interest loans for the planning,
construction, and maintenance of public facilities.
The funds also help community agencies provide public
services.
"I know you have some real animosity toward this,"
said Cowley.
One of the problems with the Juab County list, he
said, is that it is too broad.
"It should probably be pared down and prioritized but
the only way the board will look at it is if it is on a
list," said Cowley.
Therefore, he said, it was probably good to have the
projects on the list but some should be for long term
consideration and the rest should be pared to one or two
items each community was really going to work on right
away.
"You (commissioners) have the final say of what is on
the list," said Polelonema.
Dec. 1, 2006 is the deadline for the list to be
complete, said Cowley. The two men will meet with the
community leaders and will return to the commission in
November.
Polelonema has been appointed to a new position, that
of the new regional planner, and, as such, would like to
meet with the county council of mayors to go over the list
of priorities and to discuss planning.
"I would like to come on Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. in the
commission chambers and meet with the mayors," he said.
Meanwhile, the two men will go out to the various
communities and meet with the councils with the blessing of
the commission.
Polelonema said he would be happy to attend the next
CIB board meeting where applications are reviewed and serve
as an advocate for Juab County.
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