By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A list of Juab County projects has been prepared and
is ready to be submitted to the Department of Community and
Economic Development.
"Priority A" indicates that the item listed is of high
importance and a pool/recreation center was such a listing
for Nephi City and for Juab County.
Edwin Benson and Emery Polelonema, representing the
Six County Association of Governments (SCAOG), met with
commissioners to present the listing of projects both the
county and the cities in the county considered priority for
assistance from CIB (Community Impact Fund Board) in
2005.
"We appreciate you allowing us to talk to the
leadership of the various communities in your county," said
Polelonema.
"The meetings also gave us insight into other issues
of importance to each community such as, for example,
housing."
Consolidation of action plans community and economic
development enables the region to implement goals and
objectives. Grants are made available through this planning
protocol.
Projects not on the list, said Wm. Boyd Howarth,
commission chair, are not considered by the CIB for funding
in that year unless there is an emergency. Therefore the
listing is essential and the work of Polelonema and Benson
in compiling it for the county was much appreciated.
"The list has been prioritized as requested, however
it is subject to change in accordance with the yearly update
procedures of both CDBG and CIB Programs," said
Polelonema.
There is an "A" list, a "B" list and a third list for
projects which have not been prioritized. In addition, said
Benson, there is a short term list, a medium term list, and
a long term list.
Neil Cook, commissioner, pointed out that a recreation
center was listed as a priority on both the county and Nephi
City lists.
"Would it be best to have recreation listed for either
Juab County or Nephi City?" he asked.
Polelonema said the priority itemizing on both lists
gave more weight to the project.
It is probably redundant but it has happened that the
importance of a project has been backed up by being listed
on another entities' list, he said.
"Then take the Nephi City dollar amount and match it
over on the county list," said Cook. The county did not have
a dollar amount attached to their list but, instead, had it
listed as TBD (to be determined).
Nephi had estimated the pool/recreation center as
costing approximately $2,500,000.
This consolidated local capital improvement list for
Juab County has been compiled as directed by the Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Permanent Community
Impact Fund Board (CIB) Programs is can now be submitted to
the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
to ensure future consideration of funding for projects
contained on this list which may be presented during the
calendar year of 2005 and beyond.
"The CDBG Program assists cities with populations of
50,000 or less and counties with populations with 200,000 or
less," said Polelonema. "The Planning and Community
Development Department serves as a facilitator in the
implementation of the CDBG regional program."
Some community and county requests are for grants and
others for low-interest loans. Some include matching
funds.
The priority listing, "A" projects, for Eureka
included a fire break, a water development well, the
planning and surveying of streets, a water line upgrade,
park improvements, sidewalk repair and curb and gutter, and
street lighting.
The "A" listing for Juab County included the
recreation center and fairground improvements.
The Juab Fire District is planning a fire station for
Eureka and the West Desert.
Levan included on its "A" list the purchase of an
ambulance, the bypass Haul Road-Alternate Route, park
improvements, cemetery improvements and main street
lighting.
Mona's "A" list included a community building.
Nephi's list included a trail system, a
pool/recreation center, a sewer lagoon expansion feasibility
study, and water source development.
Their "B" list also included a drainage masterplan and
water distribution masterplan.
Rocky Ridge listed a park (an active project) and
road/drainage improvements and curb and gutter.
The Juab School District appears on the medium term
list with a tennis court restoration project which is a
priority "A."
"This lets the CDBG and CIB know what is coming down
the pike," said Polelonema.
Polelonema, Six County Deputy Executive Director,
currently serves a multi-purpose role as Procurement
Specialist in the Procurement Technical Assistance Center
(PTAC), Mapping/Design/Planning Specialist, Human Resource
Management Specialist, and Planning Director. In addition,
he manages the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Program for the Six County Association of Governments.
Benson is Regional Planner of the Six County
Association of Governments.
The Six County Planning and Community Development
Department serves Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, and
Wayne Counties. This effort is in concert with Utah's
multi-district planning and development initiated in 1967 to
facilitate planning on a regional approach for area-wide
cooperation.
The main purpose is directed toward establishing legal
and administrative means to coordinate planning at state and
local government levels.
The SCAOG's CDBG Program assists local communities and
counties in promoting economic growth and job creation;
maintaining facilities and building infrastructure; meeting
basic needs; and in providing affordable housing for low and
moderate income persons.
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