San Juan County may be looking to cut $348,675 in expenditures in the coming years in anticipation of a cut in property tax revenues. A property tax rate will be set on June 24 that could cut total property tax revenues in November by that amount. The drop is due in large part to a $100 million decrease in county property values. It would represent a 9.48 percent drop in total property tax collections. Commissioners discussed the rates at the June 17 Commission meeting. If the county keeps the same tax rate as the past year, the total amount collected will drop by $348,675. If the county adjusts rates to keep revenue the same as the past year (revenue neutral), the tax rates would increase 9.55 percent. Last year, the county adopted a revenue neutral rate plus $40,000 to account for increased employee costs. That rate was set during a $125 million increase in property values. The county is concerned about increased costs due to Obama Care mandates. County Administrator Kelly Pehrson said that a ten percent increase in health care costs could mean up to $190,000 in increased expenditures. County Clerk Norman Johnson said he had no recommendation for the Commissioners but added that cutting employees may be the only option. “We are rapidly getting to the point where it is a personnel issue,” said Johnson. “This year’s budget is going to be fascinating.” Approximately $3 million of the $12 million county budget comes from property taxes. The drop from a rate neutral stance would create a five percent decrease in the entire budget. Commissioner Bruce Adams said, “We are leaning towards going rate neutral at this point.” Commissioner Phil Lyman added, “My first reaction is to keep it rate neutral and find a way to creatively increase values.” Commissioners look to the future with optimism, hoping that growth in centrally assessed property values will help cover the anticipated short-term cuts. Lyman said, “Centrally-assessed values could double if we could shake a few things loose.” Adams said he “tends to see that there are things on the horizon. Up to $100 million in wind energy could start by the end of this year and the potash could be a $2 billion project.” Adams added, “I don’t think that the future is bleak, but we need to be careful about what we are doing this next taxing year.” Johnson said, “When we are facing things like this, it gives us opportunity to take a close look at our expenditures. The future is great, but if it isn’t on the books on January 1, it has no impact here and now.” Pehrson added, “If we go rate neutral now, it will mean employees.” In other matters at the June 17 meeting, Tri-Hurst Construction was formally awarded a $366,305 contract to remodel the county library in Monticello. Jared Palmer, of Spanish Valley, has been hired to work dispatch in the Sheriff’s department. Once he is certified, he will become a corrections officer. A $14,950 bid was awarded to Quinn Palmer for 100 concrete cattleguard timbers for the road department. Extension Agent Jim Keyes announced that the ninth annual San Juan Ranch Horse Sale will take place on July 13 at the County Fairgrounds in Monticello. About 55 horses are set to be sold, including a futurity sale for colts. Keyes reports that some ranchers are selling down their cattle herd because of drought. He added that the drought will keep beef prices up, as the herd drops. He said there are predictions of high calf prices for years to come. The Commission approved a $5,000 bid from Scott Saunders to purchase the county Abajo TV property. Bernie Christensen was appointed to the Monticello Cemetery Special Service District. A building permit was approved for a Blanding-area home on Pinion Ridge Road.

SPORTS SHORTS
by Scott Boyle You can add Tatianna Su’e Su’e to the list of local MVPs mentioned in last weeks Sportshorts.  Su’e Su’e, just a sophomore, was named MVP in 2A softball after leading the Lady Broncos to the 2A title last month.   And what a year it was for Su’e Su’e.  She was the leader on the mound for the Broncos, with a 19-3 record, second in the state in wins, 122 strikeouts (fifth in state) and 135 innings pitched (second in the state).   But she was also a force at the plate, leading the entire state in home runs with 15 (breaking the state record for most HRs in a season in the process), and RBIs with 50.   She had the ninth best batting average in the state with a .542 average on 45 hits in 83 at bats, including those 15 homers and 10 doubles.    In one season, Su’eSu’e tied the SJH career record for homeruns held by Generra Nielson, and with 23 career homeruns, after going yard eight times as a freshman, is closing in on the state career homerun record of 32. Golf news The Hideout has been a busy place since summer began.  The last four weekends in a row have seen the Hideout hosting tournaments.  Two weeks ago, the Annual Arch and the Horsehead tournament hosted 132 golfers at both the Hideout and the Moab Golf Course.    Several local golfers paired up to do quite well in the popular event.  Doug Pehrson and Del Hunter teamed up to win third flight.  Kelly Pehrson and Brian Sturdevant were third in first flight, shooting a fine 133, two shots behind the winners.   In the Ladies Flight, local golfers Kim Lacy and Janean Snyder combined to take first place in net, while Kathy Lamb and Carol Van Steeter were a close second.   Ain’t it nice to see 132 golfers on the Hideout? This past Saturday, a bunch of “Lazy Aces” took to the course for the Lazy Aces Triathlon, consisting of nine holes of golf, a clay pigeon shoot and an ATV poker run.   Event organizer and city manager Greg Westfall and wife Jennifer took first place in the team competition.  Carol Van Steeter’s team, who shall remain nameless, was second.   In the individual competition, Troy Butler proved adept at all three events to capture first place and some of the $2,000 prize money.  Mike Holyoak was second and Dustin Jones third.   Holyoak amazingly proved to be the best golfer in the competition, shooting a 41 for five... er... nine holes. Jones grabbed the best poker hand, three queens, in the ATV Poker Run, and Westfall won the clay pigeon shoot.   All in the first annual event had buckets of fun. The junior clinic is in full swing every Monday morning at the Hideout without around 12 junior golfers participating.  Keep it up guys. Football in June
Is it too early for football, or maybe too late?  Either way, the Utah high school football all-star games were June 15 at Alta High School in Sandy.   A troika of Broncos from Blanding, Bogh Bayles, Bobby Bowring and Barkley (Christensen, that is) figured prominently in the 1A/2A team’s 20-12 triumph over the 3A boys.   Barkley QBed the 1A/2A team the entire game and led the boys to a second consecutive win over the 3A team.   Bayles bowled his way into the endzone for the first 1A/2A touchdown early in the first quarter.  Yes, you read that correctly, and Bayles relished his new role as a bruising running back.   Barkley tossed two touchdown passes and added a two point extra point try to his former favorite receiver, Bowring, to account for the rest of the scoring.   The 3A boys got a little chippy at the end of game, apparently taking issue with losing to 1A/2A boys. They plowed through the line twice to nail a taking-a-knee Barkley, provoking a scuffle among the players, drawing flags and finally causing the head official to call the game with seconds on the clock.   Sportshorts could write something like “Sorry 3A”, but shall refrain.

Charles Armstrong of Blanding caught this lunker of a largemouth bass at Recapture Reservoir on June 5.  Using 6 lb test line and a plastic worm against this big gal, she gave him quite a fight before he was able to land her! Courtesy photo