EEA reports to Monticello, city waits for study

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Monticello City Council heard from Empire Electric, approved a bond for the city water project, and reviewed options for the future of the city justice court at their latest meeting.
Members of the Monticello council moved forward on a water rights bond for the city Spring Creek project at the June 10 meeting.
A financial advisor on the project, Marcus Keller of Crews and Associates, shared the details on the bond, noting the city received a $1 million grant from the Community Impact Board (CIB), as well as a $258,000 loan with an interest rate of 0.5 percent over 30 years.
Council adopted a resolution for the supplemental water revenue bond resolution. A public hearing on the bonds is scheduled for late July with notification coming to system users and plans to finalize and close the bonds before October, 2025.
Members of the Monticello City Council received word that their study of the city energy system will arrive a few weeks later than anticipated.
The city hired Regime Energy Partners to evaluate three options for the city’s energy system. Among the options are to maintain status quo, with Empire Electric operating the system. Other considerations are for the city to buy and operate the system, or buy the system and hire outside contractors for operation.
The company shared they are in an information-gathering phase and aim for a draft report by the end of June to outline major risks, pros, cons, and costs for each option. 
Additional information was shared with the council during closed session.
While the renewal with Empire Electric is up on June 30, the co-op indicates a willingness to work with the city on a small contract extension if needed for decision making.
The city originally signed a 40-year deal with Empire Electric in 2005, with an option for either party to cancel the contract at the 20 year mark which is this year.
At the meeting, members of the city council heard from representatives from Empire Electric, including General Manager Josh Dellinger and many board members of the co-op.
The co-op shared they provide full-requirements services to the city while owning and maintaining all infrastructure.
Empire Electric said the co-op remits a six-percent franchise fee to the city, the maximum allowed by Utah state law which is otherwise five percent in Colorado. Empire Electric shared other than that their agreements with Monticello and their Colorado municipalities are pretty much identical.
Empire Electric representatives also noted their focus on affordability, reliability and customer service, with the member-owned cooperative putting member-customer needs over profit.
Among the project highlighted included the redundant tie-line from the Pinto substation to prevent widespread outages, as well as seeking grants for projects that have put lines underground in fire-prone areas.
The co-op also noted its contribution to the community through scholarships and donations which is funded in part by unclaimed capital credits from members.
Members of the Monticello City Council also approved a temporary ban on fires and fireworks at Loyd’s Lake effective immediately and expiring on November 1, due to fire danger concerns.
Members of the city council also reviewed budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Among conversations were a proposal to raise park funds for better maintenance at the city ball fields. Also noted were upcoming future capital expenses including an estimated $200,000 for the city swimming pool plaster needed in the next several years.
Other investments include upgrading the Hideout Community Center audio/video system and addressing HVAC needs at city offices. 
Other capital projects include grants for a new playground, ongoing sewer and water projects, road maintenance, visitor center and other building upgrades.
Members of the city council also received a report from the state court system about the future of the city Justice Court. With Judge Lyon Hazelton announcing his retirement at year’s end, the city has a decision to make for the future with three options outlined by James Peter the Utah Justice Courts Administrator.
One option would be to keep the status quo with the city hiring its own judge maintaining separate systems while sharing county location and clerks. Another option is an interlocal agreement with the county. The option would end city expenses for prosecutors and public defenders and pause the city system without closing it.
All justice matters going through the county could potentially allow for negotiations on revenue sharing and sheriff contract costs. Onnly two percent of the justice court dealings involve local residents with 98 percent made up of outside residents. 
A final option would be for the city to shut down the court which was strongly advised against noting the difficulty of restarting it, as well as the average $97,000 in revenue received annually from the justice court.
A decision was requested of the city by the end of the month to allow time for judge selection. The City of Blanding went through a similar process in recent years with the city electing to continue to operate its own Justice Court.
The city also approved purchase of a $7,200 field conditioner for the city ball fields, with half covered by the parent recreation association. The council also approved a $24,800 contract for tree trimming and removal services across city parks and along Highway 191, with the contract split between the current and upcoming financial year.