SJ County Commission notes 143 years of service from elected officials

by Roma Young
San Juan County expressed thanks to six elected officials who will leave office in 2015. In total, the six officials offered 143 years of service to the residents of San Juan County.
At the December 15 Commission meeting, the San Juan County Commissioners thanked those who have “faithfully served the county” and will leave at year-end.
One of their own is among the number, as Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy will leave office and will give service elsewhere. Commissioner Maryboy said, “It was an honor to serve,” and added, “It is time for me to spend more time with my family.”
Also leaving county employment are Howard Randall, who served as County Assessor for 12 years, and Craig Halls, who served as County Attorney for the past 28 years.
Randall said, “It has been an education for me to see things from this side of the issues,” and added that it has been “a great experience.”
Halls said he has “had great respect for those I have worked with.”
Three other long-term elected officials decided it was time for them to retire and did not seek re-election.
County Recorder Louise Jones said, “Those who went before me kept great records, and I have tried to do the same.” Jones added, “I was elected to serve, and that is what I tried to do.”
David Bronson, who said he grew up in the county surveyor office, thanked the county “for the opportunity I have had.”
Bronson added that he filled another important role at the courthouse in allowing others to have fun at his expense and wonders who will fill that role in the future.
County Clerk Norman Johnson rounds out the six departing at year-end. He expressed the idea well that “no one succeeds alone” and the county is no different. Johnson said, “It is a team effort,” and said that aspect of the job has meant a lot to him.
Several of these individuals had family members present to support them and the future they now face and, in some cases, embrace. Most courthouse employees were also present in support.
In other business, a representative from the National Park Service presented information to the Commission regarding a nationwide proposal for fee increases at all national parks.
Local parks have the opportunity to put the proposal out for public comment and then make a recommendation on the fees charged at the local parks. There is a possibility that the fees may be lowered, which is what has been requested by the Hovenweep Park.
Also discussed is the reasoning behind the reservation system which is being considered for Arches National Park. Under the current system, the parking lots in key areas are crowded at certain times of the day and season.
A reservation system could possibly extend the park usage into other parts of the day and months of the year when people don’t use the park as heavily and the parking would be more adequate under that scenario.
The Commission held a budget hearing on December 8 to discuss the 2015 county budget. The proposed $11.253 million budget is scheduled to be approved at the December 22 Commission meeting.
The budget includes a five percent pay raise for county employees and elected officials.
Commissioners stated that the employees have not had an across-the-board pay increase for several years. Commissioners explained that with a new “lean and mean” county government, there is room for a much-needed pay raise for county employees.