the
COUNTY
Utah Association of Counties
This Issue Calendar 2 New Executive Officers
2
Official of the Year
2
Legislative Schedule
3
Top 5 Local Services
5
Coming Soon January 24 UAC Board of Directors Meeting Park City February 7 New Officials Training UAC Office in Murray February 8 County Legislature Day Salt Lake City
UAC Contacts 5397 S. Vine Street Murray, UT 84107 Ph. (801) 265-1331 Fax (801) 265-9485 www.UACnet.org
Jill Brown, Accountant Chelsie Dalton, UBHC Admin Brent Gardner, Executive Dir. Debbie Goodwin, Office Mgr. Alice Hancock, Admin. Assistant Doug Perry, Communications Dir. Adam Trupp, General Counsel Arie Van De Graaff, Leg. Analyst Mark Ward, Senior Planning Coordinator & Policy Analyst
VOICE WINTER2013
UAC 2013 Legislative Priorities The 2013 Legislative Session begins on January 28 this year. The Utah Association of Counties is prepared to represent the interests of Utah’s counties and those counties’ citizens once again at the Legislature. Below are UAC’s top four legislative priorities for the 2013 Legislative Session:
1. Resale of County Data
It is important to recognize that any resource the county holds (including data) is ultimately held in trust for the taxpayers. Recently, aggressive private entities have requested and then sold massive amounts of data procured from county government. Legislation is being drafted for the 2013 Legislative Session that would allow counties to charge fair market value for this data, thus protecting the public’s best interest. Legislation will include exclusions for requests for records from media outlets, requests from individuals, and requests to which the interlocal cooperation act would apply.
2. Transportation Funding
Despite legislative emphasis on transportation funding over the last several years, there continues to be a significant gap in long-term funding to address the needs of Utah’s highways moving forward. Based on current revenue sources, Utah is looking at roughly an $11 billion gap in funding between now and 2040.
The Utah Association of Counties, the Utah League of Cities and Towns and Utah’s MPO’s are committed and united in their efforts to push local transportation funding to the forefront of the discussion during the 2013 session (with an acknowledgment that this is within a more holistic, multi-year effort).
3. County Appropriations
County government is often the means through which the state provides numerous health and human services including substance abuse and mental health treatment, aging services, and many more. Additionally, counties are required to house state prisoners held in county jails as a condition of probation. Utah’s counties are proud of the services they offer and feel that they can provide those services better and more cost efficiently than the state; however, the state must play its part in the partnership by funding these
Priorities continued on page 6
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County VOICE 2013 CALENDAR
Please mark your calendars for the following key UAC events in 2013. Should there be a change, we will notify you as soon as possible. January 24 UAC Board of Directors Meeting Park City February 7 New Officials Training UAC Office in Murray February 8 County Officials Day at the Legislature Salt Lake City March 2-6 NACo Legislative Conference Washington DC April 10 UAC Board of Directors Meeting Provo April 10-12 UAC Management Conference Provo May 22-24 Western Interstate Region (WIR) Flagstaff, AZ June 28 Summer USACCC Conference TBA July 19-22 NACo Annual Conference Fort Worth, TX September 25-27 Fall USACCC Conference Midway November 13-15 UAC Annual Convention St. George
Winter 2013 Page 2
UAC Convention Chooses New Leadership, Recognizes Outstanding Officials Carbon County Commissioner John Jones was elected president of the Utah Association of Counties (UAC) at the organization’s 88th Annual Convention, November 16 in St. George. Replacing Utah County Treasurer Robert Kirk, he will oversee the organization’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors for one year. Jones is the second Carbon County Commissioner and UAC President John Jones elected official from Carbon County to head UAC in its 92 years of existence. Preceding him was former Commissioner Silas Rowley in 1937. Also elected, joining Jones and Kirk (now serving as past-president) on the UAC Executive Committee, are First Vice President and Millard County Auditor Brandy Grace, Second Vice President and Salt Lake County Council Member David Wilde and Secretary and Sevier County Commissioner Gordon Topham. The evening also recognized San Juan County Commissioner Bruce Adams as the overall outstanding county official for 2012. Adams was chosen from a field of eight county officials representing each of the affiliate groups that make up the UAC membership. The process includes a selection committee that weighs the contributions and services made by each individual and a vote among peers that takes place during the Convention. Along with Adams, who was selected by the Commissioner/Council Member affiliate group as Commissioner of the Year, seven others were honored. They include: ŪŪ Assessor of the Year: John Ulibarri, Weber County ŪŪ Attorney of the Year: David Brickey, Summit County ŪŪ Auditor of the Year: Ryan Torgerson, Wayne County ŪŪ Clerk of the Year: Karla Johnson, Kane County ŪŪ Recorder of the Year: Randy Simmons, Uintah County ŪŪ Sheriff of the Year: Todd Bonner, Wasatch County ŪŪ Surveyor of the Year: Reid Demman, Salt Lake County ŪŪ Treasurer of the Year: John Bond, Weber County
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UAC Legislative Committee Meetings to be Broadcast throughout the State With the start of a new year, it’s time once again for UAC’s Legislative Committee to meet. And once again the meetings during the 2013 Legislative Session will be broadcast throughout the state. The Legislative Session begins on Monday, January 28 and concludes on Thursday, March 14. The Legislative Committee meetings will be broadcast to the following locations throughout the state: Cedar City Southwest Utah Public Health Department 260 DL Sargent Drive Cedar City, UT 84721 Logan Bear River Health Department 655 East 1399 North Logan, UT 84341 Moab Allen Memorial Hospital 719 West 400 North Moab Utah 84532 Richfield Central Utah Public Health Department 70 Westview Dr. Richfield, Utah 84701 St. George Southwest Utah Public Health Department 168 North 100 East St. George, UT 84770 Vernal TriCounty Health Department 147 E. Main St. Vernal, Utah 84878 Web Streaming County officials will be able to view all the Legislative Committee meetings streaming on the web. A dedicated telephone line will be provided for officials participating via web streaming to call into the meeting and make their voices heard. To participate in the web streaming, visit the UAC website at UACnet.org.
Legislative Committee Schedule January 31 • 9 AM – 11 AM (Olmstead Room Senate Building, State Capitol) February 7 • 9 AM – 11 AM (Olmstead Room Senate Building, State Capitol) February 14 • 9 AM – 11 AM (Olmstead Room Senate Building, State Capitol) February 21 • 9 AM – 11 AM (Olmstead Room Senate Building, State Capitol) February 28 • 9 AM – 11 AM (Olmstead Room Senate Building, State Capitol) March 7 • 9 AM – 11 AM (Olmstead Room Senate Building, State Capitol)
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Critical Documents Print & Mail Specialists Government Printing Tax Notices Juror Summons Utility Billing Medical Statements Financial Statements Medical Insurance Eligibility Packets Check Printing Company W-2 Forms
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9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. State Capitol Complex • Auditorium Schedule 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast
(Auditorium)
9:30
Overview of Key Legislation
10:45
Affiliate Breakouts
11:15
Meet Legislators (Rotunda)
11:45
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Noon
Lunch With Legislators
(Auditorium)
1:00 p.m. Adjourn
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All county officials are encouraged to attend. The event is a great opportunity to not only show strength in numbers and unity, but also county officials can meet one-on-one with their local legislators and outline county positions and priorities. Ideally, officials should contact their local legislators and invite them to the luncheon.
Parking
As many of you know, parking around the Capitol Complex is limited. However, there are some spots (in lots and on streets) up on the east and north sides. Please allow ample time to park and find the Auditorium Room.
Open registration is $80 until February 1. Please register in advance on the UAC Website at www.uacnet.org • Call us with questions: (801) 265-1331
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Top Five Local Government Services Residents Want Caselle’s poll of government administrators reveals the top five services that are in hottest demand.
In exactly one month, President Obama will be sworn in for his second term, giving Americans the chance to reflect on the past and look forward to the country’s bright future. But what do people really want from local government? Caselle has released its list of the top five practical services and features that residents want from local governments. The results come from a survey of administrators, clerks and finance officers from cities and counties across the western United States. 1. Residents want prompt responses to service requests. “Most residents don’t call unless it’s a big problem. When they finally call us, they’re in desperation to get something done,” Steve Elms, Riverton (Utah) city treasurer, said. More than 83 percent of survey participants agreed that quick repairs are important to residents, and 55 percent indicated that service requests are a resident’s top priority. When residents find themselves without water, natural gas or garbage services, they want help, and they want it fast. 2. Residents want a city or county website that is easy to navigate. “The website is important for the transparency of government in general,” Jefferson (Ore.) City Clerk Deanna Donato said. “Regardless of what we tell them, they can actually go online and see for themselves.” A local government webpage should be a rallying point for the community, not just a warehouse of old meeting agendas. Residents expect the city or county website to keep them up-todate on current issues, help them voice their concerns and connect them with facilities, schools and administrative
departments. The ability to apply online for licenses and permits is another feature residents like. 3. Residents want online payments. “Paying online is easy,” Andrea Iverson, Parker (Colo.) city auditor, said. “It’s convenient. It’s faster and cheaper than writing a check.” Residents are eager to pay their utility bills, property taxes and court fees from their own homes, but many cities and counties are lagging behind. Online bill payment technology is a major expense, especially for small communities, but this feature is becoming increasingly affordable. Local governments should look to incorporate online payments in order to satisfy their constituents. 4. Residents want an online calendar of local events. “With an events calendar, more people attend things that are happening locally and put more revenue back into the town,” said Kathy Lehmann, deputy treasurer for St. Anthony (Idaho).
5. Residents want text alerts. “Everybody just does everything via text now,” Tisha Green, manager of Hidalgo County (N.M.), said. “It’s fast, it’s convenient, and everybody has texting. It’s especially convenient for emergency response.” Gone are the days of knocking doors or making automated phone calls to keep residents in the know. Text blasts are a fast, efficient way to keep on-the-go residents informed about local events or emergencies. About Caselle, Inc. – Caselle provides accounting solutions to local governments. Based in Provo, Utah, the company produces software for accounting, utility billing, budgeting, reporting, payroll and permitting needs. Caselle serves more than 1,300 customers in 34 states. For more information, visit www.caselle.com.
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Legislative Priorities continued from page 1 programs at the proper rates. The Utah Association of Counties is committed to working with the legislature to set funding levels for these programs that work for both the state and the counties.
4. Narrowing Responsibilities for Uninsured Clients Counties are charged with responsibility for providing mental health and substance abuse treatment services to Utah citizens. Counties fund these services through a partnership with the State and the Federal governments. Under current law, to the extent funding is available, counties are responsible for providing services to everyone who requires and requests services whether they are able to pay or not. Under the Federal Affordable Care Act everyone will be required to have
health insurance through either a public or a private sector system which would enable them to pay for services. If Utah expands Medicaid coverage as provided by the ACA, the number of people unable to pay for care will be diminished and the cost to counties and the state will be reduced as the Federal government picks up more of the cost. If Medicaid is not expanded, then the costs to the counties will remain and will continue to increase over time. Counties would remain responsible for providing care to people unable to pay as the Federal government pays less over time. The authority to decide whether to take additional money from the Federal Government to pay for medical care lies with the state. The decision on how to provide care to people unable to pay for
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that care also lies with the state. UAC believes that if the state determines not to accept Medicaid expansion, thereby leaving a large portion of the population uninsured, the state should also agree to remove the responsibility for counties to provide treatment to uninsured persons. This reduction in responsibility could be made through statutory amendments that clarify counties need only provide care to persons who have insurance. This reducing of responsibility could also highlight the responsibility under Federal law that everyone obtain insurance through a public or a private plan in order to provide for their needs. The change in responsibility would also ensure counties do not bear the burden of costs associated with the state’s rejection of Medicaid funding.
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Coming Soon: Impact of the Fiscal Cliff Bill As county officials are aware, Congress and the President have crafted and signed into law new legislation (American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012) addressing the “Fiscal Cliff” crisis. UAC is working closely with NACo and members of the congressional delegation to understand the impacts of this legislation on counties in Utah. Last week UAC received a notice from NACo that begins to outline some thoughts and elements that will be coming into play very shortly. You can find a link to that document on the UAC website news section at: www.uacnet.org Again, we are working to learn more about the legislation and will work to educate the counties in the weeks and months ahead.
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UTAH COUNTIES INDEMNITY POOL
LIABILITY LIMITS DOUBLED at NO ADDITIONAL COSTS to MEMBERS While higher limits have always been an option for UCIP members the UCIP Board of Trustees approved increasing liability limits to $5,000,000 per occurrence effective January 1, 2013. UCIP heard concerns from its members concerning large judgments in federal courts, and counties that have recently increased their exposure to federal and constitutional claims have expressed interest in considering higher limits, which led to this increased level of coverage. Limits above the $5,000,000 are available from UCIP and can be secured by contacting Johnnie Miller. These higher limits protect members for claims exceeding the state tort caps (primarily claims in federal court for civil rights violations, federal or state constitutional claims, and auto liability claims arising in other states that do not recognize Utah's state tort caps). UCIP strives to protect the tort cap limitations the counties enjoy, and so provides excess limits only for claims not limited by the tort caps.
LAND USE COVERAGE The UCIP Board of Trustees has approved deleting the exclusion to Land Use Claims. Full coverage will be provided to members for claims resulting from enforcement of land use ordinances as well as issuing or failure to issue permits and variances. Coverage includes full defense costs in addition to UCIP’s $5,000,000 limits.
TRAINING SCHEDULE Facilities Management Conference March 21, 2013 South Jordan
Fair Coverage April 3, 2013 South Jordan
Coordinator’s Training April 9, 2013 Provo
Planning & Zoning Conference April 24-25 South Jordan
Personnel Workshop May 8-9, 2013 St. George
Risk Management Conference September 18-19, 2013 Cedar City
PO Box 95730, South Jordan, UT
84095-0730
801-565-8500
www.ucip.utah.gov