Bonneville Research October 18, 2017
SAN JUAN RECORD RESPONSE – October 18th, 2017 Bonneville Research based the Incorporation Feasibility study for Bluff, Utah on the requirements of Utah Code 10-2a-302 which provides that: (c) (i) For purposes of Subsection (7)(b)(iv), the feasibility consultant shall assume a level and quality of governmental services to be provided to the proposed town in the future that fairly and reasonably approximate the level and quality of governmental services being provided to the proposed town at the time of the feasibility study. The Bluff Incorporation Study was completed on June 24, 2017, reviewed by the Lt. Governor’s Office and posted on their website on June 28th, 2017, and presented as part of a Bluff Public Hearing on August 8th, 2017 I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Kelly Pehrson, both as a County Administrator and Municipal Administrator, but I am surprised and disappointed by his actions questioning the accuracy of our Bonneville Research Bluff Incorporation Feasibility Study on the following accounts: 1. Two of his Commissioners, Commissioner Phil Lyman and Commissioner Benally both publically stated their support for the incorporation of Bluff at the Bluff Community Meeting on August 8th, 2017. 2. Mr. Pehrson seems to have fallen into the trap of many County Administrators in that he thinks of Bluff as a service area that includes all of the unincorporated area of San Juan County south of the White Mountain Ute Reservation. He thus includes Aneth, Montezuma Creek, Mexican Hat, Monument Valley and likely even the Navajo Mountain Trading Post, the vast southern areas of San Juan County as within the boundaries of the proposed incorporated area of Bluff. Historically Law Enforcement and currently Fire and EMT services are provided to those areas “out of Bluff.” 3. Mr. Pehrson is also having difficulty separating the “approximate the level and quality of governmental services being provided to the proposed town at the time of the feasibility study” from service levels he apparently would like to provide. To specifically address the issues Mr. Pehrson raises:
Roads – “Pehrson said the feasibility study budgeted $25,000 to maintain roads within
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Bonneville Research October 18, 2017
Bluff City limit. However, Pehrson said there is a huge need for reconstruction of roads, and the budget is just for maintenance.” Pehrson is, therefore, stating that under San Juan County’s stewardship, Bluff roads have not been adequately serviced and recognizes that the proposed $25,000 “Current Level of Service” is appropriate for maintenance; not the rebuilding that he knows has been neglected.
Law Enforcement – Pehrson claims that the County is spending roughly $56,000 for a part-time deputy in Bluff. Using Pearson’s own $40/hour number that would mean that the part-time deputy was providing almost four hours a day, seven days a week, and 52 weeks a year as the current level of service to or within the proposed Bluff incorporated area. The Sponsor Committee reviewed Pearson’s assessment and concluded it could only be justified by including services provided to other areas of unincorporated San Juan County. The “current service level” budget that provided $30,000, or a little over two hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks a year was felt to be more realistic.
Transfer Bin – The Feasibility Study indicated that the Sponsor Committee is confident that appropriate land can be acquired for a relocated Transfer Bin.
Fire and EMT Equipment – Pehrson said, “the equipment and building in Bluff is San Juan County’s. We do not provide any equipment or buildings in Monticello or Blanding. So they either will need to purchase their own equipment and building or buy ours.” A review of Fire and EMT Calls for Service from Bluff determined that only one incident in the past several years, an accessory building (shed) fire was actually within the proposed town incorporation area. All other calls were to provide services to unincorporated areas outside the proposed incorporation boundaries of Bluff. The Incorporation Feasibility study anticipates that San Juan County will seek to negotiate with Bluff if incorporation occurs, as San Juan County will need the Volunteer Firefighters and EMT’s in Bluff to continue to staff the equipment and ”provide services in the unincorporated areas of Southern San Juan County.
Annual Wages – The Incorporation Feasibility study required “Current Service Levels.” Bluff currently operates on a “Volunteer” basis, and the anticipated budget reflects that fact.
Liability and Workers Comp – Included in the Administrative Expenses Budget.
Building Inspections - Pehrson says the feasibility study did not include a line item for building inspections, which are provided by the county. Yes, that is correct. The Feasibility Study anticipates that building inspection fees will
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Bonneville Research October 18, 2017
be handled like those in Blanding and Monticello and paid for by the Building Permit fees and then contracted with the County for the inspection service.
Further, Pehrson has indicated that San Juan County provides snow removal services to Monticello and Blanding in consideration for services from them. The Bluff Incorporation Feasibility Study anticipates a willingness of San Juan County to find an equal consideration for Bluff recognizing that snow removal is not the same issue in Bluff as it apparently is in Blanding and Monticello.
On November 7th, I am confident the voters of the proposed Town of Bluff will make their decision on whether to support the Incorporation of Bluff on accurate and complete facts and not last minute innuendos and misstatements. Thank You, Robert. L. Springmeyer, Bonneville Research
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Bonneville Research October 18, 2017
Roads – “Pehrson said the feasibility study budgeted $25,000 to maintain roads within
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Bonneville Research October 18, 2017
Bluff City limit. However, Pehrson said there is a huge need for reconstruction of roads, and the budget is just for maintenance.” Pehrson is, therefore, stating that under San Juan County’s stewardship, Bluff roads have not been adequately serviced and recognizes that the proposed $25,000 “Current Level of Service” is appropriate for maintenance; not the rebuilding that he knows has been neglected.
Law Enforcement – Pehrson claims that the County is spending roughly $56,000 for a part-time deputy in Bluff. Using Pearson’s own $40/hour number that would mean that the part-time deputy was providing almost four hours a day, seven days a week, and 52 weeks a year as the current level of service to or within the proposed Bluff incorporated area. The Sponsor Committee reviewed Pearson’s assessment and concluded it could only be justified by including services provided to other areas of unincorporated San Juan County. The “current service level” budget that provided $30,000, or a little over two hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks a year was felt to be more realistic.
Transfer Bin – The Feasibility Study indicated that the Sponsor Committee is confident that appropriate land can be acquired for a relocated Transfer Bin.
Fire and EMT Equipment – Pehrson said, “the equipment and building in Bluff is San Juan County’s. We do not provide any equipment or buildings in Monticello or Blanding. So they either will need to purchase their own equipment and building or buy ours.” A review of Fire and EMT Calls for Service from Bluff determined that only one incident in the past several years, an accessory building (shed) fire was actually within the proposed town incorporation area. All other calls were to provide services to unincorporated areas outside the proposed incorporation boundaries of Bluff. The Incorporation Feasibility study anticipates that San Juan County will seek to negotiate with Bluff if incorporation occurs, as San Juan County will need the Volunteer Firefighters and EMT’s in Bluff to continue to staff the equipment and ”provide services in the unincorporated areas of Southern San Juan County.
Annual Wages – The Incorporation Feasibility study required “Current Service Levels.” Bluff currently operates on a “Volunteer” basis, and the anticipated budget reflects that fact.
Liability and Workers Comp – Included in the Administrative Expenses Budget.
Building Inspections - Pehrson says the feasibility study did not include a line item for building inspections, which are provided by the county. Yes, that is correct. The Feasibility Study anticipates that building inspection fees will
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Bonneville Research October 18, 2017
be handled like those in Blanding and Monticello and paid for by the Building Permit fees and then contracted with the County for the inspection service.
Further, Pehrson has indicated that San Juan County provides snow removal services to Monticello and Blanding in consideration for services from them. The Bluff Incorporation Feasibility Study anticipates a willingness of San Juan County to find an equal consideration for Bluff recognizing that snow removal is not the same issue in Bluff as it apparently is in Blanding and Monticello.
On November 7th, I am confident the voters of the proposed Town of Bluff will make their decision on whether to support the Incorporation of Bluff on accurate and complete facts and not last minute innuendos and misstatements. Thank You, Robert. L. Springmeyer, Bonneville Research
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Bonneville Research October 18, 2017
