San Juan Commission talks USU ext. office, pay scale study, asked about emails from attorneys

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County Commission received an update on the USU extensions program, approved a contract to study how to keep wages competitive, and heard public comment regarding emails to the commissioners at their latest meeting.
During the public comment portion of the October 18 meeting Blanding resident Merri Shumway asked the commission about over 500 emails she said she had accessed sent to Commissioners Willie Grayeyes and Kenneth Maryboy but not Bruce Adams from attorneys Steven Boos and Liz Thomas.
Shumway asked if Boos or Thomas did not believe that Grayeyes and Maryboy have the intelligence to make decisions for the county or if the commissioners did not believe that they had the intelligence to research issues and make decisions for San Juan County.
Shumway shared an email from Thomas that allegedly read that in May 2021 Thomas instructed the commissioners to not renew a contract with Jerry McNeely to act as assistant planning liaison for northern San Juan County for $1,200 a month. McNeely had reportedly served as a contracted liaison since 2009.
“I would hope that you think that you’re intelligent enough to study these out and make your own decisions and quit being puppets.”
Following the public comment Commissioner Grayeyes said, “Interesting. The fight goes on.” Commissioner Maryboy was not in attendance at the meeting.
Also during public comment County Economic Development Director Elaine Gizler reported on the Sole to Sole event where over 130 pairs of shoes were collected for county children in need at the Canyon Country Discovery Center in Monticello.
At the meeting members of the commission also heard an update from the county’s new USU Extension director Reagan Wytsalucy.
Wytsalucy shared since taking over the position in July the office has been in process of hiring a new family and consumer science agent as well as a staff assistant.
Wytsalucy also shared she plans to make regular reports to the commission on the extension offices work. One item on the report caught the eye of the commissioners.
Commissioner Adams asked about Wytsalucy’s work related to Navajo Water Rights.
“I’m helping the chapters come together with an agricultural plan so that way they can justify the use of the water for agricultural purposes.”
The Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement between the state, federal government and Navajo Nation was finalized in May 2022. The settlement includes $218 million for water infrastructure on Navajo Utah as well as an annual allotment of 81,500 acre-feet from the San Juan River.
While providing drinking water to residents is the priority, creating agricultural opportunities is also of interest to local Navajo leaders.
Commissioner Grayeyes shared that plans right now include treatment pipelines near Shiprock traveling through Teec Nos Pos, Red Mesa, and Mexican Water.
An additional project would pump water from Mexican Hat to Oljato, although Grayeyes says he’s hopeful to see that extended up to Piute Mesa and the Navajo Mountain community.
At the meeting the commission also approved a contract not to exceed $31,000 for a job analysis and validation study.
County Administrator Mack McDonald explained the county has used Personnel Systems & Services to access wage comparison data to other public entities.
McDonald explained the study and review of the current county pay scale will assist in remaining competitive in the job market adding that the county can’t continue to be below the marketable wage.
“When we start to lose our 19-year and 20-year county veteran employees to a $30 an hour wage. They’re giving up that retirement package which is typically what keeps government employees there because the Utah retirement system is a good pension to be in.”
McDonald shared what the county has heard from departing employees.
“Retirement’s good for a later date, but right now I can’t afford the bacon, eggs, and cereal I need to sustain myself and my family.”
County staff anticipates the study to be complete ahead of the adoption of the 2023 FY budget at the end of the year.
The commission also approved the receipt of up to $98,694.00 annually in federal funds for support of county children with special health care needs for the next five years.
County Public Health Nursing Director Brittney Carlson, explained the project has been in place for the past five years and allows public health to hire one full-time nurse care coordinator.