This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The hosts of a Heber Valley radio show have launched a petition drive aimed at forcing members of the part-time board of Heber Light & Power to rescind a benefits increase they approved for themselves in November.
The benefits increase was approved after the board implemented a 4.25 percent rate hike in June, which was intended to generate $490,000, according to Blaine Stewart, general manager of the utility.
"That rate increase has nothing to do with the benefits to the board," he said.
According to former utility board member Alan McDonald, and current board member Mike Kohler, who also chairs the Wasatch County Council, the board in November approved a monthly health benefit of $1,687, which also can be taken as cash. If the board members' Christmas bonus is included, annual compensation per member is $26,400.
McDonald, who also sits on the Heber City Council, said the benefits package amounts to about 20 percent of the rate boost. His term on the board expired on Dec. 31, after the benefit hike was approved. He was not at the meeting and didn't vote for the increase.
On his personal website, McDonald was critical. "Was it legal to do this? Yes. But it was unethical."
The board, made up of elected officials from Wasatch County's municipal governments, guides the small utility that serves 9,600 customers. Members usually meet once a month and had previously set compensation at $466 per month per board member, while the chairman received $596.
There was little public awareness of it until Kohler, who also did not vote for benefits boost, penned an op-ed piece published in the local newspaper, The Wasatch Wave, criticizing the raise.
Heber City Mayor Dave Phillips, who is the board's chairman, did not return telephone calls or emails asking for comment. Another board member, Midway Mayor Connie Tatton, also did not return calls.
But the board released a prepared statement Wednesday that said the increase came after a "comprehensive review" and determination of "the board's eligibility to receive the company's health benefits plan."
Heber Valley residents Paul Royall and Bob Wren, who host a morning radio show called "Impact" on 1340 AM in Heber City, have launched a petition aimed at forcing the board to rescind the pay hike.
By Wednesday afternoon, the online petition had 152 signatures. Wren said a paper petition also was circulating, but he did not know how many had signed it. They plan to deliver the petition to the board at its Jan. 26 meeting.
"They have decided they can get more money for themselves," Wren said. "I think it's ridiculous."
Royal said the increase was "deceptive."
"They said they need health benefits. But they also can take the money," he said. "I found insurance for $650 a month and it covers everything."
Kohler said he could not accept the increase. "I just handed back the check and said I wouldn't take it."
The county council chairman also said his attempts to convince the board to rescind the increase were rebuffed. "Internally, I tried to put the heat on them, but they have to decide to what's ethical."