Commissioner Mary McGann was not present at the meeting.
Workshops
Consideration of alternative dwelling overlay intent to apply packages: Round three
- The “alternative dwelling ordinance” was passed in 2022; it creates a pathway for RVs and other non-conventional dwellings to be used as long-term residences in approved developments. The ordinance is a pilot—it will allow a total of 150 units until November 15. 114 applications have been permitted so far. That does not mean the units are approved, it means that developers may move forward with a development application.
- There were five packages, submitted by Sarah Sorg, Nathan Pertuset, Kevin O’Neil, Commissioner Mike McCurdy (representing Architectural Squared), and Jessica Chamberlin Maw (representing Venture Capital Holdings LLC)
- Each developer proposed groups of tiny homes: 36 total units were proposed
- The commission voted on each package later in the meeting
- (Discussion began at 0:00)
Mineral lease, State PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes), and Rural Healthcare Sales Tax allocations for calendar year 2024
- Tax allocations from local mineral leases, the State PILT, and the Rural Healthcare Sales Tax are divided up between Canyonlands Health Care Special Service District, Emergency Medical Services, Recreation Special Service District, the School District, Transportation Special Service District, and the Solid Waste Special Service District.
- During the September 5 Commission meeting, each district made a presentation to the Commission about how much allocation they wanted; new for the 2024 calendar year, the school district requested 50% of the State PILT, and the Solid Waste SSD requested $650,000 from the DWS-appropriated mineral lease.
- The commission tabled the vote for a future meeting.
- (Discussion began at 56:05)
Presentations
2022 Audit Results
- Larson Certified Public Accountants audited the financial statements of Grand County for the year of 2022; it looked at items such as Grand County revenues by source and expenses by function. There were no faults in internal control or state complaints findings. It was a “clean audit,” according to an auditor from Larson.
- (Discussion began at 1:37:30)
Department Reports
Sand Flats Recreation Area Annual Report
- Andrea Brand, the director at Sand Flats, said the area sees 250,000 annual visitors: from 2017 to 2022, that number rose 26%. In 2022, Sand Flats made a revenue of $711,323; its expenditures totaled $827,995. Sticker vandalism—namely, stickers advocating against UTV noise—cost Sand Flats $2,185 in removal this year.
- Notable projects for the rest of the year include trail maintenance (Grand County Active Transportation and Trails will begin building Kestrel Run), installing new metal kiosks and displays, and assisting in a visitor satisfaction survey for the Hell’s Revenge trail.
- (Discussion began at 1:57:15)
Public Hearings
Public hearing for a resolution authorizing and approving the restructuring of the hospital revenue and refunding bonds series 2021 and execution of an amendment to the loan agreement
- The hospital is asking for an extension of a $50,024,000 bond issued in 2021, used for the construction of the expansion of the hospital. It was set to expire on October 1; it will now be extended to June 25, 2024 with another optional extension to September 23, 2024.
- (Began at 2:16:35)
General Business
Resolution authorizing and approving the restructuring of the hospital revenue and refunding bonds series 2021 and execution of an amendment to the loan agreement
- (Discussion began at 2:54:10; the vote passed unanimously)
Alternative dwelling overlay intent to apply submissions: Round three
- Commissioner Mike McCurdy could not vote on this item, as it would be a conflict of interest. The commissioners voted individually on each application.
- Sarah Sorg and Nathan Pertuset applications: Vote postponed, 5-0, until Commissioner Mary McGann could be present—these applications may be swayed by a single vote, commissioners said.
- Kevin O’Neil and Mike McCurdy (representing Architectural Squared) applications: Approved, 5-0
- Jessica Chamberlin Maw (representing Venture Capital Holdings LLC) application: Denied, on the basis that the project was not in a preferred zone and is not compatible with existing and historic use of the area. The motion to deny passed 4-1, with Commissioner Bill Winfield in opposition.
- (Discussion began at 0:00)
Purchase of a K-9 for the Grand County Sheriff’s Office
- CJ, the current dog who detects narcotics for the sheriff’s office, is retiring. Sheriff Jamison Wiggins asked for funding to purchase a new dog: the cost to purchase a fully-trained, field ready narcotics dog from Next Level Canine Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada, is $10,000; from Southern Coast K9 Incorporated is $7,500. Wiggins proposed paying for the K9 with the asset forfeiture and donation accounts.
- “Without a canine nowadays, it’s really hard to stop the illegal narcotics trade,” he said. San Juan and Emery counties also often borrow the Grand County K-9 unit.
- (Discussion began at 3:10:45; motion passed unanimously)
Ratification of the memorandum of understanding regarding Phase 1 of a Flood Warning System
- (Discussion began at 3:19:10; motion passed unanimously)
2024 insurance renewal rate increases
- (Discussion began at 3:39:00; motion passed unanimously)
Resolution amending Section VIII: Benefits-Vacation and Section X: Work Policies of the Grand County Employee Handbook
- Round-trip reimbursement for county employees will only be allowed when a county vehicle or rental vehicle is unavailable, or when adverse weather conditions render an SUV unavailable for travel.
- (Discussion began at 3:44:37; motion passed 4-2, with Commissioners Eric Clapper and Bill Winfield in opposition)
2024 rural county grant application proposals
- $200,000 in Rural County Grant funds are available to fund Economic Development grant projects for Grand County through the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.
- The commission discussed awarding $125,000 to support the Moab Area Chamber of Commerce and $75,000 to Moab Community Childcare.
- (Discussion began at 3:50:20; motion passed unanimously)
Ordinance repealing and replacing Budget Advisory Board duties and functions
- Membership to the board previously including the Budget Officer as a voting member; those duties are now under the County Clerk/Auditor.
- (Discussion began at 4:02:25; motion passed unanimously)
Staff appointment to the budget advisory board
- Quinn Hall will serve on the Budget Advisory Board for a one-year term.
- (Discussion began at 4:14:25; motion passed unanimously)
Letter of support for the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed onshore oil and gas leasing rule
- The rule “would reflect provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act pertaining to royalty rates, rentals, and minimum bids,” according the Federal Register; in the letter, commission members said they appreciated the rule because it “increases protections for multiple uses such as outdoor recreation, cultural and natural resources, and also because the rule would effectively implement fiscal reforms required by the Inflation Reduction Act and provide long-overdue updates on leasing practices and bonding rates.”
- Commissioner Bill Winfield said the letter isn’t appropriate to send from the county; he said it sounds more like it’s coming from an environmental group. He also worried about what neighboring counties will think of Grand County, as the policies it supports are often in opposition to other rural counties. “I would be a whole lot more on board with this if we could restructure the language in it,” he said. “As it is, I think that we’re sending the wrong message out to many, many people.”
- “I think it’s very important that we speak up with this message,” Commissioner Kevin Walker said, adding that he wants the Grand County letter to help reflect diverse opinions in rural Utah counties.
- (Discussion began at 4:16:15; motion passed 4-2 with Commissioners Mike McCurdy and Bill Winfield in opposition)
Letter of support for WabiSabi’s application for the Economic Assistance Grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
- (Discussion began at 4:33:30; motion passed unanimously)
Resolution allocating health care facilities sales and use tax revenues received during calendar year 2024 to eligible entities
- Commissioner Trish Hedin was absent.
- (Discussion began at 4:35:55; motion passed unanimously)
Resolution allocating mineral lease funds and state PILT allocated to Grand County by the State of Utah during calendar year 2024 to eligible Special Service Districts and/or to the School District
- (Discussion began at 4:23:00; motion passed unanimously)
Selecting secure rural schools election and approving allocations
- (Discussion began at 4:41:07; motion passed unanimously)
Allocations of Transient Room Tax funds for calendar year 2024
- This agenda item would allocate funds to the Solid Waste SSD and Recreation SSD.
- (Discussion began at 4:42:40; item was tabled until all TRT funds can be discussed)
Consent Agenda
- Approval of Grand County Commission meeting minutes for August 15 and September 5
- Ratification of payment of bills
- Emergency Management Preparedness Grant Award
- Utah Cooperative Marketing Program Grant contract between the Utah Office of Tourism, Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, and Grand County Economic Development
- Ratification of the Rural County Grand letter requesting final release of funds
- Memorandum of Understanding for the Public Safety Partnership Pilot Program with USARA and the Moab Regional Hospital
- Purchase of UTVs that were awarded through State Division of Natural Resources (DNR) grant funds for UTV education and Search and Rescue Assistance
- (Discussion began at 4:43:28; motion passed unanimously for all items except item d; which was then further discussed at 4:45:55, and then passed unanimously)
Discussion Items
Tax valuation
- The commission discussed, with treasurer Chris Kauffman, why there are property taxes in the county and what they benefit. Taxing entities in Grand County include Grand County, Castle Valley Town, Grand County School District, Moab Valley Fire, Castle Valley Fire, Grand County Cemetery, and the Moab Mosquito Abatement District. Total taxes in 2022 were $28,821,732. Most distributions went to the school district.
- (Discussion began at 4:52:45)
County Initiative and Work Plan
- The initiative and work plan will outline county project priorities; Mallory Nassau, the county commission administrator said she will send updates to commissioners individually.
- (Discussion began at 5:27:50)
