Workshops
Tentative 2024 Budget Overview
- Grand County Clerk/Auditor Gabe Woytek presented the tentative budget: the county is looking to trim $1.18 million in next year’s budget. This is a tentative budget overview looking specifically at the general fund; a more complete budget overview will take place during the Nov. 28 workshop/county commission meeting.
- A large contribution to capital projects and stormwater funds—$6,952,000 in budget expenses—can be amended. Woytek assured he “is not worried about coming into zero for the budget this year.”
- The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to social security and supplemental income rate for next year is 3.2%, determined by the U.S. Social Security Administration. A COLA increase may be granted by the Grand County Commission to compensate and reflect market trends and changes in cost of living, but this is not included in the tentative budget overview. If granted, the budget would need to be cut by $1.6 million.
- Discussion began at 0:00
2023 Requests for New Positions, Reclassifications, Cost of Living Adjustment
- Requests for new positions included dispatchers, a nurse at the jail, deputy recorder, code enforcement/evidence tech, school patrol deputy, and volunteer coordinator with Grand County Active Trails and Transportation.
- Nearly every department in the county has requests for positions to be reclassified. Those positions would be restructured and their salaries would be increased. Notably Grand County Sheriff Jamison Wiggins would see a salary increase of $22,835 (to total $223,574); Film Commission Director Bega Metzner would see a salary increase of $14,401 (to total $123,567).
- Discussion began at 1:00:22
Board of Equalization
- The Board of Equalization assesses property in the county for tax purposes; this meeting occurred so county commissioners could review tax assessments with the county assessor, Debbie Swasey.
- Earlier this year, residents had an opportunity to submit tax appeals. Randy Kelly was the hearing officer representing Grand County for property tax appeals in 2023; the recommended changes from the 2023 BOE hearings would result in a decrease in total market value of $16,121,381.
- Commissioners agreed to discuss tax values further at a meeting on Nov. 9.
- Discussion began at 2:23:30
Department and Agency reports
- Roads and Bridges discussion began at 4:10:56
- Arches Timed Entry Pilot System Update discussion began at 4:18:42
General Reports
- Moab Trail Ambassador Program is the first ever Gold Designated Program based on Leave No Trace implementation
- UMTRA moved a million tons of tailings; Dec 3rd is a celebration of the milestone; the Atlas Building was demolished
- Voting for mail-in ballots is Nov 9; in-person voting is encouraged as of now
- GCSO reported on stats; total calls through Dispatch: 2,848; Emergency 911 calls: 816; Calls Deputies responded to: 712; traffic stops: 188; Arrests: 13; Papers Served: 70; SAR Calls: 25
- Discussion began at 4:45:11
General Business- Action Items- Discussion and Consideration of Approval
Vista Antigua, PUD Phase I- Warrant Bond Release Resolution
- Discussion began at 5:11:58; motion passed unanimously
Ordinance to amend LUC Section 4.7 High Density Housing Overlay & the Rules and Regulations
- Commissioner Mike McCurdy disclosed that he’s working with Murphy Flats developer Courtney Kizer on a separate ADO project. Commissioner Mary McGann stated she regrets now supporting the HDHO. wanting to restrict condominium ownership to limit selling to outside developers. Commissioner Bill Winfield made a motion to approve revisions, including language exempting condominiums from the HDHO. Commissioner Kevin Walker supported the original language; he opposed the amended language, saying it was a “small step in the wrong direction.”
- 24 comments were received, the majority favored the condominium exemption
- Motion to amend passed 4-2 with commissioners Winfield and Jacques Hadler in opposition and McCurdy abstaining
- Motion to pass all language excepting the condominium ownership passed 4-2 with Evan Clapper and Winfield in opposition and Hadler abstaining
- Discussion began at 5:15:55
Backup Power Generator for the Airport Terminal
- Discussion began at 5:50:12; motion passed unanimously
Grand County / Utah Dept. Transportation Memorandum of Understanding for 128 Corridor Vision Study
- Discussion began at 5:52:18; passed unanimously
Purchase of Metal Kiosks for County-Maintained Trail Networks
- Maddie Logowitz, director of the county’s Active Transportation and Trails Division, presented on the need to replace 17 large and 13 smaller aging wooden kiosks using a grant at $14,400
- Discussion began at 5:54:30; passed unanimously
Resolution Amending GC Handbook Section X_ Travel
- Discussion began at 5:58:30; motion passes 6:1 with Commissioner Trisha Hedin in opposition
Rural Communities Opportunity Grant Application FY24
- Ben Fredrigell, director of the county’s Economic Development Department, presented a proposal to provide $300,00 in gap funding for housing nonprofit Moab Area Community Land Trust and its Arroyo Crossing development to support 116 units of affordable workforce housing
- Discussion began at 6:08:08; passed unanimously
Letter of Support to the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Review Community for the Rural Communities Opportunity Grant FY24
- Discussion began at 6:19:25; passed unanimously
Community Renewable Energy Program
- Grand County is one of 18 communities participating in the program that aims to achieve net 100% renewable electricity by driving forward developing large-scale utility agreements with Rocky Mountain Power. There are opt-out options for citizens. More information can be found at https://www.utahrenewablecommunities.org
- Discussion began at 6:20:22; motion passed unanimously
Resolution approving noticing a property tax increase for the Grand County Library for 2024
- The state requires the commission to pass a resolution to notify citizens of possible tax increases. The proposed taxes would lead to $443,200 in increased revenue.
- Discussion began at 6:25:50; motion passed unanimously
Resolution approving noticing a property tax increase for the Moab Mosquito Abatement District for 2024.
- Discussion began at 6:32:32; motion passed unanimously
Adoption of Grand County 2024 Tentative Budget
- The tentative budget will continue to be discussed and revised; commissioners will consider a final budget in XXX. Commissioner Clapper recommended that a COLA be included in the budget predictions. Woytek expressed a desire for a draw from the fund balance of no greater than $800,000.
- Discussion began at 6:33:25; motion passed unanimously
Consent Agenda
- Ratifications of Payment of Bills
- Ratification of State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Grand Award Acceptance
- Local Consent Single Event Alcohol Permit for the Utah Avalanche Center
- Consent to purchase a dunk tank for The Old Spanish Trail Arena- Grand County Fair
- Wildland Fire Program Support Budget between Grand County and Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands for calendar year 2024
- Interlocal agreement between Grand County and the Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments (SEUALG), Area of Agency on Aging
- Amendment to the Children’s Justice Center Contract with the State of Utah
- Acceptance of Grant Funding approved on September 19th, 2023, for the Rural County Grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity FY24
- Grant Agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and Grand County Utah in association with the community of Moab, Utah under the Alternate Essential Air Service Program
- Discussion began at 6:36:16; motion passed unanimously
Discussion Items
Better Destinations
- Consulting company Better Destinations LLC offers visitor perception studies (cost associated $25,000) and visitation models ($20,000) for its clients. Commissioners discussed incorporating these into the county’s strategic plan. Commissioners Walker and McCurdy were in support of having more data to add to discussions. Since the cost is under $50,000, this does not trigger a RFP (request for proposal) procedure.
- Discussion began at 6:38:15
General Rezone: 2560 Spanish Valley Drive (LLR to SLR) Parcel No. 02-0021-0001
- Nine dwelling lots were proposed; an easement for a bike pathway is included in the proposal. Public Hearing is open until November 15 at 5 p.m.
- Discussion began at 6:45:08
The Commission then went into closed session to discuss “Pending or Reasonably Imminent Litigation.”
