Beaver County Commission Work Meeting
Beaver, UT 84713
June 18, 2024
The Board of County Commissioners met on June 18, 2024, 9:00 a.m. for its Commission Work Meeting. Attending were: Commissioner Wade Hollingshead, Chairman; Commissioner Tammy Pearson; Commissioner Brandon Yardley; Ginger McMullin, Clerk/Auditor; Stephanie Laws, Commission Secretary and Leo Kanell, Deputy County Attorney.
Comm. Hollingshead called the meeting to order.
A prayer was offered by Leo Kanell, Deputy County Attorney.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Deputy Lonnie Laws, BCSO.
Review and Approve County Bills. Motion to approve County Bills was made by Comm. Pearson “aye”, seconded by Comm. Yardley “aye”, and the vote was made unanimous.
Utah Retirement Systems. Ms. Heidi Eyre, HR Director, presented the changes with the Utah Retirement Systems (URS), which will start on July 1. Public Safety Tier II will have a 0.70% increase, requiring an employee contribution effective July 1, 2024. Ms. Eyre also proposed a 401K employer match option. She will return on July 2 with a new resolution for the 401K employer match.
Cindy Bullock, representing Congresswoman Celeste Maloy's office, reported on some of the bills the Congresswoman is working on, including the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Bill (Down Winders). Gary Webster, representing Senator Mike Lee's office, discussed concerns about controlled burn assets that have become a wildfire. He also reported on RECA, SRS, and PILT funding, as well as Energy and Natural Resources issues that Senator Lee is currently addressing. Kyle Wilson, representing Senator Mitt Romney's office, discussed some of the bills Senator Romney is working on, including the Farm Bill and Energy Resources.
Commissioner Hollingshead declared the Public Hearing for the 2024-04 Ag Protection Application open to hear comments from the public regarding the John A Smith Farms application to enter into an Agricultural Protection Zone. Not all parcels were allowed into the Ag Protection Area due to right-of-ways and noncontiguous parcels interfering with the roadway and right-of-ways. Public comments were received, including from Tony Smith and Cynthia Hansen, who both spoke in favor of the Ag Protection Area for John Smith Farms. Comm. Hollingshead declared the public hearing closed. The area being considered for the Ag Protection Zone is 245.45 acres. A motion to approve the Ag Protection Area for John A Smith Farms, excluding 15 acres, was made by Commissioner Pearson ("aye"), seconded by Commissioner Yardley ("aye"), and the vote was unanimous. Roll call vote: Commissioner Pearson ("aye"), Commissioner Hollingshead ("aye"), and Commissioner Yardley ("aye").
Commission Updates: The Commission addressed the current controlled burn that has turned into a wildfire. The Forest Service is providing daily updates. Commissioner Pearson reported on the Sage Grouse meeting she attended last week. She also attended a PLPCO meeting on Saturday to discuss current public lands issues. PLPCO is working to keep the monuments and roads open, especially in Grand County. Commissioner Pearson will be attending additional meetings in the coming weeks. Commissioner Yardley will be attending the Special Session of the Legislature this week.
Commissioner Pearson presented the Outdoor Recreation Initiative Acquisition Grant, totaling $4,000,000. This will be a fully funded grant with no contribution from the County. A motion was made by Commissioner Pearson ("aye"), seconded by Commissioner Yardley ("aye"), for the appropriate officers to sign the Year-Round OHV Land Acquisition Grant Acceptance Contract. The vote was unanimous. Roll call vote: Commissioner Pearson ("aye"), Commissioner Hollingshead ("aye"), and Commissioner Yardley ("aye").
Commissioner Pearson presented the Year-Round OHV Land Grant, totaling $1,000,000, with the County contributing $150,000, and a grant reimbursement of $850,000. A motion was made by Commissioner Pearson ("aye"), seconded by Commissioner Yardley ("aye"), for the appropriate officers to sign the Year-Round OHV Land Grant Acceptance Contract. The vote was unanimous. Roll call vote: Commissioner Pearson ("aye"), Commissioner Hollingshead ("aye"), and Commissioner Yardley ("aye").
Quarterly FORGE Update. Chris Katis and Gosia Skowron from FORGE presented an update on the FORGE project. Stimulation and circulation tests were successfully conducted in the wells, with the stimulation proving to be highly successful. Phase 4 of the project is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2024.
Motion to adjourn as County Commission Meeting was made unanimously.
Motion to convene as Council of Government was made by Comm. Yardley, seconded by Comm. Pearson, and the vote was made unanimous. Roll call vote: Comm. Pearson “aye”, Comm. Hollingshead “aye” and Comm. Yardley “aye”.
Present for the COG Meeting were Mayor Nolan Davis (Milford City), Mayor Matt Robinson (Beaver City), Mayor Ward Dotson (Minersville Town), Superintendent David Long (Beaver County School District), Sheriff Cody Black and Steve Waldrup (Governor’s Housing Strategy and Innovation) via ZOOM.
The COG Board Members discussed housing issues in Beaver County with the Governor’s Housing Strategy and Innovation Specialist. Mr. Waldrup updated them on recent legislative changes. High interest rates are a barrier to new housing development and exacerbate the housing deficit. Onsite inspections for Modular Homes are being used to speed up the process. Builders are facing challenges with initial capital for new housing projects. Home prices have increased significantly in the current market, making them unaffordable for middle-income individuals who don't qualify for low-income programs. The median income in Beaver County is $36,800, further limiting affordability.
Forest Service-The Little Twist Fire. The USDA Forest Service Ranger, Jared Whitmer briefed the Commission on the Little Twist Fire. The fire is behaving as expected. Fire restrictions are being implemented. The road from Upper Kent’s Lake to LeBaron Lake will be closed until around July 15. Firefighters are stationed at Anderson Meadow Campground.
Swimming Pool Allotment. Minersville Mayor Dotson and Councilwoman Jennifer Marshall discussed the Minersville Pool need for resurfacing. Minersville Town would like the reallocation to increase to 20%. Beaver City and Milford City would consider a one-time reallocation for 2024, to assist with the repairs needed on the Minersville Pool. Minersville will get bids on the work needed to resurface the pool to determine the amount needed to reallocate.
Minersville Town: Upcoming 4th of July Celebration
Milford City: Memorial Day Celebration with the Cooper Mine. Milford City met with contractor’s on the Power Plant project. Housing is still an issue. Developers are looking into building 10-12 homes and as well as a Trailer Park. FERVO is set to be here long term.
Beaver City: Beaver City is progressing with the development of the Industrial Park. The Grove Water Project is nearing completion, and road projects are advancing. Efforts are underway to make Beaver City Center ADA compliant, and renovations at the hospital are ongoing. Construction will soon begin on the Wellness Center. The cemetery is expected to reach capacity in five years, prompting plans for expansion at DeArmitt Fields. Beaver City is considering relocating ball facilities to accommodate soccer and baseball. There are also plans to evaluate improvements or relocation for the Rodeo Facility.
Sheriff: Search and Rescue is being evaluated for increased certification as per Utah Sheriff’s Association, with the OSHA changes. The State Inmate count is down, due to parole releases. Sheriff Black spoke of concern with Motorized Vehicles and the excessive use to ATV, E-Bikes and Scooters.
SSD #5: Increase $1/per can on the waste management fee. Surcharge on fuel has been picked up by the Service District.
SSD #7: No Update.
SSD #3: Milford Hospital has hired a new COO for the Milford Area Health Care.
County: Commission discussed an update on the Old Beaver Hospital with the asbestos and structural issues. Old Milford Hospital has been purchased by Beaver County and is in need of a structural and asbestos assessment. Beaver County will be purchasing Puffer Lake Resort property soon.
No further business was discussed, the meeting was adjourned.