Commissioners weigh HB 48 wildfire-assessment options, consider county-funded position

County staff and commissioners used the meeting to update the board on House Bill 48, a state wildfire risk/assessment law that will affect WUI (wildland-urban interface) mapping and county responsibilities.

Josh and other staff summarized two implementation paths: the state can conduct assessments or the county can hire staff to do them locally. Commissioners discussed creating a county full-time position to manage assessments and compliance if the county chooses the local option; staff said assessment fees could reimburse that position. One staffer described a potential fee of about $50 per structure in mapped areas and estimated the county might have roughly 2,000 structures within its footprint, noting the number and the map would determine staffing needs.

Commissioners and staff emphasized concerns about long-term funding stability if fees later shift or state support ends. Several commissioners urged caution and asked for written agreements that secure state commitments before the county hires permanent staff. A county staffer said Iron County plans to hire multiple people under a dual county-state agreement and that larger counties may need several hires because of parcel counts.

The board did not adopt any final policy at the meeting but directed staff to continue coordination with state officials, prepare written agreements, and return with more precise cost and parcel counts. Commissioners said they want local hiring and fee revenues to remain in-county where possible and stressed the importance of written assurances from the state before committing county payroll.