Commission ratifies Main Street grant, payroll and a small property purchase; hears tax‑apportionment matter

The Duchesne County Commission took several routine but substantive administrative actions, approving a small business matching grant, accepting payroll, addressing a property tax apportionment request and approving a property purchase tied to road widening.

On a Main Street matching grant application for a downtown small‑business renovation, staff reported that the applicant submitted invoices and photos documenting HVAC and gas‑line work. Commissioners noted one invoice submission had more detail than the summary packet and asked staff to include labor, material and right‑of‑way costs in the minutes. Commissioners moved to approve the matching grant application and confirmed the award cap at $7,500 per the original approval; staff noted the applicant’s submitted invoice slightly exceeded the award and said they would reconcile the difference in the record.

County finance reported payroll covering 239 employees for the pay period ending Feb. 28 with a gross total of $868,064.53; the commission voted to accept the payroll report.

On a parcel sale where the property carries two years of unpaid taxes, the commission discussed a request to apportion taxes to reflect the portion of the parcel the buyer will own once it becomes a separate parcel. Staff explained taxes can be shifted to the portion of the parcel once active; a motion to apportion the taxes to allow the buyer to pay the portion he would own was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

After a closed session, commissioners approved a small purchase of property to widen a county road; staff were directed to complete the paperwork and incorporate the acquisition into project work. Commissioners also reviewed two price proposals for a related project (material cost lines were cited at about $23,001.76) and asked staff to break out material, labor and right‑of‑way costs in the minutes.

No further legislative or budgetary action was taken at this meeting on those items; staff will provide follow‑up documentation and reconciled invoice details where amounts exceeded award caps.