Duchesne County ratifies $511,000 preconstruction request for Pickup Wash flood-control study

Duchesne County commissioners unanimously ratified an appropriation request to support preconstruction work for the Pickup Wash Flood Control Project, the board confirmed at its March 16 meeting.

Commissioner Greg Miles said the county is working with Jones & DeMille Engineering on a FY27 Community Project Funding request and asked the board to ratify application materials submitted March 11 to pursue FEMA funding for preconstruction tasks. Community Development Assistant Director Mike Gottfredson outlined the proposed preconstruction budget, which totals $511,000 and breaks down as: $185,000 for preconstruction engineering, survey and contractor procurement; $148,000 for geotechnical evaluation; $111,000 for NEPA compliance, permitting and Corps coordination; $30,000 for property title search and options to purchase; and $37,000 for water-rights legal work.

"The study would help with flood control and water retention," Gottfredson said, describing coordination with the State Department of Emergency Management on project requirements.

Commissioner Jeff Chugg moved to ratify the appropriation and authorize the chair to sign the application materials; Commissioner Tracy Killian seconded the motion. Commissioners Chugg, Killian and Miles voted aye and the motion passed.

The action authorizes staff to pursue the preconstruction tasks needed for a potential funded construction phase but does not itself commit the county to construction spending; subsequent decisions and grants would be required before any capital work begins. The county will continue coordination with FEMA and state emergency management offices as the application advances.