Sevier County ratifies multiple agreements, approves subdivision and declines immediate action on canal piping

Sevier County Commissioners used their Dec. 22 meeting to ratify several contracts and administrative actions, approve a major subdivision, and defer action on a canal-piping funding request.

Events Director Jessica Hutchings presented and the commission approved an agreement with Artists and Attractions LLC to provide a "Comedy Cooking with Kids" activity at the county fair, with staff to coordinate required health permits. The board also ratified an agreement with the State of Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation to provide funding for the Aurora-to-Salina bike path project.

HR Director Craig Blake reviewed an agreement by which CIGNA Healthcare will work under the MotivHealth plan to provide out-of-network medical services for county employees; the commission ratified that agreement. Tourism Director Amy Myers presented an agreement with Reagan Outdoor Advertising to rent a billboard south of Salina along I-70 to advertise Fremont Indian State Park; commissioners approved the contract following discussion about using county funds to promote a state park. The Tourism Advisory Board recommended conditional funding assistance for a Salina City Chamber of Commerce billboard: $500 if the County Tourism logo is not used, or full assistance if the county logo is applied; the commission delayed action pending final billboard design.

Road Department representative Brodie Bagley reviewed amended interlocal road maintenance agreements with Salina City and Glenwood Town; the commission approved those amended agreements. The commission also declared listed county items surplus and authorized disposal, abated taxes on two parcels (1-S30-44 and 1-S2-22) after assessor review confirming Sevier School District ownership, and approved refunds for tax overpayments, typically from duplicate payments by both taxpayer and mortgage company.

The Monroe Canal Company sought county support to pipe a canal north of Monroe to protect roads. Engineer Darren Robinson of Jones & DeMille advised that the project had incomplete engineering and that some design choices — including a plan to leave open settling/cleaning areas — merited rework; Executive Director Malcolm Nash said the county had received late notice after a multi-year process and wanted more opportunity for county input. The commission took no action and requested further details and engineering before considering support.

Trevor Peterson of the Building Department reported that the Planning Commission had recommended approval of the Sheep Valley Major Subdivision and that the Forest Service had granted the necessary road-access approval; the commission authorized plat signing and approved the subdivision.

All motions recorded in the minutes passed by unanimous vote of the three commissioners present unless noted otherwise. The meeting adjourned at 10:07 a.m.