Three commissioner candidates speak; council discusses staffing, approves minutes and finances, moves to executive session

Ballard — Three candidates for Uintah County Commissioner introduced themselves and explained why they are seeking the office during the April 7 council meeting. Richard Powell, Danny Harrell and Matthew (Matt) Wilber each gave brief candidate remarks.

In other council business, Council Member Ben Allred argued for adding a full-time building inspector and planner to city staff to handle growing development workloads, meet state requirements and increase potential revenues. The council did not record a formal hiring decision; the proposal was discussed under the City Manager report item.

The council approved the March 3, 2026 council meeting minutes (motion by Alfred Kettle, second Shaun Murray) and the March 18, 2026 combined meeting minutes (motion by Shaun Murray, second Nile Mathisen); both votes passed unanimously. Mayor Nile Mathisen presented the financial reports and Council Member Ben Allred moved to approve the finances as presented, seconded by Council Member Alfred Kettle; the motion passed.

Finally, Council Member Ben Allred moved, and Council Member Alfred Kettle seconded, that the council go into Executive Session to discuss one or more of: the character/competence/health of an individual; strategy regarding pending or reasonably imminent litigation; or strategy concerning the purchase/exchange/lease of real property (including water rights) and related development agreements. The motion passed and the regular meeting was to be adjourned at the conclusion of the Executive Session.

What’s next: The transcript records no formal hiring decision on staffing; the executive session was scheduled immediately following the meeting to address personnel, litigation or real-property strategy. Candidate statements were recorded for the public record.