Commission approves $300,000 MOU to support Utah Summer Games at SUU

The Iron County Commission approved a memorandum of understanding to provide $300,000 in funding over three years to the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games at Southern Utah University. John Oglesby, who identified himself as representing the Utah Summer Games at SUU, told commissioners the games are expected to deliver a $17 million to $20 million annual economic impact and that the 2026 program includes expanded events, Special Olympics partnerships and SUU‑credit opportunities for participants.

County legal staff described the agreement as an MOU that sets expectations, timelines and reporting requirements for the use of funds. Oglesby said the summer games’ total budget for 2026 is approximately $1.5 million and that the requested county support is intended to augment event staffing and operations as the program expands beyond the traditional summer portfolio.

Commissioners discussed business‑recruitment and visitor‑expenditure benefits and confirmed that the TRCCA board and SUU had negotiated terms. Commissioner Blake moved to approve the MOU allocating $300,000 over three years; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The MOU was described in the meeting as supporting ongoing expansion of the summer games, including new community engagement events from June through September, enhanced marketing and a micro‑giving campaign. County staff and legal counsel said the agreement includes termination provisions and performance expectations. Commissioners said staff will provide a corrected executed copy for signatures following a minor clerical issue noted during the meeting.

Action taken: the commission voted to ratify the MOU to provide $300,000 over three years to the Utah Summer Games at SUU. The commission did not specify a departmental appropriation line in the meeting record; implementation and reporting responsibilities were assigned to county staff and the TRCCA board.