The Carbon County Commissioners met on Wednesday, Sept. 4 in the Carbon County Administration Building for their regularly scheduled Commission meeting. Facing the Commissioners was a loaded agenda featuring awards, approvals, and discussions.
The first item of the meeting was not on the agenda, but a presentation from Ben Lofthouse and Shelene Chapman, who were promoting the All In Pro Rodeo; an organization that wants to bring a professional rodeo back to Carbon County. The Commissioners expressed that they would be willing to work to establish this, and first start by creating a rodeo committee.
Next was employee recognition, with several employees of local police departments and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office. The award went to Blake Noyes from the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, also receiving recognition were Price City officers Colton Greener and Chris White for their lifesaving efforts for a woman experiencing a mental health crisis. Deputy Noyes, in addition to the employee of the month, also received a lifesaving pin for his efforts.
*For those struggling with thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988 any time for support. Resources are also available at utahsuicideprevention.org. Local Resources are also available, through organizations like the HOPE Squad, NAMI, and Four Corners Behavioral Health.
After this, Tina Grange from the Carbon County Office of Tourism presented the County’s Super Service Award, which went to Megan Marshall for her work in putting together celebrations such as the Renaissance Festival and Price City’s International Days. “Thank you for this, this is a huge honor.” Spoke Marshall,” I know several of the recipients from the past and to be at the same level and receive that this type of recognition is humbling.”
Next on the agenda was the approval of the Utah Cooperative Marketing Program Memorandum of Understanding between the State Office of Tourism and the Carbon County Office of Tourism. Grange again presented and explained that this item was regarding the 2024 Co-Op marketing grant, which Grange stated awarded Carbon County the largest amount it had received with $170,000. She also explained this agreement noted the state would deliver 75% of the funds at the start of the year, and the remaining 25% after the year-end reports were submitted. After hearing this explanation the Commission moved to approve the agreement unanimously.
After this Degan West, Koen Thornley and Ace Thayn expressed gratitude to the county for its help in the Castle Country Livestock show and presented the Commissioners with gift bags for their help.
Next, a representative from the Carbon County Family Support Center spoke to the commission, asking them to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Family Support Centers of Utah and the Carbon County Family Support Center. It was explained that this agreement would make up another part of the center’s funding. This boost in funding would give them an additional $10,000 to help expand services. After hearing this, the Commissioners moved to approve the MOU.
Following this, the Commission worked on two agenda items both relating to the sale of property on Ridge Road to further establish the Inland Port Project within the county. The land sale portion would entail 307 acres of land being purchased on the east side of the rail spur on Ridge Road. Commissioner Larry Jensen explained,” Because this property is so close to the rail, it is very valuable for potential businesses moving in there.” Commissioner Tony Matines added on to this,” We wanted to make sure that this wasn’t turned over to a developer, and that the county takes the lead on this.” Seth Marsing, the auditor for the county added that in the motion it should be included that this sale would be in the best interest of the county.
The next inland port-related item was a MOU with Newmark and Mountain West Commercial for the Industrial real estate planning and management for Ridge Road Industrial Park. “ We need professional help in two areas.” said Commissioner Jensen,” How to bring rail into the area to serve multiple users and industrial real estate management.” Commissioner Martines also added that one of these companies does have roots in the area. Both of these items were passed unanimously by the Commissioners.
The major item of the meeting was a presentation of the 2023 audited financials for the county by Larsen and Co. It was explained to the commissioners that there was only one finding that had to be gone over with the commissioners from the audit summary, which was a follow-up finding from last year. The fixed assets module within the county’s system does not function correctly and does not properly tie into the assets the county has. The proposed solution was to dump the module, restart it and import the financials back in to fix it.
After this, the Commissioners moved to reconvene as the board of equalization, where they discussed the potential approval of assessor-initiated adjustments. Commissioner Casey Hopes explained that the parcels in question were reviewed by both County Assessor Gillan Bishop and contracted assessor Kevin Ewell, with neither having any questions or problems with the properties. After this explanation, the Board of Equalization approved the assessor-initiated adjustments. Following this item, the meeting was adjourned.
The Carbon County Commissioners meet biweekly in the Carbon County Administration Building, with the next scheduled meeting set for Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of the meeting is available on YouTube and Facebook.