The beginning of 2025 signaled a regime change for the local Carbon County Government,  as on Wednesday, Jan. 15,  newly elected officials Commissioner Jared Haddock, Assessor Amy Schmidt-Peters, Treasurer Tara Madsen and Recorder Karla Medley took the oath of office. This meeting of the Board of Commissioners also featured the awarding of the County’s Employee of the Month and Super Service Awards.

The oath was administered by the honorable Judge Jeremiah Humes in front of the packed commission board room which featured friends, families and dignitaries from across the Castle Country. “ In my view, the first three words of the Constitution are probably the most important. In the Preamble the first three words are ‘We the People’ and that’s where we as elected officials have the opportunity to serve as is at the pleasure of the people,” Stated Judge Humes during the ceremony,” each of us in our public service will serve in distinct branches of government three distinct branches established by the Constitution so I just invite you to reflect on that as you begin your service here.”

Following this, the four election winners swore to uphold the constitution of the United States and the constitution of Utah as they discharged the duties of their office and officially took their positions in their respective offices.

Following the ceremony, the County’s employee of the month was awarded to not just one individual, but the entirety of the court security and trackers department. It was explained that the work provided by this department was paramount to the safety and security of the county’s courthouse with duties including protecting jury members, judges and citizens alike.

Next was the presentation of the Carbon County Super Service Award, which is presented each month to an individual who works to provide exceptional customer service in Carbon County. This month, the award was presented to Jesse Candelaria for his endless acts of kindness across the Carbon County community. “I appreciate all of you guys,” spoke Candelaria,” I have a huge support system behind me and it doesn’t take much to do good.”

After this on the agenda was a series of tourism-related items, including an agreement with placer.ai which provides actionable analytics to the Office of Tourism so that they can more effectively steer their marketing efforts. The other included an agreement for billboards with AJB Holdings and Hub Collective for marketing design elements. All three of these items were passed without a dissenting vote.

The next major agenda item facing the commission was a public discussion started by Melissa Huntington, executive director at Four Corners Community Behavioral Health seeking input from the Commissioners regarding the mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment needs faced by Carbon County. During this discussion, Daniel Brock Darvino took the podium and proposed that the county invest in a $10,000 qualitative electro-electroencephalogram or QEEG machine, which allows doctors to study brainwave activity to create a map of the brain and potentially treat various neurological or cognitive conditions. He also suggested an investment into hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment that uses pressurization and pure oxygen to help treat injuries.

After forfeiting the mic, the public hearing was closed. 

The Commissioners then tackled the issue of appointments to the Friends of the Carbon Emery Children’s Justice Board. It was explained that the board welcomed back Kelly Payne for reappointment, but received no other applications. As such, they wished to extend the application deadline, a request which the Commissioners granted.

Next up was Carbon County Ambulance Director Justin Needles, who was seeking approval to apply for the Hazardous Material Emergency Preparedness Grant through the State Fire Marshall. This grant is used to send the county’s hazardous materials to various trainings and summits as well as to buy different hazardous material equipment. After hearing the explanation, the Commissioners moved to approve the application unanimously. 

Following this item, the Commissioners faced the potential approval of a development and tax increment financing incentive interlocal agreement between Gary Patel, Status Hospitality Group, and the Price City Taxing Entity Committee. Commissioner Larry Jensen explained that this agreement would play a role in bringing two hotels to the area from the development group responsible for the Fairfield Inn and Townplace Suites in Northern Utah.

This agreement as written would provide a 15-year, 51% tax incentive to the developer. Commissioner Tony Martines stated that these hotels would provide the potential for more local events as the hotels would have a conference room. He also shared that the agreement would cap out after 15 years or $3 million in taxes, whichever came first.

After weighing the pros and cons of the agreement, the Commission approved the agreement in a 3-0 vote.

The final major item as the Board of Commissioners was an easement agreement between Carbon County and Michael D Roberts and Wellington Microtech. This agreement would be good for any company that runs through the Cantwell property purchased by the county to have access to rail service. This item was again approved unanimously by the body.

Following this, the meeting was adjourned. 

The Carbon County Commissioners meet biweekly in the Carbon County Administration Building, with the next scheduled meeting set for Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 4:30 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of the meeting is available on YouTube and Facebook.