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Garfield County Commission February 28, 2022



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The Garfield County Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month starting at 10 a.m. Insider

GARFIELD COUNTY – In their Feb. 28 Garfield County Commission meeting, the agenda included Utah’s Prevention Coalition in D.C., legislative actions, various land recording matters, and feral cows in the Escalante River.

Commissioner David Tebbs said Prevention Coalition members were able to communicate their concept of “prevention” as “preventing putting anything in their bodies” as opposed to providing mitigants once addiction has already occurred. Use of County funds to assist Tropic Senior Center were clarified: the county assists with improvements and helps offset utility bills but does not enter into lease arrangements with towns. The Zion Regional Mgt. Steering Committee continues to talk about options for housing park staff and routing traffic to lessen impact through the tunnels.

Commissioner Jerry Taylor said some of the affordable housing units should be ready for open house display by the end of March. Ticaboo power requirements are being discussed. Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funds, that were in jeopardy in an earlier Senate bill, should pass Congress intact. DWR and local entities are discussing Boulder Mountain fisheries and plans to improve fishing.

Commissioner Leland Pollock said that among the multiple legislative bills that threaten our county, one of the big ones would “take our property tax away from us [because] they don’t understand 87 percent goes to our school district.” He also said the CAFO bill (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) has been modified to give the Dept. of Ag. sole authority over all zoning decisions related to CAFO installations. Class B road funding is still in discussion; he’s working to retain the County’s fair portion, given increased maintenance needs created by increased visitation. Pollock summed up the legislative sessions as “seven weeks of hell for rural counties.”

The Commission approved (with Taylor abstaining) a quit claim deed on Danny Reed property in Upper Valley for a right-of-way adjustment and exception for a 40-ft road easement. They also discussed a longstanding land record issue in Cannonville, saying the county’s primary concern was flood control and that any deed change would need to explicitly reserve those rights.

Planning, Kaden Figgins: The Commission approved a recommended zone change for Robert Hill (Hill’s Shire Ranch) from agricultural to commercial for a wedding venue, including cabins and event center in Upper Valley on Highway 12.

The Commission approved a recommended subdivision amendment to combine lots 19 and 20 in Beaver Dam Village Unit A, Panguitch Lake.

Joe’s Main Street Market, with Associated Foods, plans to build a new grocery store on Panguitch’s east side, expanding its current 7K square ft operation to 20K square ft, greatly enhancing its meat and produce sections, along with including an Arctic Circle Restaurant. March 2023 is the date for completion. The Commission approved a donation of labor and equipment to the city for extending 100 South by about 1200 feet and constructing 200 feet of new road.

The Commission approved two business licenses: Bryce Canyon Offroad Rentals and Spry Sweet and Treats, a home-based business north of Panguitch.

Commissioners approved appointment of Lottie Nicholson to the Panguitch Lake Fire District Board.

The Commission briefly discussed a priority list for CIB and CDBG county projects. Several ideas were bounced around, including Sheriff Danny Perkins request for an EMT training facility in Panguitch that would include equipment storage as well as a weight room and gym for EMT staff.

Finally, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GCNRA) has been hearing complaints about 50-60 feral cows in the Escalante River. Sheriff Perkins said the permittee—Grand Canyon Trust—hasn’t provided a solution. The Commissioners said it’s a permittee/BLM problem to resolve, even though they seemed to want GCT to appear before them.

The Garfield County Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month starting at 10 a.m. All meetings are held in the County Courthouse in Panguitch. There is no set up for electronic participation.