Jeff Guymon

The meeting involved several key agenda items. The Consent Agenda included the approval of check edit lists, requisitions, dispositions, and the approval of prior Commission Meeting Minutes from February 3, 2026, as well as a business license approval. Discussion topics included a safety minute presentation and awarding of safety gift cards for 357 days without loss time accidents. The One Direction Prevention Coalition provided a year in review and presented a Key Leader of the Year Award. The Board discussed and approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds not to exceed $1,622,000 for the Castle Valley Special Service District to upgrade public works. They also approved adding two in-car camera systems to the fleet contract with Axon Enterprise. Allocation of $100,000 from Rural County Grant Funds ($75,000 from 2024 and $25,000 from 2025) was approved for the Business Improvement Grant Program. A Conditional Use Permit for the Hornshadow Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project was approved with specified conditions. The Board approved the Second Addendum to the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement to add Sanpete County to the coalition, subsequently renaming it the "Rural Utah Infrastructure Coalition." Funding approvals were granted for the Community Library Enhancement Funds Disbursement for FY2025, the I-70 Signage Project ($2,345.28), and $3,500 for the Green River/JWP Veteran's Memorial repair. Grant applications for OHV-R and RTP for a Signage Crew were approved, along with $30,000 in funding for the 2026 Emery County Trails Grant. The Commission also moved to draft a letter to Congressman Kennedy requesting funding allocation for the Morris Bend Reservoir Project and approved a Letter of Support for Valar Atomics contingent on attorney review. Discussion occurred regarding initiating the process to hire an Economic Development Coordinator and considering an ordinance prohibiting utility scale solar farms or implementing a time-limited halt on solar development. Lastly, the Commission discussed initiating actions related to complying with state requirements concerning Commercial Valuation Certification for the County Assessor or procuring external services, and approved advertising a Request for Qualifications for Commercial Valuation Services.

The meeting addressed numerous items under the Consent Agenda, including the approval of a check edit list, requisitions for snow plow and salt spreader equipment for the Road department, wage increases for staff following orientation completion, reappointment to the Career Service Council, and approval of a business license. Key discussion agenda items focused heavily on allocating Opioid Settlement Funds: an allocation of $33,700.00 was approved for Hands of Hope Harm Reduction & Outreach Services, and $250,000.00 was approved for Carbon Medical Service Association to expand services, particularly for uninsured and underinsured individuals. The Board also ratified the contract with R&M Engineering for the Industrial Park Master Plan Project and approved the Notice of Award to Arrowhead Construction for the Landfill Trailer Remodel Project. Other actions included approving the mailing of certified notification packets for a proposed annexation parcel, approving an MOU with the Emery County Business Chamber for the 2026 Bright Ideas Jr. Entrepreneur Program, approving a contract with Inflatable Booking Pros for the County Fair, and approving a Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement with the USDA Forest Service. Additionally, the Board approved the initiation of actions regarding the Utah Retirement Systems designation ROTH service agreement, which will benefit employees starting April 1, 2026. Discussions also covered a proposed solar moratorium and working group, and concerns about preserving county zoning integrity.

The meeting addressed several items under the Consent Agenda, including the approval of a check edit list, requisitions, and equipment dispositions; appointments to the SSD#1 Board and the Trails Committee; an approval for a wage increase for a Senior Equipment Operator; and appointments to the Emery County Travel Board. The Discussion Agenda included a safety minute presentation, a presentation recognizing the Utah Quality Library Award recipients, and a presentation by Huntington Cleveland Irrigation Company regarding a proposed impact fee for solar projects on agricultural land. Bids were opened and accepted for the Emery County Landfill Office Trailer Remodel Project. A Public Hearing was held to receive input regarding mental health and substance use disorder treatment needs in Emery County. The Commission also discussed business development and community involvement for a local inflatable business. Funding requests were discussed and approved for the Castle Country Classic Livestock Show ($4,000) and the Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock Show ($5,000, with conditions regarding the venue). The Emery County General Plan updates were discussed, and the plan was approved as written with potential future modifications. The Commission approved removing outstanding overdue fines related to the migration to Koha Library Software and designated two spur roads as Class B Roads. Discussions were held regarding a potential age 55+ housing development and a request for mitigation regarding dust infiltration from a neighboring business. The Commissioners began the disposition process for Parcel# 04-0019-0030 for economic development purposes. Finally, the Commission entered into a closed session to discuss pending litigation, appointed the 2026 Chairman and Vice Chairman, and approved the 2026 Commission Responsibilities List.

The January 7, 2025 meeting included approvals on the consent agenda for several employee promotions, a longevity increase payment, and the issuance of a county credit card to a new Commissioner. Discussion items included presenting Years of Service Awards and a public hearing regarding mental health and substance use disorder treatment needs, which concluded without public input. Key approvals involved the agreement with Bouncin' Bins for the 2025 Emery County Fair and an MOU for administering the Business Matching Grant Program, which has $115,000 available. The Board also allocated remaining mineral lease funds ($10,074.18) to the Fire Protection Special Service District. The January 21, 2025 meeting included approving requisitions for Sheriff's equipment, ratifying the signing of the 2025 Children and Teen Book Enhancement Mini-Grant, and approving several department head appointments/continuations. A public hearing was held regarding mental health and substance use disorder treatment needs. The Board approved a donation of $3,500 to the 2025 Castle Country Classic Livestock Show and adopted a resolution annexing property into the Castle Valley Special Service District. The Board approved advertising an RFQ for Events Assistant-Marketing & Media and approved contracts related to billboard advertising and the 2025 Swell Trails Grant Funding ($30,000). Agreements were approved regarding the Green River Food Bank MOU and transitional healthcare services for Justice-Involved individuals via an MOU with Carbon Medical Service Association. The Board approved an application for a USHRAB Grant to digitize irrigation records. A required public hearing was held regarding compensation increases for Executive County Officers, after which the Commission denied a compensation increase for the Assessor and approved beginning the process to separate the Treasurer and Recorder offices. The February 4, 2025 meeting saw the approval of several wage and COLA increases for employees upon completion of orientation periods, and the approval of new Search and Rescue volunteers. The Board approved a $5,000 donation to the Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock Show contingent on including rabbits. A resolution amending the management plan and fee schedule for Lawrence Cemetery was adopted. A contract with Bio West for the Emery County General Plan Review and Update Project was approved, as was the renewal of the John Wesley Powell billboard contract. An amendment extending reimbursement claims for the Research Center was approved. The Board directed the County Attorney to draft a letter to the BLM regarding taking possession of the Green River Gravel Pit land due to historical use for road maintenance and rip-rap needs, and agreed to fight for historical use and access to Cleveland Reservoir. Reports included updates on legislative activity and school safety training. The February 18, 2025 meeting included the approval of numerous appointments to the Museum of the San Rafael Board, Emery County Travel Bureau Board, and Emery County Trails Committee. The Board adopted a Parameters Resolution authorizing General Obligation Bonds not to exceed $1,640,000 for the Castle Valley Special Service District. Amendments related to the UEN Wi-Fi for Libraries Program and acceptance of Community Library Enhancement Funds for ADA compliance at the Huntington Library were approved. An MOU for the 2025 Bright Ideas Jr. Entrepreneur Program was approved, along with awarding the first round of the 2025 Business Improvement Grants ($6,705.88 to 17 applicants). The Board approved two OHV-R Grant Applications ($10,000 for Trail Crew and $25,000 for supplies/equipment) and an agreement for Blueprint Customer Service Training. The Commission voted to draft a resolution opposing solar panels on federal lands in Emery County. The March 4, 2025 meeting included approvals for out-of-state travel for training, business licenses, and various appointments to councils and committees. Interlocal Agreements for the administration of 2025 Municipal Elections were approved, as was the application for the Utah Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HEMP) 2025 Planning Grant ($3,200). The final signing documents were approved to complete the land donation of 162 acres near Woodside, which is under a Conservation Easement. The contract with Kolossal Media/Kevin Butler for Events Assistant-Marketing & Media services was approved.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included approving the Warrant Check Edit List and addressing several consent agenda items, such as approving out-of-state travel for the Sheriff and personnel promotions/wage adjustments. Under the discussion agenda, the Board received a PILT payment update and related wildlife/habitat project information from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The Board ratified the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the Emery County Library System to participate in the USL Integrated Library System. Approval was granted for Amendment No. 9 with the BLM regarding law enforcement patrol services, de-obligating unused funds. A Level III Conditional Use Permit for the Hornshadow BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) Project was approved. The process to donate county land to Castle Dale City for an All Abilities Park was initiated. A Public Hearing was held to receive comments on updates to the Emery County General Plan, which was subsequently tabled for further review. Additionally, the Board approved signing a Letter of Intent regarding the procurement process for a therapy dog for the Emery County Library System. Finally, funds were allocated for a feasibility study concerning the housing of State inmates at the Emery County Sheriff's Office.