[{"_1":2,"_85":-5,"_86":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6583466,"mediaKeyId","3091733-00f69bf1193d028c2e391d6f9ebd5e2b","parentId",3091733,"title","Commissioners face $2 million gap for animal care facility as budget projections and opioid‑settlement options collide","audioSeconds",619,"startMs",2123000,"endMs",2742000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091733-00f69bf1193d028c2e391d6f9ebd5e2b&start=2123&end=2742","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6583466/Utah/Commissioners-face-2-million-gap-for-animal-care-facility-as-budget-projections-and-opioidsettlement-options-collide","mediaUrl","author","Davis County Commission","date","2025-04-22T08:30:00Z","article","At a Davis County Commission work session on April 22 in Suite 306, county staff presented three options to address an estimated $2,000,000 shortfall on a proposed animal care facility: (1) continue the current plan and identify funding for the gap, (2) pause the project, or (3) scale the build to fit the existing budget. County staff said the immediate objective was to have the three commissioners identify how to cover the $2,000,000 so work with the architect and construction firm could continue.

Ashley (staff member) and Lane (facilities staff) summarized project history and procurement: a multi‑city feasibility study and subsequent design work and contracts are already under way, and county staff warned that pausing the project could increase later costs and complicate contracts with the architect and contractors who have been engaged after a multi‑year process. Staff described the current position as “at a crossroads” and said further delay could mean reprocurement and additional fees.

Troy (staff member) — identified during the meeting as the staff member familiar with the statewide opioid settlement — told commissioners the county holds about $6,000,000 in opioid‑settlement funds that have not yet been spent. He cautioned that both a state statute and the settlement agreement constrain allowable uses. Troy said the settlement’s Schedule A lists eight broad categories focused on remediation of opioid use disorder (OUD), including treatment, reentry supports and increased funding for jail‑based treatment, but does not expressly list capital expenditures for buildings. He warned that if the county reports using settlement funds for ineligible uses, any settling defendant could seek documents and pursue an injunction in the Third District Court in Salt Lake County; if a court finds the use improper, the county could be ordered to repay funds and future distributions could be suspended while litigation proceeds.

Troy summarized timing and legal concerns raised during the discussion: the jail’s medical wing expenditures cited by staff predate the settlement receipts (the meeting record notes the medical wing work was last charged in February 2021, while settlement payments to counties began in February 2023 and the settlement’s allowable‑use schedule dates to December 23, 2021). Troy said the county attorney general’s office had indicated Davis County’s legal argument might prevail in court, but the AG’s office was reluctant to issue a written position while the legislature and political stakeholders remained engaged; staff reported ongoing discussions with the AG’s office and the plan administrator.

County budget staff presented five‑year projections that, according to the controller’s summary at the meeting, forecast significant use of fund balance if no revenue changes are implemented. The controller said the county could spend down roughly $5,900,000 in 2025 under current assumptions and presented a sequence of projected year‑end fund balances that decline at pace over the multi‑year forecast. Staff said that without revenue increases or spending reductions, the county is likely to consider a general‑fund tax increase and other major cuts to maintain services.

Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives, including targeted tax increases for specific funds, bonding strategies and whether to proceed now or delay the animal shelter. Several commissioners said pausing could make the project more expensive later and could jeopardize the current project team; others worried about legal and political risk in attempting to apply opioid‑settlement funds to past capital expenses. One commissioner suggested that if the county pursues the settlement‑fund option it could “sweep” the balance to preserve the argument, but counsel and other staff warned that doing so carried the risk of litigation and losing funds if a court or a settling defendant disagreed with the county’s accounting.

No formal vote was taken at the work session. Commissioners directed staff to continue work and schedule follow‑up budget committee and work sessions to make a final decision. Staff noted there is an upcoming department‑head meeting on May 7 and recommended an expedited follow‑up so that the commission could resolve the funding question while contracts are active.

","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","Work Session Meeting 04 22 2025 - 04 22 2025 WCS Handheld Audio","oneSentenceSummary","Davis County commissioners discussed three options to resolve a roughly $2 million shortfall on a proposed animal care facility during an April 22 work session. County staff reviewed budget projections that show falling fund balances and legal counsel flagged significant legal and political risk in using opioid‑settlement funds to cover the gap.","taxTitle","Davis County Commission, Davis County Boards and Commissions, Davis County, Utah","taxId",67542,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583471,"South Davis Recreation District reports revenue growth, program gains and plans for future upgrades",1711,50000,1761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091733-00f69bf1193d028c2e391d6f9ebd5e2b&start=50&end=1761","/articles/6583471/Utah/South-Davis-Recreation-District-reports-revenue-growth-program-gains-and-plans-for-future-upgrades","Tiff Miller, representing the South Davis Recreation District, told the Davis County Commission at a work session on April 22 in Suite 306 that the district ended its 2024 fiscal year with improved participation and preliminary revenue results that the district expects will total about $500,000 for the year.

Miller said the district has tightened its budgeting process to evaluate revenue and costs at the program level and identified both growing programs and those that may need modification or elimination. The update covered membership numbers, program participation, new events and several capital and maintenance items the district expects to face in the coming years.

The update is notable because the district operates one of the few local facilities that combine pools, an ice arena and fitness space, and county staff and the district discussed ongoing collaboration on events such as the multi‑rink “Grizz Cup” hockey tournament and a new Jiu Jitsu tournament the district will host in June. Miller said the ice ribbon has been a strong draw and that facility programming improved in 2024 after COVID disruptions.

Miller gave specific participation and financial details: the district reported 7,635 active memberships and “almost 19,000” members scanned through the facility system in the first quarter reporting period; she said annual passes are at their highest level since before COVID and first‑quarter 2025 pass revenue was about $26,000 higher than the same period in 2024. Miller described program growth in junior jazz, youth soccer, flag football and baseball, and said the district collected about $25,000 more in junior jazz revenue year‑over‑year and saw participation increases of roughly 16% for that program.

On pricing and program economics, Miller said some adult sports attendance has fallen after fee increases. She described fee changes implemented for some leagues: basketball moved from a roughly $600 team fee to a $95 per‑participant fee; volleyball and softball fees also rose and the district will review those effects. Miller said the district is narrowing program offerings to focus on financially sustainable activities.

Capital and maintenance items were a focal point of the update. Miller said the district’s current bond expires in January of the next year and the board is discussing whether to seek additional bonding. Possible projects under consideration include replacing locker rooms, expanding the lap pool, adding restrooms to the fitness second level, a parking‑lot resurface targeted for 2027 and equipment purchases such as a replacement Zamboni Miller estimated at about $160,000. Miller also noted a plan to install a turnstile at the ice arena to better control access.

Miller described recent operational improvements: a new mobile‑friendly website launched in February, a formalized sponsorship package rolled out in fall 2024, and adopted changes to how insurance passes (SilverSneakers, Renew Active and similar programs) are validated. She said the district conducted more than 4,000 swim lessons in 2024 and emphasized swim instruction as a community safety service.

Commissioners and staff asked clarifying questions about program fees, facility scheduling and past discussions about expansion. Miller said the board reduced the number of at‑large board members in 2024 when it updated bylaws and that the board continues to discuss expansion options, noting the timing depends on funding and whether the board chooses to pursue additional bonds.

Miller closed by inviting commissioners to tour the facility and by reiterating the district’s interest in continued partnership with the county on events and programming.

","At an April 22 Davis County Commission work session, representatives from the South Davis Recreation District said 2024 revenues recovered after the pandemic and outlined near-term maintenance and capital priorities, while noting a potential bond decision next year.","actionData","errors"]

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Commissioners face $2 million gap for animal care facility as budget projections and opioid‑settlement options collide

South Davis Recreation District reports revenue growth, program gains and plans for future upgrades