[{"_1":2,"_115":-5,"_116":-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",[32,75,85,95,105],{"_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",6581407,"mediaKeyId","3141130-15a70cb3a131c561c06c91d95d2e501c","parentId",3141130,"title","Votes at a glance: commission approves fraud risk assessment, fee schedule, janitorial contract and personnel changes","audioSeconds",532,"startMs",2826000,"endMs",3358000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141130-15a70cb3a131c561c06c91d95d2e501c&start=2826&end=3358","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6581407/Utah/Votes-at-a-glance-commission-approves-fraud-risk-assessment-fee-schedule-janitorial-contract-and-personnel-changes","mediaUrl","author","Iron County Commission","date","2025-04-28T09:00:00Z","article","At the April meeting the Iron County Commission approved several routine but administratively important items: the county’s annual fraud risk assessment for the year ending Feb. 2024, a consolidated 2025 fee schedule, an annual janitorial contract for county facilities, and a set of personnel promotions and hires.

Fraud risk assessment: County accounting staff presented the required annual fraud‑risk assessment ahead of the external audit by Kimball and Roberts. Staff said the county maintains separation of duties across accounts payable, receivable and payroll and that the county’s overall risk score remains low. Commissioners approved the assessment by motion and voice vote.

2025 fee schedule: Staff updated a seven‑page fee schedule covering departments from the clerk’s office to planning, zoning and the fairgrounds. The commission voted to adopt the updated schedule and directed staff to post the master list on the county website and to coordinate department pages.

Janitorial contract award: After discussing repeated complaints under the current vendor, the commission awarded an annual custodial contract for Iron County facilities in Parowan and Cedar City to Made Perfectly Cleaning for $156,000 per year. Staff cited prior poor performance by the incumbent, three competitive bids and references from the senior center in Cedar City where the recommended vendor currently provides services. Commissioners said background checks will be required for staff who access secure justice and public safety areas.

Personnel actions: The commission approved a slate of personnel changes across departments, including promotions and hires in the sheriff’s office (promotions to corporal and deputy levels and a corrections deputy hire), road department hires and promotions, and seasonal weed technician hires. Effective dates were listed in the personnel packet (most actions effective 04/27–04/28/2025).

Votes: Each motion carried on a voice vote. For the janitorial contract, the motion to award to Made Perfectly Cleaning for $156,000 annually was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to draft stronger contract remedies and clearer performance metrics to reduce recurring complaints and to consider midyear budget adjustments if contract costs increase.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","Iron County Commission Meeting - 04-28-2025 Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its April meeting the Iron County Commission approved the annual fraud risk assessment, the 2025 fee schedule, a new janitorial contract for county facilities and a package of personnel actions.","taxTitle","Iron County Commission, Iron County Boards and Commissions, Iron County, Utah","taxId",67566,"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},6581412,"Treasurer briefs commission: collections strong, outstanding taxes down, but PIDs can sharply raise homeowners' bills",417,1191000,1608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141130-15a70cb3a131c561c06c91d95d2e501c&start=1191&end=1608","/articles/6581412/Utah/Treasurer-briefs-commission-collections-strong-outstanding-taxes-down-but-PIDs-can-sharply-raise-homeowners-bills","The county treasurer presented revenue and tax‑collection data, saying year‑to‑date collections exceed $7 million and that the county’s outstanding delinquent taxes have fallen from about $13.5 million last year to roughly $2.5 million this year.

\"Of course, we're in our quiet time of collecting, but we still, since the first of the year, collected over 7,000,000,\" the treasurer said, noting the county’s pool cash position and interest earnings that support multiple funds.

May tax sale and outstanding parcels: the treasurer said the May tax sale list began with 109 parcels and had been reduced to 64, with four properties remaining that appear to be homes. One parcel, she said, may be associated with an incarcerated owner who has been notified.

PIDs and tax impact: the treasurer flagged public infrastructure districts (PIDs) approved by Cedar City and cautioned about the tax impact on homeowners. She provided an example using Commissioner Robinson's property: she calculated last year’s property tax of $2,378 and said that adding a 6‑mill PID levy would add about $1,834 — raising the total tax bill to about $4,213, nearly doubling that household’s bill. \"I hope Cedar City understands the tax impact it will have,\" she said, and recommended better developer and public education on how PID levies apply across an entire levy area, not only on sold lots.

Other items: the treasurer reviewed pool cash, interest earnings and long‑term investments that have produced interest income countywide. She told commissioners that Cedar City has approved nine PIDs that are mainly collecting special assessments, with three that will levy an ongoing tax.

Ending: the treasurer asked the commission to consider increased outreach and education for developers and residents about how PID levies work and the timing deadlines needed to set rates with the state tax commission.","The county treasurer reported year‑to‑date collections and falling outstanding taxes, updated the commission on an upcoming May tax sale and warned that public infrastructure district (PID) levies can materially increase homeowners' property tax bills.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":50,"_51":92,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":93,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":94,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581417,"County IT reports millions of blocked connections and a contained ransomware attempt",293,745000,1038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141130-15a70cb3a131c561c06c91d95d2e501c&start=745&end=1038","/articles/6581417/Utah/County-IT-reports-millions-of-blocked-connections-and-a-contained-ransomware-attempt","An IT representative told commissioners that county network defenses blocked 8,875,290 connection attempts over a recent seven‑day period and that one incoming ransomware incident was detected and quarantined before it affected systems.

\"In the last 7 days, we had 8,875,290 blocked connections coming through,\" the IT presenter said, and added that the county identified and quarantined a ransomware threat that did not affect production systems.

Why it matters: the IT staff said the threat environment has become more aggressive and that attackers now sometimes demand multi‑million‑dollar ransoms. The presenter described how attackers have shifted tactics over time and how modern incidents can remain dormant and then trigger backups and systems when activated.

Defenses and partnerships: the IT presenter credited daily notifications and support from the state cybersecurity center (SIAC) and said outside vendors (Sysa) performed analysis and hardening work in prior years. The IT office said it maintains an open inventory of work orders (about 250 open) and is prioritizing critical tasks while also updating county websites and parcel and permitting applications.

Staffing and budget notes: the presenter reported 3,877 work orders completed in 2024 (about 320 per month) and an average of about 290 work orders per month so far in the current year. IT raised concerns about rising hardware costs (about $200 more per computer) and noted potential budget pressure to replace or delay equipment purchases.

Ending: IT staff said they will continue coordination with the state and outside vendors to harden systems and monitor incoming traffic; commissioners were briefed on current workloads and staffing pressures in the department.","The county’s IT staff reported nearly 8.9 million blocked connection attempts in one seven‑day window, described a contained ransomware incident that was quarantined before system harm, and said the county is working with state cyber partners.",{"_33":96,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":97,"_41":98,"_43":99,"_45":100,"_47":101,"_49":50,"_51":102,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":103,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":104,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581422,"Assessor warns DMV offices are stretched as transaction volumes rise; state bill to increase funding failed",437,185000,622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141130-15a70cb3a131c561c06c91d95d2e501c&start=185&end=622","/articles/6581422/Utah/Assessor-warns-DMV-offices-are-stretched-as-transaction-volumes-rise-state-bill-to-increase-funding-failed","Karsten, the county assessor, told commissioners the county's DMV operations are under strain as transaction volumes rise and more dealer work is being routed to smaller offices.

\"In Cedar, the number of transactions per day on average exceeds a hundred transactions per person,\" Karsten said, and added that on busy days one office team served about 600 customers. Historically small offices such as Parowan have seen average daily transactions rise from 8–12 to roughly 18–20 in the last year, he said.

Why it matters: the county's contract with the state covering DMV operations has not kept pace with workload, Karsten said. He told commissioners a bill pushed this session—identified in discussion as SB59—passed the Senate but failed in the House. \"I'm not sure why it got voted down,\" Karsten said. He and staff plan to follow up with legislators to seek additional state support.

Staffing and options: Karsten said the Cedar office has been asked for a part‑time hire and that a small reconfiguration of office space could allow a part‑time desk. \"Tara's asked for another part time person over the last year or so ... because they're so bombarded,\" he said. The assessor's office is also trying to train and license local staff; Karsten noted an employee, Braden Beaumont, recently passed a licensing test after several years of training.

The assessor characterized the current contract with the state as \"20 something years old\" and said it does not cover current administrative costs. He asked commissioners to consider assisting advocacy efforts with legislators to secure a sustained change in funding.

Ending: Karsten urged commissioners to consider the longer‑term staffing and budget implications and said he would continue outreach to legislators and partners such as the Utah Association of Counties.","Iron County Assessor briefed commissioners on higher-than‑usual DMV transaction volumes in Cedar City, dealer workload, staffing pressures and a failed state bill (SB59) that would have increased state compensation to local offices.",{"_33":106,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":107,"_41":108,"_43":109,"_45":110,"_47":111,"_49":50,"_51":112,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":113,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":114,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6581427,"Iron County redevelopment agency approves annual solar tax‑increment reimbursements",402,2248000,2650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141130-15a70cb3a131c561c06c91d95d2e501c&start=2248&end=2650","/articles/6581427/Utah/Iron-County-redevelopment-agency-approves-annual-solar-taxincrement-reimbursements","The Iron County Community Development and Renewal Agency approved annual tax‑increment reimbursements for a set of existing solar project areas at the county’s April meeting, agency staff said.

Agency staff presented reimbursement requests for Buckhorn, Burrell, Cedar Valley, Fiddler’s Canyon, SunEdison Phase 1, Red Hills (also called Red Hills Renewable), 3 Peaks, Granite Mountain East, Granite Mountain West, Iron Springs Enterprise, Cove Mountain and Cove Mountain 2 and asked the agency to confirm that each met the project‑area plan requirements before payment.

Agency staff said the requests are the routine annual reimbursements the agency pays when a project has paid ad valorem taxes and files the April 1 application. \"These are the annual, reimbursement requests of the existing solar,\" staff said, noting each request is verified against the project‑area plan and tax receipts.

Why it matters: the reimbursements represent the agency’s commitments made when the solar project areas were approved. They are paid from the incremental growth in assessed value created by the projects and reduce the tax receipts the county would otherwise receive during the reimbursement period.

What the agency reviewed: staff explained the agency checks that the facility operates, that taxes and fees were paid and that the applicant filed the annual paperwork. The staff presentation listed the increment rates and term schedules in each project‑area plan; for example, the Red Hills project was described in meeting materials as roughly 340,000 panels, about 80 megawatts on roughly 630 acres, with an increment schedule running to 2029.

Commission discussion focused on whether replaced solar panels should restart depreciation schedules and how the county can verify ongoing panel inventories. \"I do feel strongly because of the aggressive depreciation schedule that they benefit from, that any panels that are replaced need to start over on that schedule,\" a commissioner said during the discussion, noting that significant panel replacement could materially affect assessed value. Staff said panel replacement and personal‑property valuation raise accounting and auditing complexities and that the assessor’s office currently performs local assessments, usually relying on owner reporting.

County staff also reported the state tax commission has been reluctant to conduct audits of the county’s solar projects; staff said they would follow up with the tax commission about the agency’s request for an audit to verify self‑reported equipment changes.

Action: A motion to approve the listed reimbursements for the 2024 reimbursement year was moved and seconded and passed; the chair signed the required forms after staff verification that each project met the project‑area plan requirements.

The agency said it intends to return with more comprehensive information on the county’s overall experience with solar project area agreements so commissioners can consider any policy changes.

Ending note: Staff said reimbursements are paid on the schedule established in each project‑area plan and that each payment will be released only after the agency signs the annual verification forms.","The Iron County Community Development and Renewal Agency approved routine annual reimbursements for a group of solar project areas after staff verified each project met the project‑area plan criteria. Commissioners discussed panel replacement, valuation and auditing concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: commission approves fraud risk assessment, fee schedule, janitorial contract and personnel changes

Treasurer briefs commission: collections strong, outstanding taxes down, but PIDs can sharply raise homeowners' bills

County IT reports millions of blocked connections and a contained ransomware attempt

Assessor warns DMV offices are stretched as transaction volumes rise; state bill to increase funding failed

Iron County redevelopment agency approves annual solar tax‑increment reimbursements