[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6243597,"mediaKeyId","3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c","parentId",3238032,"title","Commission signs onto Cooperative Wildfire System, requests FDID and discusses WUI bill and mitigation grants","audioSeconds",2482,"startMs",5914000,"endMs",8396000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c&start=5914&end=8396","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c/thumbnail_5914000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6243597/Utah/Commission-signs-onto-Cooperative-Wildfire-System-requests-FDID-and-discusses-WUI-bill-and-mitigation-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243597-62ba64ea43da8a5ef8c6024eaf7abfbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770779649&Signature=FSvvMSDpFkCtlQ-uhVaZloF7rTmDJ3j9kcehKv~452Y2k6XPpfI9rVdPbNz~s-b9qMlX-3UoK9-DHBMjWSoG5cZBjanlI-lmBurAaIUAGQUp8kHf8xPjAbPr3WINGSOsywgRXkwRJlHnC2A7TybotkP3YENUPJbzoP0GgudNQ2GqJ2DtpeCuI6Z3hXocVampphphXzA-nvQHlakRPu-9YSeVA7e2G5c0zNlDfO-CjKMVZviS3DuDYfq~qBvcBsRXIpvnlSVgnGx5tkEEw846VtNtkj13z75XlpCII3GX2GNWTQl73jRglHMqVTcGUpcWkQmnjEhXL6y26Up7IdFCWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-08T06:56:04Z","article","Rich County commissioners voted to re‑enter the state Cooperative Wildfire System (CWS), authorized county staff to request a county fire‑department FDID, and reviewed state rules and grant opportunities tied to a new wildland‑urban interface (WUI) bill.

Fire Warden Travis Hobbs briefed the commission on House Bill 48 (the WUI bill) and said the state is defining a high‑risk subset of WUI properties and intends to place a fee or assessment on those properties through property tax bills in 2026. Hobbs told commissioners the process and inspector requirements are still being developed and said the expected workload could be substantial because many property owners are likely to request inspections to reduce their assessed risk tier.

Hobbs said Rich County received a $50,000 award to fund mitigation work on Sweetwater Hill and that staff have applied for additional funding on the Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area in coordination with Idaho partners. Commissioners discussed options to meet the county’s CWS participation commitment and noted that participation commitments can be met by cash or in‑kind actions such as equipment purchases, fuel reduction work, or training.

Staff presented the county’s CWS participation figure ($6,887 for the current cycle) and explained how historic suppression costs factor into that number. Hobbs said the Dry Fork incident cost roughly $1,000,093.64 and that roughly 31% of that cost was attributed to private‑property impacts; commissioners were told that fluctuations in historic fire costs drive year‑to‑year changes in the county’s participation amount.

Commissioners passed two motions: one to request issuance of a county FDID (a Fire Department Identification used for billing and resource tracking) and a second to re‑sign the CWS agreement. Hobbs also discussed equipment and resource challenges — older engines, the potential availability of surplus heavy engines from state/federal partners, the county’s type‑6 engine and dozers, and the practical value of aerial support when ground resources are ready (for example, “pumpkin” soft‑sided water containers for helicopters).

Why it matters: The WUI rulemaking, CWS participation and FDID status affect how wildfire suppression costs are managed, how mitigation funds are allocated, and how the county can recover costs through state programs. The county’s decisions will shape preparedness, mutual‑aid capacity and long‑term wildfire financial exposure.

Next steps: The commission signed and authorized required signatures for the CWS agreement, directed staff to submit a request for an FDID, and asked fire staff to draft a plan that identifies needs and funding options (possible purchases, training and how mitigation awards should be spent) for future commission consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rich County Commission Meeting — May 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rich County commissioners re‑signed the Cooperative Wildfire System agreement, authorized a request for a county wildfire FDID, and discussed implementation questions and workload implications of a new state WUI law; staff noted a $50,000 mitigation award for Sweetwater Hill and urged planning for equipment and inspections.","taxTitle","Rich County Commission, Rich County Boards and Commissions, Rich County, Utah","taxId",67593,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6243602,"Commissioners agree to place new drug‑and‑alcohol testing policy on next agenda for adoption",547,3867000,4414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c&start=3867&end=4414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c/thumbnail_3867000.jpg","/articles/6243602/Utah/Commissioners-agree-to-place-new-drugandalcohol-testing-policy-on-next-agenda-for-adoption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243602-3499ed0b7986bd27a79d6402251945df/orig.mp4?Expires=1770779649&Signature=Yv5J~4xm6iGvfPvSyrO35~STr5AiPFtI5uig~muiqIwtE6Y-tLKJfW03OxOaeUM9xjRVZee0PgT1A9WjYb9FUhc~uM3fjWXcPQNbngEso59Wy8MIAKuvXhZomS9a1a~TxRS~mMEOgPxUJvIbobHtz5P0rwgOpqj6oYVh9QR3aSwbMYiqiY50p6ySJp7819HUJCNgzWRGr-Twehznv0e0Vkwg7Bm~Psz6oi7KBtOCTyAem5dM46ACSnKG0K2oefRY4RIIgc4UDCCYNsonBT27ZCocOCCmsjKB9byUyQdLFU2PgD~g5cgPJ1wLwEMNMvzjw1FPnUWFlFNIBTLeV48Ykw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff presented a proposed personnel policy (Policy 5‑600) establishing drug and alcohol testing rules for county employees, including pre‑employment, random, reasonable‑suspicion, post‑accident and criminal‑conviction reporting requirements. The proposal draws from state and federal law and a model used by Davis County.

Key elements of the draft policy include: treating medical‑marijuana cardholders the same as other prescription drug users (but requiring proof of a valid card if testing positive for THC); a 12‑hour pre‑reporting prohibition on on‑the‑job use of medical marijuana; designation of the county clerk as the DER (designated employer representative) for commercial driver’s‑license (CDL) compliance; and testing protocols and cutoffs aligned with state thresholds. The draft states refusal to test will be treated as a positive test and allows employees to request a retest at the county’s expense for the initial test.

Commissioners discussed the federal Commercial Driver’s License rules and the DER designation and confirmed the county clerk will serve as DER. A motion to place a resolution enacting the policy on the commission’s next agenda carried unanimously. Staff said they will circulate the final resolution and, once adopted, distribute the policy to employees and post it online.

Why it matters: The policy clarifies permissible procedures for testing, consequences for positive results or refusal, and appoints an official to manage CDL compliance — matters that affect staffing, workplace safety and federal regulatory compliance for employees with CDL responsibilities.","County staff presented a proposed personnel policy on drug and alcohol testing (including medical‑marijuana guidance and CDL rules); commissioners voted to add the resolution to the next agenda for adoption and to designate the county clerk as the DER for CDL matters.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6243607,"Commissioners direct public hearing on sanitation‑fee wording to exempt vacant unsold homes",259,3441000,3700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c&start=3441&end=3700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c/thumbnail_3441000.jpg","/articles/6243607/Utah/Commissioners-direct-public-hearing-on-sanitationfee-wording-to-exempt-vacant-unsold-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243607-4dbd9af738e16440838df9ee488cca1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770779649&Signature=TH~AO1nVRnKJ11mxJscujmiMTCqIPvZYhx9Wy5g~2TOp2HpaJV~GcP45ufCywhLPHoV7eOkSydi4Rvi50M1xDpf0Stb6IpcFDjHhCDNEJ~qCBJeoSXqZNBadBikLlZQlvROhsqJgxAT--1lnQgkzbuGPqvmeizl09bRYrZPso0mkSi8RosvgatCz23ea~vOo~tMasMHSADbc4sRjp~Irj47rCNhKg4Edi5d4zPB1R33lUw8lggS~itwnpVFQyX8nRPDGrKiT-mJBpUbtoQSxcxQuYUvyxW-NKRnh2Nxh9LxEh8TkbEUWK-pu--mQF-V93cwASzSDtLuSjOKIFPCGsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rich County commissioners discussed and approved sending proposed amendments to the county’s 2015 sanitation ordinance to a public hearing next month, seeking to clarify when sanitation fees become the owner’s liability.

County staff told commissioners the current ordinance holds “the owner and occupant of land” liable for the sanitation fee with no nuance for vacant or unsold homes. Commissioners and staff discussed cases in which owners were charged for residential fees even though no can had been issued and no collection service was provided for vacant homes within new subdivisions.

The proposed change would state that liability for the fee begins when both the certificate of occupancy has been issued and the owner begins to receive trash‑collection services. Commissioners asked technical clarifying edits to definitions and container sizes (for example, changing residential container definitions to 96‑gallon cans and standardizing commercial dumpster yardage) and instructed staff to incorporate those numeric changes into the draft ordinance.

Action and next steps: Commissioners instructed the county attorney and staff to prepare a revised ordinance and notice a public hearing next month. Staff said they would circulate the cleaned, amended draft to sanitation staff for a final list of container sizes and then publish the ordinance for public comment.

Why it matters: The change aims to prevent owners from being charged sanitation fees for properties that are vacant and not receiving collection service, which county staff said has produced complaints from property owners and builders.","Commissioners agreed to amend the county sanitation ordinance so the service fee liability begins only when both a certificate of occupancy is issued and trash collection service begins; a public hearing will be scheduled next month.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6243613,"Rich County commissioners table decision on 674‑acre mineral parcel after public owner dispute",2000,1110000,3110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c&start=1110&end=3110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c/thumbnail_1110000.jpg","/articles/6243613/Utah/Rich-County-commissioners-table-decision-on-674acre-mineral-parcel-after-public-owner-dispute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243613-ced82f127a2ffef6bc8536afb0f73382/orig.mp4?Expires=1770779649&Signature=AKK4ce0Nk1omCUk9rdmTrYc2l8l1rka71eAJNHlXxiefYzMcF74Z1-btaOI~8TlQJmk-iYQSB9MaWqAsThWouKzhRt~exAfSAmOcRsL6yd3k6Dkfv-wWHdd6WF8O8JNbDeWEwo-TOKiYp9DBM1NST4wONS9P8KME9knoh8oKvaCF3XmFJOdTkX9cWDuNl3hSkMvORPoIQQSD~s~WBdUjn1sQSaByws~7zaMfNCMrZS75DbBU3QlCDiOt8yNMRkSq1-bX6puZHN5-3dIl8wQOWHhyCRkSUdaGetJMrXBCtZZQmCbiYnr97q9TsQIRPu82PGTZgiH3smS7G1fbocO4Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident, Paul Hales, told the Rich County Commission he negotiated to receive ownership of a patented mineral parcel on Crawford Mountain but discovered county records show the parcel was listed for tax sale; the commission tabled the matter for further legal review.

Hales told the commission he contacted the recorded owner, Crawford Mountain Properties Inc., learned the company had not paid taxes and the parcel had been offered at tax sale with no bidders. He said a quitclaim deed had been prepared but that the Utah corporation named in the original deed no longer exists. Hales said he wants to pursue either a purchase from the current owner or a clean transfer if the county assumes title.

County staff said the auditor may “strike off” delinquent parcels to the county under Utah Code (noted in county discussion as 59‑2‑1351.3). County attorney staff told the commission they would prepare the deed needed to vest title in the county if the statutory process is followed. The attorney advised the auditor could “execute the deed for the property sold under the subsection in the name of the county and attest by seal vesting in the purchaser.”

Hales described reclamation and safety issues on the parcel — abandoned mine tunnels, subsidence, and previous reclamation efforts tied to the original patent — and told commissioners the parcel is about “674” acres. He asked whether the county would accept an offer of purchase or proceed with the statutory tax‑sale/strike‑off process. County officials said the parcel was advertised in the 2023 tax sale with no buyers and the county has not yet finalized striking it to county title.

Commission discussion addressed options: strike the parcel to county title under the tax‑sale statute and then advertise for sale, accept Hales’ negotiated quitclaim if that can be completed, or advertise the parcel as a standard tax sale. Commissioners agreed not to decide immediately; Commissioner motioned to table the matter and seek more information from the county attorney and to involve Hales in further discussions. A motion to table and return next month passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The parcel includes patented mineral rights and historic mine workings; ownership affects reclamation liability, public‑safety concerns such as subsidence, and future uses including potential mining, grazing, or sale. Legal status is affected by the tax‑sale process and by questions about whether the patent covered surface, minerals, or both.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting: Hales said back taxes had ranged from about $8,800 to $10,200 during the period he pursued the property; he said the parcel had been set for tax sale with no bidders in February 2023. County staff cited Utah Code 59‑2‑1351.3 as the statutory pathway for striking delinquent parcels to county title. Commissioners directed staff to research whether the tax parcel covered mineral rights only or surface and to return with recommendations and legal options.","Paul Hales told the commission he negotiated to acquire mineral rights to a patented mining parcel but county records show it went to tax sale with no bidders; commissioners agreed to table the issue and involve the county attorney to determine whether the county should assume title or sell it.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6243618,"Bear River Health District warns federal-contract cuts could slash local programs",0,1808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c&start=1808&end=1808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3238032-c1e6d9c8925b7e13fa9bec9166f4160c/thumbnail_1808000.jpg","/articles/6243618/Utah/Bear-River-Health-District-warns-federal-contract-cuts-could-slash-local-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243618-00c0ea656705b40e6d15af223f96dcbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770779649&Signature=oIpDxyiKu3rk5ohkx3xe~uhu9q1jTeafwYEbkKTymuJQlthmxOFsnSC~HaaYT2IIXYH4Qwhpt28fn2ES0G82SmhL45tNlRmsRQDi~QaZJ2jdbHSgnRHcfczUsoa31Xs5-znB2VbDyFtdIgWnKYCMs2XX8zCtqZX~g3DbIWMn45TUkdumfsLKBKAt74GbpYUGsvgUNN6gG6-aAzcRIqek6Z0SSZyGBCGcGEzvyXpLa2sWehqlUtjjlhXw09QyGuVp9hurtmufVCDlzS5jlwRA7jqS5Cc5-rJtqepwtG1gLGZ-tclDjpE0CTroNkQU42x5cz-eAWfFZG10RFTOhHVMtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bear River Health District told the Rich County Commission that about 65% of its revenues come from contracts and that a proposed roughly 40% reduction in federal contract funding could force deep cuts to prevention and preparedness programs.

Health Department staff told commissioners the county tax contribution accounts for roughly 12% of their revenue and two small pots of state money also support operations. The presenter said, “65% of our revenues come from contracts.” Staff said the department has already absorbed pandemic-era reductions — losing about $1 million in COVID funding and eliminating 10 positions — and estimated cuts tied to the president’s proposed budget could total about $1.6 million.

The district’s presenter said the proposed cuts would affect prevention programs that are harder to quantify in immediate savings but that produce long-term benefits. “We’re looking at some of our injury prevention or diabetes… the entire emergency preparedness,” the presenter said, noting that an emergency preparedness program that coordinates with county emergency managers could be eliminated; staff described that program as roughly $500,000. The presenter also said some SAMHSA prevention dollars and a $50,000 harm‑reduction award (needle-exchange–type services) are at risk.

Commissioners asked whether contract revenue is federal, state or local; staff clarified it is a mixture and said the district will “monitor the federal situation” and track whether cuts would be absorbed via workforce reductions or by eliminating pass-through grants to local partners. Staff said they are preparing contingency plans so the district “won’t be caught flat footed.”

The presenter highlighted other items in the district’s annual report, including local public-health gains from county opioid-settlement and tobacco-settlement dollars, the expansion of WIC to a preloaded card to reduce barriers in rural areas, and a youth governing council that helped prompt passage of House Bill 128 to expand youth access to tobacco and nicotine cessation services. The presenter also noted the Garden City office has regained authorization to provide in‑person counseling two days a month following a licensure lapse during the pandemic.

Why it matters: Bear River’s contract-dependent revenue model means federal and state funding decisions could quickly change services available in Rich County and other district communities. Commissioners asked staff to follow the federal budget process and report back as details are finalized.

Details and context: Staff said the district tracks program-level outcomes (for example, 85% of diabetes‑prevention participants reported sustaining dietary changes during a yearlong program). Staff also reported the district has helped create seven new local coalitions in Northern Utah through prevention funding and that Heather Olson has formed one such coalition in Rich County.

The health district did not seek any formal action from the commission at this meeting; staff asked that commissioners be prepared for follow-up reports and possible requests if funding changes are finalized.","Bear River Health District officials told the Rich County Commission that roughly two-thirds of the district’s revenue comes from contracts and that proposed federal budget cuts could eliminate prevention and preparedness programs, prompting contingency planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission signs onto Cooperative Wildfire System, requests FDID and discusses WUI bill and mitigation grants

Commissioners agree to place new drug‑and‑alcohol testing policy on next agenda for adoption

Commissioners direct public hearing on sanitation‑fee wording to exempt vacant unsold homes

Rich County commissioners table decision on 674‑acre mineral parcel after public owner dispute

Bear River Health District warns federal-contract cuts could slash local programs