[{"_1":2,"_105":-5,"_106":-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],{"_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",6597536,"mediaKeyId","3379259-f0bef8ffde3cc05ea64c5ba6da82a042","parentId",3379259,"title","Council pursues options for Bluff Cemetery: keep local oversight or transfer to county","audioSeconds",321,"startMs",3933480,"endMs",4254900,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3379259-f0bef8ffde3cc05ea64c5ba6da82a042&start=3933&end=4254","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6597536/Utah/Council-pursues-options-for-Bluff-Cemetery-keep-local-oversight-or-transfer-to-county","mediaUrl","author","Bluff Town Council","date","2025-04-08T16:00:00Z","article","A council member reported ongoing work to review Bluff Cemetery records and management and said volunteers who have been managing the Bluff section (Robin Bond and Bill Davis) want to step down.

The presenter said they had assembled roughly 15 years of bookkeeping records from Robin Bond and reconciled deposits and expenditures, but that there are gaps in deposit, investment and reporting practices under the existing special service district arrangement with the county. The council member said those gaps require legal and procedural cleanup.

The council member said they will meet with San Juan County staff and commissioners (including Mac McDonald and Commissioner Laurie Mon) and with Brad Bunker to review the cemetery survey and governance options. The council described two paths for consideration: (1) create a Bluff cemetery district under town control to formalize local oversight, or (2) transfer oversight fully to the county and remove local management responsibility.

The presenter said they expect to return to the council in May with a definitive recommendation and supporting documentation for a vote, noting the need to resolve legal issues and bookkeeping transparency before any governance change.

","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","Bluff Town Council Work Session and Special Meeting - 231202_1450","oneSentenceSummary","Council members directed staff to meet with county officials to clarify oversight and accounting for Bluff Cemetery after volunteers sought to step down and staff found reporting gaps.","taxTitle","Bluff, San Juan County, Utah","taxId",79934,"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},6597541,"Town explores using solar and battery storage instead of—or together with—portable generator grant",84,2350500,2435000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3379259-f0bef8ffde3cc05ea64c5ba6da82a042&start=2350&end=2435","/articles/6597541/Utah/Town-explores-using-solar-and-battery-storage-instead-ofor-together-withportable-generator-grant","Councilors and staff discussed an approved USDA grant for a portable generator and whether some or all of the funding could be reallocated to battery storage tied to existing solar panels.

Erin Nelson said the generator grant is approved and noted the town's local match would be roughly $17,000 (Nelson cautioned the number was approximate). Councilors and staff agreed it would be useful to ask the grantor whether batteries or other electric-storage equipment would be eligible under the grant terms.

Members requested a solar scoping analysis to determine how many panels would be needed to power the CCC and whether battery storage would provide equivalent emergency capacity to a conventional generator. Staff suggested obtaining a basic feasibility estimate from a local solar contact (Melina/Malia) and said if the scoping estimate exceeded a small procurement threshold the town would solicit competitive quotes.

Councilors also discussed practical logistics for a portable generator (placement, breaker-panel hookup, access for fueling or connection) and noted battery-plus-solar options could reduce recurring fuel and maintenance costs if compatible with grant requirements and procurement rules (including any Build America/Buy America requirements noted by staff).

The council added an action item for staff to ask USDA (the grantor) about permissible uses and to return with cost estimates for both a portable generator package and battery storage tied to the town's solar assets.

","Councilors evaluated whether an approved USDA grant for a portable generator could be adapted to pay for battery storage and solar integration for town buildings, and asked staff to pursue feasibility and grant-eligibility questions.",{"_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},6597546,"Council to merge CIP review with next budget work session; Calf Canyon road and solar projects highlighted",839,2006270,2845660,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3379259-f0bef8ffde3cc05ea64c5ba6da82a042&start=2006&end=2845","/articles/6597546/Utah/Council-to-merge-CIP-review-with-next-budget-work-session-Calf-Canyon-road-and-solar-projects-highlighted","Erin Nelson, town manager, presented the town's capital improvement plan (CIP) originally reviewed in September 2024 and asked council members whether priorities had changed. The CIP lists roughly 14–15 projects over 10 years, with stronger focus on the first five (FY2025–2029).

Council members discussed specific priorities. Calf Canyon Road (storm drainage / bank rip-rap) drew particular attention: some members described the site as a critical erosion issue, while others said recent temporary rock placement has reduced urgency. Michael (Michael Havocin) said Jones & DeMille was updating engineering estimates and that the consultant's revised documents should arrive by the end of the week; he emphasized the June 30 fiscal-year deadline tied to a matching grant.

Members also discussed energy projects as potential long-term cost savers. Nelson and councilors asked for a basic solar analysis to estimate how many panels would be required to power the CCC and the town building; they suggested an initial scoping estimate from a local solar contact. The council discussed whether savings from solar would justify reallocating some FY2026 capital funds designated for the CCC roof to electrical or solar work.

The council agreed that the CIP review should be combined with the amended FY2025 and FY2026 tentative budget discussion in a full work session the week of April 15 so members can compare prioritized projects against refined revenues and potential grant matches.

","At the April 8 Blufftown work session the council reviewed a ten-year capital improvement plan, discussing priorities for FY2025–2029. Members highlighted Calf Canyon Road storm-drainage work, solar analysis for the Cooperative Cultural Center (CCC) and possible reallocation of a roof replacement line to electrical/solar projects.",{"_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},6597550,"Town manager urges conservative budget planning; recommends 25% drop in tourism-related revenues",2035,22950,2058250,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3379259-f0bef8ffde3cc05ea64c5ba6da82a042&start=22&end=2058","/articles/6597550/Utah/Town-manager-urges-conservative-budget-planning-recommends-25-drop-in-tourism-related-revenues","Erin Nelson, Blufftown town manager, opened the work session with an overview of the town's fiscal position and upcoming budget schedule, saying the presentation was an overview rather than a formal proposed budget. Nelson said March financials show no major concerns for the current year but stressed the need to prepare for potential revenue declines tied to lower tourism.

\"Realistically, I think we should probably look at about a 25% reduction in our core taxes,\" Nelson said, referring to sales tax and transient room tax (TRT) as the town's largest revenue sources. She noted property tax revenue (about $35,000 per year) is a much smaller share and suggested keeping those figures roughly the same for planning purposes.

Nelson told the council she will review the March financials more closely over the next week and expects to propose any needed adjustments to an amended FY2025 budget. She said state energy grants and a portable generator grant are items likely to require explicit inclusion in any amended budget so the town can spend the funds if needed before fiscal year end.

Council members discussed priorities to protect if revenue declines occur. Linda Sosa and others emphasized keeping funding for emergency medical technicians and business-support marketing intact; several members also said administrative and employee costs should be preserved where possible. Nelson described her approach to preparing the FY2026 tentative budget: average recent years (excluding COVID years) and then apply the 25% reduction to major tourism-related revenues while treating fees and licenses as more stable.

On schedule, Nelson said the town must hold a public hearing at the May 6 meeting and recommended at least one additional work session in mid‑ to late April to finalize numbers and the capital improvement plan before rolling out the budget.

The council agreed to schedule an extra work session the week of April 15 and to have staff reclassify any miscategorized March receipts before the amended budget is drafted.

Votes at the end of the work session moved the meeting into a special council meeting by voice vote; the motion passed on an aye vote with no recorded roll-call tally.

","At an April 8 Blufftown work session, Town Manager Erin Nelson presented a fiscal overview and recommended planning for a roughly 25% drop in tourism-related revenues for FY2026. Council members asked for follow-up work sessions and directed staff to refine amended FY2025 figures before public hearings in May.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council pursues options for Bluff Cemetery: keep local oversight or transfer to county

Town explores using solar and battery storage instead of—or together with—portable generator grant

Council to merge CIP review with next budget work session; Calf Canyon road and solar projects highlighted

Town manager urges conservative budget planning; recommends 25% drop in tourism-related revenues