[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6181073,"mediaKeyId","5113726-917eaf4bee5b2de626ea5b9bbcaf6267","parentId",5113726,"title","Millard County adopts 0.25‑point TRT increase to qualify for outdoor‑recreation grants; effective Oct. 1","audioSeconds",88,"startMs",1766000,"endMs",1854000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113726-917eaf4bee5b2de626ea5b9bbcaf6267&start=1766&end=1854","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113726-917eaf4bee5b2de626ea5b9bbcaf6267/thumbnail_1766000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6181073/Utah/Millard-County-adopts-025point-TRT-increase-to-qualify-for-outdoorrecreation-grants-effective-Oct-1","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181073-91802e045cf2cfff5bd0bf8cfc029db5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178701&Signature=TvJO-qE-W-tUOy2raXh-u4yxcNU4dZ1Ywgib7Y3E1CkKSwpY7-ISlJqYhYY6flNAF956K08uUGOjjLxUbHjfS-pg9lLBInBNt~FG4SBDz9Mx5E6pCwuf~7tDnzMDHFZNV3bg9CI4ECGGoJ8kQgNzUb-2yID740kDOsdl7Kkd1iUAEUYJ~tEQvVrqjBfxBJrrnjUQDNUY8R5cAbXtuHl9d7EZkgDPIchaKZv~RvwDQKZRtUW-XRtrw1-803zyF3SZyrYb8Xlj6GzNcYDN3u69kx8-2Af51f9M30CqtuKMl76CaJWiYevm7OGBTowkdySPbIPcDS7UU165X~0IvFaRzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-01T15:32:03Z","article","The Millard County Commission voted to adopt an ordinance increasing the county transient room tax (TRT) from 4.25% to 4.5%, a 0.25‑percentage‑point increase that county staff said will permit Millard County to apply for certain state outdoor‑recreation grants for EMS, search‑and‑rescue and related services.

Rachelle West Ventora (staff member) explained the purpose during a public hearing: “What this tax increase does is it would take our normal TRT, so transient room tax, so that is the hotel tax. It would increase it from 4.25 to 4.5. If we increase that, then we are qualified to apply for grants with outdoor rec, for our search and rescue, EMS, things like that,” she said. West Ventora added that counties that do not adopt the increase are excluded from the state grant program.

Why it matters: the additional 0.25 percentage point is collected and used by the state to fund competitive outdoor‑recreation grants. County commissioners discussed whether the increase would translate into awards — one commissioner asked how much the state awards in grants each year and the likelihood the county would be funded — but agreed the tax is largely borne by visitors rather than residents.

Commissioner Bonnie Smith (auditor referenced in the hearing) and other commissioners confirmed procedural details. The commission moved to adopt Ordinance 25‑07‑01, to amend Title 3, Chapter 2 of the Millard County Code increasing the transient room tax rate. Commissioners asked when the change would take effect; county staff said if the ordinance and the required form are filed with the state promptly, the change will be effective Oct. 1.

The commission’s motion to adopt the ordinance was made, seconded and approved by voice vote in the meeting record. Details announced during discussion: the increase is intended to help rural counties qualify for state grant programs that underwrite costs associated with visitors (trash, traffic, emergency responses) and to provide another source for emergency services and search‑and‑rescue equipment. Staff and at least one commissioner noted that the county’s share of TRT remains largely unchanged for local budgeting; the additional 0.25 percentage point is the state’s mechanism to fund grants.

Discussion distinguished who bears the tax: commissioners noted it falls mostly on transient visitors staying in local lodging, not on residents who do not use overnight rooms. The commission instructed staff to file the ordinance with state authorities so the change would take effect Oct. 1.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Millard County Commission Meeting Live Stream 7-1-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Millard County Commission voted to adopt an ordinance increasing the county transient room tax from 4.25% to 4.5%, a 0.25‑point rise that staff said is required to qualify the county for state outdoor‑recreation grant programs for EMS and search‑and‑rescue.","taxTitle","Millard County Commission, Millard County Commission and Boards, Millard County, Utah","taxId",75106,"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},6181077,"Millard County discusses FiberNet Mercury data‑center project; commission to revisit west‑of‑highway impacts before further buildout",26,2516000,2542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113726-917eaf4bee5b2de626ea5b9bbcaf6267&start=2516&end=2542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113726-917eaf4bee5b2de626ea5b9bbcaf6267/thumbnail_2516000.jpg","/articles/6181077/Utah/Millard-County-discusses-FiberNet-Mercury-datacenter-project-commission-to-revisit-westofhighway-impacts-before-further-buildout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181077-088faeede60f8cd9f04f9ea92abba34c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178701&Signature=YilRuBSkG9m15SpBsXyhjcGB5qJMI9TtkObY0G12GWMof2tWq2qfLUOzSQds0K2Cot5OiNPwWB5aORwli99qGdBGFLw4~UrAdjA58YCb8dvfA3iUcwxVgEzjEw13LqSV~NCQIpQp1L~Ilv9UCtjvgzytCsz~714tTxCSXn7X6Pwh7Zo4iybYbse~waeIqbfg14RdAlElR8HitVWumu2hxJBDPMZQ6Rf3b0b2rarI8jcSf42kTQwZf4PdQWQdg8csNGI9KzaD6U-RAQTPtNi-w85M7cWQ7YfHsK0VIqiRMZoZM5v~4ZrP3lA2ri-3hjdZt-xBWNDV3vMF2nJSZTS5MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives for FiberNet Mercury Delta LLC told the Millard County Commission they are ready to begin the first phase of a proposed data‑center and electrical‑generation campus near 4500 East and U.S. Highway 50, and planners recommended approval with conditions — but county leaders said they will revisit design and mitigation before the project moves west of the highway.

The project applicant, Jason May, an applicant representative for FiberNet Mercury Delta LLC, summarized the proposal and said the planning commission gave it a favorable recommendation. “We have reviewed and we agree with the conditions set forth in the conditional use permit,” May said during the public hearing. Ray Conley, who identified himself as a CEO for the applicant, told commissioners a prospective customer is ready to start “as soon as we have the permit for the first data center.”

Why it matters: the proposal covers roughly 1,200 acres and, at full build‑out as presented, would include multiple data centers powered by natural gas taken from the Kern River pipeline. Commissioners said they want the county and the public to see how initial buildings perform and to keep the door open for adjustments before approving expansion into areas closer to existing residences.

Most of the hearing focused on conditions that planning staff recommended and on neighborhood concerns about noise, light and visual screening. Neighbor Kyle Ashby (not present but represented in comments) requested a 15‑foot berm along 4500 South with desert landscaping and some trees; the applicant said berms might affect air‑quality permits and airflow for the generation equipment. “Our only hesitation is we’re bound by the Department of Air Quality,” a project representative said, noting that a rigid berm requirement could conflict with required airflow.

County planner Adam (planning staff) and the applicant discussed alternatives, including placing parking or other low‑profile features closer to 4500 South to preserve airflow while providing a visual buffer. Planning staff told the commission that the proposed conditional‑use conditions are intended to address health, safety and property impacts and that additional, more detailed permits — traffic impact studies, grading, landscaping and emergency‑response plans — will be required before building permits are issued.

Public‑safety coordination was included in the draft conditions. The permit language requires a traffic‑impact analysis prepared by a licensed professional engineer and review and approval by UDOT and the county prior to building permits; mitigation measures required by that study must be implemented. The conditions also require an emergency‑response plan, annual updates, and coordination meetings with the sheriff’s office and fire district. “Applicant shall prepare and thereafter update annually a comprehensive emergency response plan approved by the county planner in consultation with the sheriff’s office, fire district, and other responders,” the draft condition reads.

Sheriff’s office representatives said traffic and enforcement might be challenging during peak construction, given manpower constraints and the mix of construction and interstate traffic. The sheriff said he would ask Utah Highway Patrol command to consider additional trooper coverage in the area and would try to direct county patrol resources where possible.

Commissioners generally supported allowing development to proceed on the east side of Highway 50 under the proposed conditions while reserving the right to reopen and amend the permit for any west‑of‑highway expansion. “My recommendation is…let’s move forward with the understanding that sound may be an issue and that we can hold off on doing anything until you start moving on that side of the road,” one commissioner said during deliberations.

Discussion items that remain open include: whether a high berm with plantings is feasible without jeopardizing air‑quality permits; exact building setbacks when the applicant proposes parcels west of the highway; and traffic and workforce housing impacts during construction. Planning staff said the conditions allow the county to require changes later if new, demonstrable issues arise as the project is built.

No formal recorded vote on final approval of the conditional‑use amendment appears in the transcript excerpt provided; commissioners closed the public hearing and discussed a pathway to proceed with the east‑side work and to revisit conditions before any expansion west of Highway 50.","Representatives for FiberNet Mercury Delta LLC told the Millard County Commission they are ready to begin the first phase of a proposed data‑center and electrical‑generation campus near 4500 East and U.S. Highway 50, and planners recommended approval with conditions — but county leaders said they will revisit design and mitigation before the project moves west of the highway.",{"_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},6181068,"Millard County approves most 2025 tax‑sale results; authorizes staff to accept next‑highest bidder on one parcel",340,848000,1188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113726-917eaf4bee5b2de626ea5b9bbcaf6267&start=848&end=1188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113726-917eaf4bee5b2de626ea5b9bbcaf6267/thumbnail_848000.jpg","/articles/6181068/Utah/Millard-County-approves-most-2025-taxsale-results-authorizes-staff-to-accept-nexthighest-bidder-on-one-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181068-2c305a8bf763e0f782bf19d027df1f85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178701&Signature=dn3HXPtmybBEk3lcrdrDkgW7dkm82o~-aOY16ACib72Puez0tzneI~S6kbOpugYYBHXB8Nam0DvAElHV4Z9saLiRr~g9qsp9aZd-z53VGfH4bDnrtrez2uzCvJyQ3-eodHuWEXgG3mu7-5LPijDVaQ6dIm9qnYafNrWfaeBbJsyecuxSpMpkXBcskLX3A4c-kgQHgae7r0jzqIE5Choz9dxV-N7DH2JMajlkGEw4yqmFWP9ALYMIBGWNAtMhe7l4IEVdhPrpxpu7URFhW1VmDij8xoeVHmBo1sOzWNkwDnFa-H65IVyQWdhLSxYBKobJkD~ev9JzRc1-p7kBaQX0KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Auditor Bonnie Smith told commissioners that Millard County held its 2025 online tax sale through the PublicSurplus platform and that one winning bidder later declined to pay for a parcel. Smith recommended the county advance to the next highest bidder under the sale platform’s terms.

Why it matters: tax‑sale proceeds and ownership transfers affect property rights and county title obligations; when winning bidders default, counties must either accept the next bidder or relist the parcel. Auditor Smith explained administrative costs tied to the sale (title searches and required notice) total roughly $400 per parcel and noted the county already collects a $300 bid deposit on sales.

Commission discussion: commissioners asked whether defaulting bidders are assessed fees or barred from future sales. Auditor Smith said the county can block bidders who default and that PublicSurplus will manage communications with bidders. Commissioners asked staff to proceed with contacting the next highest bidders on the affected parcel and, if necessary, the subsequent bidders if the next bidder declines. The commission moved to approve all successful sales except for the seventh parcel and separately authorized staff to accept the next highest bidder for that seventh parcel. One commissioner added that if the difference between bid prices is large, the county might choose to relist the parcel instead of accepting a much lower next bid.

Outcome: the commission’s motion to approve six of the seven sale results passed by voice vote. The commission additionally authorized staff to accept the next highest bidder for the seventh parcel and directed staff to present the formal approval of the substituted buyer at the next commission meeting. The auditor said the contested parcel is a primary‑residence property in Delta and that the winning bidder ultimately notified staff she would not pay for that parcel.

Implementation notes: staff will contact the next highest bidders through PublicSurplus per the platform’s procedures, implement any applicable bidder penalties or restrictions under platform and county terms, and present the substitution for formal ratification at the next commission meeting.","The Millard County Commission accepted the auditor’s report on the county’s June online tax sale and voted to approve six of seven sale results, instructing staff to offer the seventh parcel to the next highest bidder and to bring formal approval of that substitution to the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Millard County adopts 0.25‑point TRT increase to qualify for outdoor‑recreation grants; effective Oct. 1

Millard County discusses FiberNet Mercury data‑center project; commission to revisit west‑of‑highway impacts before further buildout

Millard County approves most 2025 tax‑sale results; authorizes staff to accept next‑highest bidder on one parcel