[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",6696824,"mediaKeyId","5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33","parentId",5117565,"title","Commission amends HDHO land‑use rules to broaden lending and add occupancy and enforcement steps","audioSeconds",9371,"startMs",3229000,"endMs",12600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33&start=3229&end=12600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33/thumbnail_3229000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6696824/Utah/Commission-amends-HDHO-landuse-rules-to-broaden-lending-and-add-occupancy-and-enforcement-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696824-f03a4131827dff7798fa18c292b2f951/orig.mp4?Expires=1770542629&Signature=oUcloHGex4H91WbFgRuoA1ZDmdyjKl15cNDvzoJns~NZC0ViVB-67Ud3JqlF0qALer5SdEfrTQUCPtGAT~5c0ErmCszwtblmco4emjj5t9PHBNW611ag6XF3LTaiZ1j51ixR8qbtuDxfEjB3YZJjY-~a6IxL9L1bAc1~DAKnJKLfKzj3Fnfyx-CUZzUXC0zXOeDp563Lg~oOTaf-x6BoCGtV3tcG6ShfSvEEJqEWGuf2DRaS4jktN4MySDVyHL7I8aAZSzJ-fHFQx02y-58cEGS8XkdIZS~FSQswTYEFE7hOYuDPGU9cs6Qa2xGnzZHgHlIybmNfeb8taq2pdeoaXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-02T01:34:06Z","article","The Grand County Commission voted July 1 to amend the county’s high‑density housing overlay (HDHO) land‑use provisions, revising eligibility and adding enforcement steps designed to keep newly created housing targeted to working households while easing some lending barriers that had stalled completed projects.

What changed
The package adopted by the commission incorporated the planning commission’s recommendation with several additions commissioners requested during the meeting:
- Recorded notice of interest: A title notice will be recorded so county or housing authority staff are alerted when a property under HDHO is offered for sale. That notice is intended to prompt a review to ensure the buyer is a qualified household before final sale proceeds.
- Retirement/long‑term resident exception: The amendment adds an ownership exception so that a person who lived in the local area for five years prior to retirement — or the widow/widower of a person meeting the local‑work requirement — may qualify as a household eligible to buy an HDHO unit.
- Annual renter requalification and renter‑change control: For deed‑restricted units that are rented, the housing administrator must requalify renter households annually; renting units may not change tenants during the year without a 30‑day prior reapproval by the housing administrator.
- Per‑lot deed restrictions: The commission directed staff to ensure deed restrictions attached to individual lots/units (not an entire development envelope) lock in the planned split between open‑market and deed‑restricted ownership categories specified in each project’s development approval.
- Residency/occupancy minimum: The adopted motion added a requirement that the property be occupied by a qualified, actively employed household for an aggregate of at least nine months in the prior calendar year (staff will prepare deed‑restriction language to effectuate enforcement).
- Legal review and effective date: The commission set an effective date two weeks after adoption, pending final legal review and clean‑up of formatting and internal references in the ordinance.

Why the changes
The HDHO was conceived as a pilot tool to generate higher‑density units for people with local employment connections. Commissioners and members of the public debated two competing priorities: (1) preserve the overlay’s original emphasis on ownership by local employees (an 80% ownership target was an earlier program intent and a point of public comment), and (2) remove practical barriers so projects that are already vested or in permitting can be built and financed.

Supporters of the changes argued the revisions will put previously unlendable units back into the market quickly and allow already‑vested projects to move to construction; several speakers noted 14 units were available but unlendable under the older language. Opponents urged the commission not to dilute the ownership preference for local workers and warned that relaxing restrictions could increase open‑market buying by outside investors.

Public involvement
More than a dozen members of the public spoke during the meeting, including residents, housing advocates and developers. Common themes were the economic importance of enabling homeownership for local workers, the difficulty of construction costs in the region, and enforcement questions about rental/occupancy rules.

Follow‑up and implementation
Staff and the county attorney will clean internal cross‑references and finalize deed‑restriction language and enforcement mechanisms (for example, the recorded notice and the annual renter requalification process). The commission directed staff to return a final, legally reviewed ordinance clean of formatting gaps before final publication of the effective code. Commissioners also instructed staff to monitor the pilot and report back on the ordinance’s functioning and outcomes.

Vote
The motion passed by the commission after a substitute motion to retain a stricter ownership split (80% ownership reserved to local workers) failed. The final adopted text carried a single dissent and included the additional restrictions and process steps above.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After public comment and extended discussion, the Grand County Commission approved amendments to the HDHO land‑use code designed to make deed‑restricted housing more financeable while adding new recorded‑title notices and occupancy/requalification rules to help preserve local access.","taxTitle","Grand County Boards and Commissions, Grand County, Utah","taxId",67556,"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},6696829,"Grand County officials weigh $1.97 million midyear budget draw as sales-tax revenue lags",853,175000,1028000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33&start=175&end=1028","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33/thumbnail_175000.jpg","/articles/6696829/Utah/Grand-County-officials-weigh-197-million-midyear-budget-draw-as-sales-tax-revenue-lags","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696829-91815cd1a75067326d5ab6026f92e3da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770542629&Signature=a1aVeUGyro8Q~nPGWwsXih-UEEv6Mjfkyiuc2f2OGwaeLpFEW709bj4eh0HNi2rjWDA8WKVopz6SYwtWXmNoxyyFo3JoKM4B4Vx00uWKMMEF3JUy00k1kKcXddkfDHkXmaGT5dppJpDgciRjcuAueSBubftv0H~KBOwxabOSsG7sfHNV6E3P29oF-rgD35bkTjZhn1NQ9JoXJaLhtntRJkYYBHbDTjFD1Ld7pUZDdXRqllMgPSkVAR6MHov7aWBUUFDd3FxJQQN6mNRNlkxg0RPwpJqF2~PtsLGHm2SbobzsQp62OCA0fteRhbC8pqUTf~3q3JcpKOURivFewr2-Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commission finance staff told the Grand County Commission on July 1 that sales and use tax receipts are running below the estimates used to build the 2025 budget, and those shortfalls are driving a proposed midyear, tentative budget amendment now posted online.

Finance director Steven (identified in the meeting as the county finance officer) described three forecasting methods commissioners could use for the amendment and the revenue implications of each. Using a year‑to‑date “budget vs. actual” comparison shows the county currently 6.1% below the original 2025 budget target — the number already reflected in the tentative amendment — but a one‑year year‑over‑year approach would show a smaller decline (roughly 3.1%) and a three‑year 12‑month moving average would show an even smaller decrease (around 1.1%). Steven told commissioners the three‑year moving totals smooth peaks and valleys and formed the baseline used to prepare the posted 2025 budget.

Using the posted amendment assumption (minus 6.1% on the sales/use tax lines), staff compiled changes across revenue and expense lines that would be required to preserve the allocations the commission approved earlier in the year. That calculation increases the planned draw from the general‑fund reserve to about $1,970,000 to balance the tentative amended budget. Staff emphasized the number rises largely because allocations planned at the start of the budget year — including transfers to other funds and mitigation payments from transient room tax receipts — would remain whole under the posted amendment.

Key numbers and drivers
- Year‑to‑date sales and use tax receipts collected: reported as about $6,400,000. Staff said the original projection at this point in the year was roughly $6,800,000, producing the reported $406,000 (‑6.1%) shortfall. (Steven, July 1, 2025.)
- Tentative amendment draw from general‑fund balance: $1,970,000 (amount included in the budget documents posted with the tentative amendment). (County staff, July 1, 2025.)
- Budgeted pull from general fund in the original 2025 budget: $1,100,000 (staff said that amount assumed a historical underspend that typically materializes by year end). (County staff, July 1, 2025.)
- Year‑to‑date projected underspend in salary and benefits (general fund): about $958,871, a line staff said will partially offset the shortfall if those vacancies or underspends persist. (County HR detail cited by staff, July 1, 2025.)

Transient room tax (TRT) mitigation and special funds
Staff also walked commissioners through how the TRT mitigation line and related allocations would be affected by the updated revenues and a state tax change (House Bill 456). The county’s updated projection for TRT mitigation receipts was reported at about $4,000,005.76, down from an original estimate near $5,000,008.04. Staff said that change represented a shortfall of about $508,099.85 versus the original allocation plan; that shortfall flows through the county’s calculations of transfers and contributions to the funds that receive TRT mitigation money.

Departments and outside agencies at the meeting
County staff said some revenue lines were being amended up because receipts already exceed budget (examples cited included state search and rescue reimbursements to the sheriff’s office, homeland security overtime reimbursements and some grant lines). Departments presenting to the commission during the workshop — the Moab Museum, Grand County Active Transportation and Trails (GCAT), and Solid Waste Special Service District — summarized operations and described contingencies if allocations were reduced.
- Moab Museum: staff said county appropriation pays a material share of operations; museum leaders asked commissioners to maintain their appropriation and noted admissions and membership figures were up year‑over‑year. (Museum directors, July 1, 2025.)
- GCAT: the trails and responsible‑recreation program presented three budget contingency options (a modest‑cut option, a program‑reduction option and a more severe option that would eliminate several subprograms and post reductions in staff coverage). Staff said the responsible‑recreation program draws substantial grant funding but historically relied on TRT; GCAT leaders asked the commission to consider phased cuts if needed. (Grand County Active Transportation & Trails, July 1, 2025.)
- Solid Waste Special Service District: district leadership said operational improvements and cash‑flow measures have stabilized the facility but urged that reductions in the district’s county allocation would create costs and service impacts. (Solid Waste District manager, July 1, 2025.)

How commissioners characterized the choice
Commissioners debated principles and timing. Several commissioners — including Commissioner Trisha Hadeen and Commissioner Mary O’Brien — urged using fund balance this year and delaying structural cuts until the 2026 budgeting cycle so staff and partners have predictable funding while they plan. Other commissioners, including Commissioner Brian Martinez and Commissioner Mike McCurdy, said the county should begin immediate, targeted reductions and not rely primarily on the reserves to fund a structural shortfall.

Next steps
Staff said the posted tentative amendment assumes the worst‑case (‑6.1%) scenario and asked how the commission wished staff to proceed. Commissioners asked staff to compile a list of decision points and potential cuts for formal action at an upcoming public meeting; staff also noted they would provide additional analysis of restricted fund balances (notably the TRT fund and fund 47) to clarify what could be available as transfers.

The commission left the public portion of the midyear budget amendment open for further comment and scheduled additional public‑hearing opportunities as specified in the meeting packet. Staff said they will return with a more detailed list of options (departmental cuts, transfers, and vacancy holds) for the commission to deliberate and vote on in coming meetings, and noted that some shortfalls (TRT mitigation and TRCCA transfers) will require separate, explicit commission decisions.

Ending
Commissioners agreed to continue discussion and asked staff for an itemized set of decision points (what to cut or preserve, and the legal/contractual constraints on each transfer or allocation) so the commission can take formal votes at upcoming meetings. The tentative amendment will remain posted while that work proceeds and the public comment period remains open.","Grand County finance staff told commissioners a posted tentative midyear amendment assumes a 6.1% shortfall in sales and use taxes and would require a roughly $1.97 million draw from the general‑fund reserve to preserve previously approved allocations unless the commission directs other reductions.",{"_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},6696814,"Commission approves applying for OHV‑recreation grant to replace county search‑and‑rescue UTVs",218,14002000,14220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33&start=14002&end=14220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33/thumbnail_14002000.jpg","/articles/6696814/Utah/Commission-approves-applying-for-OHVrecreation-grant-to-replace-county-searchandrescue-UTVs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696814-528f79d372894b85a14151f3230d0281/orig.mp4?Expires=1770542629&Signature=ddfR3TbkyvhL5y4PAEj6iHtHiz-hmPQHkR5NGtbsL2kmdWmcNpAW5hlXZcCPf5qbJhhsg7H16r7AT0gVwCLxsS4FmS51jA7SqH10HSx7db8HsgvVQWuKjB8u24zRaUTJeVKOjj2AM96E7cfwuqxQXEKqJ1x9VVCYVHjgFV3YOzMJ504jt7ESRzUU8pXBuYqAk6WFIe6CRLsU~v66PNfD2B4v1pcEewdCu9KtAySoO9HGv85JiTvQzkY3UQQlKHQAr4yhnQqOA~InURgiLBVGcQEkMxWPGg3mxBN718yXjrPVgMlwvBUxHwveMLchL8YPC~H7c8N22pmNhV9RRA544g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission approved a resolution allowing Grand County Search and Rescue to apply for an off‑highway vehicle recreation (OHVR) grant through the Utah Department of Natural Resources, seeking funding to replace aging UTVs used for rescue operations.

Search and Rescue leadership explained several of the group’s UTVs are 15–20 years old and described multiple incidents this year where equipment failure contributed to operational risk. The grant application requests two UTVs; the purchase price presented to the commission was approximately $79,513. County staff said the DNR award may vary by program year and told commissioners past awards in the same grant program have ranged from partial (25%) to full funding; staff said the county would not commit local matching funds until a grant award was announced and would return to the commission if a local match were required.

Commission action
Commissioners voted unanimously to allow Search and Rescue to submit the application before the agency’s July 31 deadline. Staff said that, if awarded, the county will present the award details and budget implications to the commission for approval and any required budgeting action in the 2026 cycle.
","Grand County Search and Rescue was authorized to apply for a Utah Department of Natural Resources OHV grant that would fund two UTVs; award amounts are uncertain and a possible 25% match was discussed. The commission approved application only; staff said an awarded grant would return to the commission for budgeting.",{"_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},6696819,"Municipal Building Authority authorized to issue up to $1.8M in lease revenue bonds for fire truck",856,9349000,10205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33&start=9349&end=10205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33/thumbnail_9349000.jpg","/articles/6696819/Utah/Municipal-Building-Authority-authorized-to-issue-up-to-18M-in-lease-revenue-bonds-for-fire-truck","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696819-7a19c56fb76eb517a6eb55bf949af631/orig.mp4?Expires=1770542629&Signature=eLKV4kCzSyccu3QjVsGzaTWzurH-MuEpb~1P6LIry7~uUjURKhjIjqswXbylDMaDkMxCMml33vHO0gD5mlUsnpq3SYMZLQdr2uaunagBtV3cVvcA2910dIv01SnY83E8d51eaCaug4~XPSHVRWyMg8rV3THlFxpFuWQFePLxcGkBgYHlvP0P6vBogxhSO1sJgsJ~l5Cidi8GQMw3ITmoS2ikrKD7IhKw7nNKbHlRZhhxcebh42JdniQ1O2owg9Nt~vsHGqQkmSpEFK8KQNSNClzewys0B7ASL-tLEl-dj6ol11sy3AboLM4xnwlb74r9V8irHyHh1sPyviQElhXfkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The municipal building authority of Grand County on July 1 approved a parameters resolution authorizing issuance of up to $1.8 million in lease revenue bonds to finance a new county fire truck.

Background
County staff and financial adviser Cruz and Associates explained the plan for short‑term public financing linked to a low‑interest Community Impact Board (CIB) loan. The CIB had authorized a 15‑year loan at 1% for $1,422,000 for the truck; the parameters resolution adopted by the municipal building authority sets broader issuance caps (up to $1,800,000 principal, up to 17 years, maximum interest rate 5% and a maximum discount) to give the authority flexibility when finalizing the sale and to accommodate minor cost changes without requiring another public proceedings cycle.

Why a lease revenue bond
Cruz and Associates explained lease revenue bonds issued by the municipal building authority are an appropriate structure for this purpose; because the CIB will be the purchaser the authority will receive the CIB’s subsidized rate and the county avoids higher market rates. The structure also preserves options for the county to repay by FAA reimbursements expected to come later.

Commission action
The parameters resolution was approved by the municipal building authority and later by the county commission (in the county’s role) with formal language setting the maximum principal, term and interest and authorizing the authority’s officers to finalize the bond documents.

Next steps
Staff will finalize documents, run the required 30‑day public notice and public hearing process, and, assuming no challenge, close the bond sale and draw CIB proceeds to purchase the fire truck. County counsel and the financial adviser will complete the closing documents and coordinate the eventual reimbursement flow from FAA funds referenced by staff.
","Grand County’s municipal building authority approved parameters for issuing up to $1.8 million in lease revenue bonds (up to 17‑year term, max interest 5%) to finance a fire apparatus, allowing the authority to access a subsidized Community Impact Board loan previously reserved for the truck.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6696809,"Commission backs letter supporting local medical cannabis pharmacy application",1723,10425000,12148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33&start=10425&end=12148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5117565-32b4bc077b22b6649266b81d3aa44b33/thumbnail_10425000.jpg","/articles/6696809/Utah/Commission-backs-letter-supporting-local-medical-cannabis-pharmacy-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696809-626286349fde3d4fce93fb3ce3760a12/orig.mp4?Expires=1770542629&Signature=f9fIZUv0gv8nBpQ~HoCUyWJHATF9P3J28z5SYE5i4nqeNiLGYGdMO9ALY~-ayV9s7FD0pAHCJ8UpgxzyuMdqba5PMh10MebKQhjxDA98ljWn5q5jjbX--EHUGCktitK6klhjo4y~Xb-M2VeEGFEwWqeEvaeFDcvHa-eMKj8jToidq80c~qp2aeE-jfu5pHJsxWFXYT1shGzuQbdNTV5~HsUEEjOR2KlU2l7xV3RKzXo0xMHxWjoecSFVgSpok4vA~hIdWbf1CQv1zmuzRWrZnfXKpklMeGOJN47GuOVrm1ARo7LQB8gpqPpeVnQWTm5r8wC7zHxKRDW0MSWHC4VXaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand County Commission on July 1 approved a letter of support endorsing a local firm’s application to operate a medical cannabis pharmacy in Moab. The company, FujaMed, represented at the meeting by Joshua and Olivia Kulander, described a locally led operation and asked for the county’s written support as the state opens a licensing window.

Chair Winfield and several commissioners said they backed a local applicant rather than an out‑of‑area commercial operator. Commissioners approved the letter unanimously; staff will forward the county’s endorsement to state officials as the applicant completes the formal licensing process.

The commission’s letter of support confirms the county’s recognition of the applicant and does not represent a license grant. State licensing processes and required health‑care controls remain under state agencies’ jurisdiction, and the commission’s endorsement does not change or replace that review.","The commission voted unanimously to approve a letter of support for FujaMed, a locally based medical cannabis processor and pharmacy applicant, noting local nonprofit leadership and the company’s request for a county endorsement as it applies under new state rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission amends HDHO land‑use rules to broaden lending and add occupancy and enforcement steps

Grand County officials weigh $1.97 million midyear budget draw as sales-tax revenue lags

Commission approves applying for OHV‑recreation grant to replace county search‑and‑rescue UTVs

Municipal Building Authority authorized to issue up to $1.8M in lease revenue bonds for fire truck

Commission backs letter supporting local medical cannabis pharmacy application