COG members plan coordinated legislative outreach; federal priorities include BLM parcel conveyances and water infrastructure

Several COG members urged earlier and more coordinated engagement with state and federal elected officials. Members proposed scheduling a joint meeting with state legislators before the next session to present countywide priorities rather than reacting mid-session.

Officials reported progress on federal coordination: staff are working with U.S. Senator Mike Lee's office on legislation to convey small Bureau of Land Management parcels (typically under roughly 10 acres) for local uses, including access for municipal wells. The COG was told staff and lobbying partners are meeting with BLM and Department of Energy offices and plan a multi-step engagement in Washington over several weeks to advance those parcels.

Speakers also described broader federal concerns: a slowdown in discretionary federal funding and a continuing resolution atmosphere have paused some previously anticipated grants and appropriations; transportation projects that had been advanced to appropriations or rules committees may not receive final floor action this year. The Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) was encouraged as a resource for planning and funding assistance.

The group also discussed House Bill 48 (a wildland–urban interface inspection matter referenced during the meeting) and county tourism-tax options. One commissioner said the legislature asked whether counties have used specified statutory options tied to tourism tax revenue; the transcript referenced an option to increase a portion of the tourism tax by 0.25 percent to fund mitigation for fire, EMS response or cleanup. COG members asked staff to place an item on the next agenda to define legislative asks and priorities and to plan an earlier ‘‘day on the hill’’ or a summer meeting with legislators to provide a coordinated message.

Why it matters: Coordinated advocacy may influence which state and federal bills and appropriations consider Tooele County priorities—land access, water infrastructure and funding for mitigation were raised as near-term items. Members asked staff to create an agenda to build consensus prior to the next legislative session.