Weber County approves tourism grants, two appointments and proclaims International Dark Sky Week

Weber County Commissioners on April 15 approved a set of routine financial items, appointed county representatives to two advisory boards, authorized $36,180 in Tourism Tax Advisory Board legacy grants and proclaimed April 21–28, 2025, International Dark Sky Week.

The actions, taken during a regularly scheduled commission meeting at the Weber County Commission Chambers, included approval of purchase orders and warrants, an ACH payment to Zions Bank, minute approvals, a settlement agreement in district court case No. 250900941 and several personnel appointments and grant awards.

The commission also read a letter from Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren commending Weber County Attorney’s Office investigators and staff for their response to a March 24 structure fire that resulted in homicide charges. The letter praised investigators Steve Haney, Steve Zaccardi and Cameron Hartman and named county attorneys Nicholas Kane and Derek Malan and victim advocate Jamie Pitt for responding to the scene.

Commissioner Jim Harvey, presenting a proclamation declaring International Dark Sky Week, said the declaration “is not about Zach, but it’s about maintaining the importance of our accreditation with the dark skies.” Zach Thomas, a volunteer and former commission office intern who accepted the proclamation on behalf of local dark-sky advocates, noted the 10-year anniversary of North Fork Park’s designation as an International Dark Sky Park and said, “Weber County is joining hundreds of cities, counties, and states across the country in declaring... International Dark Sky Week.” Commissioners said the designation supports tourism and local conservation efforts.

Ricky Hatch, who presented the week’s purchase orders and warrants, summarized county spending: 9 purchase orders totaling $203,345.98 (about $130,000 for library security camera upgrades and RFID gate replacement; $51,000 for transfer-station work; $15,000 for vaccines via the Weber–Morgan Health Department) and 161 checks totaling $1,721,369.01 (about $625,000 for transfer-station disposal fees and roughly $287,000 for construction-related work at the CJC building and a utility pole relocation). The commission approved these consent items by voice vote.

The Tourism Tax Advisory Board recommended 14 legacy grant recipients totaling $36,180 to support a mix of equestrian, youth and adult sporting events, arts and music series. Todd Ferriero reported the grants are expected to support roughly 10,000 room nights. Commissioners approved the TTAB recommendations unanimously.

The commission appointed Jared Preisler, the county assessor, to the Multi-County Appraisal Trust (MCAT) board and approved Resolution 22-2025 appointing Courtney Ryan, a former lieutenant with the Weber County Sheriff’s Department, to the Friends of the Fairgrounds Advisory Board. The resolution passed in a roll-call vote with all three commissioners voting aye.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of consent items G1–G7 (purchase orders, warrants, minutes, ACH payment and settlement agreement): approved by voice vote; tally recorded as 3 ayes.

- Approval of appointment of Jared Preisler to the Multi-County Appraisal Trust (MCAT) board: approved; tally recorded as 3 ayes.

- Approval of Tourism Tax Advisory Board (TTAB) legacy grant recommendations totaling $36,180 across 14 recipients: approved; tally recorded as 3 ayes.

- Approval of Resolution 22-2025 appointing Courtney Ryan to the Friends of the Fairgrounds Advisory Board: approved by roll call (Commissioner Gage Froer — Aye; Commissioner Jim Harvey — Aye; Chair Sharon A. Bolos — Aye).

The meeting adjourned following the action items.