Uintah County commissioners approve contracts, fee changes and grants; discuss TV emergency alert concerns

Uintah County commissioners on Aug. 20 approved a slate of contracts, an ordinance updating county advertising requirements for leasing mineral rights, changes to the county fee schedule and a $200,000 rural county grant contract, and authorized a multiyear administrative agreement with Weber State University for the Wildcat Micro Fund.

The approvals came during the regular meeting of the Uintah County Commission at 147 East Main in Vernal. Commissioners voted on multiple competitive-bid awards and intergovernmental contracts after staff presentations and brief discussion.

The commission’s action items included awards from two recent requests for proposals and several ordinance and contract approvals. Trina, from the purchasing department, told commissioners the evaluation committee reviewed three proposals for UC-25-11, HVAC Energy Management Controls, and recommended Wake LLC as the bidder that “met all the mandatory requirements and provided the most advantageous solution.” Commissioners moved to award that contract to Wake LLC.

Jenny Bird, purchasing and grants staff, presented the award for UC-25-12, insurance consulting services for the county’s employee benefit plan. After a written evaluation and interviews, the evaluation committee rated GBS highest on technical merit. Bird said the proposal’s cost “aligns with our budget,” and the commission approved awarding the contract to GBS.

County staff presented a warrants report showing the current check run totaled $2,083,227.21. Mike Wilkins, county staff, said several large one-time items stood out: a payment to Asphalt Systems Inc. for roughly $102,838, a federal pass-through check for the Central Canal of roughly $1.23 million, and a medical claims payment of about $242,704. The commission approved the warrants as presented.

Matthew Gehring,…