Uintah County Commission approves grants, fair contracts and board appointment

The Uintah County Commission on July 15 approved a pair of grant agreements, several county-fair vendor contracts, routine warrants and minutes, and appointed Dina Mansfield to the Career Service Council.

The approvals came during a meeting that opened at about 3:17 p.m. and included presentation of two grants: a two-year VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) award to support victim advocacy in the county attorney’s office and a one-year Indigent Defense Commission (IDC) award for the public defender program.

Jenny Burden, purchasing and grants, told commissioners, “We received a VOCA grant from the Utah office for victims of crime to support the system based victim advocacy and victim assistance services in the county attorney's office.” Burden said the VOCA award covers July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, and supports one full-time victim advocate, salary and benefits, training, office supplies and emergency services for victims. The commission approved authorization for electronic signature; the motion carried unanimously.

Commissioners also approved an Indigent Defense Commission contract that Burden said provides $390,810 for the year beginning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with a required county match of $754,002.43. Burden summarized the combined annual budget for the public defender program as $1,145,053.90. The commission voted to approve the IDC contract unanimously.

On routine business the board approved the minutes of the July 8 meeting and approved warrants presented by Margie Scholl, deputy clerk/auditor. Scholl listed warrants totaling $79,116.28 for the week of July 3 and $843,002.96 (and $0.26) for July 10; she also noted a $70,000 Space Saver invoice for recorder storage. Commissioners voted to approve the warrants.

For the county fair, commissioners approved a sound-contract payment of $18,000 to Sterling Sound for the Mark Wills concert. Melanie Silcox explained the higher-than-usual figure reflected additional staging and lighting needed for a fly-in performance; the line items cited were $12,000 for stage and lighting, $1,500 for back line and $4,500 for audio. The commission also approved a separate $4,000 contract with Scales and Tails to provide animal exhibits and demonstrations during fair hours.

The board appointed Dina Mansfield to the Career Service Council to replace Roxanne Beheunin, who retired after many years of service; the term runs through July 30, 2028, the commission said. The appointment passed by unanimous voice vote.

There was no public comment recorded. The commission adjourned after completing the items on the posted agenda.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (July 8, 2025): approved (unanimous). - Warrants: approved (unanimous). Warrants presented: $79,116.28 (week of July 3); $843,002.96 and $0.26 (week of July 10). Noted invoice: Space Saver, $70,000 (recorder storage). - VOCA grant agreement (Utah Office for Victims of Crime): approved (unanimous). Grant period: July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027. Award stated in meeting: $79,784.90 per year (as presented by Jenny Burden); meeting transcript contained an inconsistent restatement of that figure later in the discussion. - Indigent Defense Commission grant: approved (unanimous). Grant amount: $390,810 (FY 2025–26); county match: $754,002.43; combined annual budget referenced: $1,145,053.90. - County fair concert sound contract (Sterling Sound) for Mark Wills: approved (unanimous). Contract amount: $18,000 (stage/lighting $12,000; back line $1,500; audio $4,500). - County fair exhibit contract (Scales and Tails): approved (unanimous). Contract amount: $4,000. - Career Service Council appointment (replace Roxanne Beheunin): Dina Mansfield appointed (term through July 30, 2028); approved (unanimous).

The commission noted that item 6 on the posted agenda was tabled and not considered at this meeting.