Daggett County readies clinic bond close; staff to seek x‑ray quotes for possible scope change

Daggett County commissioners and Redevelopment Agency members discussed preparations to close a bond for a new county clinic and whether to add an x‑ray machine to the project during their May 20 meeting at the Daggett County Courthouse.

The discussion matters because any change that adds equipment to the project could alter the bond’s scope, the amount the county would borrow and the approvals needed from the Community Impact Board (CIB). County staff said they will return to the Municipal Building Authority (MBA) and take a request to CIB if they decide to pursue the equipment purchase.

Bart Jensen, who attended the meeting virtually, summarized recent conversations with CIB representatives and the county’s bond attorney. “The bids came in lower than the budgeted amount,” Jensen said. He reported that Candace from CIB suggested reducing the funding request so the county would take on a smaller loan and grant proportionally. Jensen said staff asked whether the county could instead add an x‑ray machine to the project and requested that CIB consider a scope change rather than a funding change.

Eric Johnson, the county’s bond attorney, advised commissioners and staff that an x‑ray machine would likely be treated as a capital expense. “It is a capital expense because of the cost and it would stay with the building,” Johnson said, according to meeting remarks.

Meeting participants said bid tabulations have been sent to CIB and that a formal request to change the project scope could be placed on CIB’s June agenda. Commissioners indicated a desire to gather equipment quotes before making a final request: staff will bring quotes for an x‑ray machine to the MBA and the county’s next relevant meeting so the body can decide whether to ask CIB to adjust the project scope.

Separately, officials noted that mobilization for the county’s water‑treatment work is expected to begin in the next week to 10 days. That item will be discussed further in the MBA meeting, which the commission recessed to hold during the May 20 session.

Votes at the meeting included a motion to go into and out of the Redevelopment Agency agenda, which the body approved, and approval of minutes from the May 13, 2025, meeting; one member abstained on the minutes approval. No final decision to add the x‑ray or to change the bond amount was recorded; staff were directed to gather additional cost quotes and return with a recommendation.

Next steps: staff will collect equipment quotes, provide more detailed bid‑to‑budget comparisons to the MBA, and — if the MBA supports a scope change — seek CIB consideration, tentatively scheduled for June 5 in Richfield.