Uintah County Commission approves Lucky Acres grant amendment, juvenile defense contract and appoints appeals hearing officer

The Uintah County Commission on May 27 approved an amendment to a UBAG revitalization reimbursement agreement for the Lucky Acres development, approved changes to juvenile child welfare contract language and awarded a 13‑month child welfare defense contract to Eva Brady, and appointed an appeals hearing officer, during a meeting in the commission chambers in Burnley, Utah.

The actions matter because they move forward a local housing utility project (Lucky Acres), confirm how the county will assign juvenile child welfare legal work, and establish the hearing officer process for land‑use appeals, all of which affect county budgets, legal operations and development review.

UBAG and Lucky Acres reimbursement amendment

The commission approved an amendment to the revitalization reimbursement agreement between UBAG and Uintah County to add phase 2 of the Lucky Acres project. Jenny Bird, purchasing and grants, told the commission the original reimbursement commitment for phase 1 was $997,008.69 and that phase 2 adds $1,300,000.00. That arithmetic produces a project total of $2,297,008.69 for phases 1 and 2. Bird said the amendment uses the same payment terms as the original agreement and that county counsel’s office and UBAG had reviewed the draft. The commission voted to approve the amendment.

Juvenile child welfare contracts: form changes and contract award

The commission approved changes to the juvenile child welfare court contract form to reflect a second contractor splitting the caseload. Jenny Bird explained that Lance (a county child welfare attorney) is taking the justice court caseload; previously Jessica Peterson held the child welfare contract A and had been receiving all assignments for first‑offending parents. The revised wording splits future child welfare assignments 50/50 between the two contractors and the court will rotate assignments.

The commission also approved awarding the juvenile child welfare contract (contract B) to Eva Brady for a 13‑month term beginning June 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. Bird said Brady currently handles juvenile court cases in Utah County, has taken conflict cases in Uintah County previously and comes with a recommendation from Judge Ross. The county’s child welfare contracts follow the IDC grant fiscal year; the commission approved a 13‑month award to align with that schedule and a judge transition.

Appeals hearing officer appointment

The commission approved the appointment of an appeals hearing officer to hear variances and appeals related to county land‑use ordinances. Matt Kizer said the appointed hearing officer charges $125 per hour, prefers to conduct hearings virtually to reduce costs, and charges 50% of the hourly rate for travel time when an on‑site visit is required; Kizer noted the county would not pay mileage in addition to that travel charge. Commissioners approved the appointment.

Routine business and board appointments

The commission approved warrants dated May 23 in the amount of $281,451.94, and approved minutes from the May 20, 2025 commission meeting and the May 21, 2025 work session. Commissioner Norton corrected a recent board appointment for the Uinta County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board: appointee Travis Campbell’s term was changed from an expiration in 2028 to an expiration in 2026 to balance term lengths.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (May 20 commission meeting and May 21 work session): motion approved (yes: 3, no: 0, abstain: 0). - Approval of warrants (May 23, $281,451.94): motion approved (yes: 3, no: 0, abstain: 0). - Amendment to UBAG revitalization reimbursement agreement (Lucky Acres phases 1 and 2; added $1,300,000): motion approved (yes: 3, no: 0, abstain: 0). - Approval of juvenile child welfare contract form language (to split assignments 50/50): motion approved (yes: 3, no: 0, abstain: 0). - Award juvenile child welfare contract B to Eva Brady (term 06/01/2025–06/30/2026): motion approved (yes: 3, no: 0, abstain: 0). - Appointment of appeals hearing officer (rate $125/hr; 50% hourly for travel; prefers virtual hearings): motion approved (yes: 3, no: 0, abstain: 0). - Correction to UNO County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board appointment (Travis Campbell term changed to expire 2026): motion approved (yes: 3, no: 0, abstain: 0).

What the meeting did not decide

Commissioners did not discuss new tax matters. Several items were presented by staff with limited discussion; no ordinance adoptions, bond issuances, or litigation actions were taken at this meeting.

The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance and concluded following public comment and a motion to adjourn.