Kane County Commission votes to terminate Kanab City fire-response agreement, discusses interim coverage and consultant for new service district

The Kane County Commission voted unanimously April 29 to terminate its fire-response agreement with Kanab City, with the termination to be effective at the close of business June 30, 2025.

Commissioner (speaker 2) moved “that we terminate [the] fire response agreement with Kanab City, giving notification of termination effective today,” and the motion passed by voice vote, with commissioners responding “aye.” The commission discussed timing of written notice and the potential gap in coverage between the contract end and the planned start of a new special service district.

The commission said its intent, discussed in prior meetings, is to form a special service district for the eastern county and to contract with an emergency-service provider — potentially Kanab City or another provider — whose costs would be paid with fees collected by the district. Commissioner (speaker 1) said the county aimed to have fee revenue available “by the end of the year, beginning of next year when the fees come in.”

Commissioners noted there could be a short gap in fire and rescue coverage while the district is formed and contracts are executed. One commissioner urged the county and Kanab City to negotiate an interim “all-hazards” agreement or waiver of liability to cover services until the district is fully operational, especially for areas that will not be included in the district immediately.

The commission also discussed hiring a consultant to lead planning for the new service district and to prepare a request for proposals (RFP). Commissioners referenced a not-to-exceed figure of $50,000 for consulting work to support an RFP and outreach; no formal vote to authorize that amount was recorded during the meeting.

County clerk/auditor Shamil Lam was listed as present. Kanab City representatives attended but did not speak on the record during the recorded portions of the meeting.

The special meeting began at 5:15 p.m. and adjourned at 5:22 p.m. The commission instructed staff to notify Kanab City in writing about the termination; one commissioner said written notice must be sent before May 1 to meet contractual timing requirements, while recognizing the contract language could produce an effective end date of June 30 or July 1 depending on interpretation.

The commission left next steps to staff and contractors: prepare written termination notice, pursue interim coverage negotiations, issue an RFP for consultant services, and move toward forming a special service district to fund and contract for fire protection in the eastern county.