Council adopts project-specific procurement policy to pursue $1 million Weber River watershed earmark

The Summit County Council on April 7 adopted a resolution creating a project-specific procurement policy required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a $1,000,000 congressional earmark that was secured for a Weber River Watershed resilience partnership project.

Jenna Young, who presented the item to the council, said Congressman Blake Moore secured the federal earmark in fiscal year 2023 and that the county has worked with the EPA and partner agencies to prepare required grant materials. Young told the council the EPA identified gaps between the county's standard procurement policy and the EPA's grant requirements, and the project-specific policy is needed to clear those compliance steps before federal funds can be awarded.

The draft policy references federal disadvantaged-business-enterprise participation requirements and other procurement thresholds the EPA expects for grant-funded contracts. Young said the project includes partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, Utah State University (for sediment and fire modeling), local municipalities and water providers, and that the procurement policy would apply only to the $1,000,000 earmark; it would expire once the project funds were expended.

Council members asked about whether the money is already "in hand"; Young said the award is an earmark but the county must submit grant forms and a budget narrative through grants.gov, complete NEPA-related steps coordinated with the Forest Service, and satisfy EPA procurement and training requirements before funds will be disbursed.

Candace, Megan and Chris all voiced support. The council adopted Resolution No. 2025-10, approving the project-specific procurement policy, by voice vote.

Why it matters: the policy enables the county to apply for and, if awarded, administer the federal funding for watershed resilience work that county staff said aims to reduce fire-related sediment and protect water supplies serving hundreds of thousands of users. The procurement policy is narrowly scoped to the grant and is intended to ensure federal compliance.

What's next: staff said they will submit the finalized grant package to EPA and proceed with required NEPA coordination and procurement training so the county can receive and execute the earmarked funds if the grant is approved.