Uintah County commissioners approve sponsorships, fee-schedule changes, rezones and multiple contracts

Uintah County commissioners on April 20 approved a package of sponsorships, fee-schedule amendments, rezones and contract awards affecting events, county departments and property development.

The commission voted to sponsor the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo in Vernal at $25,000 (recorded as a sponsorship rather than a donation). Carson Young, president of the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, had asked the commission to restore a previous $32,000 pledge to help cover an approximately $38,000 increase in prize money required to remain on the PRCA playoff series and to retain television coverage. Commissioners said the county budget currently supports $25,000 and that the commission could revisit additional funding later.

The commission approved Ordinance 03-19-2025-01, an amendment to the county fee schedule covering four departments. Attorney Lauren Anderson told the commission the landfill change is driven by state House Bill 53 and requires an increase for unsecured (uncovered) loads; that increase will be passed through to the state for an anti-litter campaign. The ordinance also implements new library nonresident card fees (effective immediately), increases recorder office fees for maps and certain internet download fees (effective June 1), and raises reimbursement increments for the weed department. The landfill adjustment was noted to take effect after May 7.

Community Development presented several zoning changes that the commission approved following unanimous or majority recommendations from the Planning Commission: a rezone of property along U.S. Highway 40 from RA-1 to C-2 (commercial); a partial rezone on a parcel owned by Quentin Murray changing the eastern/front portion to R-1 while leaving the rear as RA-1; and a rezone request from Timberline Rentals from MG-1 to RA-1 for frontage lots, approved with a 12-month condition to coordinate lot counts with Mazer Water and complete the minor subdivision.

The commission awarded the Rock Point Cemetery expansion RFP to Allred's Landscaping. Purchasing reported two local bidders; Allred's submitted the lower bid and the evaluation committee found the other respondent did not meet mandatory RFP requirements.

A contract continuing the Can Do Crew janitorial work at the county library — a Uinta High School student program for students with special needs — was approved. The amount discussed for the school-year service was $18,900.

The Municipal Building Authority (MBA), sitting with the commission, approved transferring a building to Tri-County Mental Health / Northeastern Counseling by quitclaim deed after the loan on the property was paid in full, consistent with a long-standing agreement referenced by staff.

Human Resources presented and the commission approved amendments to policy 4.60 addressing long-term disability (LTD) and related benefits. Changes shown in the staff presentation included a one-year maximum leave tied to LTD processing timelines, explicit inclusion of Medicaid alongside Medicare in an eligibility clause, and language adding the upcoming URS (Utah Retirement System) opt-in provisions to take effect July 1, 2025.

The commission approved a business-associate agreement allowing a vendor (identified in staff materials as Springbuck/Springbuk) to access claims/pharmacy data for self-insured plan analytics; staff said there is no vendor fee and that HIPAA protections apply to the data exchange.

Finally, commissioners voted to move into a closed session to discuss purchase, exchange or lease of real property, citing state law that public discussion would disclose appraisal or estimated value and hinder the county's bargaining position.

Votes at a glance - Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo sponsorship — Motion to approve sponsorship for $25,000 as presented by Carson Young — outcome: approved. - Ordinance 03-19-2025-01 (county fee schedule, landfill/library/recorder/weed changes) — motion to approve as presented by county attorney/staff — outcome: approved. - Rezones (multiple parcels) — motions approving Planning Commission recommendations (RA-1 to C-2; RA-1 to R-1 partial; MG-1 to RA-1 with condition) — outcomes: approved. - Rock Point Cemetery RFP — award to Allred's Landscaping (low bidder, other bid found noncompliant) — outcome: approved. - Can Do Crew library contract (Uinta High School program) — contract approved; amount discussed $18,900 — outcome: approved. - MBA property transfer to Tri-County Mental Health/Northeastern Counseling (quitclaim deed) — outcome: approved. - Policy 4.60 amendments (LTD and URS opt-in language) — outcome: approved (effective dates and implementation details described in staff memo; URS changes effective 07/01/2025). - Business-associate agreement with Springbuck/Springbuk to enable pharmacy/claims analytics for the county's self-funded plan — outcome: approved; staff said there is no vendor fee and HIPAA controls the data. - Motion to go into closed session for real-property discussion under the statutory exemption — outcome: approved.

Context and what to watch next Many of the approved items implement state law or routine county operations (House Bill 53 and the landfill fee; routine RFP awards; interagency transfer after loan payoff). The commission flagged budget limits when discussing sponsorships and asked event organizers to submit detailed budget/requests during annual budget preparation. Staff gave effective dates for specific fee changes (landfill after May 7; recorder changes June 1; library changes immediate).