Daggett County holds public hearing on vacating Manila right-of-way to create parcel for proposed health clinic

Daggett County held a public hearing in Manila to receive comments on permanently vacating a town right-of-way so the county can create a parcel for a proposed 18,000-square-foot health clinic.

County staff opened the hearing, saying the original plat for the town of Manila set aside a right-of-way running from First West to Second West through the park and that the town had transferred ownership of that right-of-way to the county. "The town held that right away. And in our, effort to, to build a new health clinic, we we wanted to put it, on that location. And the town was was gracious enough to, deed that deed. I don't know if that's the right word, but transfer the ownership of that right away to the county. That's already happened," the staff member said.

The staff member explained why the county wants the right-of-way vacated and parceled: to create a buildable parcel for the clinic while managing how mineral lease funds affect the county's payments in lieu of taxes (PILT). "The reason for the property as county property being parceled and then transferred to the MBA is anything that we do relative. It it has to do with mineral lease funds and our ability to, maintain our pilt," the staff member said, describing the county's intent to avoid reductions in PILT that can occur when mineral-lease-derived funds are used for certain projects.

Representatives from Tri County Health spoke in support of the project. "We support the clinic," a Tri County Health representative said, adding the organization is "excited to see that move forward" and that Tri County would be "a partner on behalf of whoever we can." The staff member thanked Tri County for its support.

County staff and an engineering consultant described the project timetable. The county said final building drawings are under review by the building inspector; after any required adjustments the documents will be put to bid. When asked for bidding dates, staff said the bid opening is scheduled for April 22. The staff member said, "We're hoping May, I think, sometime in May to break ground." The project team described the proposed building as about 18,000 square feet and said it would include the clinic plus office space, a conference room, an exercise room that could be used for physical therapy, space for dance, and shell space for future dental, optometry and pharmacy services.

No formal vote or decision on the vacation was recorded at the hearing. The purpose of the session was to accept public comment; the hearing was adjourned by acclamation at 9:33 a.m.

County staff said they plan a groundbreaking ceremony and a press release and will keep partner agencies informed as the procurement and construction process proceeds.