Box Elder commissioners approve mental‑health contract addendum, vacate stormwater easement and create West Corinne agricultural protection area

The Box Elder County Commission on Feb. 26 approved a series of administrative and land‑use actions, including a contract addendum for Bear River Mental Health, the vacation of a nonfunctional stormwater easement in Bayview Estates, creation of an agricultural protection area in West Corinne, a fairgrounds fee waiver for a school foundation fundraiser, and a one‑time settlement of Greenbelt rollback taxes for a local property owner.

A single motions session opened with the commission approving addendum number 25‑08 to the county's contract with Bear River Mental Health so the organization can meet a state‑required 20% local match. Rob Johnson, finance director at Bear River Mental Health, summarized the agency's audited financials and funding structure: “In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bear River Mental Health Services, Inc. as of June 24, 2023,” and he explained that local funds are required to leverage state and federal Medicaid dollars.

The commission then approved a fee waiver for the Box Elder School District Foundation's Jubilee of Trees fundraising event, contingent on county facility cleanup and routine janitorial support. Foundation representatives said the event raises money for student health, food pantries and planned teen centers and that much of the event staffing is volunteer.

On land use, after a public hearing the commission approved ordinance 6‑16 vacating a stormwater easement that sits across Lots 7 and 8 of Bayview Estates in South Willard. Community Development staff and the Willard/Box Elder Flood Control District presented engineering input showing that the basin has never functioned as intended and a newer basin nearby handles runoff. Two lot owners who live adjacent to the easement told the commission they have mowed and maintained the unimproved area for years and that the easement prevents productive use of that portion of their property.

The commission also adopted Resolution 25‑04 establishing an agricultural protection area in West Corinne. The motion carried with an opposed vote recorded for Commissioner Lee.

Other administrative actions included several appointments: Brian E. Davis to the Corinne Cemetery Board, Jeff Forsgren to the Box Elder County/Willard City Flood Control special service district and Ryan Adams to the county weed board. The commission also approved changes to public safety compensation procedures to enable midyear anniversary adjustments for certain promoted positions for 2025.

In a tax matter, the commission considered a request from property owner Bob Davis regarding two parcels that were not enrolled in the Greenbelt agricultural tax program for tax year 2024. Diana Gerhardt, chief deputy assessor, said multiple notices had been sent and that the parcels were removed from Greenbelt after statutory deadlines; Sean Thornley, Box Elder County treasurer, reported the outstanding tax balance and penalties. The commission voted to require payment of the 2024 taxes and associated penalties but to forgive the larger rollback penalty that would otherwise apply, as recommended by the assessor and treasurer's offices.

Votes at a glance - Addendum 25‑08 to Bear River Mental Health contract (approve). Motion moved by Commissioner Vincent, seconded by Commissioner Perry; motion carried. - Fee waiver for Box Elder School District Foundation Jubilee of Trees (approve, with cleanup/operations conditions). Motion moved by Commissioner Vincent, seconded by Commissioner Perry; motion carried. - Resolution 25‑04 creating an agricultural protection area in West Corinne (approve). Motion moved by Commissioner Vincent, seconded by Commissioner Bingham; Commissioner Lee recorded an opposed vote; motion carried. - Ordinance 6‑16 vacating a stormwater easement in Bayview Estates (approve after public hearing). Motion moved by Commissioner Vincent, seconded by Commissioner Perry; motion carried. - Appointments: Brian E. Davis to Corinne Cemetery Board; Jeff Forsgren to Flood Control special service district; Ryan Adams to county weed board (all approved). Motions carried. - Treasurer/assessor tax action regarding parcels 010410043 and 010410044 (require payment of 2024 taxes and penalties; forgive rollback). Motion moved by Commissioner Perry, seconded by Commissioner Vincent; motion carried. - Public safety compensation procedures for 2025 (approve). Motion moved and seconded; motion carried.

What commissioners said and next steps Rob Johnson thanked the commission for continued local funding and emphasized the role of county funds in drawing down state and federal mental‑health funding. Diana Gerhardt outlined the assessor's timeline of notices related to the Greenbelt application for the parcels in question. Property owner Bob Davis told the commission he was confused by lot‑line adjustments and annexations that changed parcel numbers and asked for leniency; he said, “That's where my confusion came in. That's my fault, and that's where I'm asking for forgiveness.”

Staff will complete the administrative steps tied to each action: sign and file the Bear River Mental Health addendum; record ordinance 6‑16 vacating the easement; implement the fairgrounds fee waiver under the discussed conditions; and process the appointments and tax settlement per the motions passed. The resolution creating the agricultural protection area will be recorded as adopted.

The commission adjourned after a brief public comment period.