Davis County Commission approves Western Sports Park fee changes, Code Blue funding and routine agreements

Davis County commissioners on Tuesday approved a package of ordinances and agreements that included a revision to the fee schedule for the new Western Sports Park and short-term funding for winter emergency shelter operations.

Kent Anderson, Davis County community and economic development director, presented the largest substantive item: an ordinance to amend "section 2.48 0.06 of the Davis County code" to revise fees for Western Sports Park. Anderson said the county used its historical fee schedule, tenant input and market research across the Wasatch Front and hired a nationwide consulting firm to recommend fees. "We contracted with the sports facilities company, which is a nationwide sports consulting firm, to provide an operation analysis to the sports park, which included a recommendation of fees based on a nationwide evaluation," Anderson said. He added the county will monitor feedback from prospective tenants and may return to the commission if changes are needed.

Commissioners also approved an agreement with the Utah Department of Workforce Services for the winter 2024–25 Code Blue response, a receivable of $101,160 covering services beginning Oct. 15, 2024, and ending April 30, 2025. Anderson presented that agreement alongside the fee ordinance; both items were approved together.

From the sheriff's office, Chief Deputy Arnold Butcher presented two routine interagency agreements: a five-year law enforcement memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Forest Service related to the South Weaver Basin Job Corps (no financial attachment) and a master service agreement with Lexipol LLC for an annual inventory system add-on fee of $3,040 for a one-year term. Butcher said county operations identified funds for the Lexipol payment and that the controller's office indicated a budget amendment will likely be needed to align funding.

Curtis Koch, county controller, presented the property tax register during the Board of Equalization recess and reported 11 veteran exemption tax abatements for the 2024 tax year. Commissioners approved the property tax register as presented and returned from the Board of Equalization to the regular meeting.

All motions reported in the transcript were approved by voice vote; no roll-call tallies or recorded dissents were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The meeting included brief administrative notices: a March 5 open house at 6 p.m. in the Library Auditorium at 131 South Main, and a reminder that commissioners will be away next week attending the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference. The chair adjourned the meeting at 10:07 a.m.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: "Approve items 1 and 2." Items: ordinance amending Davis County code section 2.48 0.06 (Western Sports Park fee schedule); agreement with Utah Department of Workforce Services for winter 2024–25 Code Blue response ($101,160 receivable; Oct. 15, 2024–April 30, 2025). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Mover/second: not specified in transcript.

- Motion: "Approve items 3 and 4." Items: law enforcement memorandum of agreement with U.S. Forest Service (South Weaver Basin Job Corps; five-year term; no financial attachment); master service agreement with Lexipol LLC for an annual inventory system add-on fee ($3,040; one-year term). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Note: controller indicated a likely budget amendment will be required for the Lexipol payment.

- Motion: "Approve the property tax register as presented." Item: property tax register with 11 veteran exemption tax abatements for 2024. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Mover/second: not specified in transcript.

Context

Anderson said the Western Sports Park fee changes reflect a comprehensive review intended to make the facility competitive while encouraging rentals; he said the county will revisit fees if tenant feedback indicates changes are necessary. The Lexipol agreement is an annual add-on service; staff identified operational funds but noted the controller's office expects a budget amendment. The property tax register action recorded 11 veteran exemption abatements for 2024; no further detail on the exempted parcels or dollar amounts was provided in the meeting transcript.

What was not stated

The transcript does not include roll-call vote counts or the names of commissioners who moved or seconded the motions. The ordinance language itself and the proposed new fee schedule were not read aloud in the meeting and are not detailed in the transcript. Specific parcel identifiers and exemption amounts for the veteran tax abatements were not specified.