Uintah County approves MOU with Vernal City for water-site fencing and cameras; OKs FreedomFest headliner and volunteer policy

The Uintah County Commission on a February 2025 meeting approved a memorandum of understanding with Vernal City to allow installation of fencing and cameras around water utility infrastructure at Ashley Gorge, authorized a $6,000 headliner contract for the county's FreedomFest with the county paying a $1,500 deposit, and adopted amendments to county volunteer policy 3-40.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) gives Vernal City permission to deliver materials to County-owned Ashley Gorge property and install a security fence and cameras around the springs, the bridge area and the desander. County staff said the work includes about 950 feet of fencing and will require running power and fiber for cameras. Ivan Merrill, Vernal City Utilities, told commissioners, "we're just wanting to your permission to be able to get in there and and get it done," and said the city is fast-tracking the work because April runoff limits the time crews can move equipment across the creek. The commission voted to approve the MOU; the chair will sign…