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Uintah County approves MOU with Vernal City for water-site fencing and cameras; OKs FreedomFest headliner and volunteer policy
Summary
At its February meeting, the Uintah County Commission approved a memorandum of understanding with Vernal City to install fencing and cameras around water infrastructure at Ashley Gorge, agreed to a $6,000 headliner contract for FreedomFest with a $1,500 county deposit, and approved amendments to county volunteer policy 3-40.
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 and the agreement will then go to the Vernal City Council for its approval.
County staff said public utilities for the area ' fiber and power ' already reach the general location south of the bridge and that the city will run lines from the public utility termination to the Spring House and desander. County staff also said Vernal City will mark the intended fence alignment on the ground for county review to ensure access and parking are not unduly restricted.
The commission also approved a contract to secure Brandon Davis as the headliner for FreedomFest on July 24. The agreement is for $6,000 with the county paying a $1,500 deposit, and the county's presenter said, "The agreement is for $6,000 and just needs to be signed, by the commission chair." The presenter said FreedomFest organizers will pay the remaining balance and will begin promoting the act on festival channels once the contract is signed.
Tanya Craven, human resources, presented amendments to county policy 3-40 on volunteers. Craven said the policy had not been updated since February 2009 and that the revisions incorporate workshop feedback and legal review. The commission voted to approve the policy amendments.
Clerk-auditor Mike Wilkins presented warrants for signature totaling $270,041.52 and noted a check to Stearns Construction for $20,502 for the county's share of a trail connection behind Discovery Elementary. The commission approved the certified list of claims as presented.
A separate transportation-plan item to add 300 South to South Terra Academy as a Class B paved road was discussed but tabled pending a maintenance agreement with Vernal City; staff said the item will be returned as a resolution when the city agreement is ready.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to present warrants (certified list of claims): approved. Presented by Clerk-Auditor Mike Wilkins; amount presented $270,041.52; included a $20,502 check to Stearns Construction for trail work.
- FreedomFest headliner contract (Brandon Davis), $6,000 total, county deposit $1,500: approved. Motion to approve carried by voice vote.
- Amendments to Policy 3-40 (volunteer program): approved. Presenter: Tanya Craven, Human Resources. Policy last updated February 2009.
- Memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vernal City to place fencing and cameras at Ashley Gorge: approved. Motion passed; chair to sign, then to Vernal City Council.
- Proposed change to transportation plan (adding 300 South to South Terra Academy as a Class B road): tabled until the maintenance agreement with Vernal City is completed.
Community impact and next steps
County staff said the MOU is intended to protect drinking-water infrastructure and that Vernal City has previously planned fiber, power and monitoring at the site. Vernal City indicated it will bid or contract the work and expects to begin field marking and installation ahead of spring runoff. FreedomFest organizers will finalize promotion and payment terms once the chair signs the entertainer contract. The volunteer-policy amendments will be implemented by Human Resources; staff said they will reach out to residents who signed up to volunteer.
