Uintah County Commission approves master revitalization contract, tax abatements and county pharmacy agreements

The Uintah County Commission approved a five-year revitalization master funding agreement, several property-tax abatements and county pharmacy contract documents during a Jan. 7, 2025, meeting in the commission chambers.

The actions, taken by voice vote during a meeting that also included the introduction of a new desktop support technician and three planning commission appointments, were procedural but carry operational and budgetary consequences for county departments and local property owners.

County auditor Mike Wilkins presented two warrant runs and two sets of tax-abatement requests. Wilkins identified two warrant runs: Dec. 18 for $673,285.93 and Dec. 24 for $438,982.21, and noted an out-of-the-ordinary check to Harris Mountain West for a conference-center camera system for $56,748 and annual payments on two CIB loans ($150,000 and $45,000). Wilkins moved the tax abatement request for a property, serial number 02001-0015, that he said had been sold to the federal government on Jan. 9, 2024; the commission voted to abate $748.72 and move the parcel to tax district 99 (non-taxable status).

Wilkins also presented the county—s annual 2024 abatement package. He said the county helped process circuit-breaker reimbursements for 258 parcels totaling $171,009.50 and 11 mobile-home circuit-breaker cases totaling $776,075; he reported total reimbursable amounts from the state as $171,786.25. Wilkins said county nonreimbursable exemptions included six blind exemptions totaling $521.82, indigent abatements for 14 accounts totaling $6,768.13, and 242 veteran exemptions totaling $353,323.87, producing a reported total nonreimbursable amount of $442,256.11. The commission approved the annual abatement package.

Jenny Byrd, purchasing and grants, presented contract 25-DWS-0335, described as a master funding agreement intended to centralize the county—s revitalization balances so funds would be available more quickly. Byrd said the term runs Oct. 24, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2029, and asked the commission to approve the agreement and allow electronic signature. The commission voted to approve the master funding agreement.

Tanya Craven presented a business associate addendum and a master services agreement that, according to county staff, will allow Kroger (including Smith's, a Kroger company) to transmit information to PediHealth so eligible county employees may access discounted pharmaceuticals. Tony Craven of human resources said the arrangement would enable certain employees to obtain prescriptions at reduced or zero cost depending on the county—s eligibility formula; the commission approved both documents and authorized Tanya Craven to sign them on the county—s behalf.

The commission also approved planning commission appointments: Chris Lars (previously an alternate), a reappointment of Mike Eskelson, and the appointment of Aaron Everett to three-year terms running Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.

Other routine business included the introduction of Dusty Doolin as the county—s new desktop and network support specialist. Crystal Clark, IT director, introduced Doolin, who told the commission he would be the first point of contact for county IT issues. The commission canceled a planned work session for the week when no items were submitted for that agenda, and there were no public comments at the meeting.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Dec. 16, 2024 work session and Dec. 17, 2024 meeting): approved by voice vote. - Abatement: serial number 02001-0015 (property sold to federal government): abated $748.72; moved to tax district 99; approved by voice vote. - Annual 2024 abatement package (circuit breakers, blind exemptions, indigent abatements, veterans— exemptions): the commission approved the package as presented by the auditor. - Revitalization master funding agreement (Contract 25-DWS-0335; term Oct. 24, 2024—Sept. 30, 2029): approved by voice vote; presenter requested electronic signature. - Business associate addendum and master service agreement (Kroger/PediHealth): approved and county staff (Tanya Craven) authorized to sign. - Planning commission appointments (three seats, three-year terms): approved by voice vote.

The meeting lasted roughly 20 minutes; commissioners did not receive public comments and adjourned after the listed items were decided.