Daggett County Commission keeps chair, approves business license, IT surplus and chamber AV reconfiguration; tables zoning and ORI contract

The Daggett County Commission on Tuesday moved forward on several operational items and postponed two agenda items for additional information.

Commissioners voted to keep the current commission chair for 2025 after a nomination and second. The motion carried; one commissioner expressed reluctance at the decision, and the chair accepted the continuation.

The commission approved a business license for Yellowstone Electric Company, a Billings, Montana contractor that will perform work in the county. A motion and second were recorded and the license was approved.

The commission approved an IT surplus list that included three laptops and one desktop computer; two of the devices were offered for purchase to former employees under the county replacement schedule. Commissioners moved and seconded the surplus and voted in favor.

After discussion and review of quotes, the commission approved a proposal from the county IT/maintenance staff to reconfigure the commission chamber’s audio-visual system. The adopted configuration will rotate the room orientation (described by staff as a 90-degree flip) and install a new touch-screen controller and updated microphones and displays. Staff presented two cost options; the configuration the commission approved was the lower-cost option (staff said the cheaper option reduces equipment needs by roughly $1,000). One commissioner recused from that vote.

The commission accepted the resignation of Alan Staggs from the Planning and Zoning Commission and offered a vote of thanks and appreciation. Commissioners authorized staff to advertise for the vacancy and suggested outreach through the county newsletter, web page and social media to recruit replacements.

Two items were postponed to a future meeting: a planning and zoning recommendation to rezone Parcel 01-0074-0232 and Parcel 01-0069-0244 from AG-20 to R-R-1 and a related minor subdivision (staff recommended tabling because complete documents were not available for review), and an attorney-requested regranting contract (item described as CEO AB regranting contracts / Outdoor Recreation Initiative edits) that the county attorney is still editing. Both items were explicitly tabled until the next meeting to ensure complete documentation and attorney review.

Other business and discussion

- Manila High School yearbook ad: County staff reported a request from Manila High School to purchase advertising in its yearbook; staff discussed sizes and pricing as presented by the school and noted the commission could consider using Tourism, Recreation and Trails (TRT) funds or scholarship discussions to offset costs. Staff identified a TRT line-item of $5,000 in the 2025 TRT budget that could potentially be used, subject to auditor review.

- Tourism tax advisory board: Two commissioners reported attending a Tourism Tax Advisory Board meeting; they described budget discussions and the board’s support for using a $5,000 Daggett designation in the TRT budget for 2025, pending auditor confirmation. The advisory board also informally suggested establishing scholarships to promote tourism-related education.

- Flaming Gorge notification: Staff noted receipt of public notifications about Flaming Gorge dam releases; the notification was circulated to commissioners for situational awareness.

- Department of Corrections / jail discussions: Commissioners discussed possible meetings with the Utah Department of Corrections and other state agencies about the county jail/facility. Commissioners noted complications around potential third-party contracts and that certain federal or third-party entities (an example mentioned was ICE) would only contract with a governmental entity, which could affect contracting structures. Commissioners discussed options including phased approaches to facility acquisition or operations and the role of local EMS and Basin Health Care in providing services.

Next steps

Items tabled for further documentation and attorney review will return to the commission at the next regular meeting; staff were directed to proceed with advertising the Planning & Zoning vacancy and to obtain final quotes and procurement details for AV work before purchase.

Votes at a glance: - Commission chair for 2025 — motion to continue current chair: approved (motion and second; one commissioner expressed reluctance). - Acceptance of resignation, Planning & Zoning Commission (Alan Staggs) — approved (motion and second). - Business license, Yellowstone Electric Company (Billings, Montana) — approved (motion and second). - IT surplus (three laptops, one desktop) — approved (motion and second). - Commission chamber AV reconfiguration (flip room / new touch-screen controller and microphones) — approved (motion and second; one commissioner recused). - Planning & Zoning rezone and minor subdivision for Parcel 01-0074-0232 and 01-0069-0244 — tabled to next meeting (incomplete documentation). - CEO AB regranting contracts / Outdoor Recreation Initiative contract — tabled at attorney’s request for edits.

Ending note: Several items will return next week with requested documentation and attorney edits; staff and commissioners emphasized the need for auditor review for proposed TRT spending and for complete planning documents before final action.