Emery County commissioners approve grants, contracts, annexation and motions in unanimous votes

Emery County commissioners on Jan. 21 considered and voted on a series of funding, contract and administrative matters. Most motions passed unanimously. The actions below summarize formal motions, vote tallies and key details recorded in the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved (motion to approve consent agenda; vote recorded as Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- Ratification of signing — 2025 Children and Teen Book Enhancement mini grant: Ratified (contract signed by county staff to accept five $3,000 awards to local branches; total $15,000; vote Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- Castle Country Classic Livestock Show sponsorship: Approved $3,500 sponsorship (motion carried; Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- Final resolution approving annexation of properties into Castle Valley Special Service District: Approved (final resolution to submit materials to Lieutenant Governor’s Office for recording; vote Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- Advertise RFQ for an events assistant (marketing/media) for Emery County Travel Bureau: Approved (monthly contract budget discussed at $1,000/month; vote Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- Contract between Emery County and Jody/Larry Freeman Outdoor Advertising for the Huntington billboard: Approved (three‑year agreement at $2,500/year; rate locked for three years; vote Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- 2025 Swell Trails grant funding: Approved $30,000 (to advertise and accept applications for small trails/recreation projects; vote Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- KOAL radio event advertisement contract: Approved $3,000 annual purchase (approximately 450 spots over the year; regional AM/FM reach discussed); vote Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye.

- Memorandum of understanding (MOU) — Green River Food Bank (Emery County and Green River City): Approved (MOU formalizes roles and storage/operation details; county will continue operational support; vote Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- Memorandum of understanding (MOU) — Carbon Medical Service Association, Inc. and Emery County Sheriff’s Office (services for JRI individuals): Approved (Carbon Medical to provide in‑custody and transitional health services for qualifying individuals; vote Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- Emery County application to Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board (USHRAB) grant to digitize Huntington Creek irrigation records (and associated Joes Valley Reservoir records): Approved to apply (one‑to‑one match requirement; digitization contract with J. Willard Marriott Library expected; specific grant amount not yet specified); vote Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye.

- Public hearing B (compensation increase for an executive county officer — assessor): Hearing conducted; commissioners later voted to deny the proposed compensation increase (motion to deny passed; Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- Begin process to separate the treasurer and recorder offices: Approved to begin process and study requirements (motion passed; commissioners directed staff to research legal and timetable implications; Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

- Enter closed session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation and privileged matters: Approved (motion carried; Warwood: Aye; Leonard: Aye; Jensen: Aye).

Several motions included clarifying information about program administration and next steps (for example, library branches will make individual book purchases and submit receipts for the book enhancement mini grant; the Swell Trails fund will be advertised for applications once approved). Where the transcript did not specify a mover or seconder by full name, motions were recorded as made and seconded and the roll call votes were read and recorded in the minutes.