Commission ratifies BLM lease for Hamlin Valley repeater; approves minutes, warrants and personnel items

The Iron County Commission ratified a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) communications-site lease for 0.1 acre in Hamlin Valley to host a solar-powered radio repeater intended to improve public-safety radio coverage.

Corporal Mike Hilleguer of the sheriff’s office said terrain in Hamlin Valley creates radio dead zones that affect first responders and search-and-rescue operations. He described the planned installation as a standalone, solar-powered repeater with fencing and signage for security. Because of a short timeline for completing paperwork, Hilleguer said staff signed the lease earlier and brought it to the commission for ratification. The commission moved, seconded and ratified the lease by voice vote.

The meeting also included several routine approvals. Commissioners approved the minutes from the Feb. 10, 2025 meeting and approved warrants covering county payments from Feb. 10–23, 2025; both motions passed by voice vote. The Human Resources report contained multiple hiring and promotion recommendations (attorney’s office, public works seasonal hires, sheriff’s office corrections and patrol promotions and a part-time reserve deputy). The commission moved and approved personnel items (personnel items 1–4) by voice vote; the motions were recorded as carried without individual roll-call tallies in the transcript.

No cost to the county for the lease itself was identified in the public record; Hilleguer said the physical equipment and minor installation costs were being provided through donations, leftover county yard materials, or existing departmental resources. The commission requested staff follow up with installation details, fencing and signage arrangements.

Actions recorded in the meeting packet were consistent with the votes taken on the floor: approval of minutes, approval of warrants, ratification of the BLM communications-site lease, and approval of the personnel items presented.