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Commission continues MAG CARES Act contract after staff, MAG and auditor outline safeguards and funding changes
Summary
The commission continued consideration of a Mountain Land Association of Governments (MAG) contract to administer CARES Act small‑business grants after MAG said it would cover $151,000 in administrative costs from reserves and county staff and the auditor described audit safeguards; the item was continued for revision and ratification.
The Utah County Commission continued discussion of a proposed contract with the Mountain Land Association of Governments (MAG) to administer CARES Act small‑business grants, voting to continue the item to a future meeting.
Andrew Jackson of MAG told commissioners MAG would not request the $151,000 administrative fee from county COVID funds and instead plans to cover that amount from MAG reserve accounts. "We are going to cover that 151 out of reserve accounts that we have," Jackson said, and asked that the contract language be amended so the budget attachment B show $0 while preserving the scope and subrecipient responsibilities.
Commissioners and staff pressed how the contract affects county liability and audit risk. Rob Moore, who participated in committee oversight, said: "Ultimately, the county is liable… but we also control the purse strings here too," and added the county would not release funds for expenditures judged not appropriate under the CARES Act. Josh from the auditor's office confirmed that the auditor's office will participate in reviews and scoring and described layered safeguards: MAG staff will screen applications, a committee will rank them, and Amelia's office (county finance) will review disbursement requests before any funds move.
Commissioners discussed deleting the dollar budget attachment, retaining the scope (attachment A), adding subrecipient language for federal grants, and clarifying that amendments to the budget require written approval by both parties. Given outstanding drafting and attachment issues, Commissioner 6 moved and Commissioner Lee seconded a motion to continue item 33 until the next meeting; the motion passed 3‑0.
Commissioners instructed MAG and county staff to revise the contract language as discussed and return with the updated agreement and attachments for ratification.
