Utah County commissioners authorize process to consider sale of 37-acre Equestrian Park; BOE actions approved earlier

The Utah County Commission on Tuesday adopted a resolution authorizing the county to consider disposing of a roughly 37-acre parcel known as Equestrian Park near American Fork and Lehi, and the Board of Equalization completed routine appeals work before the commission meeting.

The public hearing on the Equestrian Park attracted no speakers. Richard Nelson, public‑works director, told commissioners the island‑like parcel includes an indoor arena, outdoor arena, several pavilions and a playground and was originally acquired as a gravel pit and developed as a park. Rob Moore of the county attorney’s office said the commission’s adoption of the resolution does not itself sell the property; it simply authorizes the county to proceed with outreach and take offers, and any eventual sale would return to the commission for final approval.

Commissioners discussed options including listing with an agent, advertising for sealed offers, or taking other sales approaches. The resolution also contains a public‑interest safeguard: it will not allow sale for less than fair market value. After debate about whether to extend notice and allow more public input, the commission voted 3–0 to adopt the resolution allowing the county to consider disposal and solicit offers.

Earlier in the morning, the Board of Equalization met and acted on six items. Tax administration staff recommended a full‑merits hearing on one petition that potentially fell under the office’s extraordinary‑circumstances or medical‑exemption guidance; the BOE approved that recommendation. For four other petitions, staff cited state tax commission precedent denying late filings (including those made while a property owner was out of town or on missions), and the BOE denied those appeals. The board also handled a set of property‑tax administrative actions: one delinquent account ("Mighty Light") was continued for two weeks to verify a proposed $5,000 monthly payment plan on roughly $45,116 of delinquency; a buyer‑acquisition appeal for Utah Dental Center was recommended for denial; and a small penalty refund (about $50.31) to Chris and Sarah Miles was approved to correct a mailing/address confusion.

Next steps: the county may proceed with marketing or soliciting offers for the Equestrian Park under the adopted resolution; any sale agreement would require a future commission action. The BOE matters were resolved as recorded in the morning session.