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County adopts narrower Greenbelt rollback policy and adds administrative‑fee option
Summary
Utah County commissioners adopted a resolution clarifying when Greenbelt rollback taxes apply, replacing a five‑year lookback with a two‑year standard for the FFA qualification and allowing payment of an applicable administrative fee instead of automatic full rollback collection; the changes passed 3–0.
Utah County commissioners on May 22 approved a revised resolution that defines when Greenbelt rollback taxes should be applied in atypical transfers and gives the board greater discretion to address technical errors.
Assessor Chris Paulson told the commission the resolution "was intended not to add anything you can't do already" but to define when the rollback should be applied in situations that are atypical in a transfer or re‑signup. Commissioner Trevor A. Lee raised administrative concerns and asked the board to shorten a proposed five‑year lookback to the two‑year Federal Farm Act (FFA) qualification period. Lee also asked that, where appropriate, the county collect an "applicable administrative fee" rather than assess the full rollback tax in every case.
The changes grew out of examples staff described where parcels transferred to the county as quick‑claim deeds for road right‑of‑way or were struck off at tax sale. Staff said some parcels historically had rollback charges that were inconsistent across cases and that allowing the commission latitude would help address duplicate‑inspection mistakes and other technical anomalies.
Commissioner Lee argued shortening the historical lookback would reduce burdens on property owners and county administrators: "I would like to strike the five years out of section 1(c) ... the 2 years is sufficient," he said. County staff and counsel discussed whether the commission should adopt a percentage or a fee; the final language directs that the commission may, through its hearing process, adjust rollback obligations and explicitly allows assessing an applicable administrative fee tied to administrative costs.
Commissioner Ivy moved to adopt the resolution with the edits; the motion passed on a 3–0 voice vote. The resolution, as amended, preserves board discretion while directing staff to prepare any related fee schedule if the commission chooses to use an administrative charge in place of full rollback collection.
The commission also agreed to strike a separate abatement item and send parcels through the newly adopted review process when appropriate.
What happens next: staff will update the resolution text and, if needed, draft a fee schedule or guidance so the county can apply the new standard consistently in atypical Greenbelt transfer cases.
