New Snyderville Basin cemetery district seeks seed funding for site testing; council asks staff to explore grants and legal options

Members of the newly formed Snyderville Basin Cemetery Special Service District asked the council for short‑term funding to support site screening, soils testing and outreach needed to bring a levy question to voters.

Max Greenhall, speaking for the district, said a small amount of seed funding—"maybe $35 to $40,000"—would let the group narrow candidate sites to about three by mid‑summer and complete initial geotechnical testing and outreach. Greenhall emphasized the group’s goal to use county‑owned parcels where feasible to limit acquisition costs.

Treasurer Corey Forslund said county rules limit unsecured lending from public funds and that the legal and accounting office would need to vet any loan; she recommended the district pursue grant mechanisms or nonprofit‑grant avenues if possible. "It would feel like an unsecured loan...I don't feel comfortable sending the funds into the abyss until the tax levy process is finalized," she said.

Councilmembers expressed support for the district’s goals and asked staff to return with options, including: a nonprofit grant solicitation, use of limited general‑fund dollars, or conditioned short‑term assistance timed to anticipated tax receipts once a levy is approved. Several members said they would favor small, transparent seed grants if legally permissible rather than unsecured loans.

Staff agreed to investigate legal guardrails, potential grant sources, and whether site evaluations on county‑owned land could be completed as a county expense and later reimbursed if the district raises funds.