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Board weighs Southern Utah News directory proposal after GOEO raises ROI concerns
Summary
Board members debated a proposed county-wide newspaper insert and questioned whether GOEO guidance requiring proof of return on investment should limit locally driven projects; members asked for a written proposal and signaled willingness to press for local discretion if needed.
Board members discussed a proposal to support the Southern Utah News by funding a free, county-wide insert containing a business directory and broader advertising aimed at promoting local businesses.
A participant recounted talking with GOEO staff (Colette), saying Colette "said, no. Not really" about the business-directory idea and explained that GOEO would expect demonstrable return on investment beyond simply listing businesses. That account prompted other members to question whether the same ROI standard is being applied unevenly across projects and to call for greater clarity about approval criteria.
Why it matters: Several board members argued the board should retain latitude to approve projects that benefit county residents, even where the expected economic impact is difficult to quantify. "What we had talked about... the paper would be available to everyone in the county and would include the businesses that wanted to be part of it," one member said, characterizing the concept as both community outreach and free advertising for businesses under new paper ownership.
Board members recommended next steps: ask GOEO for clarity if needed, request a written proposal from the newspaper (staff said they would follow up), and invite GOEO staff or the paper’s new owner to a future meeting so the board can hear details directly. One commissioner said she would be "game to challenge" GOEO if the agency made an excessive objection, while staff said they would first check whether GOEO has ever rescinded funds for similar projects.
What’s next: Staff will follow up with the newspaper and GOEO, and the board will bring a written proposal for formal consideration. No funding decision was taken at this meeting.
Representative quotes: "Colette ... she said, no. Not really. And she said that we'd have to be able to show, some sort of impact other than just to the Southern Utah news" (Unidentified Speaker 8). "If we have a good proposal, I say we go for it" (Unidentified Speaker 2).
