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MAG adviser offers free technical support; Wallsburg commissioners pick priorities — fraud risk policies, ADUs, short-term-rental rules
Summary
A MAG Local Administrative Advisor introduced a state-funded assistance program for small towns and proposed a work plan; commissioners prioritized a fraud risk assessment and policies, short-term-rental rules and accessory dwelling-unit (ADU) regulations and discussed enforcement and impact-fee options.
Wallsburg Planning Commission — Spencer, a Local Administrative Advisor funded through the state and assigned via MAG, described a program that provides small towns with templates, ordinance drafts, and technical review at no direct local cost. He told commissioners MAG is paid by the state to help towns that lack full-time municipal staff and invited Wallsburg to funnel requests through town staff so work can be prioritized.
The program and priorities: Spencer said MAG can help with a range of short-term and structural tasks including a fraud risk assessment (procurement and conflict-of-interest policies), building- and development-code review, accessory dwelling-unit (ADU) ordinances and short-term-rental regulations. "We are funded through the state. The state pays me to do work for you," Spencer said, offering to supply templates and to review sections of the code remotely.
Commissioners and staff agreed to prioritize three items: 1) a fraud-risk assessment and municipal policy package to help with audits and grant competitiveness; 2) short-term-rental (STR) regulations to address potential rental activity and parking/design impacts; and 3) accessory dwelling-unit (ADU) rules (internal vs. external) to align local rules with state code while allowing local parameters (size limits, owner-occupancy and parking requirements).
Enforcement and county coordination: Commissioners flagged enforcement as a practical concern — citing questions about issuing citations, placing liens or pursuing red tags — and Spencer recommended building a direct working relationship with Wasatch County for enforcement support and to explore options for citation authority or judicial remedies.
Next steps and scheduling: Spencer offered to continue reviewing Wallsburg’s code and to send draft language and templates by email. Commissioners set the next planning commission meeting for Jan. 21 at 7:00 p.m. and asked staff to circulate materials so commissioners can prepare for a January work session.
