Commission approves joint-employment MOU for public‑lands planner, accepts beer‑tax report and routine vouchers/abatements

At the Oct. 28 meeting the Duchesne County Commission approved multiple administrative items: a memorandum of understanding to jointly employ public-lands planner Mike Hyde, acceptance of the FY24 beer-tax report for the sheriff’s office, and routine financial motions including vouchers, abatements and tax adjustments.

Mike Hyde explained the joint-employment proposal with the Utah Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office would run from Oct. 16 through June 30, 2025, and said the county’s proposed contribution for that period is $41,188, with payment due by June 30, 2025. "That amount was not anticipated when we went through the county budget for planning and building department," Hyde said, and requested adjustments if funding is available. Commissioners voiced support for continuing Hyde’s role and the commission approved the MOU by motion and second.

Cynthia from the sheriff’s office reported the beer-tax program activity, saying the office had "$9,787.27 rolled over from last year" and later stated the report total as "$53,443 and 57 cents." The commission moved to accept the FY24 beer-tax report and authorized the chair to sign; the motion carried unanimously.

Separately, commissioners approved vouchers as presented and voted to accept abatements and the assessor’s tax adjustments after staff review and motions. The board also agreed to allow two late tax-appeal filings to proceed to the hearing officer, following state guidance to permit a hearing even if a filing is late.

No litigation or personnel actions were taken in closed session; the commission met twice in closed session and returned to open session with no action to record.