Commission approves $17,071.44 TRT transition package to support chamber employee Ryan Kelly

The Daggett County Commission voted to approve the chamber’s request for a $17,071.44 payroll transition package to cover labor related to the midstream Burbot Bash event and to help transition a chamber employee, identified in the motion as Ryan Kelly, into a county events and marketing role using TRT funds.

The commission’s chair restated the motion before the vote: "the commission approves the chamber's request for Ryan Kelly's payroll package, and I'll call it the transition package, to use TRT funds in the amount of $17,071.44, to help us get through the the Burbot Bash, event that's in midstream and, at this point. And then also to help transition a new county employee, that will be hired for events and marketing." That motion was moved by Speaker 4, seconded by Speaker 3, and passed by voice vote; the transcript records Speaker 4 and Speaker 3 saying "Aye." The packet did not record a full roll-call vote in the provided segments.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether the payment constituted an allowable use of TRT money. Speaker 3 asked, "would that be considered an allowable use with TRT money?" and sought clarity on whether the expense should be categorized as payroll, a contractor payment, or severance. In response, Speaker 1 said he preferred treating the payment as payroll or a bonus rather than severance, noting that "severance is something very specific. It indicates payment, after someone's employment is terminated." Commissioners discussed having the chamber categorize the expenditures in the spreadsheet to match the state reporting categories for TRT so the auditor can confirm allowability.

The commission emphasized practical steps to avoid personnel upset. After approving the transition package, members agreed to delay posting the new county events/marketing position until the chamber or its representative notifies Ryan; Speaker 3 requested that the chamber give Ryan the courtesy of hearing about the plan before seeing a public job posting. The commission asked the chamber to map each expense line to state TRT categories and to provide the spreadsheet for the auditor’s review.

Before adjourning regular business, the commission voted to go into a closed session to discuss litigation. Speaker 1 introduced the closed-session motion for litigation, Speaker 3 moved to go into closed session and Speaker 4 seconded; the motion passed and staff were instructed to switch to the closed-session link.

What happens next: the chamber will be asked to supply a categorized spreadsheet showing how the $17,071.44 will be allocated across TRT reporting categories and to notify the commission about timing for posting the county job. The commission moved into closed session on litigation after the vote on the transition package.