Daggett County officials hear public concerns and call for evening hearings on proposed curfew ordinance

Commissioners and residents spent the public‑comment period on Oct. 1 discussing a proposed curfew ordinance for unincorporated Daggett County and how the county should solicit community input before taking action.

The discussion opened when a resident asked whether a curfew was necessary and how exceptions — such as children returning on buses or attending evening rodeo events — would be handled. Commissioners and the sheriff’s office explained the draft language would include standard exceptions (parental permission, work, school activities) and emphasized enforcement would remain discretionary for law enforcement.

Why it matters: The proposed ordinance would apply to unincorporated areas of the county, not to the Town of Manila, and could change how deputies and parents interact when minors are found out late at night. Several residents said daytime commission meetings limit participation and urged the county to hold evening hearings to reach more parents.

Commission responses and next steps: Commissioners repeatedly said the meeting was not intended to produce a decision. The chair said the intent was to craft the ordinance with community input and proposed holding at least one evening public hearing — and possibly more — before a final ordinance is drafted. Virtual participant Ashley Muir told commissioners, “If we could have something in the evening that would get more parents there and get our concerns out to the public.”

The commission agreed to schedule additional outreach and to place the curfew ordinance on future agendas for further discussion after public hearings.

The commission recessed for a short break before continuing the agenda.