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Grand County backs UAC lobbying after Mid America pipeline valuation hit
Summary
Facing a multi‑year repayment from Mid America Pipeline valuation reductions, commissioners discussed joining a Utah Association of Counties (UAC) legal and lobbying effort and agreed to bring a $6,130 county contribution (their assessed share) to a future meeting for approval.
Grand County commissioners devoted a substantial portion of their Dec. 2 meeting to centrally assessed property values and litigation tied to Mid America Pipeline. Commissioners described how centrally assessed assets — pipelines, railroads and large mines — have shrunk as a share of the county tax base, shifting more of the burden to residential and commercial property owners.
The county reported that centrally assessed value in Grand County stands at approximately $451,222,530. Under a UAC-coordinated effort to lobby the Legislature and support legal defense, Grand County’s assessed share of a proposed collective fund was about $6,130. Chair Winfield said the UAC motion at its recent conference passed unanimously among 29 counties and that Grand County would present the $6,130 assessment for approval at an upcoming commission meeting.
Commissioners and staff outlined the fiscal impact of repeated valuation appeals. They cited a Mid America Pipeline legal settlement that requires repayment of taxes previously collected going back to 2017; that obligation affects the county, the school district, the library and other taxing entities. The county attorney and outside counsel (Tom Peters was referenced) were noted as having worked on the multi-year appeals.
Commissioners discussed legislative solutions. Staff referenced earlier bill language (identified in discussion as SB 0038) that proposed apportioning certain county expenses incurred in valuation litigation among taxing entities; commissioners noted that some legislative measures passed or evolved in 2025 to allow sharing of legal costs across taxing entities.
Several commissioners recommended using existing budgeted legislative-consulting funds (roughly $50,000 budgeted) to support UAC lobbying efforts. Commissioners also urged public outreach to the county’s legislators and noted Salt Lake County has already invested in legal teams on this issue and offered to 'piggyback' on their work.
Next steps: the commission will place a formal approval and funding item on a future agenda for the county’s assessed UAC contribution and continue to coordinate with UAC on legislative strategy.
