Duchesne County Commission raises transient room tax, approves reserve deputy pay increase and routine spending

The Duchesne County Commission on June 23 adopted Ordinance No. 25-4-22 to increase the county transient room tax and qualify the county for state tourism grant funding, approved a pay raise for reserve deputies, and signed off on routine county spending including small-business matching grants and a new heating-and-cooling system for the County Justice Center.

Ryan, the county tourism director, told commissioners the proposed TRT increase "will enable us to get state funding through grants going forward." Commissioners discussed that local hotel capacity is limited in part because several rooms are tied up by long-term oil-and-gas leases, which reduces nightly-room collections; the tourism office said raising the rate to the recommended level is necessary to become eligible for state programs.

On public safety, the commission authorized the sheriff's department to raise reserve officer pay by up to $3 per hour. County staff presented an estimated budget impact for temporary salary and benefits of approximately $42,000 in wages and $3,341 in benefits (total $47,341). Commissioner Judge made the motion to approve the increase; the motion passed.

Other votes approved at the meeting included: formal approval of a residential approach permit for a property serving two homes; authorization of matching grants to local businesses—including Refresh Aesthetics and GT Enterprises—with the commission approving the staff recommendations; ratification of two final tax‑sale payments and approval of vouchers as presented; and approval of payroll for the period ending June 7, 2025 (248 employees; total pay and vouchers reported as $590,006.45).

Facilities staff reported the County Justice Center geothermal system had failed; facilities director Shane Jenkins presented a replacement option (an air‑to‑air heat pump) with an install cost of $10,007.48 plus an estimated $2,000 for electrical work. The commission voted to fund the replacement and associated electrical upgrades from available capital funds.

In other business, commissioners discussed a draft ordinance to regulate campaign signs on county property and in county right-of-way, focusing on size, set-backs and a removal window (10 calendar days after primaries and general elections, with placement allowed 30 days before early voting); they asked staff to return with revisions. The commission also appointed Irene Hansen to the Northeastern Counseling Center board and heard a fire‑services briefing that noted active wildfires (including a Forsyth fire reported at roughly 5,000 acres and a separate incident nearing 13,000 acres) and the county’s pause on mitigation work while crews respond.

The meeting concluded with a motion to go into closed session for personnel/health matters and an adjournment of the public meeting.