Daggett County to advertise Road & Transportation District seat after releasing county superintendent Sean Hughes

Daggett County commissioners voted to release Sean Hughes from his position as a voting member of the Road & Transportation District board and to advertise the vacancy for applicants the commission will screen and appoint.

The issue was raised during the meeting after concerns that Hughes, as superintendent of the county road department and a county employee, could have a conflict when board votes involved items affecting the county. One commissioner described an example where the board voted to pay for equipment that the road department would use, prompting questions about whether such participation presents an unavoidable conflict. As one speaker said, "there might be a conflict of interest there with him being a voting board member." Commissioners discussed whether disclosure and recusal would suffice in some cases or whether the conflict might be present on every vote involving the road department.

After discussion, Speaker 1 moved to "thank Sean for his service and ... release him from his service as a board member and to advertise the position to get applicants." Speaker 2 seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote. Commissioners asked staff to advertise for applicants and noted that Hughes could be asked to recuse himself from votes affecting the road department until a replacement is appointed.

Why it matters: the decision addresses potential conflicts where a county employee sits on a separate funding/decision board. The commission chose an administrative remedy—seek new applicants—rather than rely solely on disclosures or case‑by‑case recusals. The motion included direction to advertise and screen applicants; staff will manage applicant recruitment and appointment.