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Emery County ratifies MOU to use TRT funds to help rebuild Fair/Farrin City agricultural center
Summary
The county ratified an MOU allowing transient room tax (TRT) funds to support rebuilding the Fair/Farrin City agricultural center, aligning the funds with state TRT statutes and placing spending liability on the city; the agreement formalizes a previously approved commitment from the travel board.
Emery County commissioners ratified a memorandum of understanding with Fair/Farrin City to disburse transient room tax (TRT) funds toward the rebuild of the city’s agricultural center, which was lost to a barn fire.
Staff explained the travel board and commission previously approved a letter of financial commitment and that the MOU clarifies responsibilities, spending restrictions and audit liability. The MOU requires the city to follow TRT state statutes; if audited, the city — not the county — would be liable for improper use of the funds, staff said.
Why it matters: the agricultural center hosts events that bring visitors and revenue to the area, and reconstructing it is intended to support tourism and local businesses. Commissioners and staff said the MOU formalizes how TRT funds can be used for tourism infrastructure and protects county general funds by assigning compliance responsibility to the city.
Commissioners discussed other funding sources the city is pursuing, including CIB loans and grants, and noted insurance proceeds and other contributions are part of the financing package. The motion to ratify the MOU carried on a recorded vote.
Quote: “The MOU just kind of spells out that Fair and City is aware that they are using TRT funds for this and that they will spend it according to the TRT state statutes,” staff said.
What’s next: county staff will file the ratification and coordinate with Fair/Farrin City on next steps for procurement and purchasing that meet grant and TRT compliance deadlines.
