County officials map steps to add state-mandated water-conservation chapter to general plan

Hailey, identified in the meeting as a representative of the Division of Water Resources, told the commission the water element the state expects is typically integrated as a chapter of a county—general plan and should address four core elements: the effect of permitted development on water demand, methods to reduce demand in existing development, methods to manage future development, and county operational changes to reduce waste. "From what we've seen from other counties, it is a chapter that is integrated into your county's general plan that discusses water use and preservation," Hailey said.

Commissioners and planning staff expressed concern about resources and the tight schedule. Rick Webster, also with the Division of Water Resources, and Hailey offered to send checklists and sample county elements, noting there is no single statewide template because "every county and city does water differently." Planning and zoning chair Chad (identified in the record as Chad Reed) and county staff said they need examples from similar, smaller counties and recommended a joint work session of the commission and the planning and zoning committee to draft the chapter.

County staff and commissioners discussed potential funding paths and technical-assistance options through regional councils (AOGs). State staff said a previous grant program for this planning effort closed in October and most funds were already allocated, so local technical assistance and in-house drafting will likely be required. A state technical committee member advised commissioners that, given the short time frame, drafting concise paragraphs that cover the four required topics and list goals and initial actions could satisfy the legislative requirement and convert the general plan into a "living document."

Commissioners agreed the next steps are for Hailey to distribute the checklist and example elements to the clerk and planning staff, to schedule a joint work session with planning and zoning, and to prioritize the water element over lower-priority planning changes until it is complete. The commission indicated it would seek staff support to assemble the material and hold public hearings required to include the chapter in the general plan.

The discussion began during the agenda item for the general plan update and continued through a planning and zoning review; no final adoption occurred at this meeting. Staff and state officials repeatedly emphasized the legislative timeline is fixed and that the county should document its efforts even if the element remains concise due to time constraints.