Daggett County Commission approves remote clerk contract, creates shared maintenance position and OKs perpetual photo license; RDA posts $5,000 easement bond

The Daggett County Commission returned to open session at 12:57 p.m. and moved through several consent and action items, approving a contract term change for the justice court’s remote clerk, creating a shared equipment operator position, adopting a perpetual nonexclusive license for county photographs, and authorizing an additional bond for an RDA condemnation action.

Commission leadership proposed aligning the remote clerk contract to the county’s calendar year so the contract term matches the budgeting cycle. Speaker 4 (staff) told the commission they could amend the contract to match the calendar year; Speaker 2 said the alignment was important for budget tracking. The commission approved a motion to adopt the remote clerk contract with the adjusted term, extending through December 2025.

The commission then approved a slate of completed business licenses submitted for local businesses, including Cedar Springs Marina; Watts Fencing; CNH Distributing; William H. Smith and Associates; Creative Fishing Adventures; LR Communications; DJ’s Glass Plus; Beryl Bottling; Mountain West Propane; Lucerne Valley Marina; Yellowstone Electric Company; and On and Off Trucking.

On a larger personnel matter, the board approved creating a new shared employee classification—an equipment operator/maintenance assistant—to serve the Dutch John Water System, the road department and related grounds/weed-control duties. Commissioners discussed a rotating schedule (for example, one week assigned to the water department and one week to roads), required certifications (including possible CDL and weed-control certification), and operational flexibility to respond to emergencies such as water-line breaks or snow events. The proposal calls for using Fund 28 to cover this position in the near term; commissioners said the arrangement will fit this year’s budgeting at an estimated 60% allocation but may require additional funding next year.

The commission next considered a photography licensing agreement with photographer Ryan Kelly. Staff described the draft agreement as a perpetual, nonexclusive worldwide license allowing the county to use images for commercial, promotional and online/print materials while permitting the photographer to continue using the same images. Commissioners discussed whether exclusivity was necessary given prior, ambiguous arrangements with the chamber/tourism partners; the commission settled on a nonexclusive perpetual license as the pragmatic option. The motion to approve the photography license agreement passed.

Under the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) agenda, staff and counsel explained the county previously posted an $18,000 bond in an immediate-occupancy action but, after amending the complaint to include a construction easement near West John Resort, the county must post an additional $5,000 bond for parcel number 02-00A1-1500. The commission moved to post the additional $5,000; the board approved the payment and staff stated the posted funds would be applied to the easement value if the court so determines.

Votes at a glance - Motion to return to open session: approved by voice/roll call (affirmations recorded). - Remote clerk contract (term aligned to calendar year, extended through Dec. 2025): motion moved and approved. - Business licenses (multiple local businesses as read into record): motion moved and approved. - Creation of shared equipment operator/maintenance assistant (shared position between Dutch John Water System and road/grounds departments; funded in part from Fund 28): motion moved and approved. - Photography licensing agreement with Ryan Kelly (perpetual, nonexclusive license): motion moved and approved. - Posting additional $5,000 RDA bond for condemnation/easement (parcel 02-00A1-1500): motion moved and approved.

What’s next Staff will finalize contract language for the remote clerk and send it to the remote clerk for signature. The county will advertise the new shared position and use Fund 28 to fund initial costs, with departments coordinating schedules, training and certifications. The executed photography license will be circulated to county staff for signature. The RDA bond will be posted and will remain subject to the judicial determination in the pending amended complaint.