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County board debates RCG priorities, weighs feasibility studies vs. immediate revenue projects
Summary
Board used a sticker-based straw poll May 7 to narrow RCG candidates and debated whether feasibility studies (e.g., for the golf course) or revenue-producing projects are better uses of a $200,000 local subgrant pool. Members disclosed ex parte contacts and some recused themselves from potential votes.
Members of the Grand County grant review body held an extended discussion May 7 on how best to allocate a $200,000 RCG subgrant pool and used a sticker-based straw poll to focus deliberations ahead of a formal May vote.
Chair explained each member had six stickers to indicate support for projects, and reminded the group that the exercise was informal and would not replace formal votes. The board discussed several candidates, including Moab Homegrown, AshTech, MiniMount, Artesian, and a proposal to fund a feasibility study for the Moab Golf Club.
Supporters of funding a feasibility and business plan for the golf course argued a completed plan would unlock larger federal or state dollars and allow the facility to be marketed for tournaments and off-season visitation. Opponents said a study risks producing an unimplemented plan without identified capital; one board member warned of a local example where a lack of investment left a course unrecoverable.
"If they have an appropriate plan and a feasibility study'which is why I'm supportive'getting the funding can launch a search for USDA grants, public-private partnerships or other capital," one member said. Deborah McKee of the governor's office noted the state has awarded RCOG funds for studies in other counties, but she also reminded the board that how the county structures its own RCG subgrant program is a local decision.
Members disclosed ex parte communications and affiliations (for example, chamber membership and conversations with applicant leads). Several members stated they would recuse themselves from votes where a direct benefit could be perceived; the chair said formal recusals would be enforced at the motion stage.
The board said it will tally the sticker poll and resume formal RCG deliberations at its regular May meeting, at which it will assign dollar amounts to recommended projects for the county commission to consider.
Next step: the board will count straw-poll stickers, hold a focused session at the May regular meeting to finalize RCG allocations and then forward recommendations and any required county application steps to the county commission.
