Duchesne County Commission declines county RAP tax option, approves fraud assessment, chatbot pilot and $569,108.78 in vouchers

The Duchesne County Commission voted unanimously Aug. 4, 2025, in Duchesne, Utah, to adopt Resolution No. 25-08 stating the county is not seeking to impose a county option botanical, cultural, recreational and zoological (RAP) excise tax, and to approve a county fraud risk assessment, four volunteer appointments, a prorated chatbot/search subscription pilot and vouchers totaling $569,108.78.

Duchesne City Mayor Rodney Rowley presented a July 31, 2025 notice of intent that the city plans to ask residents an opinion question about imposing a City Option RAP excise tax; the county resolution clarified that the Duchesne County Commission will not seek a county-level RAP tax under Title 59, Revenue and Taxation, Chapter 12, Part 7. Commissioner Jeff Chugg moved to adopt Resolution No. 25-08; Commissioner Tracy Killian seconded. Commissioners Chugg, Killian and Chairman Greg Miles each voted aye and the motion passed 3–0.

Clerk-Auditor Chelise Jessen presented the county Fraud Risk Assessment Questionnaire and reported the county scored 375 out of a possible 395 points. Commissioners discussed that the only point not scored related to whether the county has a formal audit committee; they agreed the Clerk-Auditor’s role makes a separate audit committee unnecessary. Commissioner Killian moved to approve the assessment and authorize Commissioner Miles to sign; the motion passed unanimously.

Human Resources generalist Tommi Mascaro presented four volunteers who had passed background checks; the commission approved the volunteers by unanimous vote. I.T. Director Matt Yergensen described a proposed chatbot and website search tool from the vendor listed in the record as Polimorphic. Commissioners approved a prorated subscription costing $3,750 for the remainder of the year as a pilot (the quoted one-year price was $9,000) and authorized Commissioner Jeff Chugg to sign the subscription on behalf of the county.

Deputy Clerk-Auditor Hadley Cardwell presented vouchers for check numbers 169896 through 169951 dated Aug. 4, 2025, totaling $569,108.78. The commission approved the vouchers by a 3–0 vote. The commission also approved the combined minutes from the July 28, 2025 meeting as corrected and discussed items for the next meeting before adjourning at 9:40 a.m.

Votes at a glance • Resolution No. 25-08 (county will not seek RAP excise tax): motion by Commissioner Jeff Chugg; second by Commissioner Tracy Killian; vote 3–0 (approved). • County Fraud Risk Assessment approval and authorization to sign: motion by Commissioner Tracy Killian; second by Commissioner Jeff Chugg; vote 3–0 (approved). Score reported: 375/395. • Volunteer approvals (four volunteers): motion by Commissioner Jeff Chugg; second by Commissioner Tracy Killian; vote 3–0 (approved). • Chatbot/search subscription (Polimorphic) — prorated $3,750 pilot and authorization to sign: motion by Commissioner Tracy Killian; second by Commissioner Jeff Chugg; vote 3–0 (approved). One-year price listed as $9,000. • Auditor’s vouchers (checks 169896–169951): motion by Commissioner Jeff Chugg; second by Commissioner Tracy Killian; vote 3–0 (approved). Total: $569,108.78. • Minutes of July 28, 2025 (as corrected): motion by Commissioner Tracy Killian; second by Commissioner Jeff Chugg; vote 3–0 (approved).

What happens next: The county will file the signed fraud risk assessment documentation; the chatbot pilot will proceed under the authorized subscription and staff will monitor resident usage. Duchesne City may proceed with placing the RAP question before its residents; the county’s resolution applies only to county action and does not prevent the city from moving forward on a city option tax ballot question.