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Sevier County commissioners approve tax abatements, reimbursements, contracts and hires in unanimous vote
Summary
At their Oct. 27 meeting in Richfield, Sevier County Commissioners unanimously approved the Oct. 13 minutes, an IT patching MOU addendum, a social-media contractor, tourism recommendations (excluding a proposed mural), roughly $617,687 in tax abatements, two large tax reimbursements, a health-insurance renewal, a new road-department hire, and fair-event contracts.
Sevier County Commissioners met Oct. 27 in Richfield and unanimously approved a slate of administrative actions including tax abatements, business tax reimbursements, several contracts and a personnel hire.
The commission convened at 1:30 p.m. with Commissioners Scott Johnson, Ralph Brown and Greg Jensen present alongside County Attorney Casey Jewkes, Executive Director Malcolm Nash and Clerk/Auditor Steven C. Wall.
Minutes and administrative contracts
The board first approved minutes from the Oct. 13 worksession and commission meeting. The commissioners then approved an Addendum to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Utah Cyber Center to provide patch-management services for county IT systems; the addendum was presented by IT Director Dirk Jensen.
Tourism and communications
Tourism Director Amy Myers presented recommendations from the Tourism Advisory Board and an agreement with Katelin Tanner to assist with the county’s social media accounts. Commissioners approved the advisory board recommendations but excluded a proposed art mural pending additional information. The social-media contract was approved with an emphasis on keeping content locally focused.
Taxes and reimbursements
Clerk/Auditor Steven C. Wall reviewed the Abatement Summary for applicants who qualified for property tax abatements. The total abatements approved for 2025 totaled approximately $617,687; Wall said about $140,477 of that amount represents the circuit-breaker portion that will be reimbursed by the State of Utah.
Executive Director Malcolm Nash then presented two tax-reimbursement requests arising from a 2022 clerical error. The commissioners approved refunds of $26,780.17 to Redmond Minerals and $274,540.08 to Western Clay.
Insurance renewal and personnel
HR Director Craig Blake reviewed a proposed renewal with MotivHealth for 2026, saying negotiations reduced the insurer’s increase to 14.1 percent; the commission approved the renewal and authorized Blake to proceed. Blake also recommended hiring Wesley Bywater as a full-time GIS technician/administrative assistant in the Road Department (Grade 11) at $20.85 per hour, effective Oct. 20, 2025; the commission approved the hire.
Events and county fair
Events Coordinator Jessica Hutchings asked the commission to raise the maximum age for Miss Sevier County from 21 to 23 to align with similar local pageants; the adjustment was approved. Hutchings also presented and the commission approved a contract with RawlinsPro Wild West Showdown to perform at the 2026 County Fair; she said moving forward now will allow earlier advertising in spring.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of Oct. 13 minutes: motion by Commissioner Ralph Brown, second Commissioner Greg Jensen; outcome: approved unanimously. - Utah Cyber Center Patch Management Addendum: motion by Commissioner Greg Jensen, second Commissioner Ralph Brown; outcome: approved unanimously. - Social media agreement with Katelin Tanner: motion by Commissioner Ralph Brown, second Commissioner Greg Jensen; outcome: approved unanimously. - Tourism Advisory Board recommendations (excluding art mural): motion by Commissioner Greg Jensen, second Commissioner Ralph Brown; outcome: approved unanimously. - Tax abatements (2025): motion by Commissioner Ralph Brown, second Commissioner Greg Jensen; outcome: approved unanimously. Total abatements approx. $617,687; state reimbursement approx. $140,477 for circuit-breaker portion. - Tax reimbursements (Redmond Minerals $26,780.17; Western Clay $274,540.08): motion by Commissioner Greg Jensen, second Commissioner Ralph Brown; outcome: approved unanimously. - MotivHealth 2026 renewal (14.1% increase): motion by Commissioner Ralph Brown, second Commissioner Greg Jensen; outcome: approved unanimously. - New hire — Wesley Bywater (GIS Technician/Administrative Assistant, Road Department): motion by Commissioner Greg Jensen; outcome: approved unanimously (second not specified in the record). - Miss Sevier County age-change (maximum age 21 to 23): motion by Commissioner Ralph Brown, second Commissioner Greg Jensen; outcome: approved unanimously. - RawlinsPro Wild West Showdown contract for 2026 County Fair: motion by Commissioner Greg Jensen, second Commissioner Ralph Brown; outcome: approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
Why this matters: The session completed routine county business — budgetary abatements, vendor agreements, personnel and event contracts — and approved refunds and abatements that have direct fiscal implications for local taxpayers and businesses.
