Sevier County commissioners approve hires, contracts and sponsor Monroe Canyon fire mitigation funding application

RICHFIELD, Utah — The Sevier County Commission on Aug. 11 unanimously approved a series of administrative actions including personnel hires, contract renewals and a decision to have the county serve as the applicant for potential federal and state funding to mitigate damage from the Monroe Canyon Fire.

The commission — Commissioners Scott Johnson, Ralph Brown and Greg Jensen — opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. and acknowledged the presence of County Attorney Casey Jewkes and Clerk/Auditor Steven C. Wall. Commissioner Jensen thanked deployed Type 1 wildfire firefighting teams and noted the community’s support for firefighters.

The meeting’s most consequential policy step was the board’s approval for Sevier County to act as sponsor/applicant for grant applications related to the Monroe Canyon Fire. Parker Vercimak of Jones & DeMille Engineering asked the county to be the applicant to pursue federal and state funding and to assist with project monitoring; the commission approved the request (motion by Commissioner Brown, second Commissioner Jensen). The commissioners said county sponsorship would streamline coordination between agencies involved in mitigation.

Commissioners also approved a number of operational items on…