Sevier County approves coalition expansion, tourism grants and indigent defense amendment; holds public hearing on water plan

The Sevier County Commission met Feb. 9, 2026, in Richfield and approved a series of routine and policy-related items, including a Second Addendum to a regional infrastructure interlocal agreement, Tourism Advisory Board funding recommendations, and an amended indigent defense services agreement. The meeting began at 1:30 p.m. and adjourned at 2:25 p.m.

Commissioners Scott Johnson, Ralph Brown and Greg Jensen voted unanimously to approve minutes, payment reports and multiple consent items, and they approved the meeting’s substantive items by recorded motions and seconds.

Why it matters: the commission’s approvals retain momentum on local infrastructure collaboration, provide budgeted tourism grants funded by transient room tax collections, and increase compensation under the county’s indigent defense arrangement — all of which affect county operations and service delivery in the coming year.

Coalition expansion approved Commissioners approved a Second Addendum to the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition interlocal cooperation agreement to add Sanpete County and to adopt a new name, the Rural Utah Infrastructure Coalition. Commissioner Greg Jensen had described Sanpete County as a large coal producer and said the change would reflect broader regional participation. The motion to approve the addendum passed unanimously.

Public hearing on water plan; no public comments At 1:46 p.m. Commissioner Scott Johnson opened a public hearing on a proposed Water Use and Conservation section for the Sevier County General Plan. Executive Director Malcolm Nash said recent state legislation requires counties to add such a section and told the commission that "there are still a few changes to be made." No members of the public offered comments and the meeting resumed at 1:49 p.m.

Tourism funding approved; bylaws change deferred Tourism Director Amy Myers reviewed 2025 Transient Room Tax receipts and the Tourism Advisory Board’s funding recommendations. Commissioners discussed tightening the capture of revenues from short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb. The commission approved the Board’s funding recommendations as presented but declined at this time to approve proposed bylaw changes that would establish a chairman role and add duties for volunteer members.

Indigent defense agreement amended County Attorney Casey Jewkes reviewed an amended agreement for indigent defense services that increases funding for Michael Labrum for extra work he has performed as the Managing Public Defender. Jewkes said the State of Utah, which oversees the program, had approved the changes. The commission approved the amended agreement unanimously; the minutes do not specify the dollar amount of the increase.

Other actions (consent and routine approvals) The commission approved the minutes of Jan. 26 and Feb. 2, the January Payment Approval Report, and made the following actions (all motions passed unanimously): - Approved refunds for personal property overpayments to The Clearance Company LLC ($97.91) and Insight Material Handling ($389.56), on recommendation of the Assessor’s Office. - Declared a list of personal property items surplus and authorized disposal. - Approved a beer license renewal for Rock Candy Mountain Resort after sheriff review. - Approved recommended changes to the Economic Development Board membership (three replacements to complete terms).

What’s next No further votes were taken on the Water Use and Conservation language at this meeting; staff will continue revising the General Plan section as needed. Several administrative items and the new agreements will be implemented through county staff according to standard procedures.