Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County public‑health staff report busy winter for septic work; tobacco survey shows strong support for 30‑foot rule
Summary
Sanitarian Chad Lanners told the board of persistent on‑site septic work and rising tourist‑home licensing tasks; Amanda Borer reported survey results showing 83.7% oppose smoke at business entrances and 79.2% back a 30‑foot distance rule and offered to draft amendment language for the Clean Indoor Air Act policy.
Chad Lanners, a sanitarian with Tri County (as introduced at the meeting), told the Granite County Board of Health and commissioners that on‑site septic evaluations and related fieldwork were unusually busy this winter, leaving less time for paperwork but resulting in more licensed installers on the ground.
Lanners also said public‑health staff are handling more requests tied to short‑term tourist homes listed on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO; because those sites allow listings without local licensure checks, staff encounter unlicensed properties through complaint investigations. He emphasized that fire‑safety inspections (often the State Fire Marshal's responsibility) are a necessary precondition for licensing tourist homes.
Amanda Borer, tobacco‑prevention specialist, briefed the board on a 1½‑year community survey (135 responses) that she said showed 83.7% of respondents did not want smoke or vaping at business entrances and 79.2% favored a 30‑foot distance rule; she offered to draft sample ordinance language and pull examples from neighboring counties for the commission to review before the next meeting. "If that is the case, I would be happy to put that language together," Borer said.
Jackie Goldsford (Granite County Public Health) highlighted upcoming outreach events including a student fair April 22, a Drummond health fair May 6 and a blood drive June 2, and noted Medicare revalidation work.
Dr. Sarah Khan, local health officer, said she had no specific urgent updates but commissioners reported typical respiratory season activity with no unusual RSV, COVID or influenza spike.
Next steps: Borer said she will draft amendment language within about a month for board review and possible inclusion on a future agenda; staff will continue to track septic and tourist‑home licensing cases and coordinate with county attorney and the State Fire Marshal on inspection requirements.
