Duchesne County Commission approves routine road contracts, business licenses and payroll; delays crack‑sealing award

The Duchesne County Commission on April 6 approved several routine procurement and administrative items, including a road‑striping contract, an asphalt emulsion contract and a Bureau of Land Management contract amendment for noxious‑weed control, while postponing a final award for the county’s crack‑sealing project pending reference checks.

The vote bundle also included approval of five new local business licenses, county vouchers totaling $481,905.81, payroll for 214 employees and a small tax adjustment that resulted in a $314.01 credit for a personal property owner. Commissioners held two closed sessions during the meeting; no formal action resulted from either closed session.

Jeff Baker of Jones & DeMille Engineering reviewed multiple road maintenance bids for 2026. The commission opened eight bids for crack sealing; Baker reported Peckham Asphalt Paving, Inc. as the apparent low bidder at $106,300 but recommended additional time to contact references. The commission agreed to postpone awarding that contract until references are checked.

For road striping, RoadSafe Traffic Systems, Inc. submitted the lone bid at $462,500. Based on Jones & DeMille’s recommendation, Commissioner Tracy Killian moved to accept the RoadSafe bid; Commissioner Jeff Chugg seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The commission also opened a single bid for asphalt emulsions. Peak Asphalt, LLC bid $1,191,161.50 and — after Baker noted the company has supplied emulsions to the county in recent years — commissioners approved the contract on a unanimous vote.

Weed Control Director Braxton Spencer presented an amendment to the county’s Bureau of Land Management contract for noxious‑weed control. According to Spencer, the amendment reduces funding to account for amounts not utilized in 2025; the commission voted to approve the amendment and authorized the chair to sign.

Chief Deputy Clerk‑Auditor Lexie Clayburn presented five new business licenses (Slow Foxtrot Rentals LLC; Diesel Repair Services, LLC; DuraBuilt Decks, LLC; Double D Services; and Lazy B Trucking Services, LLC). The commission approved all five licenses on a single, unanimous motion.

Financial and administrative items approved included vouchers (checks 172462–172543) totaling $481,905.81, county payroll for the pay period ending March 28, 2026 (214 employees paid), and several surplus items from the Sheriff’s Office and the Event Center, including a 2013 Ford Explorer and 20 livestock panels. Deputy Assessor Brandi Winterton also presented a personal property tax matter; commissioners voted to waive penalty and interest, creating a $314.01 credit for the owner.

Human Resource Director Judy Stevenson briefed commissioners on staffing needs: open firefighter positions in Fruitland, Tabiona/Hanna and Neola, seasonal flagger openings and upcoming interviews for seasonal noxious‑weed control positions. Stevenson also noted an upcoming safety meeting for several departments and RSVPs for an Employee Appreciation Event in May.

Two separate closed sessions were held — one to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation and property transactions, and a second concerning an individual’s character, professional competence or health. Meeting minutes show no action taken following either closed session. The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the commission unanimously approved the RoadSafe striping contract ($462,500), the Peak Asphalt emulsions contract ($1,191,161.50), the Bureau of Land Management contract amendment for noxious‑weed control, five new business licenses, vouchers totaling $481,905.81, payroll for 214 employees, the waiver of a $314.01 penalty/interest credit, surplus disposition items and minutes for the March 30 meeting. The crack‑sealing award was delayed pending reference checks.