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Kane County approves purchase of SITLA parcel to restore lost property access in Church Wells
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Summary
The Kane County Board voted unanimously March 24 to purchase State of Utah SITLA Certificate of Sale No. 27339 to enable resurveying and the resale of land to affected Church Wells property owners, with the county attorney to negotiate contract changes and grant support identified to help businesses cover costs.
The Kane County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 24 to purchase State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) Certificate of Sale No. 27339 to help restore property lines and access for owners around Church Wells.
Commissioner Patty Kubeja told the Board that when a federal monument was created and SITLA removed lands in the Big Water and Church Wells area without conducting surveys, some property owners “lost half of their lot” and some parcels lost access. Kubeja said SITLA agreed to resurvey the area and to make the land available for purchase so owners can reestablish accurate boundaries.
Kevin Barnes, who Kubeja said went to the county's economic board to secure grant assistance, obtained funding to help affected businesses pay for purchase costs. Attorney Jeff Stott told commissioners he would contact SITLA to request contract revisions, including removing restrictions if possible, before the county completes the purchase.
The motion to approve the purchase, including direction for additional negotiations to remove restrictions where feasible, was made by Commissioner Patty Kubeja and carried with all commissioners present voting in favor (Commissioner Gwen Brown—aye; Commissioner Patty Kubeja—aye; Commissioner Celeste Meyeres—aye).
Why it matters: The purchase is intended to clear title and access issues that arose after earlier land removals and to enable individual property owners to re-survey and reestablish legal lot boundaries. County staff and the attorney will pursue contract changes with SITLA and a plan for subsequent private boundary adjustments by individual owners.
Next steps: Attorney Jeff Stott will contact SITLA to negotiate contract language; affected owners will be expected to complete property-boundary work with the county following the resurvey and resale process.