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Commission unanimously opposes Willow preliminary feasibility study, criticizes methodology and tight timeline
Summary
Kane County commissioners adopted R2025‑41 opposing a preliminary feasibility study for a proposed Willow incorporation, arguing the study reversed an earlier non‑feasible finding, used inflated taxable‑value projections (one example cited jumping from roughly $3,000 to over $81,000,000), and provided an insufficient comment window during the holidays.
Kane County commissioners on Nov. 25 unanimously adopted Resolution R2025‑41 opposing a preliminary feasibility study for a proposed incorporation of Willow east of Kanab, citing significant methodological concerns and a compressed public comment timeline.
Taylor, the county presenter on the matter, summarized the county’s objections: the initial draft of the feasibility study reportedly concluded the proposed preliminary municipality was not feasible; a subsequent draft reversed that conclusion with substantially different figures and assumptions, including step changes in taxable‑value projections that Taylor described as implausible. "They put out another draft of the feasibility study that said all of a sudden it was feasible," Taylor said, and noted the change included large adjustments to growth and taxable‑value estimates.
Taylor and commissioners also raised doubts about assumptions for municipal services such as fire protection, arguing the Vermilion Cliffs Special Service District and nearby municipalities could not realistically provide the required services within one year and that the study relied on unsupported assumptions. Commissioners criticized the study’s shortened public comment schedule over a holiday period and asked the county attorney to redline and submit formal comments to the lieutenant governor’s office and the study firm.
The commission moved, seconded and adopted Resolution R2025‑41 opposing the feasibility study and requesting a reexamination of the study’s data and methodology. Commissioners said they will publish the resolution and pursue submission to the lieutenant governor’s office and public notice channels for the record. A public hearing on the incorporation process was expected to be scheduled in the coming months.
