Kane County commissioners approve budget tweaks, vacate easements, OK tourism contract and accept $200K archery grant

The Kane County Commission met on May 26, 2026, in Kanab and approved a set of administrative and capital items, including a budget adjustment and several contracts and grants.

Chair Gwen Brown opened the meeting at 10:00 a.m. and the body moved through a consent agenda that included approval of two Check Edit Reports (May 13 — $298,317.27; May 20 — $711,439.08) and the minutes from May 12, 2026. The consent motion, made by Chair Brown, carried with all three commissioners voting in favor.

Clerk/Auditor Chameill Lamb presented a public hearing item to open the 2026 budget to accept several unanticipated revenues: a $52,400 tourism business development workshop grant; a $100,000 rodeo sponsorship from Catori Canyon; $25,000 carried-over grant funds from 2025; and an OHVR grant of $31,500 that requires a $10,500 match from the tourism fund balance. Commissioner Patty Kubeja moved to adopt Resolution R2026-11 to incorporate those adjustments; the motion carried unanimously (Brown — aye; Kubeja — aye; Meyeres — aye).

The commission next considered a land-use ordinance to vacate two 7.5-foot public utility easements in Elk Ridge Estates (Unit 4 Phase 6, amended Lots 43 and 44). Shannon McBride told the commission that required termination agreements had been obtained and that the request was a standard step in combining lots. Commissioner Celeste Meyeres moved to adopt Ordinance O2026-14; the vote was unanimous.

Commissioner Kubeja introduced a construction contract for a remodel of the county Office of Tourism. Kris told commissioners the county attorney had reviewed the contract. Kubeja moved to approve the contract with Maxwell; the motion carried with all commissioners voting in favor.

A separate project — county building signage — generated discussion but no decision. Commissioners were told the signage vendor would be procured through a state-contract-approved vendor, which staff said would eliminate the need to run a local RFP for the work. Commissioners debated design choices (stainless steel versus black-backed lettering) and which buildings should be included in an initial phase; because of budget and scope uncertainties the commission voted to table the item for two weeks to allow coordination with the sheriff’s office and further budget review.

Taylor Glover presented an Outdoor Recreation Department grant of up to $200,000 to develop a 3D archery course at the existing shooting complex; the Recreation and Transportation Special Service District will provide the required match. Commissioner Meyeres moved to accept the grant and authorize the chair to sign the contract after the county attorney’s review; the motion carried unanimously.

During a legislative-update portion of the meeting, Commissioner Meyeres reported that county staff had worked with State Representative Logan Monson to request RS 2477 litigation funding; Meyeres said the county expects $1.5 million in total support paid as $500,000 annually. Commissioners also shared brief assignment reports on road projects and community events. Chair Brown moved to adjourn at 10:54 a.m.; the motion carried.

Actions taken at the meeting included adoption of Resolution R2026-11 (budget adjustment), adoption of Ordinance O2026-14 (easement vacation), approval of the Office of Tourism construction contract with Maxwell, acceptance of the Outdoor Recreation grant for the archery course (subject to attorney review and chair signature), and tabling of the building signage project for two weeks.