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Council halves Steward Moab ambassador award, declines funding for new engagement position
Summary
Steward Moab’s request for $324,000 to transition the Trail Ambassador program to a nonprofit was reduced to $161,992 and limited to one year; the engagement coordinator position was not funded.
Steward Moab’s application to sustain and expand the OHV Trail Ambassador program was a major point of contention during the grant-review session. Anna Sprout presented the request and emphasized education, volunteer expansion and stewardship; council members repeatedly questioned high administrative and engagement-coordinator costs.
Brody Johnson initially moved to reduce the award to one year, and substitute motions proposed deeper cuts. In final action, Eric Nelson moved and Brody Johnson seconded funding at 50% for a single year—$161,992—explicitly excluding the Engagement Coordinator position and prioritizing on-the-ground education and ambassador activities. "We value the program’s local impact, but we need to direct limited funds toward direct education and field ambassadorship rather than ongoing personnel costs," a council member said during debate.
Staff were instructed to withhold contracting for any unfunded positions and to encourage Steward Moab to pursue alternate funding sources, including municipal or private donations, for longer-term sustainability.
