Commission renews one-year lease with Autonomous Solutions for fairgrounds test site

The Box Elder County Commission approved lease agreement #2608 with Autonomous Solutions Incorporated (ASI) to allow ASI to continue using the fairgrounds parking lot as a test site for autonomous yard trucks. ASI said the existing contract expires July 31 and requested a one-year renewal with a one-year option to extend.

"I'm Joshua Williams. I'm the director of verification and validation at Autonomous Solutions Incorporated," Joshua Williams told commissioners, adding that ASI has used the fairgrounds east parking lot as a proving ground for about five years. Williams said ASI hires local mechanics and vendors and brings economic activity to the county. He also said ASI's presence has reduced transient-related policing issues at the site and that the company is willing to make equipment available during the county fair to support fairground operations temporarily.

Commissioners discussed insurance and liability language in the proposed lease; a county representative noted the company carries a $3,000,000 insurance policy and that the contract includes indemnity provisions. Commissioner Perry said he favored the arrangement because the county can use ASI equipment to support the fairgrounds when needed. Commissioner Perry moved to approve the parking-lot lease (agreement #2608) with Autonomous Solutions; Commissioner Bingham seconded and the motion passed on an 'Aye' voice vote.

The lease extension allows the company to continue testing autonomous yard-truck systems at the location and formalizes responsibilities and liability protections described in the agreement. The commission recorded no dissent during the roll call on the motion.