EVANSTON — Uinta County Commission Chair Mark Anderson opened the April 16 commission meeting by inviting Evanston Community Development Director Rocco O’Neill to the podium to discuss a proposed economic development tax ballot initiative and to request the commissioners’ support of it.

The measure, which O’Neill is hoping will make it on this year’s election ballot, would levy a half-cent sales tax, “earmarked not for the city or the county, to be only used for economic development,” explained O’Neill.

He also informed the commissioners that the measure has passed at the city level and in Bear River, with Mountain View also scheduled to consider it. The commission voted to support the initiative.

The next order of business was the commissioners discussing a long-standing interagency port account agreement between Uinta County Public Health (UCPH) and Evanston Regional Hospital (ERH) for storing a machine, owned by the former, used for testing. ERH stores the machine on hospital grounds, but also utilizes it.

Chief Deputy County Clerk Kim Goble requested permission to transfer a Fort Bridger liquor license from the former business owner to its new one. Goble also requested the contract renewal for bloodwork at wellness health fairs for Uinta County employees. The commissioners approved both of her requests.

County planner Kent Williams appealed to the commissioners for administrative action about the vacation of lots one and two of the KT Subdivision. The commissioners acquiesced.

Uinta County Sheriff Andy Kopp required approval to accept a State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant of $6,481 to send three law enforcement officers to Moab, Utah, for National Search and Rescue training. Kopp said they would also be taking Jeeps and side-by-sides to the training. The commissioners accepted the grant.

The Norris Construction concrete project for the pig barn at the county fairgrounds is bid to the tune of $123,549, funding which Jeff Breininger of Uinta County Maintenance asked the commissioners to approve. Breininger clarified that approval wasn’t for a contract, but for the bid. He also said there was bid to pave the food court area of the grounds for $369,900 with Maxfield Construction.

In addition to the fairgrounds project funding requests, Breininger also mentioned a water well at the “mosquito building,” which is still owned by Uinta County Weed and Pest. “We need to transfer the water rights to Uinta County so we own the water coming out of it,” he said.

Breininger’s requests were approved.

The commissioners approved a request by Emergency Manager Josh Rasnake for the reallocation of $31,064 overflow from the Homeland Security grant, some of which will be used to purchase a new laptop.

Finally, Rep. Jon Conrad, who also serves as board member on the shooting complex task force, apprised the commissioners and attendees of the current status of the complex bid. Final proposals are due June 3. The nine applicants will be narrowed down to three by June 24, with site visits following shortly after.

“The final selection will be made on or about Aug. 13,” Conrad said.

He said he remains optimistic about Uinta County’s chance at being selected, citing land ownership issues plaguing the competition.

“We’re in the top two, if not the best position. It’s a huge responsibility; that $10 million should be used for construction, not purchasing land,” he said.

Commissioner Brent Hatch inquired about potential complex management. Conrad said the current proposal vaguely outlines city or county staffing, and county or state responsibility for maintenance operations.