EVANSTON — During the May 20 meeting, the Uinta County Commission announced that only two applicants, Maggie Davis and Brenner Lym, applied for three available county commission scholarships. Both applicants were granted the $1,000 award.

The commissioners agreed to sign a contract with American Road Maintenance for work on the seal coat and mark pavements project at the Fort Bridger Airport. The previously-approved contract, for the amount of $144,313, was requested by Uinta County Maintenance tech  and Airport Manager Jeff Breininger.

Breininger further requested the approval to transfer 2024 fiscal year (FY) funds of $30,890 and 2025 FY funds of $$119,110 from Fort Bridger Airport entitlements to Miley Memorial Field in Big Piney. Additionally, $118,442 from FY 2023 and $30,890 from FY 2024 again will be transferred from the airport to Hunt Field in Lander.

“We won’t be using [the funds] this year, which are typically traded between the airports to build up the total amount to pay for future projects,” Breininger said. The commissioners approved the transfers.

Environmental Specialist Carson Lowry requested and received authorization of a resolution to increase user fees for the Uinta County Youth Camp as of July 1.

“We’d like to be fiscally responsible in governing the youth camp and be able to be equitable and sustainable,” Lowry said.

For residents using the main lodge/cabin area, the daily fees will increase to $700/family/non-youth; $500/youth groups. Non-residents’ fees will be: $910/family/non-youth; $625/youth groups. Commercial groups cost $960; VIP/special needs cabin for adult leaders costs $195.

River area fees as follows: commercial groups cost $520; resident family/non-youth $345; youth groups $290; non-resident family/non-youth $470; non-resident youth $410. Yurt costs for all groups will increase to $150. The leave-no-trace river and outlook shelters cost $30.

Environmental Services Director Ron Taylor also received approval to increase fees at Uinta County Solid Waste facilities.

“The cost of operating the landfill has changed substantially,” Taylor said. 

Most locations and items will see an increase of $10 per ton beginning June 1. After the increase, “we’re still below, I believe, Kemmerer and Rock Springs per MSW (municipal solid waste),” noted Commission Chair Mark Anderson.

Taylor also requested a contract renewal and building lease agreement with Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) for mosquito abatement. The current service contract expires at the end of June. The commissioners tabled both of Taylor’s requests for at least another month, citing ongoing budgetary concerns. 

“I believe this contract would start July 1 and, with our budgeting process, where we’re at right now, with Senate File 69, reduction in property taxes and some of our valuations coming in less than they have been in prior years,” Anderson said, “we’re still taking a lot of cuts to the budget.”

“I would hate to have to cut mosquito spraying,” Anderson continued, “but it’s not a statutory obligation that we do that.”

Commissioner Brent Hatch said annual mosquito spraying costs $315,000 and “we gotta cut about $600,000 out of our budget ... [mosquito abatement] is something that’s not mandated.”

Uinta County Clerk Amanda Hutchinson proposed signatures required for a final proof of loss in the amount of $202,975 for water damage to the courthouse roof and ceiling tiles. The commissioners approved receipt of the funds.

Uinta County Assessor Lori Perkins will retire on May 31. Hutchinson requested, and the commissioners agreed, to sign a letter notifying the Republican party to nominate three candidates within 15 days from the vacancy. Once the commissioners have received the nominations, they would then have five days to fill the position.

Uinta County Road and Bridge Foreman Dustin Henstra requested the commissioners sign seven storm water prevention permit applications requiring $100 per permit.  The motion passed.

GIS Coordinator and Department Head Gary Welling was seeking approval on behalf of Craig and Renita Hurdsman for a lease agreement for 50 acres of county property located south and adjacent to the Bear River State Park that would authorize livestock grazing for 30 days in total — the last 10 days of each summer month. The commission approved.

Finally, during public comment, resident Harriet Beck voiced concerns over a lack of signage indicating accessibility entrance to the courthouse building and that the restroom is not handicap accessible.

“I never thought about the American Disability Act and access to buildings,” Beck said, explaining recent injuries. 

Beck said that Hutchinson explained to her that the courthouse’s shared parking lot with the library offers handicapped access.

However, Beck said, “I feel that we are lacking signage and information to let citizens know that that is available. I used it today and it was much easier to get into the building.”

Beck also said that some rooms of the courthouse, such as the restroom, are difficult to access as senior citizens with walkers or scooters.

“I know the budget is tight, but also we need to have access just like any other citizen,” Beck said.

Beck also noted that two of the three commissioners were difficult to hear and encouraged them to speak up.

“I would like to hear what all three commissioners have to say,” she said.