Commissioner Irene Hansen, Commissioner Greg Miles, Commissioner Tracy Killian, Deputy Attorney Tyler Allred, Public Works Director Mike Casper, Public Works Deputy Director Clint Curtis, Surveyor Jerry Allred, Human Resource Director Judy Stevenson, Community Development Director Mike Hyde, Community Development Assistant Director Mike Gottfredson, Deputy Clerk-Auditor Becky Broadhead, Deputy Clerk-Auditor Lexie Young, and Commission Executive Assistant Melissa Hughes is taking the meeting minutes.

Chairperson Hansen welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Postponed by General Consent

Public Works Director Mike Casper gave an update on existing projects and upcoming work. They looked at Wells Draw with the contractor; some patching must be done before it can be chipped-sealed. It is planned for October 1^st. The County will provide trucks to haul the chips. Culverts are being installed on State Street, and Fillinghams Road is being prepared to be chipped. The new sweeper should arrive this week along with the 2-ton truck. The parties discussed the stockpile of guardrails being used for a project. A call was received about a failure on River Road. Director Casper will evaluate the damage and determine how to repair it. The Commissioners appreciated the Public Works Department for all of the work they have completed this year.

Commissioner Hansen explained the contract for the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Rural County Grant, which is $200,000. Economic Development Director Deborah Herron and the Board of Directors will administer the grant. The Rural County Grant is intended to empower rural county governments to manage their economic development opportunities and take responsibility for planning, projects, and activities leading to improved economies. It is designed to address economic development needs, including business recruitment, development and expansion, workforce training and development, and infrastructure and capital facilities improvements for business development. Commissioner Miles recognized Commissioner Hansen for her work with the grant. Commissioner Miles made a motion to approve the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Rural County Grant Contract. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Community Development Director Mike Hyde presented a twenty-one-page letter to Linda Walker, the Director of the Ecosystem Management Coordination at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A portion of the letter reads: The elected County Commissioners of Duchesne County, Utah, (the County) have reviewed the Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) dated June 2024. The proposal is to amend management plans for 128 units of the National Forest System to “include consistent direction to conserve and steward existing, and recruit future, old-growth forest conditions and to monitor their condition across the planning area” (hereinafter the “Proposed Plan Amendments”). The County encourages responsible and appropriate development/use of natural resources to promote economic