Commissioner Irene Hansen, Commissioner Tracy Killian, Commissioner Greg Miles, Deputy Attorney Tyler Allred, Attorney Stephen Foote, Surveyor Jerry Allred, Clerk-Auditor Chelise Jessen, Public Works Director Mike Casper, Public Works Deputy Director Clint Curtis, Treasurer Stephen Potter, Sheriff Travis Tucker, Human Resource Director Judy Stevenson, Economic Development Director Deborah Herron, Human Resource Generalist Tommi Mascaro, Community Development Director Mike Hyde, Community Development Director Mike Gottfredson, Duchesne County Residents Tracy Ross, and Jeff Chugg, and Commission Executive Assistant Melissa Hughes is taking the meeting minutes.

Chairperson Hansen welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Public Works Director Mike Casper gave an update on existing projects and upcoming work. They are chip sealing in Neola, and to be more efficient on time, they have rented a chipper for 30 days. A crew is mowing the roadsides. They are seeing some high water from the rivers, but no significant issues exist. They have parked a track hoe in Upper Lakefork in case the culverts become blocked. A complaint was received about Wrinkle Road (CR 239). They would like dust suppressant applied to the road. At this time, Director Casper will remove the grader from that road to help with dust control. They will be testing a zipper in the Rock Creek area. The new zipper that was ordered should arrive in the next few weeks.

Attorney Stephen Foote presented the Duchesne County Privacy Compliance Plan. He stated that the State of Utah received a complaint that a Commissioner and an employee allowed an individual to use a restroom for a gender not assigned to them at birth. Commissioner Hansen said the state received over twelve thousand complaints, and she thinks they are a political ploy. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the Duchesne County Privacy Compliance Plan as presented. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Miles voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Community Development Director Mike Hyde presented the fifty-nine-page response letter to Greg Sheehan, Utah State Director of the Bureau of Land Management. He explained that the County agrees with the BLM that a balanced approach is critical here and supports the BLM’s identification of Alternative 5 as the “preferred alternative” because it provides the best balance of the proposed alternatives. Conversely, Alternative 3 provides the least balanced approach and is not a reasonable alternative for consideration moving forward. For instance, and as discussed in more detail in the letter, removing fluid mineral leasing and livestock grazing under Alternative 3 is inconsistent with BLM’s multiple-use mandate, inconsistent with state and county resource management plans, and contrary to Utah’s Conservation Plan for Greater Sage Grouse. The parties discussed the letter and will review it further. Commissioner Miles made a motion to approve the response letter and allow for adjustments. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.