Deputy Clerk-Auditor Becky Broadhead presented the August 26, 2024, vouchers, check numbers 166317 through 166421, for $734,413.92. The parties reviewed the vouchers submitted. Commissioner Miles made a motion to approve the vouchers for August 26, 2024, as presented. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Human Resource Payroll & Benefits Administrator Jamie Park presented the payroll report ending August 17, 2024; 222 employees were paid. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the August 17, 2024 payroll, as presented. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Miles voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Cody Deeter, the president of EFG Consulting, presented a scope of work to assist the County with creating a Transportation Mitigation Fee. Truck traffic from the oil industry highly impacts the roadways, above the general impact from other users of the County roadways. Jones & DeMille Engineering has developed an analysis of the physical and consequential financial implications of such an excessive impact from the oil industry. EFG believes the county has the authority to charge a Transportation Mitigation Fee to recoup the financial impact from the oil industry and this inordinate impact. This fee cannot be classified as an impact fee under Utah Code 11-36a because that fee is charged upon development at plat recordation or building permit. EFG suggests the fee be called a Mitigation Fee similar to a user fee to recover costs. He offered two options to implement the fee:

1) an annual fee charged to the industry as a Transportation Mitigation Fee. This fee would be updated annually to reflect changing construction costs, or

2) a one-time Transportation Fee that would cover a specific period of time – likely the average useful life of roadways in the County.

In coordination with the County Attorney, EFG would recommend the implementation of either option in one of two ways:

A) a contractual agreement between the oil industry participants and the County, or

B) a general fee charged by the County to all oil industry participants.

The parties discuss the study and completion time. Mr. Deeter will work with Jones & DeMille Engineering using their completed study. Commissioner Miles made a motion to engage EFG Consulting to give us a Transportation Mitigation Fee Study. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Commissioner Hansen started the discussion by raising concerns about new subdivisions, water quality and availability, and septic systems near water sources. Community Development Assistant Director Mike Gottfredson explained the County Ordinance 9-7-3:

Improvements Required:

B. Lot Sizes Forty Acres Or Larger: All subdivisions with lot sizes forty acres or larger shall have a potable water source, which may include hauled water and cistern storage, as approved by the culinary water authority.

C. Lot Sizes Less Than Forty Acres: All subdivisions with lot sizes less than forty acres shall have an approved water source and/or an approved water system. Hauled water and cistern storage is not allowed.

The parties discuss the cost of drilling a well and the chance of it being dry or the water not being potable.

Recorder Shelley Brennan has researched other counties' ordinances, and Duchesne County’s is very different from others. From January 1, 2024, 177 minor subdivisions have been approved, with an average of 10 lots per subdivision.

Commissioner Miles suggested restrictions on new minor subdivisions being built next to existing minor subdivisions.