Discussion & Consideration to Ratify a Portion of the Tax Sale

Treasurer Stephen Potter presented a list of parcels sold in the tax sale. Money has been received for the properties listed; this is the final list. Commissioner Miles made a motion to ratify the portion of the tax sale as presented. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Discussion & Consideration of the Board of Equalization (BOE) Adjustments

Clerk-Auditor Chelise Jessen presented a list of properties that needed value added after the 2024 tax roll was closed. Before closing the roll, the Assessor completed several checks between the programs, and everything seemed correct. The list of properties has been corrected as BOE changes. Commissioner Killian made a motion to accept the BOE adjustments as presented. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Miles voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Auditors Office – Vouchers

Clerk-Auditor Chelise Jessen presented the June 24, 2024, vouchers, check numbers 165378 through 165496, for $2,514,021.16. The parties reviewed the vouchers submitted. Commissioner Miles made a motion to approve the vouchers for June 24, 2024, as presented. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Assessor’s Office – Tax Adjustments

Treasurer Stephen Potter presented the tax adjustments for the Assessor’s Office. Parcel 0648 is a tax-exempt entity, so the tax and interest need to be waived. Commissioner Miles made a motion to approve the tax adjustment for Upper Community Recreation District for a credit of $10.48. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Treasurer Potter presented a tax adjustment for the Treasurer’s office. Parcel—0285: He is asking for the interest to be waived as the family has a lot of cancer debt. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the tax adjustment for a credit of $88.94. Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion. Commissioner Miles recused himself from the decision. Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Hansen voted aye. The motion passed.

Discussion & Consideration of the Letter to the BLM Regarding the Criteria for Landowners to Nominate Private Lands for Federal Acquisition

Community Development Director Mike Hyde presented the letter to Tracy Stone-Manning, Bureau of Land Management Director. A portion of the letter reads: The elected County Commissioners of Duchesne County, Utah, are very concerned about the BLM announcing criteria and encouraging private landowners to nominate parcels adjacent to federal lands for acquisition by the federal government using a fund established by the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA).

The encouragement and facilitation of federal land acquisition is not consistent with many state and county plans. The Duchesne County Resource Management Plan (CRMP), for example, contains a “no net loss” policy (i.e., no net loss of private [fee] land). While acquisition of private [fee] land is generally not appropriate, certain land exchanges or sales may be acceptable if approved by local officials.

The letter includes examples of the CRMP objectives, policies, land exchanges, acquisitions, and sales. In conclusion, Duchesne County requests that the BLM amend the criteria announced on May 28, 2024, to inform nominees that they must recognize local land use plan policies, coordinate with the local governing body, and obtain local support before submitting nominations.

The parties discussed the letter and the possible outcome. Commissioner Killian made a motion to approve the letter as presented. Commissioner Miles seconded the motion.