Blanding city signs letter supporting Energy Fuels, reviews July 4 preparations

Members of the Blanding city council approved a letter of support for Energy Fuels, reviewed Independence Day preparations and made plans to work with Bluff and Monticello on a few issues at their May 13 meeting.
Members of the Blanding city council approved a resolution recognizing business licenses across San Juan County municipalities at the May 13 meeting. The agreement allows businesses operating within the county to only need a single business license from their home location reducing paperwork and costs for those working in multiple areas.
The council also was briefed on an estimated $39,000 cost to repair a motor damaged at one of the city’s deep water wells. The repair is being funded from the city’s water fund savings.
Members of the Blanding city council passed a letter of support for Energy Fuels. The letter meant for state leaders expressed the city’s support for the Energy Fuels mill. The letter reads in part that the council expressed their “full support for the ongoing and future operations of Energy Fuels and the White Mesa Mill, particularly as it relates to the extraction and production of rare earth elements and other critical minerals essential to the security, sustainability, and prosperity of our region, our state, and our nation.”
Members of the council approved the letter in support of the White Mesa Mill.
Members of the Blanding city council also reviewed costs for municipal elections. City staff explained while the city has budgeted for the highest potential amount of $42,000 for election, looking at the cost breakdown from the county the city says that the fixed costs of running an election can be split among all municipalities participating in either primary or general elections. Splitting fixed costs related to ballot counting and printing between Blanding, Monticello and Bluff would reduce costs for all municipalities. The filing period for municipal elections in the county June 2 through 6. Blanding elections include a 4-year term for the Mayoral seat as well as two 4-year terms on the council. Primary elections if necessary would be in August with municipal general elections held in November.
Council also received staff reports with Economic Development specialist Ben Muhlestein reporting that the city has seen a resurgence of seasonal business license applications. A large project and priority right now for the city includes plans for the upcoming Independence Day celebration. Muhlestein reported that vendor booths are nearing capacity and that parade entries are also open.
Council also received a report that the city planning commission is making progress on proposed changes to the city R2 zone, the change would reduce minimum lot sizes from 7,000 square feet to around 4,000. Other work includes addressing definitions of allowable commercial activities in the R2 zone.
City staff also shared that the city had been approved for the free Rural Economic Blueprint Program through the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. The program will include a three month process developing a written economic development plan. The development will include an assessment including interviews and data analysis and strategic planning to identify future goals and steps. The city also received word they had received over $400,000 in funding for a trail project at the fourth reservoir.
Newly hired Building Inspector Taylor Francom reported building permit activity has been busy in 2025 with 20 permits issued from the start of the year through April, with the department also busy with inspections as well. Francom reported one new state issued regulation will keep the department very busy. The Utah state legislature's House bill 368 requires cities to accept or reject permit applications within three business days. Once accepted the city now just has 14 days for residential plan review and 21 days for commercial plans. Deadlines that are missed are automatically accepted and move forward, those two or three week plan reviews will also mean work for other municipal departments including planning and engineering meaning city staff will be coordinating to be in compliance with the regulations.