Commission addresses new building at county landfill, and hears about upcoming elections

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County Commission approved a contract to build a landfill building, approved a contract for an environmental contractor, and received a report on elections at their latest meeting.
Members of the commission approved a contract to design and build a landfill scale house at the December 5 meeting. The $259,856 contract with Davis Construction Solutions includes the concrete foundation, septic and electrical infrastructure and construction of the 30’x40’ scale house building.
Sam Long, County Facilities Maintenance Director, explained that there is a slight change from the proposal approved at the previous commission meeting as the estimation went up by about $10,000 for the work to connect the building to utilities including power and septic with funds for the project coming out of the landfill account.
Commissioner Sylvia Stubbs said that one of her early visits on the campaign trail was to the county landfill where she noted the small trailer the landfill staff works out of was in poor condition as well as lacking power.
“I don’t know how the wind didn’t blow that little trailer over a long time ago because it didn’t look very sturdy to me,” said Stubbs.
“I am so excited for this. I think it’s going to be a good thing for us. This is one organization, one part of the county that actually generates funds. It’s well deserved for them.”
In other landfill news, the county approved an intent to negotiate a contract with Acme Iron and Metal Company to gather recyclable metal from the landfill.
County landfill employees will pull metal out of the landfill to be sold to be salvaged. Earlier this year, the county approved a profit split with county employees who do this work in down-time at the landfill.
County Administrator Mack McDonald explained the Albuquerque-based company was the county vendor for 2023 and they’ve come back with prices similar to last year. McDonald said that while they received bids from companies in northern Utah, the regional company was able to travel at a more efficient cost.
Commissioners unanimously approved the notice of award and intent to negotiate a contract in the upcoming year.
At the meeting, members of the commission also approved a notice of intent to award a contract for an environmental services science contractor. McDonald explained the contract with a Sevier county-based company will help to act as a stopgap for needed environmental science services, including restaurant inspections, sewer inspections, sewer design review, and other duties.
McDonald explained the stopgap is due to an employee on family medical leave. McDonald says they will work on a longer-term solution with the employee moving forward, adding that the county is getting weekly and even daily calls for those services. The contract will help the county perform those inspections and other duties, with plans to stack those tasks for travel efficiency.
Members of the commission also heard a report from county clerk/auditor Lyman Duncan regarding the municipal and upcoming general elections.
Duncan shared the results of the Bluff and Monticello elections, which were administered by the county. Duncan explained that the upcoming general election will feature several county, state and federal races.
The candidate filing period for the county seats will open on January 2, 2024 and close on January 8. Candidates can file for election at the Clerk’s office in Monticello daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Among the positions up for election include the San Juan School Board seats in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th districts.
According tot he county, the 1st district in the San Juan School board includes north of Devil’s Canyon into Monticello and all the way north before Spanish Valley, which is in the Grand County School District.
The 2nd district in the San Juan School board includes south of Devil’s Canyon and most of the Blanding area. 
The 4th district in the San Juan School board includes Aneth and Montezuma Creek north to near Highway 191.
County residents will also elect a San Juan County Commissioner for the 1st district. The district includes northeast Blanding, Monticello and north from Monticello to the Grand County line.
Residents will also elect a San Juan County Treasurer, Recorder, and Surveyor. The 2nd school board seat is for a two-year term, while all other county races in 2024 will be for four-year terms.
Navajo Language assistance will be provided at Aneth, Red Mesa, Teec Nos Pos, Mexican Water, Oljato, Dennehotso, and Navajo Mountain Chapter Houses. Liaisons will interpret the entire Notice of 2024 General Election from the written English language to the Navajo language.
Ute Language assistance will be provided at the White Mesa Community Center.
Duncan shared additionally that the county will mail notices to explain party affiliation will be a closed party from January 9 through June 26. This means affiliated voters will not be able to change their affiliation to a different party during that time.
The notice adds that the Republican Party will hold a Presidential Preference Poll in conjunction with statewide caucus meetings, rather than a primary election for the Republican presidential candidate.
Duncan noted other parties in the state, including the Democratic party, have open elections, meaning voters can request a ballot or affiliate at any time.
The Utah Presidential Party Primaries and Republican Caucus are scheduled for March 5, Non-presidential party primaries will be held on June 25.