County OK’s fire camp and says no to ZAP tax

by David Boyle
News Director
At their July 7 meeting members of the San Juan County Commission approved a land use agreement to establish a “spike camp” at the county fairgrounds. At the meeting it was shared that the camp is expected to remain for four to six weeks, housing 1,000 personnel in a self-contained “tent city”.
Commissioner Lori Maughan noted the camp was strategically placed to protect both the north and south ends of the county, with a focus on protection of life.
Maughan added that the county fair falls under her purview and that she’s been in conversation with Fair Director Anna Fredericks.
“She’s been very very good about not panicking and not cancelling everything, but working with the youth livestock and also with the fair in mind and the concert coming up and all these things. Taking it two weeks at a time and then down to a week at a time before we just pivot and make all these decisions without really knowing what’s happening,”
At the meeting the commission also discussed and approved projects related to federal agencies.
The county approved a letter of comment on proposed Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing revisions. While supporting modernization, the county formally opposes a proposed “automatic stay” on appeals, arguing it could allow frivolous lawsuits to block grazing decisions indefinitely.
Additionally a $14.7 million project through the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) was approved to pave 4.7 miles of Road 285 leading to the Nizhoni Campground. Paving is expected to begin by fiscal year 2029.
The county also entered a five-year agreement with the Forest Service, which will now pay the county $10,048 annually for trail maintenance work that the road department previously performed for free.
At the meeting officials also received updates on the Babylon fire, and Interim Public Health Officer Mike Moulton provided an update on smoke impacts noting the county is distributing N95 and KN95 masks to help residents combat hazardous air quality.
On the fiscal front, Clerk-Auditor Lyman Duncan presented the 2026 certified property tax rates. While rates saw a slight increase, Duncan highlighted that new construction and growth added approximately $106,000 in revenue to the general fund. Additionally, the Commission passed a resolution confirming the county will not seek a “ZAP” (Zoo, Arts, and Parks) tax, a move intended to allow cities in the county to pursue its own recreation tax without creating a “double tax” on residents.