County receives funds to defer lawsuit costs

San Juan County has received $180,000 to reimburse the costs of defending RS-2477 public road lawsuits. 

Commissioner Bruce Adams reported at the May 5 Commission meeting that the State of Utah Constitutional Defense Council recently forwarded the funds.

In a brief meeting held online, Commissioners approved bylaws and procedures for the creation of a San Juan County Local Homeless Coordinating Committee.  

The committee will work with regional, state, and federal agencies to track and deal with homeless issues in the area.

A grant for the Cal Black Airport was received by the commission. The funding comes through the CARES bill related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioners approved a contract with the Blue Mountain Horsehead Inn in Monticello to provide emergency isolation or quarantine services, if needed, during the pandemic. The contract is for four rooms at the inn.  If the rooms are used, the Granary Restaurant would deliver three meals a day.

The Commission had planned to meet in Spanish Valley on May 19. That meeting will be held online due to the ongoing public health crisis.

The Commission approved a road easement through lands held by the School and Institutional Trust Lands on the La Sal Loop Road.

An emergency declaration for San Juan County was extended.  The initial declaration was made by the Commission in April.

Commissioners signaled support for the nomination to appoint Natalie Randall to the Governor’s Rural Partnership Board.  Randall is the director of Economic Development and Visitor Services for San Juan County.

Commissioners approved several small grants for the library department.

The county paid $11,000 in annual fees to be part of the Utah Association of Local Health Departments.

The Utah Department of Health has increased funding for the general response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The original amount of $95,265 was increased by $27,219 to $122,484.