Proposed EMS tax will be on November ballot

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County Commission put an Emergency Medical Services tax question on the November ballot, signaled support for a Blanding affordable housing project, and reported on roads, water and rodeos at their latest meeting.
Members of the Commission authorized a ballot question for voters in the upcoming general election at their June 16 meeting.
The ballot issue proposes a one-percent local sales and use tax, with the taxes used to help fund Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the county.
EMS Director Jeremy Hoggard spoke to the item, noting the tax would fund operation, maintenance and staffing of county ambulance services. Hoggard clarified the tax would exclude non-prepared foods, fuel, and prescription medication to minimize the impact on fixed-income residents.
Hoggard reported about 41 percent of EMS calls are for visitors, suggesting that tourists bear a significant portion of the cost.
Hoggard noted that in addition to the cost of labor and supplies, ambulances and their equipment have also seen price surges.
In authorizing the item to appear on the ballot, members of the commission emphasized that their decision simply allows the public to decide on the issue in an upcoming election. 
In other matters, members of the San Juan County Commission heard from affordable housing developer Bill Knowlton, who is working on a proposed 25-unit affordable housing project at 650 South Main Street in Blanding.
The project includes three units specifically held for veterans and five units for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Members of the county commission agreed to ratify a letter of support for the project at a future meeting to help the project meet state funding deadlines.
Members of the commission also approved a special use agreement with the State and Instituinal Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) for parking lots at the Mud Springs mountain-biking infrastructure project located in Spanish Valley. 
Members of the commission approved the agreement, although Commissioner Silvia Stubbs voted against the approval due to her concern about being able to review the multi-page legal document that had not been included in her initial briefing packet. 
Commissioner Jamie Harvey noted his support came in part from confidence in the county legal team’s review, with Harvey and Commissioner Lori Maughan voting in favor of the approval.
Members of the San Juan County Commission also recognized County Economic Development Director Talia Hansen, who was nominated to the Harvard Business School 2026 Young America Leaders Program.
Members of the county commission also approved a $10,000 contract with the Utah Association of Counties for supplemental legal services. 
Commissioners provided reports, with Commissioner Harvey providing an update in the Navajo Utah Water Settlement Agreement.
Harvey shared concerns about a divergence between the Navajo Nation leadership and the county goals.
The State of Utah, federal government and Navajo Nation came to a settlement agreement related to Navajo water rights in May 2022.
In addition to an agreement on water rights, the settlement included over $200 million in funds for infrastructure projects.
While the Navajo Nation is pursuing multi-state settlements with the other Four Corner states, Commissioner Harvey emphasized the county remains focused on ensuring the Utah-specific settlement funds go toward infrastructure in San Juan County.
“We want to be transparent with the federal government... ensuring that every settlement fund goes directly to Utah Navajo in San Juan County,” Harvey said.
Commissioner Silvia Stubbs reported on efforts from the Rural Utah Infrastructure Coalition (formerly Seven County Coalition). One project the group has been working on is transportation needs.
Commissioner Stubbs talked about infrastructure needs in Lisbon Valley to facilitate transportation of materials, particularly copper, as trucks currently are limited in the amount of materials they can move.
Commissioner Stubbs also shared efforts to connect the county with a grant through the Larry H Miller Foundation. The grant went toward projects proposed by local businesses that did not make the cut for funding by the County Rural Grant program.
The grant from the foundation also went to economic development projects, with Commissioner Stubbs highlighting the new mountain mural in Blanding as one of the results of the grant.
Commissioner Lori Maughan’s report focused on giving thanks and props to the county for its help with the Stampede Pro Rodeo. Maughan also offered thanks to those members of the committee.
“We meet year-round basically. It brings in a lot of people. It fills the stands every night and it’s a great economic development for this county and we appreciate all the volunteers.”
While the county hired a professional to help organize the event, county employees were also key in making the event happen.
During the meeting, the commission heard a public comment from Monticello resident Kayla Frost.
Frost highlighted concerns over a gap in local healthcare, advocating for the application of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy in the county. Frost, a mother of three children with autism, noted that families currently face five-hour drives north to the Wasatch Front for services because insurance providers frequently deny local coverage.
Frost asked for help in fighting insurance denials for rural residents.