San Juan County addresses new trails, programs

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County commission approved a rural county grant application, road upgrades related to safety in Spanish Valley, and held another conversation related to county governance organization at their latest meeting.
Members of the San Juan County Commission approved a cooperative agreement with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to improve a county road to allow safer access to the Mud Springs Trail area in northern San Juan County at their May 5 meeting.
The new trail system has been a project with input from San Juan, Grand County, and federal partners and is anticipated to bring additional mountain biking recreation to the area.
County road supervisor TJ Adair explained that currently, access to the trail area from Highway 191 is located off Yellow Circle road, which is at the bottom of Blue Hill.
“The access is unsafe. If you've ever been there, it's an unsafe turn and so since there's more traffic, UDOT is requesting that we move the access off of the highway there,” said Adair.
The new access would come off the Pack Creek cutoff road, with Adair explaining it has turn lanes in both directions.
Currently some D-class roads connect Pack Creek cutoff to the Mud Springs Trail area but UDOT has requested those paths be upgraded to a B-road.
While the state agreement will provide $20,000 for materials, the county will spend an estimated $47,000 in unbudgeted funds to complete their work on the project.
While Adair recognized the Mud Springs Trail project and RV camper spot installation at the fairgrounds were projects under a previous county economic development department, the road department was required to spend their funds in both projects.
Adair requested that the county have departments that need to provide funding to projects to be involved in cross-department conversations.
Members of the county commission approved the agreement, emphasizing the project would likely prevent serious accidents at the current access at the intersection of 191 and Yellow Circle road.
At the meeting members of the commission also reviewed a legal opinion from County Attorney Mitch Maughan clarifying the roles within the county’s three commissioner structure.
The re-emphasis of the county structure and assignment of departments to oversight from different commissioners has been a topic of conversation for the past several commission meetings.
Commissioner Silvia Stubbs raised concern that the new organizational chart could concentrate too much power in the hands of the commission chair, but Attorney Maughan clarified that the three commissioners remain equal in power under Utah statute, with the Chair’s additional duties limited to setting agendas and conducting meetings.
The opinion also clarified that while the county utilizes the county administrator for day-to-day operations, the position is not legally required and the ultimate legislative and executive authority rests with the elected commissioners.
Commissioner Jamie Harvey clarified his previous resolution that ensures the commissioners invite other commissioners to any meetings with the county administrator or with department heads involving policy or legislative matters.
Members of the county commission heard public comment from Corey Coleman.
The county planning development and building manager is concerned about the current vehicle leasing structure. Coleman is concerned that his department leases a vehicle with a payment schedule of about $10,000 annually for the first three years followed by about $25,000 for the following two years.
Coleman said this “results in a vehicle with a staggered price purchase of around $70,000, ultimately costing the taxpayers more than $80,000.
“This may be an appropriate time to review the overall process, including financial structure, lease terms, and the level of involvement department managers have in these purchasing decisions.”
Members of the commission also approved items related to Economic Development.
The commission approved the San Juan County Economic Development Department application for its annual $200,000 Rural County Grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.
The proposed budget includes $140,000 in support grants awarded to county businesses, $37,000 for the county business basecamp conference and training, $15,000 for a vehicle for economic development activities, and other projects including marketing and branding, development staffing operations and event sponsorships.
At the meeting, a contract was approved with the Business Education and Resource (BEAR) Center.
San Juan Economic Development Director Talia Hansen explained the contract acts as a mechanism to distribute USDA funds for centers, including the new co-working space in La Sal. The space also provide meeting spaces and internet accessibility to help businesses. The funds will also go towards programming in White Mesa.
The commission also renewed an agreement with the Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN) for library internet services.
Members of the commission also approved an amended agreement to increase federal funds to the county WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, with a funding increase for the year by $26,506.
During commission reports, Commissioner Harvey highlighted ongoing negotiations with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to recover overdue road maintenance payments, and also advocated for better lighting at the new roundabout in Montezuma Creek to improve safety.
Commissioner Stubbs praised the reopening of the Lisbon Valley copper mine and updated the board on progress of new murals in Blanding and efforts to secure additional food delivery trucks for senior centers on the reservation.
Commissioner Lori Maughan included a reminder of the upcoming June 4 grand opening for the North Wash boat ramp near Hite. The project is two decades in the making, with Maughan highlighting the significant benefit of additional recreational access in the region.