Bluff passes speed limit ordinance, working on other vehicle safety measures

Members of the Bluff Town Council approved a speed limit ordinance, worked on an idling and jake brake ordinance and reviewed usage at the Bluff Community Center during the month of March.
Members of the Bluff town council approved an ordinance related to a speed limit in town on March 3.
The unanimously approved ordinance sets the speed limit in Bluff at 20 miles per hour unless posted otherwise.
One exception was kept with the Bluff Bench Road to remain at 50 miles per hour unless posted otherwise; that road is also known as the Bluff Bench Bypass or 216.
The town ordinance also recognizes it does not apply to state highways or roads not under municipal jurisdiction.
Members of the council passed the ordinance unanimously.
During March meetings council also revived a discussion related to idling of vehicles.
A previous draft ordinance that had not been passed suggested a two minute time period before idling be enforced via a fine.
At a March 17 meeting council revisited the item with some tweaks including suggesting a longer period possibly 10 minutes before a fine be given.
Council also discussed a fine less than a previous draft in the range of $100 to $250.
Council also considered making the ordinance apply to all vehicles and not just commercial vehicles, with discussion also held regarding zone specifications.
Exemptions exist including for school buses which can take about 15 minutes to warm up.
Council identified additional items to discuss related to the idling ordinance including enforcement with plans to bring the item back for further discussion.
Members of the Bluff town council also received a report from San Juan County Sheriff Lehi Lacy on March 10.
Lacy shared some data related to calls in Bluff, council also discussed some changing ordinances that could impact citations on Highway 191 including a possible ordinance restricting the use of compression release engine brakes, or jake brakes, in town.
Discussion and possible voting on the ordinance was scheduled to occur at a meeting on April 7 after the San Juan Record print deadline.
At that meeting the town council is also set to review updates to the fee schedule.
Among proposed changes for the town include increasing specific application fees to meet staff time and increased lawyer fees.
Cemetery fees, facility rentals and others.
Members of the Bluff town council again reviewed fees for rentals at the Bluff Community Center alongside waivers for the use of those facilities.
Council reflected on the issue noting they view the facility as a service to the community more than a revenue source.
Council also reviewed the 2025 data following a rate change to $100 a day for the community center, $75 a day for use of the Fire Mesa Kitchen and $50 for the pavilion.
The town often considers requests for fee waivers for the use of the facility, in discussions Mayor Josh Ewing recommended waiving fees for Bluff-based nonprofits and a set rate for nonprofit and government entities as well as establishing a fee and regulation policy for use of the community center.
Members of the Bluff Town Council also held discussions related to fiscal year 26 budget amendments.
Taxes collected have exceeded projections year to date but council is still recommending budgeting conservatively for amendments for this year and the upcoming year budget.
Members of the Bluff town council also gave support to some grant applications by the Bears Ears Partnership.
The council offered a letter of support for the partnership's application of a Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation grant related to trail work as well as a T-Mobile Hometown Grant for work at the Bears Ears Education Center.