County brings technical assistance for new businesses, hears from citizen group about land use

Members of the San Juan County commission approved a program to bring technical assistance for entrepreneurs, heard from a citizens group about land use and approved a fire truck purchase at their latest meeting.
Members of the San Juan County Commission approved a memorandum of understanding with Weber State University’s Wildcat MicroFunds Program at their February 18 meeting. County economic development director Talia Hansen presented the item to the commission.
Hansen explained the Wildcat MicroFund has operated in the county previously with business owners eligible for up to $3,000 in grants to help grow businesses. Conversations with the county and Weber State have opened up the funding of an individual to provide in-person technical assistance.
The three-year position will be funded by a grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded to Weber State with management of the position coming from the county.
Weber State’s contribution includes $33,000 annually with the county providing $60,000 in in-kind matches including use of facilities including the Monticello library co-working station, Bear Center business hubs in La Sal, and White Mesa as well as the Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii Community Center in Monument Valley.
Among the programs aims are to expand entrepreneurial resources, mentorship and business support to underrepresented rural and Indigenous communities.
Members of the commission unanimously approved the memorandum with Weber State.
At the meeting members of the commission also heard a report from Monticello area resident Dr. Shannon Brooks representing the Public Awareness Committee. The group of volunteer county residents is working to inform the public about the 2025 land use ordinance, holding meetings in the county about the proposed updated ordinance.
Brooks shared they are clarifying while they are not affiliated with the county government they are presenting to the public regarding the proposed 2025 land use ordinance. The presentation includes information about the county Land Use, Development and Management Ordinance, including comparison of the 2011 ordinance against the 2025 proposed ordinance. The presentation also emphasizes the importance of citizens involvement in the process including providing feedback to elected officials and county employees.
In addition to the Public Awareness Committee presentation the county has also held five additional public workshops throughout the county in February.
Members of the county commission also approved a budgeted purchase of a fire brush truck at a cost of $198,000 and is aimed to improve wildfire mitigation efforts.
Members of the county commission also approved a $10,800 contract to repair the roof at the Hideout Community Center. County staff shared in their report that high wind load on the south of the building has caused the framing at the edge of the roof to separate from the rest of the building. The project will reinforce the framing and repair damage to the trim and roofing. Members of the commission unanimously approved the repair.
Commissioners also shared reports with commissioner Lori Maughan sharing she’s been attending the state legislative session to monitor and weigh-in on bills including a recent bill that would expand the usage of Transient-Room-Taxes for other essential services.
Commissioner Jamie Harvey reported on efforts at a recent Navajo Utah Commission meeting to discuss with the Navajo Nation Department of Transportation about contracts and payments for county services provided on non-county owned roads with the nation working to update agreements and process payments to the county.
Commissioner Harvey also shared that at a recent Aneth Chapter meeting there was a discussion about a need for an update on water settlement funds and project priorities to bring water infrastructure to the Utah portion of the Navajo Nation.
Commissioner Sylvia Stubbs also reported on efforts to address the housing crisis in the county noting coordination on housing issues between organizations in the county to identify available land for housing and additional resources with coordination between Utah Navajo Health System, Trust Land Administration and Utah State University along with others.
Commissioner Stubbs also highlighted Energy Fuels contract with the Navajo Nation to transport Uranium across the nation on state and federal highways with the addition of clean up of abandoned uranium mine sites on the Navajo Nation.