County moves on new children's building, landfill fees and land use code

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County Commission moved forward on a new building for the Children’s Justice Center, discussed a fee schedule doubling tipping fees for uncovered loads at the landfill, and continued talks about the land use code at their latest meeting.
Members of the commission approved a plan to move forward building a new Children’s Justice Center (CJC) in Blanding at the August 5 meeting.
Children Justice Centers are used throughout the state to provide comfortable, non-intimidating spaces for children who are victims or witness of crimes to share testimony in a safe place.
Children in San Juan County used to travel to Moab to use the center. In the past couple of years San Juan County de-coupled with Grand County and has been operating its own CJC in Blanding.
While the county reports the change has gone well, the building they are using now has some issues. Director Robert Nieman outlined some needs, noting the cinderblock walls make it difficult to mitigate sound from interview rooms or waiting rooms.
Making the building compliant with the American with Disabilities Act and otherwise up to standard would be a higher cost per square footage than building a new building, according to Nieman.
The building would provide an atmosphere designed for children to comfortably interact and provide testimony.
The county CJC proposes building a new CJC center at one of two county owned properties in Blanding.
The estimated cost for the new building is $500,000. The state CJC program has offered $200,000 for the project, with the funds to be utilized by the end of June 2026.
Nieman reports they are exploring how to raise the additional $300,000. 
One consideration would be to start a 501c3 nonprofit to collect donations. Another avenue would be working with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is reportedly interested in helping CJC’s, particularly ones that serve Indigenous populations.
Other foundations highlighted to apply for include the Larry H Miller Foundation and San Juan County Clean Energy Foundation.
Commissioner Jamie Harvey noted the potential of working with the Navajo Nation to possibly use the space for the Division of Child and Family Services to operate and apply traditional peacekeeping while complying with the Indian Child Welfare Act.
It was also noted that building on the county property in Blanding would require a zone change from the city. Members of the commission approved county employees moving forward on the request.
Members of the commission also signaled support to hold a public hearing for the suggested updated fee schedule at the county landfill. While the commission didn’t approve the actual fee schedule, it moves the county one step closer to doubling tipping fees for uncovered or unsecured loads.
Utah House Bill 53 aims to improve road safety and reduce littering by enforcing covered load requirements at landfills. The law became effective in May 2025, with fine implementations mandatory by July 2026.
County landfill manager Jed Tate has proposed an early implementation starting in September to allow for education and a learning period before fines become mandatory to avoid mistakes after the date.
While the new law mandates a $10 minimum fee, other landfill managers in the State of Utah have reported that those minimums are ineffective. Tate reports however that doubling the tipping fee at the landfill could provide significant incentive to make sure loads are covered and secured.
Blanding City Council has offered opposition to the proposed fee structure, noting concern that an increased financial burden on residents would lead to more illegal dumping.
Other concerns relate to starting implementation before the state required date and the possibility of the fee schedule becoming a revenue stream for the landfill, as it’s been noted that just $5 of the fine goes to the state.
The County plan for implementation would include a warning for a first offense, with a written handbill to educate residents, as well as advertising and highlights of the program in local media.
The county would use a database to track license plate numbers to keep track of warnings.
Tate reports the ultimate goal for the landfill is to report no violations and no fees collected, as that would indicate a successful change in behavior and make county roads safer.
Members of the commission also discussed plans to update the land use portion of the county general plan ahead of an update to the county land use plan.
The land use ordinance was set to be updated at the start of 2025, but public outcry resulted in a six-month pause in the process.
Work is resuming now to update the plan while implementing public feedback... but concerns remain high among a contingent of county residents. 
Following an hour of conversation regarding the update to the land use portion of the general plan, Commissioner Harvey summarized the commission conversation, outlining that while the county has a multi-section general plan, the plan is to update the land use portion of the plan.
The commission has signaled support for that update at their July meeting, including a request for proposal for a consultant on that update.
At the August 5 meeting, members of the commission made some slight changes to that.
When Administrator Mack McDonald said that resources at the state level may be available to help draft parts of the land use update to the general plan, Commissioners pivoted to moving in that direction.
The update to the section of the general plan is part of a larger plan for the county to update the land use ordinance, which was placed on a six-month pause early in 2025 following public concerns about the plan.
With the county gearing up for updates to the plan, Commissioner Harvey gave clarification for the county moving forward.
“By the next commission meeting, we will have the planning and zoning committee timelines that they have proposed in their planning and zoning committee before us as a commission to discuss the other outcome.”
Harvey said the commission will have an opportunity to weigh in on the timeline to revise the land use section.
“The other outcome is our administrator Mack McDonald is going to update us on what state agencies are willing to support us in revising the land section of our general plan and what those timelines might be.”
Harvey added if it is unrealistic for state agencies to assist in revising the land section, the county will move forward with the scope of work outlined for a consultant and seek a request for proposal.
The approach aims to use potential free state resources with professional expertise on items in the update to ensure the county uses available resources before committing to hiring a consultant. 
During the meeting, the commission heard from members of the public voicing dissatisfaction  with the county land use management code update. 
Monticello area resident Shanon Brooks outlined hopes that the county process would be simplified to see proposed changes submitted by the public, then discussions and or determinations by planning and zoning commission, followed by feedback from the public along with further discussion by planning and zoning or modification or final decision with another chance to receive feedback.
Brooks also shared a petition on Change.org by Blanding area resident Kendall Laws that saw 466 people sign, and an additional 200-250 people filled out a survey expressing concern with the way the county is handling the land use update.
At the meeting, La Sal area resident Marjorie Haun-Storland expressed concern about the planning and zoning office. Haun-Storland outlined that while the office claims that a July 31 meeting was noticed, Haun-Storland said she could not find flyers, online or printed notices of the meeting.
Northern San Juan County resident Connor Simmons expressed his frustrations working with the planning and zoning department.
After purchasing a “glamp”-ground Simmons said they operated it from 2021-2024, with the county aware of their operation as Simmons paid transient room taxes.
In April 2023, Simmons said they applied for a business license and were waiting on a rezone. Simmons said he met with Planning and zoning administrator Kristen Bushnell in January, 2024 noting the meeting was positive and to wait until November when the new ordinance would address issues and allow the business to proceed.
Simmons said they heard ten times over the past two years to wait, with submissions for rezones. Despite requests, Simmons says they haven’t appeared before the planning and zoning commission, and said the county even filed a lawsuit against them.
“I’m tired of being lied to, pushed off and waiting. And really my question is what can I do? As a property owner, I feel like I should have rights and be able to move forward with a business that’s been in operation since 2018.
“Yet they just make it keep pushing it off, pushing it, and I’m tired of it. So what can I do and what can you do?”
Members of the commission voiced their expectation of a report at their next meeting on the progress of the effort to update the land use portion of the county general plan.
Members of the commission also approved receipt of a $50,000 grant from the National Association of Counties Research Foundation.
The grant will focus on improving economic mobility for Native Americans in the county, including enhancing communications and engaging with federal elected representatives.
Funds for the program are for consultant services, event coordination, transportation, AV installation and community engagement efforts. The efforts may include workshops, youth sessions, stakeholder engagement, and systems alignment meetings.
A subcontract agreement with the Weber State University Wildcat Micro Fund program was also approved.
The program provides business training, mentoring and microfunding for early-stage entrepreneurs in the county with a focus on rural and Indigenous populations.
The program includes hiring a Regional Coordinator to implement the program and conduct outreach, training, technical assistance and data reporting responsibilities.
The county match for the program comes through access to coworking spaces in the county, including Monticello, Monument Valley and Bluff. 
Members of the commission also approved a $245,000 grant from the International City County Management Association to hire an executive-level position dedicated to economic mobility initiatives.
The grant builds on previous grants the county received to increase and encourage more Native Americans in county government, as well as a grant to improve economic mobility in the county.
The large grant is aimed at hiring a full-time senior level employee to advance economic mobility initiatives by developing and implementing related programs, policies and projects.
Members of the commission also approved a letter of support for the Annual San Juan ATV Safari application for a state grant to improve marking on existing trails, kiosk installation and mapping trail segments, as well as map production for county trail systems.
The letter was approved with an emphasis that the group work with all relevant governmental agencies as part of their work.
Members of the commission also approved a letter to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requesting that the Lisbon Valley Mine expansion plan include alternative routes if existing county roads become obstructed.
Members of the commission also approved $2.3 million to rehabilitate the access road and construction/upgrade of the taxi lane at Cal Black Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration FAA will cover 90 percent of the cost, with the State of Utah and the county contributing five percent each.
The commission also approved a memorandum of understanding to receive $3,000 from the state for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Commissioner Sylvia Stubbs brought the resolution to the county to participate. Under her direction, the county is already committed to a 4th of July parade float and a recognition plaque honoring veterans in the Aneth Chapter House.
Other possibilities include youth engagement activities, and a project to honor Navajo code talkers.
Members of the commission adopted a resolution to encourage “A Bolder Way Forward” initiative, part of a statewide effort to support women and girls.