Justice Court, procedures, and local economy on Commission agenda

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County Commission delayed approval of a fee compensation agreement between the county and Monticello City Justice Court for prosecution efforts at their March 3 meeting.
Items related to economic development were also discussed at the meeting. 
Deputy county attorney Jens Nielson and County Administrator Mack McDonald recommended the delay to allow for a “risk assessment” and further consultation with the county attorney office to ensure the transaction carries the least possible risk.
Monticello City Manager Kaeden Kulow confirmed a similar understanding of the situation as McDonald’s assessment, adding that further discussions would be needed between the city and county attorney office to determine how the transaction should proceed.
Members of the commission also tabled a document that would adopt rules of order and procedure for the county commission.
Commissioner Silvia Stubbs pushed to delay the vote expressing concerns over receiving multiple versions of the 30-page document.
While staff said that the legal department had vetted the document formalizing procedures for the commission, members of the commission voted to postpone final adoption for early April.
Members of the commission also received a report from County Clerk-Auditor Lyman Duncan on 2025 4th Quarter balance sheets and budget to actual financial statements.
Duncan reported a largely positive report noting that total cash and cash equivalents were up $900,000 over the previous year, with the road department showing particular strength.
The year ended with nearly $20 million in cash and the county tax stability “rainy day” fully funded according to state code.
The report highlighted the continued concern that the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fund operates at a deficit. The public service requires $1 million annually from the county operating fund.
Members of the county commission also approved items related to the county economic development department.
Director Talia Hansen presented allocations for the 2026 Rural county grant program. Hansen reports the county will award $140,000 through the program.
The county selected businesses and nonprofits for funds for the program after going through 39 applications requesting $1.1 million.
The county reports that awardees are selected through a scoring and review process conducted by the county economic development board. The final award notifications will be formally announced on March 13 as part of the San Juan County Business Basecamp Conference.
In other economic news, the commission approved contracts related to the administration of the county Rural leaders for Economic Mobility initiative. That project is a subgrant through the National Association of Counties Research Foundation.
In relation to that mobility initiative, a number of local contractors were selected for services for the department, including a contract for translation services into Navajo as part of administration of the county’s Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility grant initiative.
The contract with Martha Saggboy will provide 50 hours of interpretation and translation services to assist in communication at meetings and events, as well as translation of outreach materials and documents.
Another contract for graphic design and outreach materials consultant was approved with Layne Deeter, and a contract for event photography and documentation was approved with Toniee Lewis.
Members of the commission also approved a contract with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to begin sampling local water for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.
Sometimes referred to “forever chemicals”, presenters said that the risk of contamination is low. However testing at Rockland Ranch, Monticello, Wilson Arch and La Sal is being proposed to help build a statewide map and allow the county to access mitigation grants if issues are discovered.
The county health department is looking into an opt-in program for graywater systems. The initiative allows residents in new constructions to opt-in to systems that reuse water from showers and laundry for use as irrigation. The conservation measure has seen increased interest in the county, particularly in Bluff and Spanish Valley.
Members of the county commission also approved a grant request for upgrades to the Cal Black Airport. The project will focus on taxi lanes and access road upgrades.
McDonald reminded the commission that accepting funds from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires continued maintenance of the airport.
Local airport projects are funded 90 percent by the federal government, five percent from the state, and the remaining five percent of the project by the local government authority.
Future improvements at the airport could be aimed at updating the operations building and exploring power supplies for electric aircraft.
In commission reports, Commissioner Jamie Harvey highlighted a proposed bike trail between Montezuma Creek and Bluff which would act as both a scenic attraction and tool for public health initiatives.
Commissioner Silvia Stubbs emphasized her efforts at the Utah state legislature, with particular focus on food programs and housing projects.
Commissioner Lori Maughan also mentioned her efforts at the state legislative session and reported on a recent trip for the National Association of Counties.