[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6555520,"mediaKeyId","3325679-fe509f92bcdee53f310277d939bb3e6d","parentId",3325679,"title","County staff to host public meeting after planning commission flags zoning questions for agricultural-protection areas","audioSeconds",312,"startMs",3426000,"endMs",3738000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3325679-fe509f92bcdee53f310277d939bb3e6d&start=3426&end=3738","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3325679-fe509f92bcdee53f310277d939bb3e6d/thumbnail_3426000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6555520/Utah/County-staff-to-host-public-meeting-after-planning-commission-flags-zoning-questions-for-agricultural-protection-areas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555520-ede05a3c7a9cf6801b07377d92d7fe1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186213&Signature=FSoGhM7RUPJVUmNSx0q0EUQlydiEAtEbmfUw~B3vlJ7rYUHQUHTvrRp6wv3VF5y3yUX~ugCKasii6XMNfX4bgE7b1ruO3IabZcfFr94B3HOOhhd0AyHGSyK9pLpXn5FPFu0nNThBrW4OWkru9hdcnJx9DfvMIIRGbmRgNiLDk-GFPuu9ledec45hwtUdD7vA8n0m8PgsgDYEHWDOT1esN6LlZn9G4PdycjkM9bOsydARdWtqUzhQTHsfMG5ABAD84SU1YY~4GuC1AZC~kllyTMxpeTHxxu-yVIu9Yh8DGUhogmRLXGmE7uTyVRPxPnj~rHH5lnowob3fKS2qioGAIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Box Elder County Commissioners","date","2025-05-15T19:31:17Z","article","Community Development staff summarized concerns raised by the Planning Commission about agricultural-protection-area applications and recommended additional public outreach before changing county code.

Scott Lyons (Community Development) explained state code sets five criteria to evaluate agricultural-protection-area requests: the effect on county planning policies and objectives; whether land is currently used for agricultural production; whether land is zoned for agricultural use; land viability for agriculture; and the extent and nature of farm improvements and anticipated agricultural/technological trends. Lyons said planning commissioners were particularly concerned about two of those criteria: (1) the effect on planning policies and objectives and (2) whether the land is zoned for agricultural use.

Lyons said applications submitted from \"unincorporated/unzoned\" areas create procedural friction and potential delays: if a parcel in an unzoned area applies for ag-protection status, the planning commission might recommend denial because the parcel is not in an agricultural zone, requiring the applicant to seek a zone change and then reapply. The staff-proposed path would clarify county code to require that parcels be zoned for agriculture before they are eligible for an agricultural-protection designation; the proposal would allow applicants to seek zoning first, then apply for ag protection, thereby avoiding multiple 120-day processing cycles. Lyons said legal review with the ombudsman's office and county counsel indicated the proposal could be added to code but would not qualify for a formal \"pending ordinance\" hold on new applications under state procedures.

Commissioners discussed the potential for confusion among property owners and asked staff to host an informational meeting so landowners could hear the code implications, ask questions and avoid procedural surprises. Commissioners suggested using a larger facility such as the fairgrounds and said they would invite the ombudsman's office and other state staff if helpful.

Public comment during the meeting included several landowners who asked for clarity and protection for agricultural land:

- Tim (resident) said unzoned areas are \"wide open\" and urged countywide zoning for protection and notice procedures for any future zone changes. He said he supports the bookmobile but wanted clarity on zoning and protections.
- Ricky Hanson said recent nearby development had created drainage and irrigation concerns on farmland and urged careful checks on how subdivisions affect downstream water and infrastructure.
- Sam McMurdie raised concerns about new subdivisions on high water tables and what he viewed as inadequate perk testing; he also urged planning that requires open/recreational space as part of development.
- Drew Anderson asked the county to consider policy changes to discourage half-acre and smaller lots in unincorporated areas to avoid future sewer, water and tile problems and urged higher minimum lot sizes to limit future infrastructure problems.

Nut graf: Staff recommended additional outreach and education to explain how state code and county zoning interact with agricultural-protection-area applications and to prevent inadvertent denials or repetitive processing for applicants in unzoned areas. Commissioners directed staff to schedule a public meeting and to invite ombudsman staff or other state resources to clarify the process.

Ending: Community Development will organize a public informational meeting (commissioners suggested the fairgrounds for capacity); no code change or pending-ordinance action was taken at the meeting pending staff outreach and further legal review.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Box Elder County Commission meeting ","oneSentenceSummary","Community Development staff reported planning-commission concern that agricultural-protection-area applications from unzoned parcels can trigger repeated processing and suggested outreach and a possible code clarification requiring agricultural zoning as a prerequisite to ag-protection-area designation.","taxTitle","Box Elder County Commissioners, Box Elder County Boards and Commissions, Box Elder County, Utah","taxId",77700,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6555529,"United Way survey spotlights library access gaps in Box Elder County; commissioners request follow-up",255,341000,596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3325679-fe509f92bcdee53f310277d939bb3e6d&start=341&end=596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3325679-fe509f92bcdee53f310277d939bb3e6d/thumbnail_341000.jpg","/articles/6555529/Utah/United-Way-survey-spotlights-library-access-gaps-in-Box-Elder-County-commissioners-request-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555529-af37a1f1cce037ba720e786cf03be7c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186213&Signature=PU3rKKQ7ed0fAO1Fcf6Sj-8ajtONlPACNHReEm4to1COKP0RFJAO-UKMeVL4Q5IN3e6r0GlAJ8iQpisXToeThdGkqivHUoHoC-8wmxbbfFD2ZbuXojwrYgxFyOLzut2afeepoQlu764mZ5aFbVOoIGr~c~d01JAZP34XIDjAMwZu-Pj31qSDThOyp0lQUsqf9FFBsJ9ETT3D3ktFlnF~og5avq1b5kKpE2JXBg4f-wjCy4Evre4EUSSmNq7ylGwwPz1rDo51OXvMGf9YTD8pR3KEnhk3rQBzqWgEDDVv4Z8VbTxDVa2UnzIVXhwKOXnuzVU0wrKEHIaaiSN7IN~4iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heather Crockett of United Way of Northern Utah presented results of a library-access survey to the Box Elder County Commissioners, arguing the county should consider options to expand full library access for children in outlying communities.

Crockett said the Box Elder Early Childhood Coalition runs Read, Talk, Play Everyday, an outreach campaign to boost preschool enrollment and readiness. The coalition's survey received 53 responses; Crockett reported the following key findings from that survey and additional data she compiled:

- 53 survey responses were received.
- 74% of respondents said they do not use the bookmobile.
- When asked how important access to checkout books is for children in outlying areas, 95% said \"very important.\"
- United Way reported it helped enroll 62 more children in preschool last year through its campaign.
- Brigham City population cited at about 20,000; the city library reportedly has about 6,000 active library cards (roughly 31% of residents) and an annual budget of about $1,000,000. Crockett said the bookmobile budget is about $500,000.
- United Way's estimate to expand full library access to areas currently served by the bookmobile was roughly $319,000 (presentation figure).
- Nonresident library cards currently cost $60 and are expected to increase; other counties cited lower nonresident rates (Weber County $30). Crockett said a countywide tax-rate equalization could move a $55 rate to as high as $137 per household in their county-rate example.

Crockett presented two options for expansion: raise property taxes to fund countywide library card access or pursue grants. She said United Way identified eight potential grants in the Candid database and offered to support grant research (United Way would not apply as it is not the county).

Commissioners and staff asked clarifying questions. Commissioner Perry asked whether the survey captured respondents' locations; Crockett said she did not ask geographic location in the survey. A commissioner asked whether any grant would require carrying particular books an applicant might not want; Crockett said she was not aware of grants that required the county to carry specified books and advised reviewing grant terms individually. Commissioners asked that Crockett's slides be shared with the county and the bookmobile director.

Nut graf: The survey and accompanying county-level budget figures were intended to frame options for expanding library access to children who cannot obtain full-service library cards under the current arrangement; the discussion did not produce a firm policy decision but commissioners requested follow-up materials and suggested exploring grants and budget options.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to accept Crockett's presentation materials for distribution to the bookmobile director and indicated an openness to further conversations about funding options or grant applications; no county funding decision was made at the meeting.
","United Way of Northern Utah presented a survey showing most respondents do not use the county bookmobile and that parents view full library access for children in outlying areas as highly important.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6555533,"Box Elder County commissioners approve grants, contracts and appointments in routine business",20,1278000,1298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3325679-fe509f92bcdee53f310277d939bb3e6d&start=1278&end=1298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3325679-fe509f92bcdee53f310277d939bb3e6d/thumbnail_1278000.jpg","/articles/6555533/Utah/Box-Elder-County-commissioners-approve-grants-contracts-and-appointments-in-routine-business","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555533-a3da6d70c1c74675be47350658d0b3da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186213&Signature=a6gHcUbwWFLdQRyxUm-g7B5GsNZjtSFT6oaI8P7KBW2JJpmgjz2N9g1aNycfRQMUYofp6woxz3799ZNjQHODd25rCTuQ2ov5f2Ra65kZ9TH9VpveC~FxMoP4UfEGM2KW4id6BwBup60LIg3WjgYirLJ4FP3hcTD9KjMiB96HVenqDPxq8C81~-H7AHphGgdhBJnWlZMX36IozJZ6~8TFpcAurDTOy8iKPjkqf66sCAGuR~rvSuwf3B7DOV4GdouwqduqfmuM8W2fWHxtJHZnwmBmb57l2THYn7HBkLdZ2hYbUzgfZLxlZxhygil5V6Up6Zzdh5r2hxGUH2RcWF5MNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Box Elder County Commissioners on a routine agenda approved a series of motions covering grants, contracts, personnel appointments and policy updates.

The most consequential items included approving a memorandum of agreement with the Utah Department of Public Safety to accept grant funding for mental-health counseling for first responders; waiving penalties and interest on two tax-sale accounts after owners paid delinquent taxes; awarding a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning contract for county buildings; and adopting a new ordinance that repeals the county's prior nighttime spotlighting ordinance.

Other approvals included: appointment of three county nominees to the Box Elder Judicial Nominating Commission; authorizing the IT director position to serve as the county's chief administrative officer for data privacy compliance under recent state law; a $10,000 membership in the 47G defense and aerospace group; renewal of a Forest Service reimbursement agreement for sheriff's office responses; approval of a county water-planning grant contract with the Utah Division of Water Resources; acceptance of an improvement agreement for a subdivision; and multiple human-resources and insurance- and travel-policy updates. The commissioners also approved use of courthouse grounds for the Box Elder Strong Together 5K on June 14.

All motions brought to final vote were passed with the standard voice vote recorded as \"Aye\"; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the public minutes for these items.

Votes and formal actions at the meeting (motion text reproduced from the meeting where available):

- Memorandum of Agreement 25-33 with the Department of Public Safety for grant funding to provide mental-health counseling for first responders. Mover: Commissioner Vincent. Second: Commissioner Perry. Outcome: approved.

- Waiver of penalty and interest on two tax-sale accounts (centrally assessed parcels) after owners paid taxes, penalties and fees necessary to remove the properties from the tax sale; tax-sale fees remain payable. Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Approval for use of Box Elder County Courthouse grounds for Box Elder Strong Together 5K event on June 14. Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of Improvement Agreement 25-26 (Kay Meadows subdivision) securing completion of subdivision improvements and associated financial security. Mover: Commissioner Vincent. Second: Commissioner Perry. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of State Water Grant contract 25-34 (Division of Water Resources) to support the countywide water master plan (award up to $15,000). Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Adoption of Chapter 5-2 off-street parking and loading text amendments (Ordinance 6-21 as presented). Mover: Commissioner Vincent. Second: Commissioner Perry. Outcome: approved.

- Award of countywide HVAC contract (low bid by Salmon) for upgrades to building heating/cooling controls and central monitoring; contract low bid $165,148 (bid documents presented). Mover: Commissioner Vincent. Second: Commissioner Perry. Outcome: approved.

- Renewal of Forest Service agreement 25-32 for sheriff's office reimbursement of hours worked in national-forest response areas (reported contract value: $6,000). Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Approval to participate in 47G defense and aerospace membership at $10,000. Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Appointment of Rob Bishop (Brigham City), Chris Marks (Willard) and Trudy Hatch (Tremonton) to serve as the county's nominees to the Box Elder Judicial Nominating Commission, with Chris Marks designated as the county's appointee to represent other cities within the county on that commission. Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Designation of the IT director position as the county's privacy chief administrative officer to comply with recent state data-privacy law (House Bill 444). Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of ordinance 6-23, which repealed former ordinance 204 concerning spotlighting/night hunting; county adopted new ordinance language in its place. Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Authorization for the HR manager to sign insurance broker contracts 25-27 through 25-31; effective date reported as June 1 for the new broker. Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of landfill weekend differential pay policy to match the fairgrounds policy. Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of travel-policy updates reflecting insurance guidance on rental-car coverage. Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

- Appointment of Brett Muns to the Box Elder County Weed Board (to fill a vacancy). Mover: Commissioner Perry. Second: Commissioner Vincent. Outcome: approved.

Notes: several other routine items (approval of minutes, clerk's warrant and personnel registers) were approved by voice vote. Several agenda items were presented for discussion only and carried no final action (see separate articles on library access, Bear River Health Department annual report, and agricultural-protection-area discussion).

Ending: The commissioners closed the public portion of the meeting and recessed into a closed session for personnel and pending litigation matters as recorded in the minutes.","At a regularly scheduled meeting, the Box Elder County Commissioners approved a series of motions including a state grant for first-responder mental-health counseling, waivers of penalties on two tax accounts, several contracts and appointments, and adoption or repeal of local ordinances.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6555526,"Bear River Health Department outlines budget cuts, service consolidation and youth prevention work in annual report",512,1334000,1846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3325679-fe509f92bcdee53f310277d939bb3e6d&start=1334&end=1846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3325679-fe509f92bcdee53f310277d939bb3e6d/thumbnail_1334000.jpg","/articles/6555526/Utah/Bear-River-Health-Department-outlines-budget-cuts-service-consolidation-and-youth-prevention-work-in-annual-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555526-a7194c537d19409fce36c21bce5f303f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186213&Signature=MphkAbuwFl62V3Na4bt4spGPKhYX6vgE664Bu7GfDS81eD5sG-GiMDbYJEsEB8XOnA61Z-y3JYRZyN9EjtQouznicSdbPvWeeyjp7nVm~DQ-xE8svT1qIu86QyAc1FF8Pae-~Cmv9DI-LcCsf0fs9ajRoDMM6c-4nqLmmZL0MrR7j23FiiCJIOIr1PVP3GXa4f0kc0yNr17GUlmJmBvaq8HZHLS8mxFkUKGY7gJrGxQKjoG9vGZVvaJ2gH~dcLRPHEc2iqv4ApN9vX4yFEUFUVVUcldnxdJYnF0lpyNkSfk~7cW5Rr5lflR0o0dS9PpyLYBONMskRMC~TrORcC0quQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from the Bear River Health Department presented the department's annual report to the Box Elder County Commissioners, describing organizational priorities, recent budget reductions and plans to consolidate behavioral-health contracting.

Steve Hunt (presenter) summarized a strategic refresh that ties mission, values and priorities into a stated goal of \u001chealthy people in thriving communities,\u001d and he described a \u001cvirtuous cycle\u001d linking organizational quality, partnerships and population health outcomes. Hunt said the department has already absorbed significant budget losses, calling attention to a line item labeled \"health strategy\" that he said represented roughly $2,500,000 and was now effectively removed from the budget. He said the department has implemented a reduction in force and is monitoring additional federal-contract revenue declines.

Jordan (presenter) and Estee (presenter) highlighted program-level accomplishments including:

- Formation of seven community coalitions funded in part with county opioid-prevention money; two coalitions are active in the Brigham City and Tremonton areas.
- Expansion of WIC to an online-card model (electronic benefit card) to increase access for rural families.
- Recognition of youth leadership: the governing youth council advocated for youth-tobacco cessation services that resulted in state-level action (House Bill 128), and the department highlighted local youth engagement.

Hunt and staff also reported the department received a contract from the state to consolidate substance-abuse and mental-health services under the Bear River Health Department. They said the county health department is negotiating a separate contract with Bear River Mental Health (the behavioral-health provider) and working with counsel (Annie and an attorney from Cache County) to finalize an agreement; staff hoped to have documentation for local review within a week or two so implementation could begin July 1. The department said it will return to the commission to request an internal appointment of a director of behavioral health (the county will not re-open an external hiring process because of budget cuts).

When commissioners asked about budget and staffing, department leaders reiterated that 65% of current revenues are contract-related (largely federal) and that the department is planning for possible further revenue declines.

Nut graf: The Bear River Health Department's annual report emphasized organizational restructuring, program achievements and an impending consolidation of state behavioral-health contracting that the department expects to administer locally, subject to finalized contracts and a commission appointment of a behavioral-health director.

Ending: The department provided copies of the annual report to the commission and identified follow-ups including contract finalization with Bear River Mental Health, appointment of a behavioral-health director and ongoing budget-monitoring; commissioners thanked staff and asked the department to return with required items as they are finalized.
","Bear River Health Department officials reported a strategic refocus, revenue declines and a move to consolidate substance-abuse and mental-health contracts under the department. Commissioners were told the department had already reduced staff and is negotiating contracts to allow mental-health services to be administered locally beginning July 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County staff to host public meeting after planning commission flags zoning questions for agricultural-protection areas

United Way survey spotlights library access gaps in Box Elder County; commissioners request follow-up

Box Elder County commissioners approve grants, contracts and appointments in routine business

Bear River Health Department outlines budget cuts, service consolidation and youth prevention work in annual report