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GRAND COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
Grand County Commission Chambers
Hybrid virtual participation on Zoom
Moab, Utah
WATCH ON YOUTUBE - search for: “GRAND COUNTY UTAH GOVERNMENT”
MINUTES
4 August 2026
The Grand County Commission met in a regular meeting on August 4th, 2026. The meeting was held
in-person in the Grand County Commission Chambers, with hybrid virtual participation also available
via Zoom. It was also broadcast and saved on YouTube. Attending the meeting in-person were
Commission Vice-Chair Bill Winfield, who served as Chair for this meeting, and Commissioners
Jacques Hadler, Brian Martinez, Mary McGann, Trish Hedin and Mike McCurdy. Also attending in-
person were Commission Administrator Mark Tyner, Associate Commission Administrator Quinn
Hall, County Attorney Stephen Stocks, and Clerk/Auditor Gabriel Woytek. Commission Chair Melodie
McCandless participated virtually.
Chair McCandless called the Regular Meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Department Reports
Sand Flats Annual Report (SFRA Director Andrea Brand)
Brand provided her annual report for the Sand Flats Recreation Area. Including a summary of features and
activities in SFRA, overview of the management partnership, with an operating budget coming exclusively
from collected fees. Brand added information about SFRA’s impact on the local economy, with 2026 YTD
visitation up 6%, revenue up 20% (due to a fee increase). Other topics discussed included the Sand Flats
Stewardship Committee, general operational duties, 4x4 trail data, Slickrock Bike Trail data, Sand Flats Road
chip seal, Planning and Design grant effort Falcon Climb bike trail upcoming completion, 4x4 trail
improvements, Paleontologist activity, Jeep Safari work day, Spring Spruce up volunteer event, annual
contributions to GC SAR and high school internship program, promotional/educational media, upcoming
summer/fall projects, parking lot improvements,
Treasurer’s Report
Kauffman gave an update regarding property tax collections (currently in a three year downturn following
commercial revaluation and subsequent lack of payment by some commercial property owners), historic
amount of back taxes due (with a high collection rate), continued strong growth in electronic payments and
auto bill pay, summary of investment activity which currently has shifted towards a diversified portfolio with
Raymond James Investments, sweep accounts, interest earnings expected to remain low, enrollment in
antifraud measure ‘Positive Pay’, retirement of Chief Deputy Treasurer MaryLou Lopez and hiring of Lily
Houghton for that position.
Public Hearing

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1. Public Hearing to amend Ordinance 725 - Major Utility Overlay
At 4:13 p.m. Chair McCandless opened the Public Hearing, to be left open until 5:00 pm on
Wednesday, August 12th
Presentation
The purpose of this hearing is to solicit public input on a proposed ordinance amending Conditions #1 and
#3 of Ordinance No. 725 (2025), which applied the Major Utility Overlay to a portion of Parcel No. 02-
0021-0113 (City of Moab Water Tank Site). Condition #3 sets the project completion deadline. Condition
#1 requires a Development Agreement, and would be amended to track the language of LUC § 4.10.1.
Under Grand County Land Use Code (“LUC”) § 4.10.1, a Major Utility Overlay is required for development
of a major utility listed in LUC § 4.10.2, and is applied by a rezone application processed under the
procedure in LUC § 9.2, Text and Zoning Map Amendments (rezones), with approval from the County
Commission. Because the Major Utility Overlay is applied by rezone, the proposed amendment is being
processed under that same procedure, including review by and recommendation from the Planning
Commission and approval by the County Commission.
The Grand County Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance
on August 3, 2026 and to forward a recommendation to the Commission. Following the public hearing,
the Commission may adopt, adopt with changes, or deny the proposed ordinance.
This ordinance changes two of the four conditions the County attached when it approved a Major Utility
Overlay for the City of Moab’s water tank site in November 2025. Condition #3 required the work to be
finished within the state grant timeframe and set that date as December 31, 2025. The City had to find a
different funding source and has since obtained a grant extension and tentative funding from the Utah
Division of Water Resources, so the ordinance replaces the December 31, 2025 date with December 25,
2027 and allows the Planning Director to extend that date for good cause. Condition #1 requires a
Development Agreement. The wording of that condition does not match the County’s own Land Use Code,
so the ordinance rewrites it to use the Code’s language — an agreement between the property owner and
the County setting out specific measures to reduce the effects the facility may have on surrounding property.
The Development Agreement is still required; only the wording changes. Nothing else changes — not the
overlay, not its boundary, not the zoning, not the approved use, and not Conditions #2 or #4. Jackson
explained that after Planning Commission discussion that it would be prudent to extend the timeline for
completion until 2030.
2. Public Hearing to amend the 2026 budget and 2026 Consolidated Fee Schedule
Presentation
Proposed Budget Amendments were discussed in detail during July Budget Workshops, and are
summarized in agenda packet documents.
At 4:13 p.m. Chair McCandless opened the Public Hearing, to be left open until 5:00 pm on
Wednesday, August 12th
Mary O’Brien spoke against cutting Q4 funding for local non-profits and partner entities (such as the
Southeastern Utah Health Department, Four Corners Mental Health, and local service organizations),
arguing that these services form the essential social safety net of Grand County. O’Brien added that she
supported using dedicated tourism mitigation and transit tax revenues (such as Fund 47) for their intended
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statutory purposes, maintaining that visitors should help offset the infrastructure and environmental impacts
they create in the Moab area.
Pete Gross characterized the Arches Shuttle System as a poor use of taxpayer dollars.
Tory Hill spoke in opposition to the Arches Shuttle System, stating that the Timed Entry system was a more
sensible solution to address congestion at Arches and that she feels it is an irresponsible use of taxpayer
funds.
Allyson Mathis spoke in opposition to the use of taxpayer funds for the Arches Shuttle Pilot as currently
presented, which she feels will not benefit local Grand County residents, and added concerns regarding
liability to the County, for which she claimed that insurance will be paid for by Grand County, along with
additional staffing burdens to the County.
Lynn Jackson expressed that the currently proposed shuttle system is not well conceived and is much more
deserving of better planning, and this lack of planning associated with a large expenditure of taxpayer funds
constitutes a lack of fiscal responsibility. Jackson added that actions such as these will only lead to further
increases to the tax burden on locals.
Samantha Derbyshire, owner of Whole Enchilada shuttle company, spoke in support of the use of optional
sales tax funds on paved trail maintenance, on Grand County Active Trails and Transportation staff, and on
the Spanish Valley Multiuse Path. Derbyshire added that the 10-day RFP process for contracting the shuttle
system was an insult to local businesses.
Jeanine Saia urged the Commission to pause the Shuttle pilot and run the appropriate studies and surveys
for successful implementation of such a complex system.
AJ Throgmorton expressed support for the shuttle pilot as a means of gathering information for further
improvements to public transportation. Throgmorton added that the shuttle pilot represents a wider effort to
mitigate impacts of tourism and manage access responsibly, which he fully supports and encourages.
Throgmorton added that he feels that Commission action has stimulated the economy.
Jen Evers spoke in opposition of the use of optional sales tax funds for the Arches Shuttle Pilot system,
which she feels would be more appropriately allocated to already existing needs that benefit local residents.
Aaron Lindbergh spoke in opposition of the use of optional sales tax funds for the Arches Shuttle Pilot
system, requesting better clarity from the Commission in its deliberations regarding the use of these funds.
Lindbergh added that the trails system was an important economic driver that deserved continued good
stewardship by Grand County.
Pam Hackley spoke in opposition of the use of optional sales tax funds for the Arches Shuttle Pilot system,
stating that employee COLAs should be the highest priority for the use of any excess revenues.
Antoinette Firestack spoke in support of the Arches Shuttle pilot, which she feels will alleviate congestion at
parking lots, reduce emissions, and improve the visitor experience.
Rory Paxman stated that the Commission did not exhibit sufficient transparency in the way that it was
funding the shuttle pilot, added that more studies were warranted for such a project and that local businesses
should have been given more consideration in the bidding process for the system.
Neal Herbert estimated that the general sentiment in the community stands in opposition to the Arches
shuttle pilot as it is currently conceived, and that it is taking funding away from more important county
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projects, subsidizing the federal government. Herbert added that the voters did not have a tourist shuttle
system in mind when they voted to approve the associated tax in 2015.
Dan Stott spoke with concern regarding the Arches shuttle system as proposed, and wondered about the
potential future investment that might be needed, which he hopes will be made by the federal government.
Dwight Johnston stated that he felt the Arches Timed Entry system did not work, and the proposed shuttle
pilot was a great alternative solution to congestion issues.
Citizens to be Heard
Mary O’Brien expressed disagreement to the County being involved in transportation management and
associated funding decisions, stating that there has been a lack of public input on important decision making.
Allyson Mathis pointed out what she viewed as several problems with the Cooperative Management
Agreement being considered in item 13, including its benefit to the welfare of County residents given the
associated costs.
Rory Paxman spoke regarding the proposed lease extension with the Airport Fixed Base Operator, which he
stated is usually done for a term of 30 years rather than the 50 being proposed.
Emily Campbell stated that item D in the consent agenda represented a very poor value for the County given
the work being proposed and associated rates, which she is familiar with given her own profession.
Campbell added that she is unclear regarding the potential funding sources of the Arches Shuttle Pilot
system, given what is in the amendment and the action proposed in item 15.
General Business - Action Items, Discussion and Consideration of:
3. Commission member disclosures and future considerations
Commissioner McCurdy disclosed that his wife is an employee at the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, and
added as a future consideration potential implementation of a property tax calculator and other tools that
could be useful to educating residents.
Commissioner Winfield requested as a future consideration authorization of the Roads Department to
complete improvements maintenance on the paved path, and that he intends to bring back the Burr Oaks
rezone application for consideration at an upcoming meeting.
4. Approval of Consent Agenda Items
A. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
B. Ratification of Payment of Bills
C. Ratification Of Revised Match Letter for The FEMA FMA (Flood Mitigation Assistance) 10%
County Match Letter for Grant Application
D. Ratification Of Branding Refresh for Discovermoab.com
E. Ratification Of Solid Waste SSD Sublease Permission Letter
F. Ratification Of Local Consent for Temporary Alcohol Permit – Outerbike
G. Ratification Of TAP Grant Funding Commitment Letter for Shoulder Widening
H. OSTA Maintenance Technician Backfill Request
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I. Extension Of Airport Lease Agreements for Redtail Air
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to approve the Consent Agenda, excepting item A, C, and I, as read by
the Chair
Motion Seconded by Commissioner Martinez
Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 7-0
5. Moab Office Of Tourism Brand Launch Events: Community Open House at The MIC On
Sept 8; and Mud Springs Ribbon Cutting and National Interscholastic Cycling
Association (NICA) Race on Sept 11 (MOT Director Mick Soleta)
Presentation
Soleta presented details regarding this item which approves costs for two branded events for the Moab
Office of Tourism, to be paid with TRT promotion funds.
Motion by Commissioner Martinez to approve costs associated with producing two branded events,
including: $13,260 for a dedicated event planner, up to $18,960 in event costs for a community open house
and brand launch at the MIC, and up to $20,790 for a grand opening, ribbon cutting, and NICA race event at
the new Mud Springs trail system
Motion seconded by Commissioner Hadler
Discussion
Commissioner Martinez expressed gratitude for staff in their hard work in implementing the brand launch
project. Commissioner Hadler expressed excitement regarding the Mud Springs trail which is a great asset
to the community. Commissioner Winfield added that highway work for accessing the Mud Springs trail was
close to completion.
Motion passes 7-0
Vice-Chair Winfield moved Item 9 up, without objection
9. Ordinance amending Ordinance 725 — Major Utility Overlay for City of Moab Water
Tank & authorization to sign DA (Planning and Zoning Director Andrew Jackson)
Presentation
Jackson explained that the original ordinance #725 passed on November 5, 2025. It included a completion
date of 12/31/25 in item #3. The City's financing sources have changed since the ordinance passed. This
action amends the ordinance to modify the date and to formalize a development agreement consistent with
Section 4.10.1 of the Grand County Code. The Commission will consider suspending the rules and voting on
the Ordinance at this meeting. Jackson formally request that an extension of the timeline for project
completion be extended to December 31, 2030.
Motion by Commissioner McGann to suspend rules
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Motion seconded by Commissioner McCurdy
Motion passes 7-0
Motion by Commissioner McCandless to suspend the rules and adopt the Ordinance amending Conditions
#1 and #3 of Ordinance No. 725 which applied the Major Utility Overlay to a portion of Parcel No. 02-0021-
0113 (City of Moab Water Tank Site), the ordinance's statutory citations, including the Section 4 effective-
date citation to Utah Code § 17-64-502, have been verified against the recodified Title 17 and authorize the
Chair to execute the required development agreement, including an extension of the timeline for project
completion be extended to December 31, 2030, and the possibility for additional extensions to be authorized
administratively.
Motion Seconded by Commissioner McCurdy
Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 7-0
1. Selection of Utah Conservation Corps Quote for Grant-Funded Project (Active Trails and
Transportation Operations Coordinator Evan Smiles)
Presentation
In 2024, Grand County, in collaboration with San Juan County and the BLM Moab Field Office, was awarded
$214,364 to construct Phase 1 of the Mud Springs Trail System. Phase 1 includes approximately 11 miles of
beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level trails, built using machine and hand-building techniques, that are
constructed to specifications that accommodate adaptive hand cycling equipment.
In fall 2025, the GCATT Trail Crew, partners, and a professional trail contractor began the first season of
construction of Phase 1. They completed 6.1 miles of machine-built trail and 1.1 miles of hand-built trail,
including a new NICA race course.
August 1 through November 15 will be the final construction window to complete Phase 1, in order to comply
with the project’s NEPA approval to remain on schedule with the grant contract. Only 420’ of machine-built
trail construction remains, and this is contracted to be completed in August.
3.7 miles of hand-built trail construction remains: the majority of the mileage is technical, black-diamond-level
trail that traverses more rocky and featured terrain than the beginner and intermediate trails completed in
2025. Like the rest of the trail system, these trails will be constructed to wider specifications than many of the
area’s trails in order to accommodate adaptive hand cycling equipment.
Grand County was awarded a Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant and Recreational Trails Program Grant for
Mud Springs Phase 1, and has available grant funding to bring on additional help to assist with the non-
technical trail building this fall. This will allow the GCATT Trail Crew to focus on technical areas, ensure that
all areas of the trail are handcycle- accessible, and ensure that Phase 1 is completed during the required
window.
Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) is based locally and was the lowest bid by a significant amount. Existing
grant funding would allow a 5-person UCC crew to devote 6 weeks to the project during the permitted build
window. This grant funding, awarded for Phase 1 trail construction, is scheduled to expire at the end of the
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year. UCC contracts are completed through Utah State University, and Grand County is currently awaiting
their contract for legal review.
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to approve the selection of the Utah Conservation Corps to assist with
non-technical trail building for Mud Springs Phase 1, and to approve the contract for this work once legal
review has been completed
Motion seconded by Commissioner Hadler
Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 7-0
2. Approval of Personnel Services Fees for Special Service Districts accessing
Services (Finance Director Chantel Lindsay)
Presentation
Non-general fund departments are currently charged administrative fees for use of Grand County services.
Currently, special service districts (SSDs) accessing various services through the Grand County Personnel
Services Department are not charged. SSDs currently utilizing Grand County's Personnel Services
Department include the Moab Mosquito Abatement District, Cemetery District, and Grand Water Sewer
Services Agency. For the purpose of assessing personnel service fees, provided services are separated into
the following categories: payroll, insurance, and general HR support.
The personnel services fees were calculated using the following factors: percentage of Personnel Services
staff time devoted to each of three respective categories, which service(s) the SSDs are using, salary and
benefit costs of the Personnel Services Department, and the number of full-time employees at each SSD.
Motion by Commissioner Hadler to approve the personnel services fees for the special service districts
accessing services as presented and direct staff to prepare agreements with the entities for 2027
Motion seconded by Commissioner McCurdy
Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 7-0
8. 2026 Moab UMTRA project annual statement of continued compliance (Commissioner
McGann)
Presentation
Project annual report. Commissioner McGann expressed gratitude for the ongoing strong partnership with
the Department of Energy. McGann highlighted a variety of data presented in the report.
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to approve the 2025-2026 Moab UMTRA project annual statement of
continued compliance.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Martinez
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Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 7-0
10. Authorization of a task order with Horrocks engineers, Inc., for the Spanish Valley Drive
corridor road network and traffic analysis study — not to exceed $20,000 (Planning &
Zoning Director Andrew Jackson)
Presentation
Recent rezone and subdivision activity in Spanish Valley is being reviewed against a street network that
has not recently been studied as a whole. Staff proposes a road network and traffic analysis of the area
bounded generally by Easy Street, US-191, Sunnydale Lane, and Rancho Verde Drive, to be performed by
Horrocks Engineers under the County’s existing on-call engineering contract. The study will produce traffic
counts, level-of-service analysis, and an adopted future street and connectivity plan for use in reviewing
subdivision and rezone applications.
Commissioner Winfield stated that he requested this study in response to the Burr Oaks and Novak
Subdivision rezone proposals. Jackson stated that the Code Update project coming in under budget allowed
for this novel expenditure. Commissioner Hedin expressed interest in a wider scope, especially including
Zimmerman Lane and Beeman Drive, to investigate traffic calming measures. Roads Supervisor Cody
McKinney support such an expansion of scope, with the possibility of utilizing Roads Department funds.
Jackson clarified that impact fees could not be used to fund this study. Commissioner Hedin questioned
whether it would be a developer that would typically hire a traffic study as part of its own proposal and due
diligence.
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to authorize the County Administrator to execute a task order with
Horrocks Engineers, Inc., under the County’s existing on-call engineering services contract, for the Spanish
Valley Drive Corridor Road Network and Traffic Analysis Study, in an amount not to exceed $20,000, subject
to approval as to form by the County Attorney
Motion seconded by Commissioner Martinez
Discussion
Commissioner Hedin stressed the need to manage growth in the south end of Grand County and also
addressing increased safety concerns.
Motion passes 5-2, McGann and Hedin opposed
11. Resolution Adopting Jahries Plat Amendment, application #2613 (Planning & Zoning
Director Andrew Jackson)
Presentation
The Robert and Margaret Jahries Living Trust owns Lot 2-A of the Navajo Ridge Lot 2-A Subdivision, a 6.85-
acre lot in Spanish Valley southeast of Moab that holds an existing house. The Trust wants to split it into two:
a 4.09-acre lot that keeps the house (Lot 2-A) and a new, vacant 2.76-acre lot (Lot 14-A). Because Lot 2-A is
within a recorded subdivision, this filing amends that recorded plat—it creates one new buildable lot. Both
lots are single-family, are served off the existing Red Rock Drive and Far Country Drive private easements
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through a 40-foot private access tract, and are several times the minimum lot size. Staff recommends
approval with conditions that must all be met before the plat is recorded.
Motion by Commissioner Martinez: Having considered the staff report, the proposed final plat,
public comments, and Utah Code § 17-79-711 and the Grand County Land Use Code as amended by
Ordinance No. 708, and finding that the plat amendment, as conditioned, conforms to the applicable
objective standards of the Land Use Code, that each lot has frontage on and legal access to an existing
street, I move to approve the Navajo Ridge Lot 2-A Subdivision Amended as an administrative item and
to adopt the resolution, subject to the conditions in the resolution, and to authorize the Chair to
sign the plat once the Planning and Zoning Director confirms the conditions have been met, pending
completion of legal review
Motion Seconded by Commissioner McCandless
Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 6-1, Hedin opposed
12. Resolution approving DT Subdivision Minor Subdivision, application #2612 (Planning &
Zoning Director Andrew Jackson)
Presentation
Venture Capital Holdings, LLC — Robert Lucero, managing member — owns a 3.22-acre parcel at 4060
Spanish Valley Drive in the Rural Residential (1 acre) Zone, with a house and detached garage on it. The
company wants to split it into two lots: a 2.15-acre lot that keeps the existing house, and a 1.00-acre vacant
lot fronting Valle Del Sol Drive. The plat also gives the County a strip of land along Spanish Valley Drive for
road right-of-way. Both lots front a public street and meet the minimum lot size. Part of the property lies in the
mapped FEMA floodway, where building is prohibited.
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy: Having considered the staff report, the proposed final plat,
the FEMA flood mapping, public comments, and Utah Code §§ 17-79-701 through 17-79-704, and finding
that the plat, as conditioned, conforms to the applicable objective standards of the Grand County Land
Use Code and that each lot has frontage on and legal access to a public street, I move to adopt
The resolution approving the Final Plat of the DT Subdivision and accepting the dedication of
public right-of-way shown thereon, subject to the conditions in the resolution, and to authorize the Chair
to sign the plat once the Planning and Zoning Director confirms the conditions have been met, pending legal
review
Motion seconded by Commissioner McCandless
Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 5-1, Hedin opposed, McGann abstaining
13. Grand County + NPS Cooperative Management Agreement for Moab-to-Arches Shuttle
(Commissioner Martinez)
Presentation
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This agreement sets the terms under which Grand County and the National Park Service will jointly manage
the Moab–to-Arches shuttle service, covering each party’s responsibilities, operating hours, routes, and how
the County and NPS will work together in the coming year. Signing it puts the framework in place for the pilot
to launch this fall.
Motion by Commissioner Martinez for Grand County to sign the Moab-to-Arches Shuttle Cooperative
Management Agreement with the NPS
Motion seconded by Commissioner McCurdy
Discussion
Commissioner Hadler requested a summary of revisions made after legal review, including whether remarks
by the County Attorney were reasonably incorporated and considered. Attorney Stocks explained his
process for offering comment, with no expectation that all comments be incorporated. Commissioners Hedin
and McCurdy asked for an assessment as to the level of risk that the County is taking on in this agreement.
Attorney Stocks gave a general response. Commissioner McGann expressed concerns that there would be
many ongoing and unpredictable costs associated with this agreement, and that the entire process for
implementation of the shuttle program was being done hastily, in a way that introduces risk. Commissioner
Hedin expressed concerns regarding the cost and length of the contract, use of employee resources,
potential change orders, general logistics, rider safety and associated liability.
Motion passes 4-3, Hedin, McGann, and Hadler opposed
Vice-Chair Winfield called a 10-minute recess at 6:45 p.m.
Vice-Chair Winfield reconvened the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
14. Grand County + Via Moab to Arches Shuttle Service Agreement (Commissioner Martinez)
Presentation
This agreement covers the operator selected through the County’s competitive procurement to run day-to-
day shuttle service, including drivers, vehicles, and maintenance. It carries the same service and liability
terms as the Cooperative Management Agreement, so the two documents work together once both are
executed.
Motion by Commissioner Hedin to postpone action on the item
Motion seconded by Commissioner Hadler
Discussion
Commissioner Martinez pointed to indemnification and cost structure items in the contract, which had been
revised by the Attorney Stocks by the 3:30 p.m. before the meeting. Attorney Stocks explained those
proposed revisions at greater length, including but not limited to what he considers vague language
regarding ‘project management and other operations.’ Commissioner Hedin stressed that public concern on
this matter was not being appropriately recognized, and the public deserved a chance to weigh in on such a
large contract.
Substitute motion by Commissioner Martinez approve the Master Services Agreement between Grand
County and Via Transportation Inc. for the Moab to Arches Transit Pilot Service in an amount not to exceed
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$442,668, to be funded through Fund 47 (Optional Sales Tax / Mass Transit Fund), and authorize the
Commission Chair to sign all necessary executable documents and to appoint Chair to review and approve
and additional changes resulting from ongoing legal review
Substitute motion seconded by Commissioner McCurdy
Discussion
Commissioner Hadler expressed discomfort with moving forward at the currently proposed rate.
Commissioner Hedin suggested forming an impromptu subcommittee or holding an emergency meeting so
that more time could be taken for review. Commissioner McCandless clarified that she will represent the
Commission on next steps for any potential revisions that would be subject to legal review.
Substitute motion passes 4-3, Hedin, McGann, and Hadler opposed
15. Consideration of 500k from the Transit Tax in Fund 47 reserves for use on the Moab-to-
Arches Shuttle (Commission Administration)
Presentation
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to approve the use of $350,000 from the Transit Tax Fund 47 for the
county portion of the Moab-to-Arches shuttle pilot program
Motion seconded by Commissioner Hadler
Discussion
Commissioner Hadler stated that he felt that $350,000 was being pulled from a new Fund rather than the
approximate $350,000 that was budgeted to be pulled from the General Fund reserves, and that it was
pulling from savings that were essentially spoken for due to expected future maintenance burdens.
Commissioner Hedin referred to the original ballot measure which authorized collection of the taxes
proposed to be spent. Hedin added that bypassing endless county needs for novel expenditures outside of
budget was not a sustainable approach. Chair McCandless stated that spending these funds would not
hinder completion or compromise the funding for the Spanish Valley Multiuse Path, stated that visitors paid
an estimated 70% of these tax revenues, and that this system would be a driver for needed economic
growth. Commissioner Winfield stated that other Commissioners were hypocritical in their criticism of this
effort, and referred to his own extensive efforts to capture large amounts of State funding for badly needed
projects across the County.
Motion passes 4-0, Hedin, McGann, and Hadler absent
16. County contributions to non-county entities and special districts (Commissioner Martinez)
Presentation
Currently, there are no standard procedures for the County to address requests for donations or funding from
non-county entities and special districts. The Commission will consider the types of documentation, letters,
and agreements that staff should develop to process these requests.
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to direct staff to create policies and procedures for non-county entities
and special districts to request donations or funding support from the County for future consideration by the
commission.
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Motion seconded by Commissioner Martinez
Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 4-0, Hedin, McGann, and Hadler absent
J. Item I (Consent Agenda): Extension of Airport Lease Agreements for Redtail Air
Presentation
Airport Director Steven Gleason explained 30 years with 4 five-year extensions, to be standardized with the
50-year lease that all other tenants are receiving. Gleason explained that the County benefits from longer
leases with the FBO, which gives that important partner the ability to invest, strengthen and offer higher
value services. Longer lease length also gives value to hangar owners. Gleason to explore the
implementation of privilege tax for commercial ownership of hangars.
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to extend the airport lease agreement with Redtail Air
Motion seconded by Commissioner Martinez
Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 4-0, Hedin, McGann, and Hadler absent
General Reports
General Commission Reports and Future Considerations
Commissioners offered their reports, as summarized in the agenda packet.
Vice-Chair Winfield adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
__________________________________
Melodie McCandless
Chair, Grand County Commission
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Gabriel Woytek
Grand County Clerk/Auditor
Audit trail
Details
FILE NAME 8.4.2026 REG GCC MINUTES approved - 9/2/26, 7:15 AM.pdf
STATUS Signed
STATUS TIMESTAMP 2026/09/02
23:57:55 UTC
Activity
SENT
dvanhorn@grandcountyutah.gov sent a signature request to:
Melodie J. McCandless (mmccandless@grandcountyutah.gov)
Gabriel Woytek (gwoytek@grandcountyutah.gov)
2026/09/02
13:16:20 UTC
SIGNED
Signed by Gabriel Woytek (gwoytek@grandcountyutah.gov) 2026/09/02
15:08:26 UTC
SIGNED
Signed by Melodie J. McCandless (mmccandless@grandcountyutah.gov) 2026/09/02
23:57:55 UTC
COMPLETED
This document has been signed by all signers and is complete 2026/09/02
23:57:55 UTC
The email address indicated above for each signer may be associated with a Google account, and may either be the primary email
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