The Bluff Town Council addressed several municipal priorities during a work session held on Oct. 13, 2026, according to a report published Oct. 18. Key discussions focused on road maintenance budgets, airport capital improvement planning, and potential solar energy projects for the community center.
Regarding road improvements, the council reviewed routine maintenance expenses, including patching, pothole repairs, and winter crack sealing. The town currently receives approximately $80,000 in annual revenue, supplemented by a $72,000 unspent road revenue balance and a $71,000 matching fund from San Juan County. Specific allocations discussed included $32,000 for Bluff Bench Road to repair damage from gravel trucks, $20,000 for road grading, and $8,000 for road patching. Additionally, the council discussed a $104,000 grant secured last month for work south of Lockport on Southwest Bluff and a 2025 long-range study by Biolytics that estimated total road repair costs at $3,882,000. The council also considered purchasing a mobile speed limit trailer costing between $2,000 and $5,000.
The council reviewed the capital improvements list for the local airport through FY2032. Volunteer airport manager Jim Hook provided context on the facility, which sits on Bureau of Land Management land. A major projected need is slated for 2029, when aging asphalt will require milling, a new surface, and a turnaround area. This project could cost the town approximately $225,000, representing a 10% share if the state funds 90%. Additionally, the council discussed a USDA grant for an emergency generator and solar project at the community center. Due to electrical configuration issues, the council decided to table the item to gather more information and revisit it during the next month's work session.
The council also discussed participating as a cooperating agency with the Bureau of Land Management regarding planning for the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. Mayor Ewing, Councilmember Hornsby, and Councilmember Wade volunteered to serve as backup representatives. Meanwhile, Planning and Zoning Chair Collins reported that the 2024 rural community opportunities grant and the USDA fire suppression grant have been successfully closed out.
The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss litigation strategy and real property transactions. The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
