The Vernal City Council held a regular meeting on August 5, 2026, to vote on several municipal initiatives, including infrastructure studies and business license fee updates, according to meeting minutes.
During the session, councilmembers approved various contracts and resolutions aimed at roadway maintenance, community development, and administrative updates.
The council approved a ten-month lease renewal for White House Academy, which is set to end on June 5, 2027, with terms and rent remaining the same as the previous lease. Additionally, the council passed Resolution 2026-07 to amend the business license fee schedule. This amendment consolidates fees into one location and clarifies penalties for late renewals and operating without a license.
Under the new schedule, new business applications submitted on or after July 1 will pay half of the regular fee, while those submitted in December will incur a $25 administrative fee. Renewals submitted after February 1 will face a 25% late fee, with an additional 25% fee applied if submitted after March 1. Applications submitted after April 1 will be subject to a double assessment because the license is considered expired.
Infrastructure projects were a major focus of the meeting. The council approved a $63,809.65 contract with Sunrise Engineering for a study of the 500 South intersection, specifically the intersections at Vernal Avenue and 500 West. This study was made possible through a UDOT technical assistance grant.
Regarding the Vernal Community Block Phase 1, the council approved $20,800 for geotechnical services with Socotec and $18,800 for surveying services with Sunrise Engineering. These services will provide soil and topographic data necessary for future development at the former Lamplighter Hotel site.
For roadway maintenance, the council approved a $193,300 contract with Jones and DeMille for the Major Roadway Rehabilitation Project, which includes work on 500 South and other major roadways. The project is supported by a 50 percent grant from the Community Impact Board.
The council also approved Change Order 3 with Condie Construction for the 3500 West transmission line in the amount of $225,575. This work, which is also funded through the Community Impact Board, includes the construction of a new vault to help control and monitor the city's one-million-gallon tank.
Police Chief Mike Gledhill provided an update on the use of license plate reader cameras, stating the department manages approximately 12 readers for law enforcement purposes such as felony investigations and missing persons cases. He noted the cameras are not used for facial recognition or simple traffic violations and are subject to strict Utah Code requirements and weekly audits.
