A petition filed by Citizens For Change seeking to alter the form of government in Uintah County has been officially certified, according to the Uintah County Commission. The certification, announced July 27, mandates that the County Commission hold four public hearings within the next 45 days to discuss the proposed optional plan.
Mandatory Public Hearings Scheduled
The certification follows a formal submission of a proposed optional plan by the group. Under Utah state law, the Uintah County Commission is now required to facilitate public discourse regarding the potential transition to an alternate form of government. The commission has announced a schedule of four public hearings to address the petition's contents.
The first hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Ballard City Offices. This will be followed by a second hearing on Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. in the Commission Chambers. The commission will continue the series on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Tridell Fire Station, concluding with a final hearing on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.
Role of the County Commission
The Uintah County Commission, which serves as the executive and legislative governing body for the county, is responsible for supervising all functions of the executive branch. The three elected commissioners exercise control over all county departments and employees, set and regulate the county budget, and establish local ordinances, resolutions, and agreements.
The current commissioners include Chairman John Laursen, Sonja Norton, and Willis LeFevre. Laursen, a former Uintah County Sheriff, serves as Chairman. Norton is a former Vernal City Mayor and real estate professional, while LeFevre, a former Halliburton employee, serves as commissioner alongside his work in ranching and cattle genetics. The commission maintains offices for public contact Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Legal Framework for Government Change
The process for adopting an alternate form of county government is governed by specific provisions within the Utah Code. Under Utah Code Section 17-62-301, an optional plan may be initiated either by the county legislative body or by registered voters of the county via a petition.
State law includes specific limitations to prevent repetitive attempts to change government structures. If a process is initiated by registered voters, they may not initiate a similar process again until the first process concludes, either through an election, a recommendation from a study committee that no change is needed, or a failure to submit sufficient valid signatures before the deadline. Additionally, if a process is successful, registered voters are barred from initiating another process to adopt an optional plan for four years following the election of officials under the new plan.
Upcoming 2026 Election Cycle
The certification of this petition coincides with the broader 2026 election cycle in Uintah County. According to Uintah County election information, the general election is set for Nov. 3, 2026, with ballots expected to be mailed to voters on Oct. 13.
The voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 23. For residents wishing to vote early, the Clerk-Auditor's office will offer early voting from Oct. 20 through Oct. 30 during normal business hours. Various drop box locations have been established throughout the county, including the County Building, Ballard City, Naples City, Vernal City, and a 24/7 drive-thru at the Library.
Election Administration Details
As the public hearings approach, the Uintah County Clerk-Auditor's office remains the primary point of contact for election-related inquiries. The office handles ballot processing, including signature verification, scanning, and adjudication.
For voters with disabilities, the Clerk-Auditor's office provides specific options and can be reached at 435-781-5360 or via email at clerk-auditor@uintah.utah.gov. The commission has noted that meeting dates, agendas, and additional information regarding the upcoming hearings will be posted as they become available.
