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GRAND COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
Grand County Commission Chambers
Hybrid virtual participation on Zoom
Moab, Utah
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MINUTES
21 July 2026
The Grand County Commission met in a regular meeting on July 21th, 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 Mary
McGann, Trish Hedin, Brian Martinez and Mike McCurdy. Also attending in-person were Commission
Administrator Mark Tyner, Associate Commission Administrator Quinn Hall, Clerk/Auditor Gabriel
Woytek and County Attorney Stephen Stocks. Commission Chair Melodie McCandless was in
attendance virtually.
4 p.m. Workshop: Mid-Year Budget Amendment
Commission Administrator Mark Tyner read a statement on behalf of Chair Melodie McCandless, calling on
commissioners to focus on non-partisan fiscal stewardship, numerical accuracy, and collaboration during the
mid-year budget reviews.
Clerk/Auditor Gabriel Woytek presented an overview of the proposed 2026 mid-year budget amendment.
Initial conservative revenue projections from late 2025 resulted in stronger-than-expected actual tax receipts
across sales tax, TRT mitigation, and TRCC. As a result, the required draw from the General Fund balance
(savings) to balance the 2026 budget was reduced from an estimated $345,824 down to $243,633.
Personnel Services Director Tess Barger presented cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) scenarios. The board
reviewed a proposed 2.8% retroactive COLA for 2026 (matching the Social Security Administration baseline),
which would represent approximately $543,000–$544,000 annually across all funds (with ~$432,000
affecting the General Fund). The workshop also covered position reclassifications and department staffing
proposals ahead of formal adoption scheduled for August.
Vice-Chair Winfield called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:17 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Citizens to be Heard
Brian Cash spoke with concern regarding the importance of water conservation efforts when considering
planning efforts.
Dale Weiss, speaking on behalf of the Grand Water and Sewer Service Agency, spoke in detail regarding the
agencies data and experience driven efforts at water stewardship.

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Pete Gross spoke with concern regarding water availability supporting future development and suggested
applying operations research in making decisions about and optimizing special events and associated
economic activity.
Mary O’Brien stated that the draft Water Use and Preservation Element of the General Plan did not
appropriately account for the impacts of climate change.
Dwight Johnston expressed gratitude to the Commission for their hard work, stating that it was responsible
for improvement with the economy and with affordable housing.
Kylie Hostetler spoke to advocate for a full-time victim’s advocate position in the County Attorney’s Office.
Kevin Clyde spoke with gratitude to the Commission for listening to the local established agencies when
considering water issues.
Susie Johnston spoke with appreciation to the Commission for their efforts in expanding affordable housing
inventory.
Shane Firestack expressed gratitude in general for the hard work that they dedicate to the County.
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.
4. Approval of Consent Agenda Items
A. Approval of Meeting Minutes
B. Ratification of Payment of Bills
C. Ratification Of Match Letter for The FEMA FMA (Flood Mitigation Assistance) 10%
County Match Letter for Grant Application
D. Ratification Of the Chair's Signature on The Sidewalk Plans for The East Holyoak Lane
Project
E. Ratification Of Utah Wildfire Resource MOU Between Utah Division of Forestry, Fire And
State Lands and Grand County Emergency Management
F. Ratification Of Google Advertiser Verification for Discover Moab
G. Letter Of Support to BLM For Colorado River Trail - National Recreation Trail Designation
H. Letter Supporting Nicas Request for Additional Parking at Brands Trails To BLM
I. Grant Award Contract - Motorized Trail Maintenance Initiative
J. Grant Award Contract - Non-Motorized Trail Optimization for Class 1 Emtb
K. Contract Amendment for Master Services Agreement Between Karsh Hagen Madden
(Formerly Madden Media) And Grand County/Moab Office of Tourism
L. Children's Justice Center Contract Amendment/Renewal
M. Approval Of IPAWS And Emergency Alerts Addendum to Emergency Management
Regional Mutual Aid Agreement
N. USGS Salinity Study Amendment to Contract
O. GCSO Position Backfill Requests
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to approve the Consent Agenda excepting Item A, as read by the Chair
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Motion Seconded by Commissioner Hadler
Discussion (none at this time)
Motion passes 6-0, Hedin absent
5. Special Events- High Impact Events Ready to Review (Chief Deputy Clerk/Auditor Jenibeth
Jones)
Presentation
The following Intent to Apply (ITA) Submissions were received by the deadline for review during the Quarter
3 Commission Meeting. As per the Special Events Ordinance, all high impact ITA's submitted for the year are
reviewed by the County Commission quarterly: Off-Road America – Moab Rendezvous, Moab Run the
Rocks, Desert Gravel and Moab Bikefest.
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to approve the High Impact Event Submissions as presented
Motion seconded by Commissioner Martinez
Discussion
Commissioners asked about law enforcement staffing for traffic control and coordination with local
emergency services during peak event hours. Jones confirmed that the Sheriff’s Office and EMS had
reviewed the plans and approved the proposed safety protocols.
Motion passes 5-2, Hedin and Hadler opposed
Public Hearing
2. Ordinance amending Ordinance 725 dealing with the Major Utility Overlay
At 4:13 p.m. Chair McCandless opened the Public Hearing, to be left open until 5pm on
Wednesday, June 29
Presentation
The original ordinance #725 passed on November 5, 2025. It included a date of 12/31/25 in item #3. The
City's financing sources changed since the ordinance passed. The date has been removed in this ordinance.
No other changes were made. The Commission will consider suspending the rules and voting on the
Ordinance at this meeting
6. Subdivision Minor Subdivision, application #2612
(Item postponed)
7. Resolution Adopting Jahries Plat Amendment, application #2613
(Item postponed)
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8. Ordinance Water Use & Preservation Element of the General Plan (Planning and Zoning
Director Andrew Jackson)
Presentation
This proposed amendment adds the Water Use and Preservation Element (06-01-26 Edition) to the Grand
County General Plan. State law requires the County’s general plan to include a water element like this one.
The Element is a planning guide, not a regulation. It looks at how growth affects water use and systems, and
identifies ways to use less water in new and existing development and in the County’s own operations. It
does not regulate private property, grant water rights, or guarantee water service. Those matters remain
governed by state law and the local water providers.
Motion by Commissioner Martinez to approve the ordinance Water Use & Preservation Element of the
General Plan
Motion seconded by Commissioner McCurdy
Discussion
Commission discussion centered around compliance with state law, with Martinez defending what he saw as
a comprehensive and well-studied approach.
Motion passes 6-1, Hedin opposed
9. Ordinance Burr Oaks Subdivision (Planning and Zoning Director Andrew Jackson)
Presentation
This proposal would rezone a vacant 5.02-acre parcel at 4500 South Zimmerman Lane, just south of the Blu
Vista Subdivision, from Rural Residential (RR) to Large Lot Residential (LLR). The change would allow about
eight half-acre single-family lots. The Spanish Valley Future Land Use Plan maps this area as a Moderate
Scale Neighborhood, which allows somewhat more housing than is proposed. The Planning Commission
held a public hearing on June 8, 2026 and voted 7-0-0 to recommend that the County Commission approve
the rezone. Staff recommends the County Commission take public comment, review the request against the
Land Use Code criteria, and adopt the ordinance.
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy: after reviewing the staff report, the applicant statement, public
comments, the Spanish Valley future land use plan, and the rules in land use code section 9.2.5 2.5 and
finding that the rezone from rural residential to large lot residential fits the general plan and future land use
plan and meets the rezoning rules along with finding number one: it fits the county general plan and Spanish
valley future land use plan, two: supports efficient land use, three: fits nearby development including blue
vista subdivision, four: can be served by enough public services, five: does not harm public health, safety, or
welfare
Motion Seconded by Commissioner McCandless
Discussion
Commissioners raised concerns regarding narrow road shoulders, existing traffic density, and pedestrian
safety along Zimmerman Lane. Commissioners Hedin, Hadler, McGann, and Winfield expressed reluctance
to increase density until road infrastructure improvements could be addressed.
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Motion fails 3-4, Hedin, Hadler, McGann, and Winfield opposed
Motion to deny by Commissioner Hedin: after reviewing the staff report, applicant statement, public
comments, the Spanish Valley future land use map and land use code section 9.2.5, I move to deny this
application because the action does not fit the character of the neighborhood and existing infrastructure
which would provide for the health safety and welfare of the community, the proposed action constitutes spot
zoning and does not provide a sufficient community benefit.
Motion seconded by Commissioner McGann
Motion passes 4-3, McCandless, Martinez, and McCurdy opposed
10. Resolution Establishing an Audit Coordination Incentive Program for Component Units of
Grand County (Commission Administration)
Presentation
The purpose of this Resolution is to establish an incentive program encouraging component units of Grand
County to engage the same independent audit firm selected by Grand County and to timely provide financial
records necessary for completion of their annual audits.
Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to approve the resolution establishing an audit coordination incentive
program for component units of Grand County
Motion seconded by Commissioner Hadler
Discussion
Commissioners supported the proactive approach, agreeing that incentivizing early compliance saves
administrative hours and reduces audit preparation costs across all entities.
Motion passes 7-0
11. Ordinance amending Ordinance 725 – Major Utility Overlay for City of Moab Water Tank
(Planning and Zoning Director Andrew Jackson)
(Item postponed)
12. Consideration for adoption of a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of not
more than $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Transportation Sales Tax Revenue
Bonds Series 2026; and related matters (Financial Advisor Marcus Keller)
Presentation
The County is bonding for a loan from CIB for the Jackson St. Storm Drain Project and pledging
transportation sales tax revenue as the source for repayment of the loan.
Financial Advisor Marcus Keller (Crews & Associates) and Bond Counsel Garrett Gross (Gilmore & Bell)
presented a parameters resolution authorizing up to $1,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of
Transportation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds for road and stormwater infrastructure projects, while setting a
public hearing for August 18, 2026.
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Motion by Commissioner McCurdy to approve the resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of not more
than $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Transportation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds Series 2026; and
related matters and call for a public hearing at the August 18, 2026 Commission Meeting.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Hadler
Discussion
Vice-Chair Winfield (who sits on the Permanent Community Impact Board / CIB) noted that recent contractor
bids came in lower than original engineering estimates. He warned that because the overall project cost
dropped, CIB might proportionally reduce its loan/grant package, which could increase the required local
match drawn from the Stormwater Mitigation Fund by $152,303.
Bond Counsel Garrett Gross clarified that the resolution sets maximum ceiling limits ("parameters"), which
protects the county by allowing them to lock in lower actual borrowing amounts later without having to re-
authorize the resolution.
Motion passes 7-0
Closed Session
At 7:23 p.m., motion by Commissioner Hadler to enter closed session for the purposes of discussing the
character professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual
Motion to enter closed session seconded by Commissioner McCurdy
Motion passes 7-0
Motion by Commissioner Hadler to exit closed session
Motion to exit closed session seconded by Commissioner McCurdy
Motion passes 7-0
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 7.21.2026 REG GCC MINUTES approved - 9/2/26, 7:18 AM.pdf
STATUS Signed
STATUS TIMESTAMP 2026/09/02
23:58:57 UTC
Activity
SENT
dvanhorn@grandcountyutah.gov sent a signature request to:
Gabriel Woytek (gwoytek@grandcountyutah.gov)
Melodie J. McCandless (mmccandless@grandcountyutah.gov)
2026/09/02
13:18:39 UTC
SIGNED
Signed by Gabriel Woytek (gwoytek@grandcountyutah.gov) 2026/09/02
15:09:10 UTC
SIGNED
Signed by Melodie J. McCandless (mmccandless@grandcountyutah.gov) 2026/09/02
23:58:57 UTC
COMPLETED
This document has been signed by all signers and is complete 2026/09/02
23:58:57 UTC
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