[0:00] by Commissioner Perry.

[0:05] » Our dear heavenly father, we come before this time grateful for the many

[0:07] blessings thou has blessed us with. We're indeed grateful for this moisture

[0:10] that we're receiving at this time. We ask that you continue to bless us

[0:14] with the moisture we need to continue to take care of the needs that we have here

[0:18] in Box Elder County and here in the state of Utah.

[0:21] We pray that thy spirit will be with us this day in this meeting that we can

[0:25] do those things that thou would have us do, that we can listen and be open and

[0:28] be able to learn and and understand and be able to make the decisions that thou

[0:31] would be blessed and move forward with. And we

[0:34] ask you to please bless and watch over those who are serving our country

[0:38] and keeping us free and especially those who serve us locally in in the law

[0:41] enforcement and fire and EMS that they'll be protected from harm and that

[0:45] they'll be blessed for their efforts and the

[0:48] things they do to keep us all safe. And we ask you to bless those who are in

[0:51] special need of blessings from thee that stand in need of that that thou can

[0:55] bless them and help them in their time of need. And we ask for these favors and

[0:58] blessings and say these things in Jesus Christ's name.

[1:00] » Amen. >> We will have our Treasurer Shawn

[1:03] Thornley lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

[1:06] » Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

[1:09] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[1:15] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:22] justice for all.

[1:27] » Thank you, Shawn and Lee. We appreciate that.

[1:30] Um I need a motion to approve uh the

[1:33] minutes from April 8th, 2026. >> I'll make a motion we approve the

[1:36] minutes from April 8th, 2026. >> Second.

[1:39] » We have a motion by Commissioner Perry and a second by Commissioner Bingham.

[1:42] All in favor, say I. I. Thank you very much.

[1:47] Okay, administrative review, reports and future agenda items.

[1:52] Uh Commissioner Bingham.

[1:54] » Uh I I >> Mr. Perry.

[1:57] » Nothing at this time. >> And I have nothing as well.

[2:01] » Okay, very good. Uh former agenda items?

[2:06] Commissioner Perry? >> Nothing.

[2:07] » Commissioner Bingham? >> Nope.

[2:09] » Okay, very good. Uh

[2:11] Mark emergency management issues. >> Nope.

[2:14] » None? Okay, very good. Thank you. Um

[2:17] Box Elder County employee recognition. Um

[2:21] we have chosen Ann Hansen. She has done

[2:27] We have thrown some curve balls at her the last

[2:31] few months that have been extremely hectic and so we really appreciate Ann

[2:34] and all that she does for our county. So, if she would come up to receive this

[2:38] award.

[3:03] » Just so everybody knows Ann Annie is our county civil attorney and because of

[3:08] that she has to deal with the commission as much as our county attorney does and

[3:11] so we every time we have an issue or problem, we throw it to Annie and we

[3:15] call Steve but then we really throw it to Annie and so she just ends up with a

[3:18] lot of the problems that we that we create or have happened from the

[3:21] commission. So, we just really feel strongly that

[3:24] she had does goes way above and beyond to help the county out. So, thank you.

[3:28] » And the commissioners are hard on her because usually we you know, it's like

[3:32] last minute things where we've done something and say, "Ann, what do you

[3:34] think?" And she's like, "Oh my goodness."

[3:37] So, we truly appreciate our attorney's office. Annie is she's awesome and she's

[3:41] hard working and willing to help wherever we need her. So, thank you so

[3:45] much, Ann. It's well deserved. Okay,

[3:49] um ARPA and LATCF

[3:52] and uh Sheryl Ann Arson's going to come and visit with us for a minute.

[4:02] » Sherlene Larson, County Auditor. Um, the Sheriff's Department had approached me

[4:07] about an additional $5,000 for same radio situation to make them all

[4:13] communicate with each other and asked if they could get another 5,000 in the

[4:17] LATCF funding. And so that's I'm bringing it to you.

[4:23] » Okay. I'd make a motion that we approve the expenditure of the additional $5,000

[4:28] for the handheld radio encryption. Um, out of the LATCF fund.

[4:32] » Second. >> We have a motion from Commissioner Perry

[4:35] and a second from Commissioner Bingham for fund usage

[4:41] for $5,000 for a handheld radio encryption.

[4:45] Uh All in favor?

[4:47] » I. >> I.

[4:48] » Motion [clears throat] passes. Thank you very much.

[4:50] » So, could we have Commissioner Perry explain why we have to do that?

[4:55] » Well, yeah, I mean we can have the Sheriff's office do it as well, but

[4:57] yeah, what happened is um because of the split between the radio

[5:01] the the because of some of the agencies that are on a different radio system, in

[5:05] order for our folks to be able to communicate what we had to do is change

[5:08] and have some of our radios encrypted so that we can communicate effectively with

[5:12] Brigham City, Tremonton, and Perry back and forth. And so this is

[5:17] kind of what we have to do if we're going to make sure that public safety

[5:20] can communicate with one another. So, it's we may have some more expenditure

[5:23] before we're done because we are going to have to figure some things out and

[5:26] work with some of our fire departments and EMS folks possibly in the future.

[5:30] Right now, fire department luckily I don't have to be encrypted like law

[5:33] enforcement does, so. >> Yeah, it was the it was the change that

[5:37] Brigham City Tremonton, Garland, and and Perry did.

[5:41] So, it's also that we we have to do this so that we can all communicate properly

[5:45] and safety for our citizens as well as our

[5:48] officers.

[5:51] » Sherilyn, I'm glad you're still here. >> Right off the accounts receivable, old

[5:56] fire billings. >> So, each year when our auditors come in,

[6:01] we review our accounts receivable and there have been

[6:05] four accounts that have been on since well before my time and

[6:10] maybe even before Tom's time before me, but there's three account These are all

[6:15] related to fire and they used to bill for

[6:19] um call outs on fire to the owners of property or the people that caused the

[6:23] fires. And so, we've got four that

[6:28] as far as we can find any history on a date before 2013.

[6:34] And the biggest one being a Whirly Bird Helicopters.

[6:38] That's for 6,242, but it's our understanding they've gone

[6:42] out of business and we've been able to reach anyone to ever get payment. So,

[6:46] we're asking um that we can clear those off as a bad debt

[6:50] going forward. And I reached out to Kevin who is our fire marshal and he

[6:54] agreed.

[6:57] » I'd make a motion that we allow our auditor to write off those account

[7:01] receivable on the old fire billings. >> Second.

[7:04] » We have a motion by >> [snorts and clears throat]

[7:05] » Commissioner Perry and a second by Commissioner Bingham to

[7:09] write off old fire billings. Uh is there any further discussion? If

[7:14] not, all in favor? >> Aye.

[7:16] » Aye. Motion passes. Thank you.

[7:20] Updated consolidated fee schedule resolution and Sherilyn's going to

[7:24] discuss that one with us as well. >> So, this is uh mostly related to the

[7:30] updates to fairground fees along with some changes for the recorder's office

[7:36] that they were required to update their fees as well. So, we're doing a few

[7:41] updates to the fee schedule. This was very much done in coordination with

[7:45] Annie and Jan. So, if you have further questions about that fee schedule and

[7:51] the resolution, um you can ask who knows the answers. So.

[7:59] » Okay, very good. Need a motion.

[8:02] » So, one of the things I noticed we are going to where we're not going to be

[8:05] using cash transactions. We're trying to going to make sure we're using credit

[8:07] card transactions and and other electronic transactions to keep a better

[8:11] tracking mechanism. >> I'm assuming that's part of the contract

[8:15] also that you'll be looking at. >> Right.

[8:17] » That's on the agenda that does state that we will do that online and e-checks

[8:22] make it so they don't get charged a fee to do that.

[8:25] » Perfect. >> Yep. I'd make a motion that we adopt the

[8:29] resolution 2609 for the consolidated fee schedule.

[8:33] » Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Perry

[8:36] and a second by Commissioner Bingham to adopt [snorts]

[8:39] the consolidated fee schedule resolution for the fairgrounds.

[8:43] If there's no further discussion, all in favor?

[8:45] » I. >> I.

[8:47] » Motion passes. Thank you very much. >> Thank you.

[8:50] » Okay. We have uh a interlocal agreement number

[8:55] 26-15 between Box Elder County and the Military Installation uh Development

[9:00] Authority, MAIDA, uh related to the Stratus project

[9:05] area. Um Paul,

[9:09] he's with MAIDA. If you can just tell us who you are and

[9:12] we we'll get going. >> Thank you very much. Really appreciate

[9:15] this opportunity. I'm Paul Morris. I'm the executive director and general

[9:18] counsel for MAIDA. MAIDA, for those who don't know, stands

[9:22] for the Military Installation Development Authority. It was created by

[9:25] the Utah Legislature in 2007. I've been with the

[9:30] MAIDA since 2008. Um

[9:34] we're an organization and authority that was created specifically

[9:38] uh for economic development with a military focus.

[9:42] Uh the military is very important to Utah.

[9:45] Um not just for our patriotic reasons, but because it is also an economic

[9:52] driver for the state of Utah. Uh people aren't aware sometimes that it rivals

[9:57] the entire construction industry as far as the GDP annually over about $22

[10:02] billion. Uh the Kem C. Gardner Institute does a

[10:05] study every 3 years and uh it'll be even higher the next year. It employs it

[10:11] rivals the whole construction industry for the whole state. The military rivals

[10:15] it. But the but it employs more people than the military about 178,000 versus

[10:22] we're talking about defense contractors and related military personnel. But it

[10:26] pays about 30% more than the construction industry for the kind of

[10:30] jobs that it has. So, I tell people that the state of Utah cares about the

[10:35] military, but every county you down to Washington County and Juab County, we

[10:39] should all care because the GDP is pretty significant that comes from the

[10:43] military. Plus, we're all very proud Americans that we have such a incredible

[10:48] military and a great presence here in the state of Utah.

[10:52] MIDA has a seven has a seven-member board, five appointed by the governor,

[10:57] one appointed by the speaker of the house, one by the president of the

[10:59] Senate. Five of of the governor's five appointees, three must be local elected

[11:05] officials from the at or near our project areas. And the highest or the

[11:10] top revenue producing project areas always have to have permanent

[11:16] appointee. The governor has to appoint somebody from the

[11:19] highest um revenue producing. MIDA has had great

[11:23] success. We've I won't go through all of our projects, but we've uh by any

[11:27] measure we have done very very well. At Hill Air Force Base for example, it

[11:32] went from zero taxable value to 5,000 high-paying jobs that came from out of

[11:38] state and now has about $600 million of taxable value. Um um along the

[11:45] Hill Air Force Base that straddles the two counties down there. We have another

[11:49] major project down in Wasatch County and that went from about $20 million of

[11:55] taxable value to a little over $2 billion of taxable value and it'll

[11:58] probably hit about four or five billion dollars of taxable value where we

[12:02] support the morale, welfare, recreation. This specific of the way my data works

[12:08] is we have to create a project area in

[12:12] order to be able to do use the tools that the legislature gave us to help

[12:17] both the state economic development generally,

[12:21] help a local government, and also help the military. So, what is before you is

[12:27] there was a group that came to the state of Utah and

[12:30] they went to the governor's office of economic opportunity. It's going back to

[12:34] the old name, governor's office of economic development, so GOED, as we

[12:38] call it. And then they referred it because of the

[12:41] military component of this data center and the kind of data center,

[12:45] the hyperscale data center, and the military uses that would come from it.

[12:49] » [snorts] >> They referred it to my data. This was in

[12:51] January, so we are working on it with the group. We get a lot of proposals

[12:57] and we turn them down. Either they're not viable or they don't have a military

[13:01] component. So, we hear a lot of things, but this one was unusual for both its

[13:06] military and national security reasons as well as

[13:10] its viability and economic opportunity it would bring.

[13:14] Um they specifically focused on your county because you have some

[13:19] several unique assets. One is the Ruby pipeline

[13:22] where you it could generate power uh, a significant level and also because you

[13:28] have redundant fiber. You have in the vicinity educated workforce, and we have

[13:33] the universities and others that could could help

[13:38] with the employment and and and such. So, when they looked at it, they

[13:42] concluded Box Box Elder could be one of the best places in the entire country to

[13:47] locate something like this. The interesting thing, and we we know

[13:52] that this is a rural county, and we respect the rural nature of it. And some

[13:56] of the things that we do in Wasatch County and that we do at Hill, we would

[14:00] not propose to do here. We have Hill Northrop Grumman

[14:04] uh, at Hill, and that's on 20 acres. It's 5,000 high-paying employees, which

[14:09] is great in that area, but that wouldn't fit. That's not something that would

[14:12] fit. But this seems to us, particularly given your interest and concern and need

[14:18] about agricultural and wanted to keep that, that this is something that could

[14:22] really work. When I look at it, and I've been at this economic development game

[14:26] for 40 years and in in Utah. We're a governmental entity. We're not

[14:30] quasi-governmental. So, there's no bonus program. We're I'm

[14:34] here just to to do good for for the state and hopefully for you and for the

[14:40] military. Um, but as I look at this, it seems to fit. It's one of the least

[14:46] dense per acre as far as impact. It will have an impact. Probably several

[14:51] thousand, not probably it'd have several thousand construction jobs, and once

[14:55] those go away, about 2,000 permanent jobs that are high-paying jobs.

[15:00] But it per acre, it's the least impactful of

[15:05] what I've seen from commercial, industrial, and residential, but it's

[15:08] the highest value per acre. It's a very interesting way that this could fit and

[15:13] be compatible, dark sky compliant, out in a rural area, having ranchers and

[15:18] grazing right next to its fence, um,

[15:22] you know, low noise and and many ways very very very compatible

[15:28] with what's going on. Okay, so how it works is we do not like to go MIEDA

[15:34] where we're not welcome and wanted. So, we years ago went to the legislature

[15:40] instead of we're going to have private land that's part of our project area in

[15:43] addition to military land that we need the consent of the local government.

[15:48] You're the local government because it's all all this is entirely contained

[15:51] unincorporated county. So, we need your consent.

[15:54] And then number two, we need all the land owners consent. This is not like

[15:58] assessments areas where you need 2/3 or 66%. MIEDA requires and I wrote the

[16:03] legislation said I want it 100%. You want all the land owners

[16:07] to say that yes, they would welcome and want to be part of a particular project

[16:11] area. Um, the good news is we have the consent

[16:14] of all of the land owners. This is about 40,000 acres spread between Locomotive

[16:18] Alley, Hansel Valley, and then some near the freeway. All of the land owners have

[16:23] signed the consent. And and are are supportive of what we're bringing here.

[16:29] [snorts] I have a letter from as a representative from one of their short

[16:32] from one of the property owners.

[16:36] Um,

[16:39] uh, Jed Heaton. My name is Jed Heaton. I

[16:42] have been working with the West Gen Co team for the last few months and teaming

[16:47] um, and learning about the project and what it will be used for. I understand

[16:51] the project and the need for power and computing for national security. Also,

[16:56] the need for industrial manufacturing that is military focused. This location

[17:00] was picked because of the gas pipeline and its location of large amounts of

[17:04] flat buildable land. I signed the consent form for MIEDA and I'm will

[17:09] and I am a willing participate in the project. I'm happy to have my land be a

[17:13] part of it. And I think that's a representative of of the

[17:18] of the of the landowners. Um the military

[17:22] need. Um there is a desperate national security need to keep up with China and

[17:28] other locations. We do not have the computing power

[17:32] uh to do what needs to be done. It's and we don't have the power generally and

[17:36] then we don't have the uh the computers that can um um

[17:40] do the AI. Particularly, I'm focused on military and pentagon sorts of uses and

[17:46] then of course there's the other uses. And we're talking a hyperscale data

[17:50] center. Now, couple points. Data centers of the old have a bad reputation. They

[17:55] call gobble up a lot of water. They use up your power and then and when

[18:01] they're all built, they don't employ many people.

[18:04] This is not that. This is a hyperscale compute. It is um

[18:10] the latest technology is the power's usage is uh

[18:14] is completely self-contained. 100% of the power will be generated off the Ruby

[18:19] pipeline. It will not take uh one electron from the from the grid.

[18:23] In fact, they believe that they'll eventually have excess power that

[18:27] they'll be able to put back into the grid.

[18:30] Um the water usage is minimal. The water that they're buying as part of getting

[18:35] the land for both the cooling, it's not the evaporative cooling of old days.

[18:39] It's uh it's circulated water that's reused. And the particular water has

[18:45] brine in it. So, they're going to clean the water, use it for the cooling, and

[18:49] then it will go back down into the aquifer and feed into the Great Salt

[18:52] Lake. So, I think it'll be a net gain to the Great Salt Lake. So, lower water

[18:57] usage, self-contained on its power, and high high value. And then the last one

[19:03] is the jobs. The jobs are are very high-paying jobs to run something this

[19:08] mag- magnitude, scope, and scale. As far as the military use, I would like

[19:14] to turn some time over to Colonel Owens. He is going to be the assistant adjutant

[19:18] general for the National Guard, and he can describe why it's so important to

[19:22] the military. Thank you.

[19:31] » Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen, uh thank you for allowing me to address you

[19:35] today. Um from a military standpoint, projects

[19:38] like this matter. Our homeland is no longer a sanctuary. Our enemies have the

[19:44] capability to touch us at home. So, national security has to be built

[19:49] into our infrastructure from the start. Investments that strengthen energy

[19:52] resilience and support critical systems help to ensure we're prepared for the

[19:56] challenges ahead and are able to operate without interruption when it matters the

[20:00] most. Thanks for letting me uh

[20:04] address the the group today. Um

[20:07] I can tell you that uh what the Mighty is doing here on the

[20:12] national level as we compete against our enemies, China and Russia, um this is

[20:17] going to help bridge those gaps, those capability gaps that we see well into

[20:20] the future. Thank you. >> Will you just give your give your name

[20:23] and stuff so we can have it on the record?

[20:25] » So, my name is Andrew Owens. Um I'm a colonel in the Utah National

[20:28] Guard. I serve as uh currently the director of the joint staff, and um in

[20:34] June, I will be the assistant adjutant general army commander.

[20:38] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[20:39] » Thank you.

[20:44] » So, what you have on the agenda that's being discussed, I know you're not going

[20:48] to vote on it today, but I wanted you just to say what the two different

[20:51] things are. One is the consent. As I indicated, we needed double consent. You

[20:55] have to consent as the uh land use authority, and then we needed the

[20:59] landowners' consent. Uh is it that one's a simple resolution,

[21:03] and the law says it has to be done by resolution.

[21:07] Um the the second part is the interlocal agreement. So, as patriarch

[21:13] as happy as we are to help the military, and we still needs to make economic

[21:18] sense, okay? It needs to make economic sense for the state of Utah, and it

[21:22] needs to make make sense for the military, and it needs to make sense for

[21:26] you and the local government. And this one checks all of the boxes in an

[21:30] incredible way. It's the biggest project I've ever been involved in. I've been in

[21:33] a lot of big projects. Our entities had for a long time the number one and

[21:37] number two economic develop- economic development projects for the

[21:41] state of Utah. You could add both of those together, multiplying times 10,

[21:45] and this is bigger than that. This is one of those once-in-a-generational

[21:48] opportunities that we have. I happen to know of two states that would rather us

[21:53] not do it. They'd rather us go slow and not figure it out because we're trying

[21:57] to jump ahead of them. Right at this moment, there's things that are

[21:59] happening, particularly on the power um the backlog of the power of

[22:04] generators that are built. You've got many years out if you order today to get

[22:10] the best technology. We have a unique opportunity to jump in front and

[22:14] actually get some that are already allocated to an another state to have it

[22:19] allocated to our state, and it's the best technology out there. It's the

[22:23] number one for data centers. If we can capture that one, it's zero water

[22:28] for the generators, zero. The other ones are low water. This is zero water. It's

[22:32] all air cooled. And it's the lowest emissions out there. And so, we're

[22:37] That's why we're working hard, not trying to push you,

[22:41] not trying to push the state or my data or my board, except because we're aware

[22:47] that there's a real competition because of the high value, low impact

[22:51] comparatively that this brings. So, the So, but we got to make sure it makes

[22:56] economic sense. So, what the interlocal agreement does is and we've done this as

[23:00] Wasatch County with Hideout with the the different entities is we say, "Okay, how

[23:06] are we going to be competitive?" So, some of the money that they're they're

[23:09] going to generate the increase, a lot of that for the specifically the energy and

[23:13] the data center has to go back into building water and sewer and storm drain

[23:19] and roads and all of those sorts of things because we've

[23:23] negotiated with the the developers

[23:27] no requirement for un Box Elder County to subsidize you.

[23:33] In fact, it has to be the opposite. You subsidize them. So, you have to put in

[23:36] all the infrastructure and then dedicate it to the appropriate governmental

[23:40] entity when that comes. So, we have a tax structure and MIDA

[23:44] basically has two funds. You get a development fund that has certain

[23:48] restrictions on how to use it. It's for development from that incremental

[23:52] increase. The second one is municipal services

[23:55] fund. And so, as we've looked at this, MIDA

[23:58] has always liked to defer to the local government. You are the elected

[24:02] official, so the better fund the better way for you to be funded is out of that

[24:07] and use the other fund for the development and to the state of Utah and

[24:11] to MIDA for the military. So,

[24:14] that particular fund, municipal services, the way the law works is you

[24:19] provide municipal services with that and then anything that's excess

[24:25] you just use it however you want to. So, the proposal in this interlocal

[24:29] agreement is that you would provide whatever municipal services you deem

[24:33] appropriate. You don't have to give them more, don't

[24:37] give them less, just what you would normally do for that

[24:41] for the this kind of a development. And then, by default, anything that's

[24:46] not needed for municipal services goes to the city or county that levies a

[24:51] property tax. You're the only one that levies a property tax cuz this is

[24:54] entirely in the unincorporated county. So, therefore, you get that money. In

[24:59] the agreement we're proposing that on the first phase, which is three 3 GW of

[25:04] power, you will get a minimum of $30 annually.

[25:09] And then when they've built this first phase out that we're describing, you'll

[25:13] get $108 million annually. >> That's right.

[25:17] Being a reporter, do you have any questions?

[25:21] » Thir- $30 annually to the general fund and then $108 million annually

[25:26] annually to the general fund with you deciding what's the best way to spend

[25:32] that money. >> It goes back to [snorts] the taxpayer

[25:34] for the last 20 years. >> What? Thanks, Tim.

[25:38] » [laughter] >> We'll we'll we'll look into that.

[25:44] I appreciate this time. Um there's a lot I bore I could say, but I I don't want

[25:48] to belabor it, but if you have any questions for me, I'd be glad to answer

[25:52] them. Uh we have a board board meeting on Friday. And the reason we picked

[25:56] Friday was because there were certain things that are happening nationally

[26:00] where some decisions are being made about this this high-quality power. And

[26:04] so, that's why we're having the board meeting on Monday to our Friday to

[26:08] create the project area, to adopt the standards and guidelines that govern the

[26:13] land use here, to make sure the agricultural uses are permitted, the

[26:18] green belt continues on, there was going to be link leasebacks to

[26:22] to the ranchers and such. Um and then we would adopt this inner our our side of

[26:28] this interlocal agreement with you with such changes as your attorneys

[26:32] um have that we need to make. And uh and then we would adopt the development

[26:37] agreement with the with this particular group to incentivize them to do what we

[26:41] need them to do in our our state and in Box Elder. Thank you very much.

[26:45] » Hey Hey, Paul. Um >> Yes.

[26:48] » Are you comfortable talking about um the upfront cost to the county.

[26:52] » Oh, yes. I That's a great point. Yes. So, they they proposed that they would

[26:58] pay because there's about a 3-year leg a lag and that's

[27:04] it's been a problem for me when I first started is you do all this work and you

[27:08] have no money until the building's built and then finally the taxes start flowing

[27:12] in and so we had that was always been a challenge is is to get to prime the pump

[27:17] to make this thing happen. Well, um,

[27:21] that you need some upfront cost cuz you don't want we don't expect they do not

[27:24] expect you to subsidize them. And, and you came up with a number that

[27:29] was more than I thought and they agreed to it and it's $16.2

[27:33] million spread out over 3 years. So, on the when

[27:38] they first get a building permit, that means construction workers are coming on

[27:41] that first building permit, they pay you $5.2 million.

[27:45] And again, you use it how you deem appropriate for providing services. The

[27:49] next year, they pay another $5.2 million. The next year, they pay another

[27:54] $5.2 million and then by then the cash flow will start uh start coming in. So,

[28:00] yeah, excellent point. >> So, the purpose of that is

[28:04] we understand there's going to be added pressure on the sheriff's department, on

[28:08] our fire department, on our EMS people. And so that's why we needed the funds to

[28:14] to boost those different organizations so that we can provide the service that

[28:18] we need to. >> Totally appropriate as well as roads and

[28:20] infrastructure. Absolutely. >> Yes.

[28:23] » And then I I did want to make one other point. In the interlocal agreement, we

[28:27] always create we did this in our two other locations they've worked

[28:30] excellent. We create what's called a development review committee.

[28:33] The executive director, my position or a designee, chairs that committee. The

[28:38] other six members are all that you ask us to put. We ask for people like and we

[28:43] recommend even a a landowner on there or the your planners, public works, your

[28:49] fire people, the technical kind of people. Those are the ones that look at

[28:53] all the subdivision, all the site plan, where are the roads going to go, where

[28:57] are they building and they're the ones that have to approve that. And as six of

[29:00] the seven are all people that you want to have on that on that board. And it's

[29:05] worked out really well in Wasatch County and in our

[29:09] Hill Air Force Base project. We've had We've had years of experience with them.

[29:13] Works excellent. Thank you. >> Thanks, Paul. Thanks, Paul.

[29:18] » Well, we are grateful for you folks being here today. I mean, that's one of

[29:22] the things, you know, as this come before us and

[29:27] there's been some hiccups in the road that's uh

[29:30] caused us to want to slow down a little bit. One of the big things that that the

[29:34] commission talked about was making sure that we involved um our folks in our

[29:39] county, that our citizens had the opportunity to come and and hear what

[29:42] this was about and and somewhat try to understand this. I I don't know how you

[29:47] feel, but I remember when Paul came and they first talked to us, I felt like I

[29:51] was drinking out of a fire hose and trying to digest all of this

[29:57] so quickly and trying to understand this.

[30:00] Um And so, that's why uh

[30:04] these two items we're going to table today. But

[30:08] one of the big things is we wanted you, our community and our county to be

[30:12] involved. I I mean, this project looks exciting and the potential investment,

[30:17] job creation sounds great. Um but we want to make sure this project's done in

[30:21] the right way. We want to protect our agricultural heritage, maintain and we

[30:27] want to maintain local control and uh and also address the concerns of our

[30:32] residents. The commissioners and the county

[30:35] attorney uh attorneys are taking time to fully review the interlocal agreement

[30:40] and understand it. And uh so, that's why we're not ready at

[30:44] this time to, um, to make a decision on the interlocal

[30:49] agreement, uh, as well as, um, the resolution.

[30:54] Um, we just want to make sure that, uh, we're taking time to be thorough in

[30:58] understanding everything and making sure that all of the players, uh, especially

[31:03] the commission and our attorneys, all understand the project and understand

[31:06] what we're doing. We don't want to just jump into something and down the road,

[31:11] uh, have it come back to bite us in and and have a problem. And then just to

[31:15] make sure that, uh, the property land the private property land owners that

[31:20] are involved, uh, in this project are being taken care of.

[31:25] That that we make sure that they understand and and are aware of the

[31:29] impacts and those type of things, uh, which will, um, make sure that we're

[31:35] strong in the future as well. So, um, I would just like to ask those

[31:40] who, uh, have land in the project area that

[31:44] are actually going to be, uh, impacted by this project, who are in favor to

[31:48] raise your hands.

[31:52] Okay, those that have property in the impact area

[31:55] that are opposed, raise your hands.

[32:01] Okay. Very good. Um,

[32:03] » How about all of us in the impact area that are

[32:06] undecided [clears throat] because we need more information?

[32:08] » Well, and that's the honestly that's the reason we're where we're at. Is we want

[32:13] to make sure that that there's more information to you to you folks, so you

[32:16] understand this project. And it's, like I say, the commissioners, um,

[32:22] as we addressed this and went, uh, and had meetings, um,

[32:27] I I I wanted to be able to understand it better as well, but most important thing

[32:31] that the commission discussed and and visited about was making sure that our,

[32:36] um, citizens had information. That they knew what was going on. And Paul, we

[32:40] realize the urgency in those type of things, but again, um as we've

[32:44] discussed, uh we just need some some time to digest some things.

[32:49] » Mr. Chair, I just want to point out the fact that

[32:51] the commission has not been sitting on this for months. Um this is as is

[32:55] pointed out, it it started or back in January, February. The commission has

[32:59] only been made aware of it in the last couple of weeks, and so that's where

[33:01] we're at at this point. We're trying trying to absorb the information at this

[33:04] point, and that's one of the reasons the commission can't go forward today

[33:07] with this particular resolution. So.

[33:12] » Okay, very good. Um again, those of you who would like to make comments, please

[33:17] fill out uh fill out the the uh forms. Um you we we

[33:22] will give you an opportunity to speak as to this in our public comment period. Um

[33:28] because of the might of the investors' sensitive timeline on this project, we

[33:32] would like to notify the public that there will likely be a special set

[33:36] county commission meeting to readdress the interlocal agreement and provide

[33:40] consent before the next regularly scheduled commission meeting.

[33:44] The meeting will be noticed at least 24 hours in advance as required by state

[33:50] law. So.

[33:52] Anyway, if you would like to speak to that, please fill a form out, and uh

[33:57] we'll give you an opportunity in our uh public comment period. So, but we really

[34:01] appreciate you being here. Paul, thank you, and Colonel, thank you for you guys

[34:05] and and your time, and so. Okay, uh

[34:11] » So so uh do we need a motion to

[34:13] » Yeah, we need a motion to to table the >> items 9A and 9B.

[34:17] » Yep. >> I will make a motion that we table items

[34:20] 9A and 9B on our agenda today. >> We have a motion by Commissioner

[34:24] Bingham. >> I'll second it.

[34:26] » And second by Commissioner Perry. If there's no further discussion, all in

[34:29] favor? >> I.

[34:31] » Thank you. >> We have a different resolution that we

[34:34] want to propose or not? >> What's that?

[34:36] » Do we have another resolution that we >> [cough]

[34:40] » So, yeah, if we could have Annie, we have a

[34:43] resolution that we do want to talk about though in dealing with this. So,

[34:49] » Um based off of the discussions that we've had that I've had with you on the

[34:54] commission, um

[34:56] you wanted to instead of passing consent by resolution during this meeting, um we

[35:01] prepared a resolution that talks about the importance of the project, outlines

[35:06] the details um that Mr. Morris has shared, and um

[35:10] just extends the county's um intent to engage and to look into the full

[35:16] benefits for the county along with um what other impacts and outcomes might

[35:22] might come just to demonstrate that um your participation with MYDA on looking

[35:28] into this project. And then that will get you through until

[35:32] um you may be ready in the future to consent officially.

[35:35] » Okay. So, I [snorts] have

[35:38] » Any motions? >> So, I have a motion. It's um amended.

[35:41] It's an amended resolution 2610. Um it's a resolution of Box Elder County

[35:46] Commission to engage with the Military Installation Development Authority on

[35:49] exploring the opportunity to have a private land located in unincorporated

[35:52] Box Elder County included in the Stratus projected area. And I would make a

[35:56] motion to to pass that resolution at this time.

[35:59] » Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Perry to pass resolution 2610 and a

[36:05] second by Commissioner Bingham. >> The amended 2610.

[36:07] » Excuse me, amended 2610. We have a motion by Commissioner Perry

[36:12] and a second by Commissioner Bingham. If there's no further discussion, all in

[36:16] favor? >> I.

[36:18] » Okay, thank you.

[36:21] Okay. >> [clears throat and cough]

[36:23] » And number 10 on the community development,

[36:27] Garland 300 South Corridor Preservation Fund request by Scott Lyons.

[36:32] » [clears throat]

[36:40] » Thanks, Scott. >> Thank you.

[36:43] All right. >> [cough and clears throat]

[36:46] » First item is a quarter preservation fund request

[36:51] by Garland City for the 300 South roadway between Main Street and 100

[36:57] West. So, Garland is proposing to rebuild this

[37:02] portion of roadway and as part of that they have requested of the cog and the

[37:08] county commission funding out of the the local transportation quarter

[37:13] preservation fund. This has been reviewed by staff. There's

[37:17] a scoring matrix that it goes through. The minimum score required to be

[37:22] considered for funding is 15 points and this project scored 15 points.

[37:29] Uh it went to the cog for review and for

[37:33] their decision. And the cog

[37:37] decided they made a motion to fund the project. Um

[37:42] the request the requested amount by Garland City was $295,318.

[37:51] That fund the current balance is just over $120,000 currently.

[37:57] Uh so, the cog's motion recommended that it be funded up to $120,000.

[38:04] Um I don't know if you have any questions on it

[38:07] or if there's anything else you'd like me to cover.

[38:09] » not for right-of-way? >> Correct. It's an existing existing

[38:14] roadway that they wanted to improve. >> This roadway is not impacted by the

[38:20] current inland port project that have up there, is that correct?

[38:23] » Not that I'm aware of. >> Okay.

[38:30] » Okay. I I'd make a motion that we approve uh

[38:34] the Garland 300 South Quarter Preservation Fund request that's been

[38:38] presented by Scott Lyons. >> Second.

[38:41] » We have a motion to approve the Quarter Preservation Fund request by Garland

[38:45] uh Commissioner by Commissioner Perry and a

[38:48] second by Commissioner Bingham. Is there any further discussion?

[38:51] All in favor, say I. >> I.

[38:54] » Motion passes. Thank you.

[38:57] » Next item I have is a Quarter Preservation Fund request by Willard

[39:02] City. This one is for right of way acquisition. Uh the

[39:08] total right of way acquisition cost is $60,400.

[39:12] The city is proposing to contribute 25% of that, and they are requesting out of

[39:18] the Quarter Preservation Fund $45,300. Um this project uh for for large cities

[39:27] uh the minimum score required to be eligible for funding is 25 points, and

[39:32] this project scored 37 points. So, it was well above the minimum. Uh this

[39:38] project staff feels is exactly what this fund was established for. Um and this

[39:46] one went to the COG as well, and the COG approved the request for $45,300.

[39:54] » Hey, I will make a motion that we approve Willard City's request for the

[39:57] 300 East Quarter Preservation Fund request of $45,300

[40:02] for right of way acquisition.

[40:05] » I'll second it. >> Have a motion by Commissioner Bingham

[40:08] and a second by Commissioner Perry to approve Willard's request on the 300

[40:13] East Quarter Preservation Fund. Uh

[40:17] if there is no other um

[40:20] if if no other comments, all in favor? >> Aye.

[40:23] » Aye. >> Motion passes. Thank you.

[40:26] » Uh next item is uh memorandum of understanding.

[40:31] Uh we have it listed as agreement 2617.

[40:34] This would be between the Box Elder County and the BLM

[40:38] regarding the High Desert Trail. So, the High Desert Trail

[40:42] um is a trail that extends from Washington County. So, basically the

[40:46] southern point of Utah to uh Snowville, the northern point of Utah. Um

[40:53] and so, each county would participate in this MOU

[41:00] between Box Elder County and the BLM as part of an environmental assessment

[41:04] that the BLM does. Essentially, what the county does is say, "Here's your point

[41:08] of contact um for any questions you may have as you are conducting your

[41:14] environmental assessment, and that point of contact will assist you as needed

[41:18] throughout that process." Um I anticipate for our portion of that,

[41:24] it will be incredibly minimal. Our portion of the High Desert Trail through

[41:28] Box Elder County is using existing county roads.

[41:32] Um so, there would be no new trail cut through BLM land or anything like that.

[41:37] So, uh but with that said, uh

[41:41] we can either choose to be a cooperating agency through that process or we can

[41:45] decline. They do require a reason for declination, but uh

[41:51] anyway, so. >> I'd make a motion that we approve um

[41:57] the MOU with the BLM in Box Elder County 2617 for the High Desert Trail

[42:01] environmental assessment. We've been working on this project with the other

[42:05] counties for quite some time, so I think it's necessary we continue to do that.

[42:09] » Second. >> I have a motion by Commissioner Bingham

[42:12] or by Commissioner Perry to approve Box Elder County and BLM MOU

[42:17] number 26-17 for the High Desert Trail environment

[42:22] and as second by Commissioner Bingham. If there's no further discussion, all in

[42:25] favor say I. >> I.

[42:27] » Motion passes. Thank you. >> Yeah. So, next item is a surplus

[42:32] property request. Uh this came before you a few weeks back. An adjacent

[42:37] property owner to a uh sliver parcel in Perry City

[42:42] was interested in in acquiring that property.

[42:46] Um

[42:48] between now and then I've done a little bit of research and

[42:52] » [clears throat and cough] >> the

[42:54] the parcel is listed in our recorder's database as 0.06 acres in size. Um I

[43:01] it looked larger than that on our web map, so I got in touch with the

[43:05] recorder's office to and asked them if they could dig into it a little bit and

[43:10] find out more information on this property. Um the pro the county obtained

[43:14] possession of the property in via

[43:17] tax deed in 1999. Um with that said, after consulting with

[43:24] the recorder's office, their recommendation, they kind of dove into

[43:28] it, went down a little bit of a rabbit hole, is that the if

[43:34] if the property owner is interested in acquiring this, that a survey be done.

[43:40] Um there's some conflicting property lines, deeds, and other things like that

[43:44] in that area. Um otherwise, it is unclear enough that

[43:50] if no survey is done that that the recorder's office

[43:54] would recommend that it not be surplussed.

[43:58] » So, uh would the potential purchaser pay for that survey?

[44:04] » Correct. If they want it done, yeah. >> So, we're kind of waiting for that to

[44:08] happen type thing then? >> So,

[44:12] yeah. I mean, I I I haven't spoken with them specifically about that yet.

[44:17] Uh discussed this with the recorder, I

[44:19] think on Monday, um and then wanted to bring it before

[44:22] you so that you could give us some direction there. If that is your

[44:26] direction, then I'll get back to the landowner and let him know that that's

[44:29] the direction that's what the county commission feels on this before starting

[44:33] the surplus pro the surplus disposal process.

[44:35] » So, because of the boundary issue, you don't know exactly how large the parcel

[44:39] is? >> Correct.

[44:41] Yeah. And I I know Chad's here. If you have

[44:45] additional questions, he knows more about the specifics of it than I do

[44:49] having, you know, his department and his background knowledge in in legal

[44:53] descriptions and all of that. So,

[44:58] » Do you want to come talk to us for a second, Chad, just to make sure I

[45:01] I mean, right now I'm inclined to say if they want to have it assessed and come

[45:04] or have it surveyed and come back, then I would be willing to possibly put it on

[45:08] the surplus, but >> And I think the questions that were

[45:10] provided in your packet as far as if we go to surplus, I think those can be

[45:14] addressed at the time, like if the survey is done,

[45:19] right, then that can be addressed. >> So, Chad Montgomery, Box Elder County

[45:24] Recorder. The

[45:26] The issue is that the the acreage doesn't match the the legal description.

[45:30] It's all based on lessers. As we drew the surrounding parcels, it

[45:34] looks like the gap extends further north than what is actually shown on the web

[45:39] map. Um because that's unclear, they come

[45:42] from separate section corners, and they don't tie to each other.

[45:46] It looks like the one to the north actually should be, if it's tied

[45:50] properly, should be the road on the east side rather than

[45:53] the west side. But, based on the description that's

[45:56] currently used from when it went to tax sale,

[45:58] um it would be a much larger parcel and could cause some conflicts with other

[46:03] landowners. And I don't think we want to create any issues with additional

[46:07] landowners. And that's why we suggested that we

[46:11] have them get a survey for the particular parcel that they were

[46:14] interested in for surplusing.

[46:18] » Yeah, I think we I think we ought to wait to have a survey.

[46:20] » Do we need a motion to that effect? Do you Would you like a motion to that

[46:23] effect? >> Uh I don't know that you need a motion,

[46:26] but uh >> direction from

[46:28] » Direction that I think they have to have a survey before they can bring it back

[46:30] before we can feel good about putting it for

[46:32] » Yeah. >> Then we can vote on it.

[46:34] » It's still Okay.

[46:35] » Thank you. Thanks, Chad.

[46:40] » All right. So, my next item is the ordinance 649. This is a request for a

[46:45] zoning map amendment in the Tremonton area.

[46:50] More specifically, third ward area, if you're familiar with that. It's kind of

[46:53] southeast or sorry, southwest of Tremonton.

[46:56] Um it's approximately 1,362 acres.

[47:01] This one consisted of multiple landowners requesting that their

[47:05] property in a joint application requesting that their property

[47:09] uh change from unzoned to the agricultural heritage zone.

[47:13] This went to the planning commission in March on March 19th.

[47:18] Public hearing was held uh and the planning commission following

[47:21] that public hearing process recommended approval to the county commission.

[47:29] » Hey, I will make a motion that we approve ordinance 649 to rezone from

[47:33] unzoned to ag heritage zone 1,362 acres.

[47:37] » I'll second it. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Bingham

[47:40] and a second by Commissioner Perry to approve six number 649 rezone

[47:45] um from unzoned to ag heritage zone as presented. Any further discussion? All

[47:51] in favor say aye. >> Aye.

[47:55] » Okay, and then the final one, ordinance 650. This is

[47:59] uh similar. This one is requesting to rezone

[48:04] approximately 1,622 acres. This one's located in the Garland

[48:10] and Riverside area. Similarly, that area zone is unzoned,

[48:15] and this property owner is requesting that his property be rezoned to the

[48:19] agricultural heritage zone as well. Um

[48:23] and this one went to the planning commission in April on April 16th.

[48:29] Public hearing was held, and the planning commission forwarded a

[48:31] recommendation of approval.

[48:35] » So, I will make a motion to approve ordinance number 650 to rezone from

[48:40] unzoned to ag heritage zone, 1,622 acres in the

[48:44] Garland Riverside area. >> I'll second it.

[48:48] » We have a motion by Commissioner Bingham and a second by Commissioner Perry

[48:52] to appro- to approve number 650 rezone from unzoned to ag heritage zone as

[48:58] presented. If there's no further discussion, all in

[49:02] favor? >> Aye.

[49:03] » Aye. >> Motion passes.

[49:06] » And my final item will move to a future meeting. Thank you.

[49:10] » Okay. >> Thanks, Scott.

[49:11] » Thanks, Scott.

[49:14] » Okay. Uh number 11 under fairgrounds is going to come and talk to us about uh

[49:21] facility use agreement. Number

[49:24] and number 26-12.

[49:29] » This facility use agreement 26-12 um will update the agreement between Box

[49:35] Elder County and Lola Baker, um often known as the boot lady, with

[49:41] the rental of exhibit hall number three out at the county fairgrounds. Um it

[49:47] updates the monthly amount um required for rent. Um

[49:53] and stipulates that the agreement expires in February of 2027.

[50:00] Um in speaking with Lola, she is working on her new location and so

[50:05] she will keep us in the county updated county commission updated on if she is

[50:10] able to move before then or if she requires some additional time.

[50:16] » Very good.

[50:20] » So you need a motion? >> Yep.

[50:21] » I'll make a motion we approve facility use agreement 26-12

[50:26] fairgrounds building. >> I'll second it.

[50:28] » We have a motion by Commissioner Bingham and a second by Commissioner Perry to

[50:32] approve agreement number 26-12 as presented. Is there any further

[50:37] discussion? If not, all in favor say I.

[50:41] » I. >> I.

[50:42] » Motion passes. Thank you.

[50:53] » Are you ready for me on the next? >> Yes, I'm ready for the next one.

[50:55] » Okay. >> Sorry.

[50:56] » No, you're fine. On this next one, um the attorney's office has been working

[51:01] in conjunction with um Commissioner Tyler, Jan with the fairgrounds, and

[51:06] Sherlene in the auditor's office to update the current horse stall

[51:11] rental agreement. Um once this is put in place, we'll be able to follow up with

[51:16] the current um renters to if if they're willing and able to meet the new

[51:22] requirements to renew um their agreement to continue. As of

[51:28] this time, just to update you on the status, they were given until I think it

[51:32] was June 12th or right around there >> Right.

[51:36] » in the original notice um to vacate. And so, as long as we're able to help them

[51:42] renew this agreement before June 12th, um there should be no impact to them.

[51:48] And then additionally, we're working with the others on special equipment

[51:51] that's there at the grounds. But the updated agreement and it is very

[51:55] comprehensive, much longer than what we had in place before, just to cover the

[52:00] liability of the county and to ensure that, um, both the renter and the county

[52:05] are on the same page as to what's allowed in and what would is not allowed

[52:09] in what would require special permission, um, through Jan or through

[52:13] the commission. >> It looks like it's very similar to what

[52:15] I noticed Cache County has something similar. Utah State has something very

[52:19] similar. So it's basically protecting us similar to those folks as well. So

[52:22] » It should. And in this agreement, that's where it removes the option for cash

[52:26] payments on horse stall rentals, but does allow for not only the online

[52:31] credit card payments, but also an e-check or an electronic checking

[52:36] account option. So that hopefully that will be a fit for everyone.

[52:39] » Great. Very good. I'd make a motion that we approve the

[52:42] updated standard horse stall month-to-month rental agree- the form

[52:45] agreement. >> Second.

[52:47] » We have a motion by Commissioner Perry and a second by Commissioner Bingham to

[52:50] approve the updated standard horse stall month-to-month rental agreement form as

[52:56] presented by Ann Hansen. If there's no further discussion, all in favor?

[53:00] » Aye. >> Aye.

[53:01] » Motion passes. Thank you, Ann.

[53:05] Okay, Recorder's Office. Uh

[53:11] Hi, Chad. >> Hello.

[53:12] » You're going to talk to us about the Common Chain, uh, LLC agreement.

[53:16] » Yes. Chad Montgomery, county recorder. So I'm here to talk

[53:20] about, uh, the agreement 2613 with the company Common Chain LLC.

[53:26] Um, this does two things for the Recorder's Office. Um, it'll it uses,

[53:33] um, it's used as a backup. So we'll have a a

[53:36] separate online issue so that when things happen, like

[53:40] what happened in August, the the title industry will still have a second option

[53:44] that's cloud-based to be able to still do their

[53:48] um title searches and things and keep that economy moving.

[53:52] Um so that was the biggest reason that we wanted to go with them.

[53:55] The second reason was to They provide They take all of our historical

[54:00] documents that we now have scanned, and they will

[54:04] using AI index all that information and put it in, which will significantly

[54:08] reduce the cost to the county. Other

[54:12] um An important thing to note is that other groups that

[54:17] that can do this would cost the county a dollar per

[54:20] document to do that, and with so many historical things that would be a huge

[54:23] cost. The nice thing about this company is

[54:26] that there's no cost to the county. Their Their money in this is all through

[54:32] the title searches that they provide, and and any copies that are made from

[54:36] that go back to the the county at the normal fee that we

[54:41] have in our fee structure. Um so with the fact it doesn't cost us any money,

[54:46] we get all the benefit from that. That's and we get the backup option.

[54:51] That That's why I'm asking the commission to

[54:55] go with this agreement with Common Ground.

[54:57] » So I mean do they have any guarantees that in the event of a hack that their

[55:01] cloud-based system will protect you? >> So it's a it's a completely separate

[55:07] thing, so we only we upload once a week. And so there's not a continual

[55:13] connection there. >> network then.

[55:14] » No, and so it's completely separate. So that's one of the things, and we had the

[55:19] contract reviewed by the attorney's office, and they made sure that those

[55:23] kind of things were the important things were included in that, but with that

[55:27] separation where it's not a constant communication, if one or the other goes

[55:31] down, it should not affect the other. And that was an important thing for us

[55:35] as well. >> Yeah.

[55:38] » Okay, well, I will make a motion that we approve the Common Chain LLC agreement

[55:43] number 26-13. >> I'll second it.

[55:46] » We have a motion by Commissioner Bingham Bingham and a second by Commissioner

[55:50] Perry to approve the Common Chain LLC agreement number 26-13 as presented by

[55:56] Chad Montgomery. If there's no further discussion, all in

[55:59] favor say I. >> I.

[56:01] » Motion passes. Thanks, Chad. Appreciate you.

[56:06] All right, under the Treasurer's office, request of forgiveness on interest and

[56:11] penalties for the unpaid property tax on parcel 05

[56:16] 0-53-01

[56:19] 09, Heather Murphy. >> Hi.

[56:22] » How are you? You going to come Can you You want to come up?

[56:26] » Sorry. >> Sean's going to come.

[56:30] We just want to have you up there with us.

[56:32] » Do you want all that papers?

[56:39] Um Um my 2025

[56:42] taxes just got done this morning. >> Yeah, tell us who you are. Yeah, we need

[56:45] to know who you are. >> Hi, I'm Heather Murphy [clears throat]

[56:48] and I used to live in Box Elder County a couple and while I was living here a

[56:51] couple decades ago, my paternal grandparents passed away and

[56:55] instead of paying down my mortgage on my house, I decided to purchase a small

[56:58] building on Main Street in Tremonton across from the old bell tower on the

[57:03] same street that my dad was born on in 1940. It was a good thing I did buy that

[57:10] um commercial building because the rent

[57:13] from it has kept me and my five kids afloat when my husband left us 10 years

[57:16] ago when my baby was youngest and I had no job or training.

[57:20] I'm here today because I failed to pay my property tax on the building in 2022

[57:26] through 2025. And

[57:29] how in the world did I not notice that I didn't pay it?

[57:34] I will tell you. Um

[57:37] I went I remarried in 2022 and moved and failed to contact the tax collector

[57:44] county to get my property tax bill address changed and so where I wasn't

[57:49] receiving the notice I didn't notice plus I wasn't um

[57:55] at my my second husband was paying our taxes and

[58:00] I didn't, you know, didn't notice that I mean

[58:03] he was doing our taxes and he didn't notice that

[58:06] we weren't paying and um and I was having a a lot of challenges

[58:12] with my second marriage and at the beginning of 2025 I went

[58:17] through a divorce and now I'm in the

[58:22] process of rebuilding and taking full responsibility of my finances and tax

[58:25] obligations again. As part of that I recently became aware

[58:29] of the unpaid taxes while preparing my 2025 filings.

[58:34] And I am working to get everything caught up as quickly as possible.

[58:38] Since my divorce my income has decreased significantly which makes the

[58:42] accumulated penalties and interest a much greater financial hardship at this

[58:45] time. I take responsibility for not catching

[58:49] this sooner and I'm committed to ensuring

[58:52] that all future tax notices are properly received and monitored so

[58:56] this doesn't happen again. So given the circumstances specifically

[59:01] the lack of notice due to the address change, the significant life transitions

[59:05] of moving and getting married and all those things um and my current financial

[59:09] hardship I I respectfully request that the county consider waving or reducing

[59:14] the penalties and interest that have occurred.

[59:21] » Sure. Sean, you want to tell us what the penalties and interest are that we're

[59:24] talking about? >> Yeah. So this is I just to make clear

[59:28] it's not a tax sale property. Uh

[59:31] penalties and interest uh amount to a total of $1,005.35.

[59:39] » Okay. And can you substantiate to me the fact that

[59:43] we sent the letters out where we do we know if we were getting them getting

[59:46] letters coming back to us or did they just

[59:49] » Probably or else the person that was receiving them just threw them away, but

[59:53] » Okay. >> Yeah, they were going to the wrong

[59:55] address. >> So it is they were not getting to her

[59:57] and that's so the >> Yeah, they weren't getting to her. They

[1:00:00] had the wrong address on. They had the previous address, right?

[1:00:02] » Okay. >> So Shawn, because you're saying it's not

[1:00:05] a tax sale, that means we haven't reached 5-year limit?

[1:00:08] » That's right. It's 4 years delinquent at this point.

[1:00:12] » So I have a question for you. So if if we decide to

[1:00:17] do away with the penalty and the interest, are you going to be able to

[1:00:19] catch up on your taxes? >> Yes, I have a a HELOC that's a 8%

[1:00:23] currently 8% interest rate and I will um pay that. I will get caught up today.

[1:00:30] I will take use that loan to to get caught up.

[1:00:33] » That's that's awesome. That's what I That's what I like to hear actually, the

[1:00:35] fact you're going to catch up on your taxes. That's great.

[1:00:37] » I'm really embarrassed. >> Well, that that is the fact you're

[1:00:40] willing to to do what you've done to go out and get a HELOC to get take care of

[1:00:43] your taxes is impressive. We sometimes don't always see that either, so I'm

[1:00:47] impressed that you're willing to do that. With that, I would make a motion

[1:00:49] that we do forgive the interest and penalties on the unpaid property taxes

[1:00:53] for parcel 50-53-0109.

[1:00:58] » I'll second that. >> We have a

[1:01:01] motion by Commissioner Perry and a second by Commissioner Bingham to waive

[1:01:05] the uh interest and penalties on the unpaid property tax on parcel

[1:01:09] 050-53-0109,

[1:01:14] Heather Murphy, as uh presented. Is there any further

[1:01:18] discussion? All in favor, say aye. >> Aye.

[1:01:20] » Motion passes. Thank you.

[1:01:22] » Thank you so much.

[1:01:26] » Okay, request forgiveness on interest and

[1:01:30] penalties for the unpaid property tax on parcel 031-25-0103,

[1:01:37] Larry Stevens.

[1:01:44] » [snorts]

[1:02:01] » Yes, it is. >> My name is Larry Stevens and I'm the

[1:02:06] owner of this. My mother-in-law actually gave it to my wife. My wife has been in

[1:02:11] the hospital for quite a big time now and I'm legally blind

[1:02:17] and so I haven't had a uh

[1:02:22] way to pay all these things and everything because of all the situations

[1:02:25] anyway. Long story short is I was trying to wave that where I will pay the whole

[1:02:29] amount. I just wanted to see if I could get the

[1:02:33] wave the uh fees and the interest rate for it so I can come up with the rest of

[1:02:38] the amount. I have the money for that but

[1:02:42] » What is the penalties and interest, Shawn? Can you tell us that?

[1:02:46] » Yeah. Um This is a tax sale property.

[1:02:51] And uh it's also a secondary residence which makes the taxes quite a bit higher

[1:02:57] than a primary residence. The taxes uh well, the penalties and interest

[1:03:03] combined are $3,374.47.

[1:03:14] » How much are the taxes?

[1:03:17] » You know, taxes are almost twice as much what they

[1:03:21] of what they would be if it was a primary residence. So, the taxes the

[1:03:25] total taxes owing for 5 years is $14,775.13.

[1:03:30] » We do I live there about 6 months of the year.

[1:03:34] So, we go back and forth and down there. Whenever we have to do

[1:03:38] different situations.

[1:03:40] » And the primary residence is in Clearfield, is that right?

[1:03:43] » Primary I have in Clearfield. So.

[1:03:46] » So, Mr. Stevens, do you >> there about 6 months a year.

[1:03:50] » So, Mr. Stevens, you said that you you can take care of the the taxes without

[1:03:54] the penalties and the interest? >> Yeah.

[1:03:56] » And you can do that today? >> Well, it'll be

[1:03:59] » Yeah, you can do it today. >> Can you do it today? Okay, you can do it

[1:04:01] today. Okay, with that uh

[1:04:04] agreement, I I make a motion that we um approve the request for forgiving on

[1:04:09] interest and penalties for the unpaid property tax on parcel 031

[1:04:15] -25-0103 for Larry Stevens.

[1:04:18] » I'll second it. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Bingham

[1:04:22] and a second by Commissioner Perry to approve the

[1:04:27] uh removing removing the interest and penalties for the unpaid property tax on

[1:04:31] parcel 050-53-0

[1:04:36] No, excuse me. 031-25

[1:04:41] -0103 Larry Stevens. All in favor, say aye.

[1:04:46] » Aye. >> Motion passes.

[1:04:48] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:04:50] » Thank you. Okay, under human resources

[1:04:55] » [clears throat]

[1:04:59] » Jenica's going to come and visit with us for a few minutes.

[1:05:03] About policy 28.

[1:05:10] » Okay, so we are in need of a new policy. The state legislature passed a new law

[1:05:15] that goes into effect on May 6th of this year

[1:05:19] that states that we as an employer are not allowed to ask for an employee to

[1:05:23] pay for a medical exam up front when it's work related.

[1:05:27] We have to just automatically pay for it. We can't pay them, so we can't have

[1:05:32] them pay for it and then reimburse them, which we have done with some in the

[1:05:36] past, so this would just make it so that

[1:05:38] effective today, we wouldn't do that practice anymore. We would just pay the

[1:05:42] bills directly.

[1:05:45] » So that that would become part of their benefit package or

[1:05:49] » of already is, so um these are things like uh CDL medical cards or a fit for

[1:05:55] duty exam, which we already pay directly anyway.

[1:05:58] Um we mostly have been reimbursing the medical cards for CDLs.

[1:06:03] So that's where you're going to see the biggest impact, but we've already been

[1:06:06] paying it, so this just means I can't have the employee pay up front and then

[1:06:10] reimburse them. We just have to pay directly.

[1:06:12] » Pay directly. >> Yep. We have two providers that are

[1:06:15] contracted to do that already, so should be easy.

[1:06:20] » I make a motion that we adopt policy 28 employee medical examinations.

[1:06:24] » Second. >> We have a We have a motion by

[1:06:26] Commissioner Perry to adopt policy 28 and second by Commissioner Bingham.

[1:06:31] There's no further discussions. All in favor say I.

[1:06:34] » I. >> Motion passes. Thank you.

[1:06:37] » Thanks, Janet. Appreciate it. Okay, we're to the public comment period

[1:06:41] of our meeting. Those wishing to make public comment shall sign the comment

[1:06:46] roll and be responsible for the following rules outlined in the county

[1:06:50] commissioner rules and procedures. Speakers will have one 3-minute

[1:06:56] opportunity to speak regardless of the number of items they wish to address.

[1:07:00] Speakers shall address their comments to the county commission only. There is

[1:07:06] This is a time to be heard. There will be no back and forth dialogue with the

[1:07:10] commissioners. Speakers may file copies of the remarks

[1:07:15] or supporting information with the county clerk. The county clerk will make

[1:07:19] the information uh available to the county commission.

[1:07:25] And we will start with

[1:07:29] Kent Hyer.

[1:07:43] » My name is Kent Hyer. Uh we are property owners in the Blue Creek area.

[1:07:48] About 2,000 acres there and I came specifically because of Mayda. I didn't

[1:07:55] know what it was. Suddenly I heard about it this week and came to find out that

[1:08:00] you only learned about it 2 weeks ago. So, it's not so confusing.

[1:08:05] But, I'm concerned about three things. First, the amount of traffic this is

[1:08:11] going to bring into the area because we are after all a rural area. And we're

[1:08:15] talking about 2,000 employees that are going to have to travel up and down the

[1:08:20] Highway 84 to get to Hansel Valley unless they're living in Hansel Valley.

[1:08:25] And that wasn't addressed in what he said about Mayda. Secondly, um the power

[1:08:30] that's being used they say is coming from

[1:08:34] the Rhu

[1:08:36] pipeline? I don't even know what that is.

[1:08:39] So, is that natural gas? >> Yes.

[1:08:41] » Okay. I thought as much.

[1:08:45] So, [snorts] it will not raise our electrical

[1:08:48] prices at all, which is great. Um the third thing when they talked about

[1:08:52] taking the briny water from the Locomotive Springs and cleaning it and

[1:08:56] using it for cooling and then putting it back in the aquifer.

[1:09:01] Do we know how far the aquifer reaches? Does it reach out

[1:09:06] to Blue Creek from Hansel Valley? I mean, I've heard stories the aquifer

[1:09:12] reaches to um what was Thiokol, now it's whatever

[1:09:16] it's called. But, I'm wondering if that's going to

[1:09:20] affect the aquifer or not. They talked about putting it into the

[1:09:24] Great Salt Lake, which would be great to increase the water level there cuz it

[1:09:28] desperately needs to be maintained. But, those are the kinds of concerns I

[1:09:33] had when I came to this meeting. At least I got some responses. I was

[1:09:37] worried that it was going to be just a for-profit

[1:09:40] um

[1:09:42] mining facility [snorts] not related to the government at all,

[1:09:46] especially after I heard that one of the people from Shark Tank is involved in

[1:09:51] the project So, yeah, I just hope you consider

[1:09:57] the people around the area, not just those immediately affected in Hansel

[1:10:02] Valley when you consider what to do with the mine of project, okay? That's all

[1:10:07] I've got to say. >> Thank you, Kent. Appreciate it.

[1:10:09] » [clears throat] >> Okay, Deanna Hardy.

[1:10:24] » [clears throat]

[1:10:26] » Okay. Deanna Hardy Brigham.

[1:10:30] The Box Elder Committee of Liberty is concerned that several times our

[1:10:33] comments have been incorrect in the County Commission meeting minutes.

[1:10:37] When we submit our com- comments in written form to the commission,

[1:10:41] a correction of the minutes of March 25th should reflect that our committee

[1:10:45] believes that zoning should only be implemented when a property owner is

[1:10:50] doing something immoral or dangerous with their property.

[1:10:54] In the minutes of March 25th, it only stated immoral.

[1:10:59] Commissioner Perry reported to the convention at the convention that the

[1:11:03] commissioners cut 4% from each county develop-

[1:11:06] each county department, but failed to inform the people of the large salary

[1:11:10] increases for elected representatives. The sheriff received 17,594

[1:11:16] increase for 2025 and 4,391

[1:11:20] for 26. County attorney received 7,098 increase

[1:11:24] for 25 and 4,785 for 26.

[1:11:29] Judge, 6,388 increase for 25 and 4,308 for 26.

[1:11:38] The assessor, auditor, clerk, recorder, treasurer each received 4,840

[1:11:43] increase for 25 and 3,271 for 26.

[1:11:49] The citizens do not receive an increase in salary every year.

[1:11:52] They keep getting their money taken away every year.

[1:11:56] The citizens' cries to our representatives not to raise taxes were

[1:12:00] ignored. The citizens have every right to protect

[1:12:03] their property by not paying tax increases that were not consented to by

[1:12:08] the governed. Grateful for all the citizens that

[1:12:11] stood, even if it was just for a little while.

[1:12:14] And for those citizens that are continuing to stand in resistance

[1:12:18] against the tax increases. Quote, "A every major increase in

[1:12:24] liberty in our country's history has been the result of people showing

[1:12:28] disobedience against bad laws. Disobedience is the true foundation of

[1:12:33] liberty." Henry David Thoreau. The citizens are being forced to turn

[1:12:38] over their hard-earned money so that elected representatives can have larger

[1:12:42] salaries and to fund unconstitutional socialist government programs.

[1:12:47] Our elected representatives are showing no respect or concern for their

[1:12:51] constituents. It was also reported county purchased an

[1:12:55] ambulance at a reduced rate. Why is our county purchasing an ambulance?

[1:13:00] This should be the hospital's purchase and part of the free market system.

[1:13:04] The citizens are double taxed with being forced to pay into this service and then

[1:13:09] when the citizen actually use the service, they are billed at an enormous

[1:13:13] rate, which is a double taxation. Solution, restore the free market

[1:13:18] system. Commissioner Bingham reported that he is

[1:13:21] for property rights but is trying to zone all of the county's property, which

[1:13:25] is unconstitutional. This country was founded on private

[1:13:29] property rights and representatives are supposed to be protecting this right.

[1:13:33] » Okay, your time is up. >> Okay, thank you.

[1:13:35] » Yep. >> I'll let you read the rest of it.

[1:13:38] » Luanne Adams.

[1:13:52] » What is this for? >> That's for you to snuggle with it if you

[1:13:55] » It's a comfort bunny. >> Yeah, you just squeeze it if you get

[1:13:57] really upset. >> [laughter]

[1:14:02] » It does it does hug back, so be careful. >> My notes says spread kindness.

[1:14:08] Anyway, my name's Luanne Adams and I'm I'm here um our family has property in

[1:14:14] the Salt Wells area and we're affected by this

[1:14:17] um this Myton deal.

[1:14:21] I was called some time ago um about the property and and we let him know that we

[1:14:26] are a working ranch and our ranch, let me just tell you a little

[1:14:30] bit about our ranch. It's historic property, it goes back to um Bob's

[1:14:35] grandfather and um we've put a lot of work into

[1:14:39] that. We have a seed business there, forage kosher, and we have cattle on it.

[1:14:44] In in the wintertime, it's a good place to to have your cattle because you don't

[1:14:48] have to feed a lot of hay. It's kind of a open winter, so it's it's really great

[1:14:54] for that. And because we don't use a lot of hay, it helps with this alfalfa that

[1:14:58] everybody's talking about. Um They don't want farmers to raise.

[1:15:03] Anyway, we want to keep ranching. We have I have my son is also here and his

[1:15:09] his son is. So, we got several generations coming and there's we we

[1:15:14] couldn't take the money that they gave us and turn around and find property

[1:15:17] that we have for winter range. And that it is our good winter range. And um I

[1:15:23] learned a lot today. When they called me, they first of all, they wanted

[1:15:27] 20,000 acres. Now, it's 40,000. They didn't say the government was involved.

[1:15:31] They didn't say it was just the private, the Shark Tank guy, you know, and and um

[1:15:36] so, and I didn't know it was going to be an economic development. So, is

[1:15:40] is our property going to be involved in that? And and how will we be affected by

[1:15:45] all that? I know they wanted a non-attainment area and there's reasons

[1:15:49] why they want non-attainment. How is that going to affect us? Um

[1:15:54] because it will. And um with pollution and and other things,

[1:16:00] these um AI plants have loud noise. If you've got on the internet, they're

[1:16:06] they're loud noises. And water pollution, I'm I'm concerned

[1:16:11] about the water pollution and and um when I talked to um

[1:16:18] the Holmgrens earlier, they thought that the water was they were going to use it,

[1:16:23] they were going to recharge it, put it back, and then they were going to be

[1:16:26] able to use it. Now, it's all going to the Great Salt Lake.

[1:16:29] We're we're concerned about even watering our cattle. I know it's

[1:16:33] brackish water, but our cattle uses brackish water to that um

[1:16:37] you know, salty water, it's okay. Um we're concerned about roads. On the

[1:16:43] roads of Salt Wells Road. If I I hope they don't use that. It's got a lot of

[1:16:46] blind corners in it. And also even coming out from Northrop Grumman from

[1:16:52] Brigham City, that road is getting worse and worse. There's so much traffic on it

[1:16:57] and it will be an impact um going forward. I guess we just want to know

[1:17:03] I know you guys didn't I think you kind of learned from us in 10 months about

[1:17:07] this project. We did know earlier. They said don't tell anybody. Don't tell

[1:17:12] anybody. We got some property owners that you you know just don't tell. So

[1:17:17] I kept it to to myself for a little while and then um anyway

[1:17:21] Um, we're we're not interested in in selling our property this time and we

[1:17:26] want to be protected for what we have in the future. So

[1:17:30] » up. >> Thank you.

[1:17:31] » Thank you, LuAnn. Appreciate it. >> [clears throat]

[1:17:34] » Okay, Suzanne Reese. >> Um, they're going to give me a

[1:17:39] microphone cuz I can't stand and walk up there.

[1:17:42] But LuAnn just expressed my biggest concern

[1:17:46] concern. [clears throat] We own property down in Salt

[1:17:49] » till the microphone for just 1 second so we can record it?

[1:17:51] » Oh, okay. Now, LuAnn expressed what I'm really

[1:17:55] concerned about, too, is [clears throat] the roads that uh it

[1:18:00] it's really kind of a dangerous place out there. The blind corners and up and

[1:18:05] down. And I'm concerned about 2,000 employees traveling those roads that

[1:18:12] could create a real hazard. And the other thing I'm really concerned about

[1:18:16] is why this was kept so hush-hush and not talked about. My grandson came home

[1:18:22] from college saying it was talked about in his college class. And that's how we

[1:18:26] became aware of what was going on. Because nobody else was supposed to

[1:18:30] know, but it was talked about over at Utah State. But anyway, my My concern is

[1:18:36] the roads. It's pretty dangerous on those roads right now, and you add

[1:18:40] another 2,000 people, it's going to be life-threatening. Thank you.

[1:18:45] » Thank you. Appreciate that, Suzanne. Tim Munns.

[1:18:51] » I thought we were going in order of who was coming. It was

[1:18:54] a lottery. You drawing them out of a hat, who's next?

[1:18:57] » You're it. >> I only got 3 minutes, Commissioner.

[1:19:00] Thank you. Tim Munns, Hansel Valley. Yeah, this thing is going to be huge.

[1:19:05] You get right to my 3 minutes. Change. The only one who enjoys change is a

[1:19:09] baby, and that's the way it is. It Nobody wants change in the name of

[1:19:13] progress, development. We've got to manage what we're doing, but

[1:19:18] I get pretty wound up, and I did get wound up. That's like Luann said, all my

[1:19:23] neighbors called me for months. Have they talked to you? Did

[1:19:26] he talk to you? I think I'm the last guy, the landowner on the list, me and

[1:19:30] my son Bud, to know what I shouldn't say what the hell is going on, but that was

[1:19:35] a fact. And then the And then so immediately after Austin called me,

[1:19:39] running by me, I chastised him a little for being

[1:19:42] late to the game. He He had his reason why he did, but

[1:19:47] it's going to make a huge impact on this county, this state, and especially the

[1:19:51] valley, Hansel Valley.

[1:19:55] Unlike a lot of the red ranchers there, which are all my neighbors, all my

[1:19:59] friends, we all respect each other's opinion, but

[1:20:03] me and my son Bud have lived there. I've been there 49 years as of last week.

[1:20:07] As anybody's going to be impacted in this county,

[1:20:10] it's going to be us that actually live there. It's been our residence, which

[1:20:14] that's no brag, that's fact, and ain't debatable.

[1:20:19] And when something sounds too good to be true, probably isn't.

[1:20:23] But given all the the short time with just the digest the information we had,

[1:20:28] I got information on that. The first call Austin was on a Thursday night. The

[1:20:32] next morning I was sitting at the state capital building at 6:00 a.m. to

[1:20:37] ask every elected official there what they knew about it.

[1:20:41] And I just got that kind of a blank stare. Called the county commissioner on

[1:20:44] the way, they knew nothing about it. So, one of our

[1:20:49] whatever word you want to use was coming late to the game.

[1:20:53] Now, it doesn't matter now.

[1:20:56] We've been informed it's going to be an economic boom for

[1:20:59] the county if we can believe what they're telling us and what and I got no

[1:21:03] reason not to. It's going to be a massive

[1:21:07] increase in the budget for the county, the school district, and others.

[1:21:11] It's going to affect us immensely. It's going to affect all of

[1:21:15] my neighbors down there.

[1:21:19] I don't I I guess the tipping point on that deal was was the might aspect of

[1:21:24] it. Was the military, the Department of

[1:21:26] Defense, the need for this data center. I still don't comprehend why we need it

[1:21:32] why it's got to be so giant, but after weighing all the information, my

[1:21:36] two sons are in the ranching business with me. We

[1:21:39] I told Austin money isn't the object. We want to just continue doing what we're

[1:21:42] doing. We're happy with what we're doing, but like I said, change is

[1:21:45] inevitable. Progress is going to come. Who would ever agreed with that Ruby

[1:21:49] went through? We did not own that personal land that it's going but we own

[1:21:53] a substantial piece. We've been blessed to no end. The 49 years

[1:21:57] » [clears throat] >> I told you I'd get emotional. We even

[1:21:59] know We've been there. We've been blessed to no end. To expand that thing

[1:22:02] tenfold over. It's going to be less than 5% of the land we own

[1:22:07] currently that they've approached us about purchasing. The

[1:22:11] sliver right beside of the of the state. So, we're not selling out,

[1:22:15] but we are on the team. We are on board with this project.

[1:22:21] I wouldn't say like Paul said it was a welcome with open arms. Hell no, we

[1:22:26] we had a lot of unanswered questions, just like the commission did and like

[1:22:30] everybody did. And I think you know that but after

[1:22:33] weighing if or not it could be stopped by the

[1:22:37] time we come in there this this goose was hatched and this turkey

[1:22:41] was cooked. It looked like to me and we it was either watch what's happening or

[1:22:45] be involved. So we chose to be involved. We're supporting the project right now.

[1:22:50] » Okay, Tim, your time's up. >> Is it?

[1:22:52] » Thank you. >> Yeah.

[1:22:54] » I know it's unbelievable but it is. Thanks, Tim.

[1:22:56] » [laughter] >> I had a thought when you said welcome

[1:22:59] with open arms but this is not the place to tell it so

[1:23:04] » Rick Ellis.

[1:23:14] » Rick Ellis, Howell Valley. Um

[1:23:17] we don't have any idea of the scope of this project. I've seen several of these

[1:23:21] across the country. Uh it's mind-boggling.

[1:23:25] Good or bad, I'm for it and I'm and I'm against it.

[1:23:29] It's going to change Box Elder County and our areas out there forever.

[1:23:34] The lack of transparency really concerns me.

[1:23:37] And the $15 million that they're offering

[1:23:41] Box Elder County is a drop in the bucket of what the infrastructure is going to

[1:23:45] cost us. Where's that money going to come from?

[1:23:49] Uh like I said, I'm not not for and against it. I've got interests both

[1:23:54] ways. Um but it is going to change what we're

[1:23:57] doing forever and we need to look at it very carefully and structure it

[1:24:02] to where it's going to benefit Box Elder County

[1:24:05] and the residents. We've we've heard the sales pitch, the

[1:24:08] patriotic heartstrings. That's all fine and great

[1:24:12] but we need to make darn sure that it benefits us.

[1:24:17] Thank you. >> Thanks, Rick. Appreciate that.

[1:24:23] Douglas Holland

[1:24:36] » My name is Douglas Holland. I'm one of the landowners in uh

[1:24:40] the MIDA area. Um

[1:24:45] I just wanted to thank the county commission,

[1:24:48] uh MIDA representatives, and and the developers and the information

[1:24:54] that they have been able to provide for us.

[1:24:57] And the due diligence that the commission seems to be doing.

[1:25:00] Um it's all important.

[1:25:03] I've been in meetings with some of the county commissioners, with

[1:25:07] the MIDA representatives, and the local landowners that are

[1:25:12] directly impacted with purchase of the properties.

[1:25:17] And both the commission and the MIDA representatives

[1:25:21] were very interested in mitigating any of the

[1:25:27] potential impacts to the area, not only just that valley,

[1:25:32] Hansel Valley, but the local the entire area in the county.

[1:25:37] And I just wanted to thank the commission

[1:25:39] and the MIDA representatives and the developers for their willingness to

[1:25:44] mitigate whatever problems there are and for the landowners and the local

[1:25:48] representatives. Thank you.

[1:25:51] » Thank you. Appreciate that.

[1:25:56] Ann Varner

[1:26:02] Hi, Ann. >> Hi. I'm Ann Varner and we are one of the

[1:26:06] landowners in Hansel Valley where this has been talked about today for the data

[1:26:10] center and we feel like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

[1:26:15] We feel like this will help the impact of the state of Utah and Box Elder and

[1:26:20] um Doug is one of the who just barely spoke

[1:26:24] is also said the way I feel we're for it.

[1:26:28] And thank you for your time. >> Okay, thank you Anne. Appreciate that.

[1:26:37] Becky Miller

[1:26:49] » Okay, I'm I'm Becky Miller and I'm also one of the

[1:26:54] landowners. Um we live on the property with Anne and Doug and I feel like um

[1:27:01] it's going to be a great economic thing for

[1:27:03] um this county or I wouldn't um be supporting it. I I I feel like it will

[1:27:07] be a positive thing with not a lot of impact. I'm sure to the people who live

[1:27:12] here of course but with um some of the other things that they've

[1:27:15] been saying they say that it should be fine. So, um I just give my support to

[1:27:19] the project. >> Okay, thank you.

[1:27:23] Matt Tubbs

[1:27:29] » [clears throat]

[1:27:33] » Commissioners, my name is Matt Tubbs. Um I own property

[1:27:38] that's within the bounds of the Stratus area project. Um I just want to

[1:27:43] uh let you know that I do support that project and am in favor of Mayda.

[1:27:49] Um I've been working with the Westgen Co. team for

[1:27:53] a few months now and they've been uh very transparent and they only want

[1:27:58] what's best for the county and the landowner. So, I I do support the

[1:28:02] project. Thank you. >> Thank you so much.

[1:28:08] Russell Boyer

[1:28:20] » Yes, my name's Russ Boyer, landowner Locomotive

[1:28:24] Springs there. We are in support of this project, the

[1:28:29] Stratus project. Uh my family has ranched there since

[1:28:33] late 1800s down there in Locomotive. Also based in Idaho, and so we're very

[1:28:40] familiar with the ground. My family is also employed at Northrop

[1:28:44] Grumman. And I feel this project is needed. This

[1:28:49] pipeline was put through on us with the Ruby pipeline. I think it was in

[1:28:54] 2010. And there's not been much use for the

[1:28:57] county here. And the economic gain that can be gained

[1:29:01] from this and the jobs, we need it. For the race to space and everything else in

[1:29:07] our military. Uh with all the conflicts we have going

[1:29:11] on in the world, it is a data based driven race and this is the

[1:29:16] current technology we're using and so our family's in support of it with our

[1:29:21] ground. >> Thank you very much.

[1:29:25] Ken Eliason?

[1:29:35] » Hello. Ken Ken Eliason. >> Eliason.

[1:29:38] » And I ranch down there with uh Locomotive Springs area, too. My

[1:29:42] grandfather's been there 75 years ago and along with other

[1:29:47] ranchers and uh me and my two sons, we still ranch there

[1:29:52] with private ground and on private ground and BLM ground.

[1:29:56] And the first thought I had when it came when I heard about it was uh you know,

[1:30:01] no way, you know, wasn't for it, but more I learned about it, uh

[1:30:06] for us it'd just be a small part on in our area. I am concerned about the

[1:30:11] roads, the traffic. Uh but uh they've eased, you know, our

[1:30:16] concerns with with the technology that they say that they have.

[1:30:20] Uh not using a lot of water, but uh I am in in favor of it and I

[1:30:27] I think it'll be a big boon for Curlew Valley, the up the valley up north there

[1:30:32] for employment and other things. Uh but yes, I that's where I'm at, so.

[1:30:38] » Okay, Ken, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

[1:30:43] » Bud Munns.

[1:30:57] Gentlemen, thank [clears throat] you for your time.

[1:30:58] I'd like to thank you that the commissioners for holding this hearing

[1:31:01] and and hearing out what we have to say. Uh just for the record, I am for the

[1:31:04] MIDA application the MIDA application specifically. I I think it is a

[1:31:08] is a good thing. Um or you know, back My name is Bud Munns.

[1:31:12] I'm an I'm a property owner that's actually in the proposed MIDA area. You

[1:31:17] guys have seen the proposed map, correct? I'm I'm assuming, yeah. Um

[1:31:22] The impacts, we know there's going to be some negatives

[1:31:25] and there's going to be some positives. I'm in favor because as long as we show

[1:31:29] a net positive to the locals, like the direct locals,

[1:31:33] and the surrounding areas that are around that, the neighboring ranches,

[1:31:36] and then to our county specifically, and I think the the benefits are there. Um

[1:31:41] and should go forward with that. Um as far as the military aspect goes, I

[1:31:46] can speak to that personally. Um

[1:31:50] We're behind >> [clears throat]

[1:31:52] » in our computing power. It is what it is. I'm a realist. I know that

[1:31:56] humanity has got to move on and and if not us, then who? You know, this could

[1:32:00] move on to a different state, and we could move we could lose the opportunity

[1:32:03] that's right here before us. So, I say we jump on it and gain it so um we can

[1:32:08] get the benefit from it and I think our workforce

[1:32:11] can handle it and we can put up a good product for the military aspect of it.

[1:32:15] Um I would like to for you to uh the your

[1:32:18] consideration for a local like direct local to sit on that seven-member might

[1:32:22] aboard that was discussed and I live there.

[1:32:25] So, um time is of the essence.

[1:32:28] It's what they're saying. So, I know you guys need to gather a lot of

[1:32:32] information um and I'm not saying that we need to

[1:32:35] bypass anything or take a look at things.

[1:32:38] Um but if we delay [clears throat] it, there's

[1:32:41] an opportunity that it could go to a different county. Um

[1:32:45] We were notified by the yeah, a couple of months ago when we wrapped our mind

[1:32:48] around it and it'll be it was what it was um

[1:32:52] but like I say, I I think it's going to be a positive thing that a lot of

[1:32:55] negatives that were you know, all three of you know that my concerns and we have

[1:32:59] addressed those and I think from their end they've uh

[1:33:02] they've appeased me of what what they need to do and what they can do to

[1:33:05] mitigate those. So, we move forward the process. Thank you for your time.

[1:33:08] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:33:11] » Dustin Mills.

[1:33:19] Dustin Mills, uh fourth generation rancher also in

[1:33:22] that same area. Not sure if I consider myself Hansel

[1:33:25] Valley or Promontory. We're about 4 miles south of where the proposed area

[1:33:28] is. Um Kind of no man's land. But my concern is

[1:33:34] this. I as has been stated, there's positives and there's negatives. What I

[1:33:37] want to know is as we move forward if this project go moves forward, what can

[1:33:41] be done to mitigate any negative impacts that it may have that we don't recognize

[1:33:46] right now. The the proposed site's in the bottom of a valley. We all have

[1:33:50] water and wells and things that are above there. If the water impact is

[1:33:53] greater than anticipated and it affects us, what can what moving forward what

[1:33:58] our What's our recourse? What can we do to ensure that our livelihood and our

[1:34:02] properties are protected? And number two, with that on that same note, I

[1:34:07] mean, with the amount of traffic and things that's going out there, a lot of

[1:34:09] that's open range. Is some of that going to have to be fenced in order to cause

[1:34:13] to to stop cattle on car collisions? Who

[1:34:15] pays for that? Who Who pays for the ongoing impacts that we may not even see

[1:34:20] right now if this goes forward. That's That's my big concern.

[1:34:24] And then my other concern is and this is kind of a I realize progress moves

[1:34:29] forward no matter what, but as these type of things move into our county, the

[1:34:33] land values go up and that's can be a good thing and that can be a bad thing.

[1:34:37] But as we look at I mean, we're already at a marginal level in which agriculture

[1:34:42] can support the value of the land. If this project drives the land values up

[1:34:45] even higher, it's going to have an impact on the entire portion of the

[1:34:48] western county, which it'll drive the next generation off their ranches

[1:34:51] because they can't afford to stay there. That's something I think as a county as

[1:34:54] we look at our heritage and our culture, we need to consider that. Thanks

[1:34:58] [snorts] for your time. >> Thank you so much.

[1:35:01] Shayne Holmgren.

[1:35:05] » [snorts]

[1:35:11] » Uh Shayne Holmgren, Bar H Ranch. Uh

[1:35:15] I'm a fifth generation

[1:35:18] on our our ranch out there. I've got

[1:35:22] three kids which are all here with me today and my wife and we have

[1:35:28] continued on our legacy. And when Austin approached me with this

[1:35:34] with Gen West Co, I thought, you want to what? This is

[1:35:38] crazy. The more we have had family meetings and

[1:35:42] discussed back and forth, we can see nothing but the pros

[1:35:47] of this coming versus the cons.

[1:35:52] Uh I want to use one example

[1:35:57] years ago when bought when Beaver City was approached by Proctor & Gamble

[1:36:03] to be a part of Beaver City. The forefathers then shut

[1:36:09] Proctor & Gamble out and said, "We don't want you."

[1:36:13] They found a way to go around the loop

[1:36:17] and they still put the building in. And to this day it says Beaver City, but

[1:36:21] Beaver City doesn't get any revenue. So, that being said, I think to get on

[1:36:27] board now the county's going to do great, the state's going to benefit,

[1:36:32] and I'm 100% supportive of this. Thank you.

[1:36:36] » Thank you. Appreciate it.

[1:36:41] Okay, if there's no other comments,

[1:36:47] we appreciate um those who spoke to us and

[1:36:51] and uh raised your concerns. We appreciate being able to hear from you

[1:36:55] today. Um those things have been said we won't take lightly. That's one of the

[1:36:59] reasons we wanted to visit with you so we could get your feelings and uh as we

[1:37:04] look at this project and and uh those issues that it could have on our

[1:37:09] county. So, thank you for being here. Uh

[1:37:12] » Weren't registered? >> We just took care of it.

[1:37:14] » Got that done. So, uh Do we don't have anything in closed

[1:37:19] session, right? Okay.

[1:37:22] Um I take a motion to adjourn.

[1:37:26] » I move we adjourn. >> I second.

[1:37:28] » Have a motion by Commissioner Bingham to adjourn and and a second by Commissioner

[1:37:32] Perry. All in favor?

[1:37:34] » Aye. >> We're adjourned. Thank you.

[1:37:49] » I did.

[1:37:57] » Right. That's actually

04-22-2026 Box Elder County Commission Meeting

Transcript