Cache County, Utah

At its May 26 meeting, the Cache County Council approved the Bear River Behavioral Health area plan and heard updates on the new receiving center, both set to launch July 1 as part of a regional shift to integrated mental health and substance use services. The council also increased planning commission per diem to $100, advanced two open space projects, updated the county cell phone/stipend policy, and sent several items—including the Powder Mountain resort recreation ordinance—back for further review.

At the Cache County Planning Commission meeting, members unanimously approved several subdivision items and recommended approval of the Richmond City Creek rezone, but recommended denial of the Wellsville Safe Storage II rezone after strong opposition over preserving the agricultural corridor. They also continued the Wi Fiber/Summit Storage tower rezone for up to 90 days to explore a better tower location, while generally supporting proposed code changes on geotechnical exemptions and geologic hazard review but asking staff for more research first.

Cache County Council’s workshop centered on a countywide recreation center proposal, with the steering committee leaning toward a two-facility north/south model as the best balance of cost and access. Survey results showed strong support for indoor recreation and a likely tax increase, but officials emphasized that any ballot measure would still need major public education, and questions remain about funding operations, possible use of RAPS tax revenue, and whether the proposal should go to voters at all.

At the Land Use Hearing Officer meeting on Saddle Ridge’s preliminary plat appeal, the main fight was over whether the county can require a second fire access road and major upgrades to an existing off-site access road before any homes are built. Saddle Ridge argued those conditions are unsupported and amount to an unlawful exaction, while the county said the fire code, Planning Commission findings, and road-safety concerns justify them; the hearing officer will issue a written decision within 15 business days.

The committee made no final policy votes beyond approving the agenda and April 24 minutes, but it advanced two major items: the Logan-Cache Airport interlocal agreement and a code enforcement officer powers amendment. The airport deal is close but still awaiting Logan City and attorney feedback, while the code enforcement draft was generally supported and will return after attorney review, alongside continued discussion of enforcement staffing after Steve Reeder leaves.

Cache County Council approved a law enforcement proclamation, a Riverside rezone for two additional homes on a family farm, a fire-district tax reallocation, advice-and-consent rules for appointments, and a wild-animal feeding ban, while also setting a May 26 hearing on Planning Commission compensation. The council continued work on the resort recreation zone code, reviewed major county issues like airport governance and Powder Mountain, and heard a clean audit and strong financial report from Bear River Mental Health.

Cache County’s workshop focused on restructuring fire services and the fire protection district, including a proposed board expansion from 7 to 11 members and clarification that Logan City is treated separately under the current tax setup. The council also reviewed a “reallocation” that would shift the fire EMS levy off Logan and a future municipal services levy for unincorporated residents, both of which could significantly raise taxes for county residents outside Logan while lowering Logan’s share.

The Cache County Council’s ordinance review committee moved to make the Logan-Cash Airport Authority more independent, with less county micromanagement over operations, staffing, and finances. Key changes under discussion include limiting Logan City’s termination power, clarifying asset ownership if Logan withdraws, revising board membership away from fixed geographic seats, and keeping the county’s financial obligations and oversight broader and more flexible.

The RAPZ Restaurant Tax Board reviewed and ranked applications, then built a funding package for City Council that left about $578,749 unallocated. It fully or nearly fully funded major arts and culture requests, several recreation and infrastructure projects, and the zoo at the statutory max of $320,000, while declining a number of weaker-fit or poorly documented proposals and asking staff to tighten future application requirements.

The RAPZ and Restaurant Tax Board finalized most of its funding recommendations, including increasing Cache Valley Cruising to $45,000, funding Nibley Morgan Farm at $20,000, and boosting Cache County’s ventilation system to $118,000, while also confirming full funding for several major arts and community groups. Members noted about $578,749 remained unallocated and urged stronger, clearer applications and better online filtering tools for future reviews.

The RAPZ and Restaurant Tax Board reviewed all applications and funded a mix of major community events, arts programs, and small-city recreation projects, including Cash Community Connections, the Cache County Fairgrounds water main replacement, Summerfest Arts Fair, and several park and theater requests. Members also debated several borderline requests—especially county/admin items, airport improvements, and trail funding—while stressing that future applications need clearer budgets, stronger local match, and better project descriptions.

At the April 21 Cache County Council meeting, the council approved routine items, adopted Juneteenth as an actual-date county holiday starting in 2026, ratified a high-scoring fraud risk assessment, and approved a trial public comment ordinance and a Rocky Mountain Power franchise renewal. The biggest discussions were about future ballot proposals for a senior center and recreation center, major airport governance reforms, and a 5-2 approval of roadway access for Creekside Estates in River Heights with conditions.

The RAPZ/restaurant tax board reviewed the 2026 application process and confirmed it has 89 requests totaling just over $7 million against about $5.4 million available, so significant cuts will be needed. The board adopted a 0-to-5 scoring system, agreed to review applications from highest to lowest score at the April 21 decision meeting, and discussed project readiness, extension policies, and the 31-month completion deadline for awards.

Cache County Council approved a budget opening/amendment, several fee and code updates, the Dutson 2 rezone near Newton, and multiple property tax exemptions, while denying the 40-acre industrial rezone near Amalga and appointing Byron Kim Ashcroft to the cemetery board. The meeting also featured strong public testimony to protect library funding, an update on America 250 events, emergency preparedness training, and a resolution of the RDA tax increment distribution error.

The Airport Authority Board’s biggest change was Logan City transferring its interest to Cache County, making the county the primary funding agency and prompting a temporary delay on electing board officers and finalizing board seats. The board also approved several airport projects and developments, including taxi lane work, extra engineering for the Lima hangar area, and an Echo hangar proposal tied to future infrastructure contributions, while discussing major facility upgrades and a possible canal enclosure to reduce wildlife hazards.

The RAPZ Committee reviewed nearly 100 applications and sent the county council a recommended funding package that trims many requests to fit the limited budget, leaving about $54,708 in reserve. Key recommendations included major support for trails, parks, arts, and tourism events, plus the full 10% zoo allocation of $274,024, while the Logan-Cash Airport fuel farm was left unfunded for now.

The Logan-Cache Airport Authority Board elected David Zook as chair and John Kerr as vice chair, added the Logan City and Cache County economic development directors as ex officio members, and reviewed several airport operations and capital items. Major topics included a proposed west-side airport development, a likely uniform footprint-based hangar lease rate of $0.43 per square foot, FAA-driven limits on paraglider operations, and next steps on the master plan, 2025 capital projects, and lease redlines for the next meeting.

At the Cache County Council special meeting, the council approved the agenda and then unanimously entered executive session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical/mental health of an individual. After the closed session, the council voted to leave executive session and adjourned, with no public policy discussion or other substantive action taken.

At its April 25 RAPZ meeting, the board reviewed and ranked 77 RAPZ/restaurant tax applications and unanimously adopted a final funding recommendation for Cache County Council. The biggest decisions centered on how to balance fairness across city requests, with strong support for public safety, recreation, and arts projects, while the most debated item was the Cache Valley Rec Center feasibility study, which was ultimately recommended at $200,000 after a tie vote.

Cache County Council unanimously approved the agenda, minutes, and Resolution 2024-08 creating a new countywide policy manual structure, while also reallocating about $12,700 in ARPA funds to compensate victim advocates for COVID on-call work. The biggest ongoing issue was ARPA spending: staff warned all funds must be obligated by 12/31/2024, the council is reviewing 10 new department applications, and members are still debating whether to proceed with the $607,500 accounting software allocation or redirect it.

Cache County Council’s workshop centered on the proposed Logan City RDA/interlocal agreement for the mall redevelopment, with members scrutinizing the 20-year term, $1.8 million payout cap, traffic impacts, affordable housing, and how the project would hold up if the anchor retailer or project conditions changed. The council also reviewed the sheriff’s budget increases from higher jail contract rates and the county attorney’s budget request, including a proposed 24% attorney pay adjustment and a likely decision not to renew the subsidized Logan City prosecution contract.

Cache County Council approved Amy Adams as permanent director of the new Office of Personnel Management, adopted several governance and ethics measures, and moved forward with amended ARPA allocations, including redirecting the county facilities assessment request to the public defender’s office. The council also advanced land-use and district actions, set hearings for the Bailey Building lease and budget opening, and heard major proposals on the Cache County School District’s $139 million bond and the county’s rural economic development grant plan, both of which were left for further review or later action.

The Airport Authority Board approved the June 1 minutes and reviewed key airport issues, including winter snow-removal planning, staffing shortages for CDL drivers, and the need to complete the EV charging station grant paperwork before the FAA deadline. The board also discussed hangar reappraisals, possible more frequent rate adjustments, capital planning and grants, and airport master plan updates that could strengthen funding prospects for the crosswind runway and Taxiway Charlie.

Cache County Council held a special meeting to confirm Tennille Johnson as the new interim Cache County Recorder, and the nomination passed unanimously. After the oath and paperwork were completed, the appointment was made official and the meeting adjourned with no further business.

Cache County Council’s meeting was dominated by financial control reforms: it approved shifting key finance duties from the executive to the auditor and treasurer, eliminated the finance director position, and passed new ordinances tightening compensation, contract tracking, and reporting rules. The council also appointed Blake Rose to the Board of Health, updated sensitive lands/subdivision rules, supported a Bear River Land Conservancy easement, and authorized a FEMA hazard mitigation grant for Birch Canyon.

After reconvening due to a database error that uncovered about $1 million in previously uncounted RAPZ/restaurant tax funds, the committee revised its funding plan ahead of the council deadline and broadly increased support for arts, recreation, tourism, and small-city projects. Key changes included full or higher funding for American West Heritage Center, Cache Valley Center for the Arts, Utah Festival Opera, Zootah, Stokes Nature Center, and several municipal projects, while rejecting a late American Festival Chorus and Orchestra request and leaving some money in reserve.

The RAPZ committee reviewed and ranked 79 applications, recommending about $4.46 million in funding while intentionally leaving some money unallocated for Council review and future needs. Major awards went to arts groups, fairgrounds, trails, and small-town park projects, with notable decisions including $160,000 for the Cache Valley Zoo, $15,000 for the Suicide Prevention Coalition event, and $475,000 for Logan City Arts/Recreation. Staff will finalize the recommendations for County Council on May 9.

At the Airport Authority meeting, no formal action was taken because there was no quorum, so approvals were deferred. The main discussion focused on preserving the historic airport tower through historic registry status and possible reuse as an observation tower/museum, while staff also pressed urgent issues including the $1.5M–$2M fuel farm replacement, hangar and Taxiway India leasing, and tough Union Pacific lease negotiations over airport fence property.

Cache County Council approved the amended agenda, tax relief and multiple property tax exemptions, then spent much of the meeting refining and adopting Ordinance 2023-05, the updated general plan, including protections for private property rights and keeping the airport-area parcel agricultural for now. The council also heard updates on Cache Valley Transit’s ridership rebound and $46 million new facility, recognized county staff achievements, and raised concerns about board vacancies, flooding prep, and SB 174’s impact on subdivision review and public notice.

Cache County Council’s workshop was an ethics training for employees and elected officials focused on the new conflict-of-interest disclosure form, the state’s $50 gift rule, and when gifts, discounts, lunches, or tickets must be disclosed or avoided. The council also reviewed recusal rules, misuse of public property, bribery/confidential information concerns, and family-employment supervision limits, with staff stressing that public perception and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety are central.

The council approved the amended agenda, January minutes, Ordinance 2023-02 with a narrower A-10-only scope, the Hot Iron Storage rezone, and the updated moderate income housing plan, while also setting a public hearing for March 28 on Ordinance 2023-07. It delayed final action on the comprehensive general plan amendment until the next meeting, and also sent the Event Center backup generator request back for more engineering and cost review after FEMA denied funding.

In executive session, the Airport Authority discussed a personnel matter and evaluated a candidate for airport general manager. The board then unanimously voted to offer the position to Jason Ryrie, with the appointment set to begin October 11, and noted there would be no October regular meeting because members would be attending the Utah Airport Operators Association meeting in Cedar City.

The airport board approved the January minutes, heard updates on snow removal, the Union Pacific lease, and ongoing capital projects, and introduced a new county appointee. The main issue was the WWII-era airport tower: the university wants it removed over liability concerns, while board members and supporters want to explore preservation, and the board agreed to inspect the tower and revisit the issue next meeting.

The council held a closed executive session under Utah Code 52-4-205(1)(a) to discuss an individual’s character, professional competence, or physical and mental health, with unanimous votes to enter and later adjourn the session. The only substantive discussion noted was logistics for bringing in Daniel from Sage Forensic, and no public comments or city policy decisions were made.

The council workshop focused on setting the FY budget calendar under SB 162, with the group leaning toward starting department presentations in August rather than July so requests can be vetted first. Members also debated what “participate in the creation” of the tentative budget means, pressed for earlier access to budget details through Cassell, and discussed how insurance costs, RAP tax renewal, and possible bond measures could affect the final budget timeline.

The Cache County Council held a brief special meeting and immediately entered an executive session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation under Utah Code 52-4-205(1)(c). The session was approved unanimously, and no public policy discussion, ordinances, or other council business were handled in open session before the meeting adjourned unanimously from executive session.

Cache County Council approved a new winery land-use ordinance, allowing wineries in the A-10 zone with limits on production, agricultural sourcing, and related uses, while also approving a WRAPS-funded backup cooling upgrade for the Cache Valley Center for the Arts and an $80,000 ARPA-matched economic development grant. The council also heard major updates on SR-30 construction planning and the severe drought outlook, but delayed a decision on Bear River Health’s elementary-school “test to stay” order until Oct. 12.

The council unanimously passed Resolution 2021-17 opposing Tracy Stone-Manning’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management and said it would send the resolution to Utah’s senators. The main focus was interviewing Cache County Attorney candidates Dane Murray, Jacob Gordon, and John Lukey, with heavy discussion of criminal justice reform, balancing criminal and civil duties, and county growth issues; the council said it will choose the new attorney on August 10 and hold the swearing-in on August 11.

The RAPZ/restaurant tax committee confirmed the meeting was properly noticed and then recommended about $2.66 million in awards, leaving significant carryover for future years. Major decisions included funding arts, library, park, fairgrounds, and trail projects, giving a reduced but substantial package to Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, and declining some requests such as Providence’s pickleball relocation unless the County Council rejects it.

Cache County Council approved Nan Small’s reappointment to the library board, a rezoning for D&D Auto Salvage, and a resolution supporting Providence City’s Ridgeview annexation, while continuing the disputed Applewood Hollow RU-5 rezone for more review. The council also heard updates from Bear River Health Department and the library, discussed a possible donation for the Golden Spike wagon train, and began planning budget hearings, jail funding talks, and legislative events.

COSAC approved the April agenda and March minutes, then focused on several potential conservation easements but took no formal project votes. The main action items were to schedule site visits and move forward with formal applications for the Paulson family properties and Hagee Ranch, while staff also followed up on other promising open-space leads and discussed possible funding for smaller Cache County projects.

The Cache County Planning Commission approved the Cherry Hill Ranch Subdivision with 16 conditions, recommended the Riverside 2 rezone for approval, and advanced most of the Powder Mountain resort recreation zone code updates to County Council. Commissioners also restored public comment on consent items, discussed limiting geotechnical report requirements for small accessory structures, and noted an upcoming Saddle Ridge appeal hearing.

At the Cache County Council meeting, the council approved a wastewater/source water protection ordinance, passed a new online publication requirement for county legislation, and reopened several seasonal roads early because of the warm winter. They also denied the Wellsville Safe Storage rezone, corrected the North Gateway CRA tax increment error, and set multiple ordinances and a budget amendment for public hearings on April 30.

Cache County Council’s biggest decision was appointing Dane Murray as permanent County Attorney by a 4-2 vote after interviewing three finalists. The council also approved several land-use and administrative items, including the Shepherd and Greenfield Mill rezonings, a $175,000 bond-earnings return, and new appointments to the Library Board and Development Services Director, while continuing the Wellsville Safe Storage rezone and Hansen annexation for more review.

The Cache County Planning Commission approved several routine items, including the Wengren Ranch, Alpenglow Estate, and Saddle Ridge subdivisions, and recommended approval of a water/sewage ordinance change that would let existing septic systems in Source Water Protection Zone 2 be repaired or replaced under health department oversight. It also advanced a housekeeping code update and sent the disputed Dutson Two rezone and Malaga industrial rezone to the county council with divided or mixed recommendations, while hearing an informational update on Powder Mountain code cleanup.

At its March 5 meeting, the Logan-Cache Airport Authority Board elected John Kerr chair and Brett Hughey vice chair, welcomed new member Dave Galli, and approved a new governance framework discussion as the county takes over airport ownership. The board also advanced major infrastructure plans by backing a $550,000 aircraft-charging grant, discussing replacement of the aging avgas tank, and adopting a 4-1 fee system to fund a revolving account for new taxi lane construction.

At the Cache Open Space Advisory Committee meeting, members unanimously recommended waiving normal process rules and approving up to $175,000 in bond funds to buy 18.18 acres of former gravel pit land in Sardine Canyon, citing its value for open-space connectivity, scenic protection, and future trail access. The committee also reviewed a proposed 174-acre Polson family conservation easement, a new tracking spreadsheet for bond-funded projects, and upcoming outreach efforts including public mailers and a possible landowner workshop.

At the Cache County Council’s Feb. 17 meeting, members unanimously appointed George Deans, Joanne Bennett, and Matt Funk to the Cache County Foundation board, approved a renewal of the Cache County Fire District ambulance service license for 2026–2029, and set several public hearings for March 10. The council also delayed action on the subdivision code amendment, the Class B roads removal resolution, and the frontage/access ordinance while staff and cities work through drafting, legal, and maintenance issues, and it began rethinking how Board of Equalization hearings should be handled.

At its February 10 meeting, the Cache County Council recognized outgoing County Attorney Kay Taylor Sorensen, appointed Dane Stewart Murray as acting county attorney, confirmed several board appointments, and approved an ordinance removing the AICP requirement for the Development Services Director. The council also denied the Mountain Manor Springs rezone, advanced a controversial subdivision code amendment on water and infrastructure standards, and set Feb. 17 public hearings for an ambulance RFP and frontage/access ordinance change.

The Cache County Planning Commission recommended approval of the Shepherd rezone and Greenfield Milling rezone, recommended denial of the Wellsville Safe Storage industrial rezone, and approved a 103-foot telecommunications tower in Paradise with 13 conditions. The Saddle Ridge item was continued for more road-access work, and commissioners also discussed future code updates plus a possible floating solar ordinance for Cutler Reservoir.

At the Logan-Cache Airport Authority meeting, the board approved additional engineering for the Lima hangar area, including up to $15,300 for survey/design work, and also approved expanding Lima to a fifth hangar while discussing a reimbursement model for future taxi lane buildout. The board likewise approved the Echo proposal subject to final agreement on infrastructure contributions, and spent significant time on the Hyde Park Irrigation canal crossing and bird-hazard mitigation, while staff updated members on the Logan City transfer and FAA grant signatory changes.

The available transcript for the Logan-Cache Airport Authority Board Meeting contains only a brief technical note about stopping and restarting the livestream. No board decisions, votes, policy discussions, public comments, or action items are included in the excerpt.

The provided transcript is too limited to identify any substantive Cache County Council business from the 01-27-2026 regular meeting. It only includes an incomplete remark from Courtney Bart about streaming, with no discernible decisions, votes, topics, or action items.

Cache County Council approved the process to relinquish county road segments in River Heights, Providence, and Millville, and also approved the Behavioral Health Integration Plan with a projected county cost of $172,250 annually starting in 2027. The council denied the Dutson rezone near Newton, advanced new RU-2/RU-5 zoning standards and a commercial lot coverage ordinance, scheduled Feb. 10 public hearings on three land-use ordinances, and appointed new fire district trustees while filling several cemetery district vacancies.

At the Cache County Council special meeting, the council unanimously appointed Joanne Bennett as the interim replacement for the Logan No. 2 seat, following the Cache County Republican Party’s nomination and under Utah State Code 20A-1-508. No other business was discussed before the meeting adjourned.

Cache County Council unanimously elected Sandy Goodlander chair and Catherine Buse vice chair, approved the agenda/minutes, and scheduled a Jan. 20 special meeting to ratify the Logan No. 2 council seat replacement. The council also advanced a Bear River behavioral health integration proposal but delayed final approval for financial details, while setting multiple Jan. 27 public hearings and reviewing committee assignments, council procedure, and the county attorney vacancy process.

At the Cache County Planning Commission meeting, members recommended denial of the Mountain Manor Springs 2 rezone, citing concerns about adding a rural residential subdivision too far from services, and approved the Blacksmith Fork Irrigation Company’s canal-piping CUP despite strong public opposition. They also advanced several code amendments, including a frontage/access rule and a revised subdivision code that allows either municipal water or an approved public water system for larger subdivisions and raises the wildland-urban interface lot limit from three to seven, while sending the FR-40 frontage language back for more work.

The Cache Open Space Advisory Committee unanimously recommended first-round approval of the Champion Land Company LLC project and will forward its full scoring report to the County Council, despite the project’s low score, because of its low cost, agricultural value, and conservation potential. Members also approved the landowner outreach letter, discussed expanding targeted outreach and a possible landowner workshop, and raised concerns about using Greenbelt reimbursement funds, pending NRCS funding, and a fake-invoice scam targeting COSAC materials.

At the Cache County Council special meeting, Brian Abbott was appointed interim director of development services to help reorganize planning and serve as the public-facing lead on inspections and permitting. The council also approved prior minutes and voted to uphold the county executive’s two line-item vetoes in the 2026 budget, after clarifying that overriding a veto requires a five-of-seven supermajority.

Cache County Council’s December 9 meeting honored outgoing member Barbara Yost Tidwell, approved the 2026 budget and schedules, and awarded the county’s five-year external audit contract to Joan Simpkins. The council also accepted a $19,160.27 PILT payment, advanced a 334-acre open space conservation project, adopted a state-required data privacy program, and addressed ARPA spending, tax relief requests, and a corrected Paradise zoning ordinance.

At the Cache County Planning Commission meeting, the commission recommended denial of the Dutson rezone and the Smithfield Safe Storage rezone, continued the water and sewage ordinance amendment for up to 90 days, and approved or recommended approval of several other items including the commercial lot coverage/canal setback amendment, the RU-2/RU-5 ordinance update, and the Powder Mountain master plan with 10 conditions. It also granted extensions for North and South Sage Ponds and Saddle Ridge, discussed tighter subdivision access and utility standards, and elected Kurt as chair and Brady Christiansen as vice chair for 2026.

The Logan-Cache Airport Authority Board approved the November minutes, reviewed ongoing airport operations and capital projects, and advanced several infrastructure items including the taxi lane kilo FAA review, taxi lane Charlie reconstruction, and summer taxiway bravo maintenance. The biggest action was moving away from the old hangar waiting list toward a new application-based hangar allocation system, while also approving the Taxi Lanes Delta and Hotel proposal subject to priority-list access and financial feasibility.

At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Cache County Council unanimously decided to keep the current council-executive form of government after a months-long study, and it also approved a corrected treasurer compensation ordinance, fourth-quarter budget amendments, and premium pay for special victims prosecutors. The council advanced major fire district governance changes, heard an indoor recreation center feasibility study, and postponed final adoption of the 2026 budget amid strong public pressure to protect library funding and senior services.

Cache County’s workshop centered on Utah’s House Bill 48, which will create a new state high-risk wildland-urban interface map, a structure-based mitigation fee, and a path for homeowners to lower risk through assessments and mitigation. Council members raised concerns about remote cabins, mapping boundaries, and fee collection, but state officials said the county does not need to approve the map and that the fee will start low while the state works out implementation details.

COSAC approved the 2026 meeting schedule, advanced the Vivian Christiansen conservation application with a unanimous recommendation to county council for phase-one approval, and discussed a possible December 15 site visit for the UALT Champion Land Company parcel. Members also focused on building river trail/conservation corridors, setting flexible county match levels for small parcels, and launching the approved outreach mailer in January.

Cache County Council held its Truth in Taxation hearing and unanimously approved an 18% increase in combined health and general fund ad valorem property tax revenue for FY2026, amounting to $3,721,500. Officials said the increase is needed to help close a budget gap caused by personnel costs, inflation, and state-mandated services, while residents voiced concerns about affordability, transparency, and whether some services are being funded twice.

Cache County Council approved meeting minutes, appointed Jay Richard Catton as the county’s outside administrative law judge for personnel grievances, and advanced several 2026 budget-related items, including setting public hearings for December 2. The council also reviewed CDBG project priorities, approved $350 for an open-space conservation mailer, accepted a $1 million grant for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail buildout, and held a detailed preview of the Truth in Taxation hearing and the county’s property tax situation.

At the Cache County special meeting, the council approved the agenda and then focused on two big policy areas: large-scale solar siting and subdivision water/septic rules. On solar, members leaned toward a stricter code using a solar overlay zone and/or rezone process rather than treating industrial solar as a simple conditional use, with major concerns about losing farmland, damaging viewsheds, and creating permanent industrial impacts. On subdivisions, the council discussed limiting large rural developments until a groundwater study is complete, requiring municipal or community water systems where possible, and strengthening fire-safety water standards. Staff will return with revised RU-2/RU-5 language, updated solar draft provisions, and clearer guidance on annexation and water-system requirements before the moratorium expires.

The Planning Commission approved the Paradise Rezone, the WMCD Upper Canal Pipeline CUP, the Lauer Foods South Road Extension CUP, and Edge Estates Parcel 2/3 CUP, while forwarding Powder Mountain’s master plan conditions for further revision before a December hearing. It also advanced several code amendment discussions, including advanced wastewater systems in Source Water Zone 2, a 70% commercial lot coverage cap, irrigation canal setbacks, and clearer frontage/access rules, but those items were not finalized.

The Logan-Cache Airport Authority Board approved the October minutes, reviewed completed maintenance work, and advanced several hangar requests on Taxiway Kilo and Taxiway Lima, but only subject to a future taxi-lane cost-recovery framework and remaining FAA/airspace approvals. A major focus was how to replace FAA-funded taxi-lane construction with a transparent cost-recovery system, while also discussing an FAA grant for electric aircraft charging tied to Beta’s proposed air-taxi service and the possible funding implications if that service becomes commercial.

At the Cache County Council meeting, members approved the October 28 minutes, reappointed Randy Williams to the Bear River Health Department Board of Health, funded up to $125,000 annually for the health department’s vehicle repair/replacement assistance program, and ratified major transportation funding recommendations. The council also approved the new Water Use and Preservation general plan element, denied the Mountain Manor Springs rezone in Petersboro, and heard extensive public testimony opposing proposed Cache County Library cuts amid a budget deficit discussion.

Cache County held a public hearing on potential CDBG applications, but made no project decisions and instead gathered ideas for a December 1 deadline. Proposed projects included fire station and apparatus upgrades, senior center Meals on Wheels vehicles and backup power, food pantry cooling and generator needs, and possible accessibility/generator improvements at the Election Center, with nonprofits required to go through the county to sponsor any application.

The committee approved the agenda and minutes, then spent most of the meeting reviewing agricultural conservation easement pre-applications in the Hyde Park/Smithfield area, emphasizing that larger contiguous parcels and partnerships with neighboring landowners would improve funding chances with COSAC, NRCS, and LeRay McAllister. They also got an update on the Vivian Christiansen application, which has secured $525,000 from the LeRay McAllister fund and is awaiting NRCS funding, and agreed to schedule a November site visit before a first-round vote and recommendation to the County Council.

Cache County Council focused on how to rewrite subdivision rules for fast-growing rural developments, with major concern that the current “shall approve” standard forces approval even when projects strain water, sewer, fire access, and roads. The council discussed tighter size- and location-based standards, stronger water and septic requirements, secondary access and fire protection, and possible interim limits while staff drafts RU-2/RU-5 ordinance language and the moratorium remains in place.

At the Land Use Hearing Officer Meeting on 10-29-2025, the main issue was John Berryhill’s appeal of Cache County’s approval of a reasonable accommodation and zoning clearance for Finding Hope’s residential living facility, especially whether the record justified allowing 16 residents. The parties also fought over whether the county properly handled “necessity” and “reasonableness,” whether the clearance was issued too early before licensing and other approvals, and concerns about parking, traffic, septic, and fire code compliance. The hearing officer took no bench ruling and said a written decision would follow within 15 days, with further appeal available to district court.

At its October 28 meeting, the Cache County Council unanimously accepted a tentative budget, set a November 18 Truth in Taxation hearing, and approved several fee and administrative items, including Angie Zutterquist’s temporary appointment as Development Services Director and Wellsville City’s annexation request. The council also set multiple public hearings for November 4 and took up a solar ordinance amendment, but decided it needs more study before any final action.

At the Cache County Council special meeting, the council unanimously rescinded the previously scheduled October 28 public hearing for the Community Development Block Grant program and rescheduled it for November 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM. The mayor said the change was needed to meet public notice requirements and avoid procedural issues, and the council also confirmed the new date would not conflict with the county’s truth-in-taxation meeting.

The Cache Open Space Advisory Committee approved a revised outreach letter and Eric’s council presentation unanimously, with the letter reframed to emphasize land preservation, flexible funding, and a competitive phased application process. They also backed a broad, map-based outreach strategy targeting underrepresented scenic and agricultural areas, while leaving project prioritization for later after applications come in.

Cache County Council approved several routine items, including RAPZ grant extensions, a limited-service alcohol license for Beaver Mountain Resort, a new parental leave policy, and appointments to the Behavioral Health Advisory Council. The biggest issues were election reforms—county officials said all 31 prior review recommendations have been implemented—and budget pressure, as the council advanced the 2026 tentative budget and tax increase process while discussing inflation, growth, and rising personnel and health care costs.

The Cache Open Space Advisory Committee reviewed and approved the agenda and minutes, then heard positive pre-application presentations for conservation easements on two working farms: Christiansen Farm in Cove and Champion Farms in Clarkston, and encouraged both applicants to submit formal applications. Members also advanced a draft gateway-landowner outreach letter, received updates on the Elkhorn Ranch easement review, and discussed holding an interim workshop around October 20 to keep the outreach and funding process moving.

The Cache County Planning Commission recommended denial of the Mountain Manor Springs rezone after heavy opposition over water supply, traffic, road capacity, and consistency with the general plan. It also recommended approval of the county’s water use and preservation element, while advancing several code and policy discussions including the Powder Mountain master plan, pioneering agreement ordinance revisions, higher commercial lot coverage, and canal setback exemptions.

At the Logan-Cache Airport Authority meeting, the board approved the September minutes, updated airport project and winter prep plans, and confirmed the FAA has signed off on the airport master plan and layout plan. The biggest issue was three private hangar/taxiway development proposals: the board did not approve them and instead tabled the package for legal review by Cache County and Logan City, citing concerns about master plan alignment, fairness, and long-term maintenance.

Cache County’s special workshop focused on tightening subdivision rules in unincorporated areas, especially for 20-lot developments, to better address water supply, septic, fire access, and road safety before approvals. Council members and staff agreed to pursue a coordinated code update with planning, legal, health, fire, and public works input, and set another workshop for October 22 at 6:00 p.m. before the moratorium expires.

Cache County Council unanimously approved several key items, including a bankruptcy-related tax cancellation, the Greenfield Milling and Lauer Foods rezones, a small telecom overlay in Paradise, third-quarter budget amendments, and a new sales-tax split of 60% public safety / 40% transportation starting January 1, 2026. The council also confirmed Kurt Webb as deputy county executive, denied the Sparks Venture rezone near Smithfield, and postponed final action on elected-official pay after approving raises for full-time offices but removing council compensation for separate review.

The committee met with Utah Agricultural Land Trust to discuss conservation easements, including a major 20-acre West Provo project and possible future support for smaller Cache Valley parcels, and reviewed how UALT could help refer landowners into the county’s open space process. Members also focused on Hyde Park-area trail/open-space opportunities, asked staff to compile a countywide easement map and spreadsheet, and advanced plans for website improvements and gateway-area direct-mail outreach.

Cache County Council unanimously appointed George Daines as interim County Executive, accepted a clean annual audit, and approved retaining outside counsel for a Pacificorp tax appeal cross-appeal that could affect county revenue by about $2.26 million. The council also advanced the process for a property tax increase and scheduled a corrected public hearing for the Flower Foods rezone, while continuing work on the county’s Optional Plan and an agricultural protection area removal.

At the Cache County Council’s September 16 meeting, the council appointed George Daines as interim county executive and swore him in immediately, after approving the agenda and minutes with minor changes. The council also received the annual audit, which found the county’s finances were materially correct with no federal or state compliance findings, but did report a material weakness and significant deficiency in internal controls tied to staff turnover.

Cache County Planning Commission approved the Cub River Estates Phase 2 subdivision, the Paradise rezone, the Greenfield Industrial Warehouse rezone, and two CUP actions for Questar/Enbridge Gas Utah and Suncor Edge, while denying the Sparks Ventures rezone. It also continued Saddle Ridge, Nixon and Nixon, and Powder Mountain for further work, and advanced a Honey Solar Stone ordinance amendment plus discussion of a future pioneering agreement ordinance for road-cost sharing.

The Logan-Cache Airport Authority Board unanimously approved the July minutes, then focused on airport operations and capital issues: AeroSimple software rollout, a successful Part 139 inspection, and a major unbudgeted ARFF truck cost shortfall that will require a budget amendment and likely long-term replacement planning. The board also advanced airport projects and private hangar development discussions, ordered stricter enforcement of hangar-use rules, and elected John Kerr as chair and Brett as vice chair after David’s resignation from the chair role.