08-22-2023 CACHE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

- The council unanimously appointed Blake Rose to the Cache County Board of Health after the executive reported he was the Board’s unanimous recommendation and had public health experience. The council also later reappointed Paul Davis to the Sheriff’s Merit Commission. - Finance and internal controls were a major focus. Phil Noble presented on existing controls and said the county has already made improvements since the 2018-2020 audit period, including separation of duties, payroll review, and credit card oversight, but still needs written policies and other refinements. - The executive proposed six ordinance changes to tighten financial controls, including banning extra compensation for elected officials and employees unless authorized by ordinance or personnel policy, requiring monthly reporting of ledger reclassifications, improving contract tracking and notifications, and requiring time reporting for grants that reimburse employee hours. He said state officials and the Utah Office of Victims of Crime supported the ideas. - The council approved Resolution 2023-09 and Ordinance 2023-29, which shift financial administration responsibilities from the executive to the auditor and treasurer, align county code and the Organic Act, and clarify purchasing, budget, and travel approval processes. The council discussed that more policy work will still be needed, especially through the audit committee and personnel policy updates. - As part of that financial restructuring, the council also approved Resolution 2023-10 eliminating the finance director position as redundant. Council members called it a difficult decision but necessary given the new structure. - The council approved a budget opening resolution that initially would have rescinded $607,500 in ARPA funds for new finance software, but amended it to say the funding is “suspended” rather than revoked. The council wants more time to evaluate the software purchase and how any repayment to UOVC should be recorded. - Public hearings were held and closed on two COG transportation projects: Richmond’s 400 West/150 North project and Mendon’s 300 North street improvement project. Both projects were described as local road and safety improvements with no county financial obligation, and the council expressed general support. - The council approved Ordinance 2023-30 updating sensitive lands and subdivision rules. Key changes included a less restrictive steep-slope definition, more flexibility for small rock outcrops and washes, allowing limited access roads and structures in some sensitive areas, and letting A-10 density calculations count sensitive areas toward developable acreage. - Public comments strongly supported the sensitive lands ordinance, especially the agricultural building exemption. Residents and an engineer said geotech reports were too costly for small farm structures, and one speaker said the changes would better protect property rights and reflect common-sense development standards. - The council approved a resolution and letter of support for a Bear River Land Conservancy conservation easement near Avon, and separately authorized a FEMA hazard mitigation grant application for Birch Canyon with a required 25% county match. The council also extended the tax relief application deadline to November 30, 2023.