02-28-2023 CACHE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

- The council approved the amended agenda and minutes, including a correction to note the exit from executive session in the prior minutes. - County staff reported that the Cache County Weed Board received the Utah Weed Control Association’s Outstanding Weed Board Award for 2022, and the council praised the department’s work. - Paramedic Scott Best was recognized for earning the Utah Supervising Fire Officer designation, highlighting extensive training, education, and professional development. - Cache Valley Transit District gave an update on ridership recovery after COVID, noting daily rides have rebounded significantly and that a new service center groundbreaking is planned for March 6. - Transit leaders also said the new facility will cost about $46 million and that a recent state appropriation request was not funded, requiring them to “sharpen the pencil” and revisit financing. - The council approved the tax relief report, which covered $1.27 million in relief for 2022; staff clarified that most of it was statutory, with veterans’ relief making up the largest share. - In Board of Equalization action, the council approved multiple religious, charitable, and low-income housing exemptions, with discussion focused on how these properties demonstrate community benefit and fit statutory requirements. - The council set public hearings for several ordinances, including hearings on March 14 and March 28, to move forward with upcoming land use and code items. - The council spent significant time refining the draft comprehensive general plan, including clarifying regional collaboration language, protecting private property rights, and changing “decision making tool” to “resource” in one section. - After discussion of ADUs, transportation, fire safety, and airport-area land use, the council approved Ordinance 2023-05 with the revised general plan language and Option B for the airport-area property, keeping that area agricultural for now. - The council agreed the Stokes Nature Center annexation to Nibley City would not create a problematic county island or peninsula and voiced no objection to the annexation. - In council reports, members discussed the need for more board appointments, upcoming budget and audit work, sandbag and flooding preparedness, and concern about SB 174’s impact on county subdivision review and public notice.