The Commission met on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at the Kane County Courthouse. Commissioners Chamberlain and Heaton were in attendance. After noting that the clock in the chamber was running a few minutes slow, Commissioner Chamberlain called the meeting to order at 3 p.m., by his watch. Commissioner Heaton provided the invocation and County Attorney Rob Van Dyke led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. After approving consent items, the commission addressed the regular agenda.
Commissioner Chamberlain noted that Commissioner Gant was in Salt Lake City attending the inaugural meeting of the Grand Staircase- Escalante Monument Advisory Committee (GSEMAC) as a seated member, a position the commission has been pursuing for a number of years. Commissioner Heaton said, “This committee is pivotal. The idea is that they’re going to have input into the implementation of the monument management plan. The committee has a considerable amount of influence, so we’re glad he’s there to represent us.” Learn more about the GSEMAC at their website: https://www. blm.gov/get-involved/resource- advisory-council/near-me/utah/gsenmmac.
The meeting started with a call-in from Cindy Bullock, Regional Director for Southern Utah with Congressman Chris Stewart’s office (R-UT, 2nd District). Bullock updated the commission on a number of topics, including progress on a bill to supplement funding for search & rescue in rural areas, and the Congressman’s schedule during the Utah County Congressional Tour. Representative Stewart will be in Kanab for a Town Hall meeting at Kanab Center at noon on August 17. The public is welcome to attend.
Heather Narramore, Kane County Deputy Clerk Auditor and Election Specialist presented next on the 2022 Election Canvas. After outlining the rigorous election security measures in place in the county, Heather noted that participation was average this cycle, with a 57 percent voter turnout for the primary.
Camille Johnson, Executive Director of the Kane County Office of Tourism, and Torrey Cluett, Kanab Center Coordinator, presented an updated fee schedule and user agreement for locals making use of the Center that was unanimously approved by the Commission.
Of particular note was a discussion on the expansion of boundaries for three fire service districts. Fire service for unincorporated areas had been a local hot topic for some time, and although the work done so far represents only the very beginning of what will be a long and involved process, it’s encouraging to see progress being made. Commissioner Heaton said, “The concept of special service districts is wonderful. It doesn’t get more ‘local control’ than that. One hundred percent of fees collected go to the service provided in the district. You write your check and see direct results back in the providing of services.” Listen to the recording, with the link provided below, for more details.
Kane County Commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 3 p.m., at the Kane County Courthouse. Anyone can join the meeting by phone by calling (435) 676-9000 and using participant code 168030#, a local call within the South Central service area. A recording of this meeting can be found at the Kane County Commission website: https://kane.utah.gov/gov/dept/commission/.
