The Carbon County Commissioners rolled up their sleeves and once again tackled a full agenda of items at the regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday evening. One such item of importance was a review of the lease agreement for the new Seventh District Courthouse building between Carbon County and the Administrative Office of the Courts.
County Attorney Christian Bryner discussed this with commissioners, stating that they had received a response. As previously reported, the lease payment will be equal to the amount of the bond, which means that no amount will be coming out of the county’s general fund.
At this time, the language and full agreements on the contract is still a work in process. Commissioners, Bryner and Carbon County Clerk Seth Oveson took the time to go over the language and clarify a few points. This agreement will be brought back during the next regularly scheduled commission meeting for a hopeful approval.
Commissioner Jake Mellor was then given the floor to make a brief update on the National Association of Counties (NACO) Steering on Economic Development and Workforce Services. Mellor informed those in attendance that he had recently been given the pleasure to attend the Legislative Conference in D.C. and met with the national association.
According to Commissioner Mellor, the purpose of him being asked specifically to attend was to serve on the steering committee.
“It was an honor and privilege to accept and to attend,” Commissioner Mellor stated.
He then explained that he was presented with a federal program that benefits private investors who otherwise would have to pay capital gains tax when met with an economic development opportunity. To benefit, the governor of each state has had to designate tracks of land.
Commissioner Mellor continued by explaining that Utah’s Governor has delegated through association to go throughout counties and help align and ensure that tracks also fit with other incentive programs locally or statewide with other future projects in mind for development. There is a need to identify any and all businesses in the county or area that aren’t in a CDA that may be considered an opportunity zone.
Commissioner Mellor stated that if any existing entity is found outside of the tracks, negotiations need to be made. He then informed the other commissioners that the state is supposed to submit all information by March 21, meaning that the counties need to complete the work before that time. Commissioner Mellor also shared that he was able to listen to the senators that put this together, hear about their optimism and how they feel about this for rural and economically-challenged committees.