Grand County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Grand County Commission to weigh $200,000 housing loan; election logistics and budget reviews fill the fortnight

Grand County boards and commissions took up a proposed $200,000 affordable housing loan, election logistics, land use code revisions and department budgets over the past two weeks. Agendas for these meetings were available, but minutes had not been published as of Oct. 26, so this roundup reports what was scheduled, not what was decided.

Commission to consider $200,000 loan for Amasa Arroyo Apartments

The Grand County Commission's Oct. 20 agenda lists a proposed $200,000 affordable housing loan to Giv Development for Amasa Arroyo Apartments. The same agenda lists a proposed ordinance amending the Grand County Affordable Housing Loan Policy, and an allocation of forfeited Scenic View Hotel bond proceeds to the General Fund for affordable housing loans.

Other items on that agenda: ratification of $7,150 for un-budgetted excavation work for the OSTA Playground Project; a Rural Health Transformation Program Grant Agreement for healthcare transportation; a budget workshop; 2027 funding requests from external entities; and a one-time payment for employees in lieu of COLA.

Election: early voting open, two drop boxes

Clerk/Auditor notices set the 2026 General Election for November 3, 2026, with polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting runs Oct. 20 through Nov. 2 at the Grand County Clerk/Auditor's Office, 125 East Center Street, Moab, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Ballot drop boxes are at the Clerk/Auditor's Office (Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Election Day 7 a.m.–8 p.m.) and at Castle Valley Town Hall, 2 East Castle Valley Dr, Castle Valley (Mon–Wed 9 a.m.–1 p.m.). The voter registration deadline without a provisional ballot was October 23, 2026 at 5 p.m. All ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day; postmark dates do not apply.

The Clerk/Auditor scheduled a public logic and accuracy test of the Express Vote Terminal and DS 300 Tabulator for October 14 at 9 a.m. at 125 E Center St, Moab, with a post-election audit of tabulated ballots set for November 12 at 9:30 a.m.

Planning Commission: land use code and data center moratorium

The Planning Commission's Oct. 13 agenda listed a Land Use Code Rewrite Update, a Housing Policy Draft for General Plan Updates, the Data Center Moratorium expiration date and next steps, and a Land Use Code Amendment discussion regarding bylaws.

Budget Advisory Board reviews department spending

The Budget Advisory Board met Oct. 15 to hear budget presentations from the Recorder, Treasurer, Clerk/Auditor, Assessor, Surveyor, Roads and Storm Water, and to discuss formal comments for the tentative budget. On Oct. 22 the board was scheduled to discuss Library funding, Canyonlands Airport, Atlas Tailings, Weed Control, and Designated Funds and Miscellaneous Grants.

Trail Mix, tourism and other panels

The Trail Mix Committee's Oct. 13 agenda included an action item on a letter of support for Arches bike signage, plus discussion of the Motorized Singletrack Report, the Millcreek Parkway Working Group update, the Single Track Dog Walking area, and a November Work Wednesday at Hidden Valley.

The Moab Tourism Advisory Board was scheduled to consider 2027 Budget Approval, review TRT applications, and take up Moab Information Center requests for an annual contribution increase and an increase for operating during shuttle hours.

The Children's Justice Center Advisory Board listed member applications for Emily Niehaus, Katie Proctor and Carrie Ann Smith, discussion of Victim's Rights Act special considerations for children, board openings for Moab Charter and Defense Attorney, and a director report on program statistics and the Light the Night fundraiser.

The Audit Committee met Oct. 15 to discuss internal audit report delays and review reports if available, and scheduled an Oct. 21 meeting to consider approval of an Internal Audit of Restricted Funds and an Internal Audit of the Clerk/Auditor Office, with public comment via Zoom. The Council on Aging met Oct. 19 on election information and assistance for seniors, the Needs Assessment survey, and the MAPS project.

Coming up

• **Oct. 26 — Planning Commission:** discussion of data centers, review of the Housing Element of the General Plan DRAFT, and a workshop on the Land Use Code Rewrite (Articles 1-3) and adoption schedule.
• **Nov. 3 — General Election:** sample ballots are available online, at the Clerk/Auditor's Office at 125 E Center St, Moab, or by mail; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• **Nov. 3 — Certification of candidates** for the 2026 General Election at 125 E Center St, Moab.

Grand County agenda preview: $200,000 housing loan proposal, Land Use Code hearings, and Nov. 3 election deadlines

Grand County boards and committees posted agendas for a series of meetings between Oct. 5 and Oct. 15, but no minutes had been published for any of them as of Oct. 19. The available records are agendas and notices — they list what each body planned to take up, not what it decided. Nothing below should be read as an adopted outcome. The most specific dollar item on the near horizon is a proposed $200,000 affordable housing loan scheduled for the Oct. 20 County Commission meeting.

Commission to consider $200,000 housing loan

The Grand County Commission's Oct. 20 agenda lists a proposed $200,000 affordable housing loan to Giv Development for Amasa Arroyo Apartments. The same agenda lists a proposed ordinance amending the Grand County Affordable Housing Loan Policy, and an allocation of forfeited Scenic View Hotel bond proceeds to the General Fund for affordable housing loans. Also listed: ratification of $7,150 for un-budgeted excavation work for the OSTA Playground Project, a Rural Health Transformation Program Grant Agreement for healthcare transportation, a one-time payment for employees in lieu of COLA, a budget workshop, and 2027 funding requests from external entities. No vote on any of these items appears in the supplied records.

Land Use Code: subdivision review changes

An Oct. 6 public hearing was noticed on a proposed ordinance amending Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the Grand County Land Use Code. Under the proposal, preliminary subdivision applications proposing more than five lots would be reviewed by the Planning Commission instead of the Planning Director; plats of five lots or fewer would remain with the Director, who would continue to handle all final plats. The ordinance would also conform the Code to Utah Code Title 17, Chapter 79, update Planning Commission removal, quorum and voting rules, and repeal Ordinance No. 711 (2024) as a duplicate of Ordinance No. 708 (2024). A separate agenda entry listed a 4:00 p.m. hearing to amend Article 8, with Sunrise Engineering named.

Other Commission business

The Oct. 6 agenda also listed an award of bid for the Paved Path Maintenance Project (Cody McKinney, Roads Department), a Jones & Demille contract amendment for Spanish Valley Drive Multi-Use Path design modifications, an ordinance amending the 2026 Consolidated Fee Schedule (Quinn Hall), and approval of a Slavin Management Consultant Search Agreement for Planning and Zoning Director. Public comment was scheduled for approximately 5:00 p.m.

Budget Advisory Board

The board met Oct. 8 on presentations from Canyonlands Airport, Information Technology, Public Defender, Maintenance & Facilities/Star Hall, and Capital Projects, and Oct. 15 on the Recorder, Treasurer, Clerk/Auditor, Assessor, Surveyor, Roads and Storm Water. Both agendas state the board may make recommendations to the County Commission and will determine formal comments for the tentative budget.

Planning Commission: data center moratorium

The Oct. 13 agenda listed a Land Use Code Rewrite update, a housing policy draft for General Plan updates, the expiration date and next steps for the data center moratorium, and a Land Use Code amendment discussion regarding bylaws.

Trails, tourism, aging and audit boards

The Motorized Trails Committee (Oct. 8) took up a proposal for motorized singletrack across Grand County, worksites for the Division of Outdoor Recreation Trail Crew, and trail project scheduling. The Trail Mix Committee (Oct. 13) listed an action item on a letter of support for Arches bike signage, plus reports on motorized singletrack, the Millcreek Parkway Working Group, a November Work Wednesday at Hidden Valley, and a single track dog walking area. The Moab Tourism Advisory Board (Oct. 13) listed 2027 budget approval, Moab Information Center contribution increase requests, and review of TRT applications. The Children's Justice Center Advisory Board (Oct. 13) listed member applications for Emily Niehaus, Katie Proctor and Carrie Ann Smith, and Victim's Rights Act considerations for children. The Audit Committee (Oct. 15) listed discussion of an internal audit report delay.

Election dates and voting logistics

The 2026 General Election is Nov. 3, with polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting runs Oct. 20 through Nov. 2 at the Grand County Clerk/Auditor's Office, 125 East Center Street, Moab, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Election Day 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ballot drop boxes are at that same address (Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Election Day 7 a.m.–8 p.m.) and at Castle Valley Town Hall, 2 East Castle Valley Dr, Castle Valley (Mon–Wed 9 a.m.–1 p.m.). The voter registration deadline without a provisional ballot is Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day; postmark dates do not apply. A public logic and accuracy test was scheduled Oct. 14 at 9 a.m., and a post-election audit Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m.

One record gap: the Airport Board's Oct. 5 notice listed no agenda items — the description field reads "NA" — and the attached "10.5.26 AB Agenda.pdf" was not included in the supplied material.

Coming up

• **Oct. 19 — Council on Aging:** election information and assistance for seniors, updates on the Needs Assessment survey and MAPS project, approval of June 8, 2026 minutes.
• **Oct. 20 — Grand County Commission:** proposed $200,000 loan to Giv Development for Amasa Arroyo Apartments, Affordable Housing Loan Policy amendment, Scenic View Hotel bond proceeds allocation, budget workshop, and 2027 external funding requests.

Grand County Commission weighs subdivision review change; budget board reviews department requests

No minutes have been published for any Grand County public meeting held between Sept. 29 and Oct. 8, so no votes, approvals or dollar amounts are confirmed. Everything below comes from posted agendas; the linked official documents are the authoritative record.

Commission sets Oct. 6 hearing on subdivision review

The Grand County Commission met Oct. 6 at 125 East Center Street, Moab, with a budget workshop scheduled 2–4 p.m. and a 4 p.m. public hearing on a proposed ordinance amending Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the Grand County Land Use Code. Under the proposal, preliminary subdivision applications proposing more than five lots would be reviewed by the Planning Commission instead of the Planning Director. Plats of five lots or fewer would remain with the Planning Director, who would continue to handle all final plats. The ordinance would also conform the code to Utah Code Title 17, Chapter 79, update Planning Commission removal, quorum and voting rules, and repeal Ordinance No. 711 (2024) as a duplicate of Ordinance No. 708 (2024).

Other agenda items included a public hearing to amend Article 8 of the Land Use Code (Sunrise Engineering); awarding a bid for the Paved Path Maintenance Project (Cody McKinney, Roads Department); a Jones & Demille contract amendment for Spanish Valley Drive Multi-Use Path design modifications; an ordinance amending the 2026 Consolidated Fee Schedule (Quinn Hall); and approval of a Slavin Management Consultant Search Agreement for a Planning and Zoning Director. Public comment was scheduled for about 5 p.m.

Budget board reviews department requests

The Budget Advisory Board met Oct. 1 at 9 a.m. at 125 E. Center Street, Moab, for presentations and discussion on the Old Spanish Trail Arena, Grand County Active Trails and Transportation, Sandflats Recreation Area, and Personnel Services. The board was also scheduled to take formal comments to be included with the tentative budget, and to approve minutes from Sept. 24, 2026.

At a second meeting Oct. 8, the board was scheduled to hear presentations on Canyonlands Airport, Information Technology, the Public Defender, Maintenance & Facilities/Star Hall, and Capital Projects. The agenda states the board may make recommendations to the County Commission and will determine formal comments for the tentative budget.

Library board to forward 2027 budget

The Grand County Library Board met Sept. 29 to discuss a recommended 2027 library budget to forward to the Grand County Commission via the Budget Advisory Board, and to review year-to-date budget and statistics summaries. The agenda also listed consideration of removing the Library Board Meeting Minutes Policy because it is included in revised bylaws, and approval of pending minutes from May 27, 2026.

Economic board scheduled RCOG vote

The Economic Opportunity Advisory Board met Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. in the Grand County Commission Chambers, 125 E Center Street, Moab. One action item was listed: a vote on an RCOG Commission recommendation. The board also planned to discuss its annual calendar and agenda topics and to assign projects for a past investment impact review.

Other boards

The Motorized Trails Committee met Oct. 8 to discuss proposing motorized singletrack across Grand County, comment on worksites for the Division of Outdoor Recreation Trail Crew, and schedule trail projects. The Grand County Airport Board met Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. at 125 E. Center Street; the posted notice lists no agenda items — the description field reads "NA" — and an attached agenda PDF was not included in the record, so the topics are not stated.

Coming up

• Oct. 13 — Planning Commission: Land Use Code rewrite update, housing policy draft for general plan updates, and the data center moratorium's expiration date and next steps.
• Oct. 13 — Moab Tourism Advisory Board: 2027 budget approval, a Moab Information Center annual contribution increase request, review of TRT applications, and an increase for operating during shuttle hours.
• Oct. 13 — Trail Mix Committee: action on a letter of support for Arches bike signage, plus reports on motorized singletrack and the Millcreek Parkway Working Group.
• Oct. 13 — Children's Justice Center Advisory Board: member applications for Emily Niehaus, Katie Proctor and Carrie Ann Smith; discussion of Victim's Rights Act special considerations for children.
• Oct. 14 — Clerk/Auditor: public logic and accuracy test of the Express Vote Terminal and DS 300 Tabulator, 9 a.m. at 125 E Center St, Moab. The general election is Nov. 3, with polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; early voting runs Oct. 20–Nov. 2, and the voter registration deadline without a provisional ballot is Oct. 23 at 5 p.m.

Grand County sets August 4 hearings on budget, water tank ordinance, and $500K shuttle funding

Grand County's most consequential business this week lands on August 4, when the County Commission holds public hearings on the 2026 budget, the consolidated fee schedule, and the Moab City water tank ordinance — plus action items including a proposed $500,000 allocation for a Moab-to-Arches shuttle.

All recent meetings from the past two weeks remain agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so no final actions from those sessions can be confirmed.

County Commission — August 4 regular meeting

The Commission meets at 4:00 p.m. in Commission Chambers at 125 E. Center Street, Moab. The agenda includes:

• **Public hearing to amend Ordinance 725** — the Major Utility Overlay for the City of Moab water tank site (Parcel No. 02-0021-0113, approximately 2.848 acres). The proposed amendment would change the project completion deadline from December 31, 2025 to December 25, 2027, and rewrite Condition #1 to match Land Use Code § 4.10.1 regarding Development Agreements.
• **Public hearing to amend the 2026 budget and the 2026 Consolidated Fee Schedule.** Budget amendment documents are available online and at the Grand County Clerk's office. Residents may attend in person or submit comments online at grandcountyutah.net.
• **Ratification of a revised match letter** for a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance grant, committing a 10% county match.
• **Ratification of a branding refresh** for Discovermoab.com.
• **Approval of $500,000 from Transit Tax Fund 47 reserves** for the Moab-to-Arches shuttle.

A separate July 21 agenda listed discussion of issuing up to $1,000,000 in Transportation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds Series 2026; minutes from that meeting are not yet published.

Planning Commission — August 3 special session

The Planning Commission holds a public hearing on Moab City Water Tank Ordinance #725, followed by discussion and possible action. This is the only substantive item on the special session agenda.

Airport Board — August 3

The Grand County Airport Board meets to discuss the SkyWest transition and a new airport entrance sign. The agenda also includes approval of July 6, 2026 minutes, reports on airside asphalt construction and landside maintenance, and a review of June 2026 airport numbers.

Recent meetings (minutes not yet published)

• **July 21 County Commission:** Agendas covered the 2026 budget and fee schedule public hearings (one notice was later cancelled), the Ordinance 725 hearing, the $1,000,000 transportation bond proposal, the Water Use & Preservation Element of the General Plan, subdivision applications (#2612 DT Subdivision and #2613 Jahries Plat Amendment), and the FEMA match letter.
• **July 23 Audit Committee:** Scheduled items included approval of March 20, 2026 minutes, a credit card policy, a status update on the 2025 audit by Ritchey May, a performance and process audit of the Clerk/Auditor's office, and a scoped restricted funds audit covering TRT, Roads, and Airport.
• **July 27 Commission workshop:** Mid-year budget amendment workshop (special session).
• **July 27 Planning Commission:** Land Use Code Audit discussion, bylaws workshop, and approval of July 13 draft minutes.
• **July 28 Moab Tailings Project Steering Committee:** DOE annual statement of continued compliance, a project update from DOE Federal Cleanup Director Matthew Udovitsch, and an air monitoring update from Jessica Thacker.
• **July 29 Economic Opportunity Advisory Board:** Commission update from Chair McCandless and staff update from Melisa Jeffers.

Coming up

• **August 4, 4:00 p.m.** — Grand County Commission regular meeting, 125 E. Center Street, Moab. Public hearings on Ordinance 725, the 2026 budget, and the fee schedule; action items include the $500,000 shuttle allocation and FEMA match ratification.
• **August 12** — Grand County Clerk Auditor scheduled a public hearing on a proposed tax increase. A separate hearing on a Castle Valley Town proposed property tax revenue increase was cancelled.
• **August 11** — Old Spanish Trail Arena Advisory Committee meeting: cancelled.

Grand County weighs $1 million transportation bond; budget hearings cancelled

Grand County's recent meeting cycle was dominated by agenda items on transportation financing, land use, and trail access — though minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions, so only scheduled agenda items can be reported. The most consequential item on the docket was the Grand County Commission's consideration of issuing up to $1,000,000 in Transportation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds Series 2026, discussed at the July 21 meeting.

Grand County Commission

The July 21 commission agenda included several land use and infrastructure items. Alongside the proposed bond issuance, the commission was scheduled to hold a public hearing on repealing and replacing Ordinance 725, which governs the Major Utility Overlay for the City of Moab water tank site. The proposed amendment would revise a date in Condition #3 to align with the City of Moab's grant extension and tentative funding from the Division of Water Resources.

Other agenda items included approval of the Water Use & Preservation Element of the General Plan, a resolution for the DT Subdivision Minor Subdivision (Application #2612) and Jahries Plat Amendment (Application #2613), and ratification of a 10% county match letter for a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance grant application. The meeting was held at 125 E. Center Street, Moab, with online comments accepted at grandcountyutah.net.

A separate notice for public hearings to amend the 2026 budget and the Grand County Consolidated Fee Schedule was cancelled. No items were listed under that notice.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission met July 13 to receive a presentation on land use code audit findings from Sunrise Engineering. The agenda also included discussions of Abercrombie & Kent, 3090 Desert Road, and a review of commission bylaws. Minutes have not yet been published.

Trail Mix Committee

The Trail Mix Committee's July 14 agenda featured an action item on a NICA request to expand the Bar M Trailhead for events. A related discussion item covered a Brands parking expansion NICA request. Other discussion items included the Rusty Spur Modification, Mud Springs Update, and Arches Bike Access & Gravel Guide.

The committee was also set to note the public input period for Biking on Long-Distance Trails, open July 2 through August 3.

Children's Justice Center Advisory Board

The advisory board's July 14 agenda included discussion of the SART Manual, a new member application for Carrie Ann Smith, and a discussion of cases that warrant a FIT. The board also listed openings for a Defense Attorney representative and a Moab Charter representative. A Kickball Tournament fundraiser was scheduled for September 11–12.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee met July 23 with an agenda covering approval of March 20, 2026 minutes, discussion and possible approval of a credit card policy, and a status update on the 2025 audit by Ritchey May. The committee was also scheduled to discuss a performance and process audit of the Clerk/Auditor's office — covering annual audit management, budget development, and accounts payable/receivable — and a scoped restricted funds audit for TRT, Roads, and Airport. A closed session was possible to discuss an individual's character, professional competence, or health.

Coming up

• **July 27 — Planning Commission:** Discussion of the land use code audit, a bylaws workshop, approval of July 13 draft minutes, and public hearings with no specific topics listed.
• **July 27 — Grand County Commission (special session):** Mid-year budget amendment workshop.
• **August 3 — Planning Commission (special session):** Public hearing on Moab City Water Tank Ordinance #725, with possible action to follow.
• **August 4 — Grand County Commission:** Public hearing on amending Ordinance 725 for the City of Moab water tank site (Parcel No. 02-0021-0113, approximately 2.848 acres). The proposed change would move the project completion deadline from December 31, 2025 to December 25, 2027, and rewrite Condition #1 to match Land Use Code § 4.10.1 regarding Development Agreements.