Washington County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Washington County agendas: zoning overhaul, ambulance contracts and tourism tax spending on deck

Washington County boards scheduled hearings and contract items over the past two weeks covering a rewrite of the zoning code, ground ambulance service and tourism tax spending. As of Oct. 26, minutes had not been published for any of the meetings listed below, so no decisions, vote tallies or dollar amounts are confirmed in the public record. What follows is drawn from the published agendas.

Zoning code rewrite moves through two bodies

The Land Use Authority noticed an Oct. 13 public hearing on changes to the county zoning code: repealing and replacing Chapters 1-10, adding provisions for Agritourism, adding the Rural Tourism Zone, and modifying Chapter 12, the Mining and Gravel Zone. The notice states the body would take public input and make a recommendation to the County Commission. The hearing was set for 111 E. Tabernacle, St. George, with a Zoom option.

The County Commission then listed the same subject for Oct. 20, described as updating Title 10 Zoning Regulations, including the Mining and Gravel Zone and Rural Tourism Zone.

Ambulance service and 911 contracts

The Commission scheduled an Oct. 13 special meeting to discuss ground ambulance service goals with the Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, focused on cost, quality and access for unincorporated areas of the county. The Oct. 20 agenda listed contracts for 911 Ambulance Service in unincorporated areas around Santa Clara and Ivins.

Tourism tax marketing agreements

The Oct. 20 Commission agenda included expenditure of Transient Room Tax (TRT) funding for marketing agreements with Vacation Races, Ride Southern Utah and others. The agenda did not list amounts. The same agenda included a contract with Suncore for flood mitigation infrastructure at Legacy Park.

Land use applications

Three land use matters were noticed for Oct. 13 at 1:30 p.m.:

• A zone change on 5.00 acres at approximately 2180 S Coal Pits Rd., Virgin, Utah 84779, parcel 1151-B-2-HV, from OST-20 (Open Space Transition, 20-acre minimum lot size) to A-5 (Agricultural, 5-acre minimum lot size). The applicant is listed as James Brant Reed. The same rezoning appeared on the Oct. 20 Commission agenda.
• An application by David M. Yetsko to amend the Pinion Hills subdivision plat, parcel PHS-8-11-DVF, near 90 N Doe Valley Cir, Dammeron Valley, UT 84783, to vacate a public easement and move it to a different location on the parcel. A separate agenda summary describes the request as realigning a public drainage easement on 1.47 acres.
• A road dedication for parcels along Juniper Road and Holt Canyon Road by Silver Sage Family Trust, and an amended Conditional Use Permit for Verizon Wireless equipment at 850 W 3390 S in Hurricane.

Written comments were accepted by the Community Development Department before the meeting; the contact number listed is 435-301-7250.

Arts and parks funding

The Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) Disbursement Advisory Board met Oct. 13 to review funding applications from 15 organizations, along with a discussion of a funding change and eligibility reviews for ART Provides and A.R.T.S. Inc. Applications listed included the Dixie Watercolor Society, Hurricane Valley Symphony and Southern Utah Art Guild.

Cancelled and routine items

The Habitat Conservation Technical Committee meeting scheduled for Oct. 14 was cancelled. The Board of Equalization met Oct. 20 to approve minutes from Oct. 6, 2026, and consider BOE matters at the Washington County Administration Building.

Coming up

• **Oct. 28** — Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Subcommittee: review of current Reserve inholdings, status of LWCF applications, Section 6 Grant update for FY25, and discussion of the Gardner family parcel.
• **Oct. 29, 12:00 p.m.** — Planning Commission work meeting on Title 10, chapters 11-20, Conference Room 226, 111 East Tabernacle Street, St. George. Zoom ID 846 7343 4670, passcode 285187. The notice describes discussion, not decisions.
• **Nov. 3** — Regular General Election, polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; mail ballots sent beginning 21 calendar days before the election. Logic and accuracy testing of tabulating equipment is set for Oct. 13 and Nov. 9 at noon at 111 E Tabernacle St, starting at Entrance C.
• **Nov. 3** — RAP Advisory Board review of applications from 15 organizations, including Southwest Symphony Orchestra, St. George Children's Museum, St. George Opera, Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum and Zion Canyon Arts & Humanities dba Z-Arts; the board also is set to approve minutes from Oct. 13.
• The Tourism Tax Advisory Board meeting scheduled for Oct. 29 has been cancelled.

Washington County agendas: $736,000 in flood control agreements, 2026 tax rates, and a zoning code hearing

Washington County boards and commissions scheduled a heavy two weeks of meetings, but as of Oct. 19 no minutes had been published for any of them. None of the outcomes below are confirmed; everything here comes from the published agendas, and the linked official documents remain the authoritative record.

Flood control: three agreements listed at more than $736,000

The Washington County Flood Control Board's Oct. 5 agenda listed votes on a $578,157.00 reimbursement agreement with Washington City for the Sullivan Park Erosion Protection Project and a $146,313.00 reimbursement agreement with Washington City for the Millcreek Wash Project. It also listed a $12,200 joint-funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey Utah Water Science Center. The three amounts total $736,670. The same agenda listed the opening of the 2026 budget for adjustments.

Commission: 2026 tax rates and budgets

The County Commission's Oct. 6 agenda included Resolution No. R-2026-3839 and R-2026-3840 on 2026 final tax rates and budgets for general operations, library funds, and the assessing and collecting levy. Also listed were Resolution No. R-2026-3837 adopting the Community Development and Building Fee Schedule; an interlocal agreement with the City of Hurricane for the Sand Hollow Road Trail and 180 West Pedestrian Bridge projects; Resolution No. R-2026-3850 designating Big Plains Road in Apple Valley as a County Class B Road; and Ash Creek Bridge Repair Change Order #2.

Zoning code overhaul set for public hearing

A Oct. 13 public hearing noticed by the Land Use Authority and Planning Commission covered a repeal-and-replace of zoning code Chapters 1-10, new provisions for Agritourism, a new Rural Tourism Zone, and changes to Chapter 12, the Mining and Gravel Zone. The commission was to take public input and make a recommendation to the County Commission. The hearing was set for 111 E. Tabernacle, St. George, with a Zoom option.

Two site-specific land use hearings

One hearing concerned amending the Pinion Hills subdivision plat for parcel PHS-8-11-DVF, near 90 N Doe Valley Cir in Dammeron Valley. Applicant David M. Yetsko proposed vacating a public easement and moving it elsewhere on the parcel. A related agenda item described a plat amendment for 1.47 acres at 90 N Doe Valley Cir to realign a public drainage easement.

The second concerned 5.00 acres at approximately 2180 S Coal Pits Rd., Virgin, parcel 1151-B-2-HV, proposed for a change from OST-20 (Open Space Transition, 20-acre minimum lot size) to A-5 (Agricultural, 5-acre minimum lot size). The applicant was listed as James Brant Reed. The same agenda listed a road dedication along Juniper Road and Holt Canyon Road by Silver Sage Family Trust and an amended conditional use permit for Verizon Wireless equipment at 850 W 3390 S in Hurricane.

RAP board reviews funding applications

The Recreation, Arts and Parks Disbursement Advisory Board met Oct. 6 to review ten applications and discuss a potential policy change to move the unused funds return deadline. On Oct. 13 the board was set to review applications from 15 organizations and discuss a funding change and eligibility for ART Provides and A.R.T.S. Inc. No dollar amounts were listed in either notice.

Library Board, ambulance service, and cancellations

The Library Board's Oct. 7 agenda listed an LSTA Grant intergovernmental agreement, a budget discussion, Carnegie funds, two-part authentication for Overdrive and Libby, and a Staff Development Day on 10-12-26. A County Commission special meeting on Oct. 13 was to discuss ground ambulance service goals with the Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, focused on cost, quality, and access in unincorporated areas. The Oct. 14 Habitat Conservation Technical Committee meeting was cancelled. The Board of Equalization met Oct. 6 to approve minutes of Sept. 28 and consider BOE matters.

Coming up

• **Oct. 29 — Tourism Tax Advisory Board:** regular meeting cancelled; no agenda items listed.
• **Oct. 29 — Planning Commission work meeting, 12:00 PM**, Conference Room 226, 111 East Tabernacle Street, St. George: review and discussion of code changes to Title 10, chapters 11-20. Zoom Meeting ID 846 7343 4670, passcode 285187. The notice was posted by Planner I David Wilkins on Sept. 29; ADA accommodations are available through the Community Development Office at 435-301-7250.

Washington County boards weigh $736,670 in flood-control agreements and 2026 tax rates; zoning rewrite hearing set for Oct. 13

Washington County's Flood Control Board was scheduled to vote on $736,670 in project and study agreements, and the County Commission was set to take up final 2026 tax rates and budgets, according to agendas for meetings held over the past two weeks. Minutes for those meetings have not been published, so the agendas show what was scheduled for consideration — not what was decided.

Flood control: $736,670 in agreements listed

The Flood Control Board's Oct. 5 agenda listed votes on a reimbursement agreement with Washington City for the Sullivan Park Erosion Protection Project at $578,157.00, a reimbursement agreement with Washington City for the Millcreek Wash Project at $146,313.00, and a joint-funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey Utah Water Science Center at $12,200. The three listed amounts total $736,670. The agenda also listed opening the 2026 budget for adjustments.

Commission: 2026 tax rates, budgets and fee schedule

The County Commission's Oct. 6 agenda listed Resolution No. R-2026-3839 and R-2026-3840 on 2026 final tax rates and budgets for general operations, library funds, and the assessing and collecting levy. Also listed were Resolution No. R-2026-3837 adopting the Community Development and Building Fee Schedule; an interlocal agreement with the City of Hurricane for the Sand Hollow Road Trail and 180 West Pedestrian Bridge projects; Resolution No. R-2026-3850 designating Big Plains Road in Apple Valley as a County Class B Road; and Ash Creek Bridge Repair Change Order #2.

At a Sept. 29 special meeting, the commission's agenda listed Resolution No. R-2026-3836, approving a contract with Thomson Reuters for Westlaw legal research services for the Washington County Attorney's Office. The notice does not state the contract's dollar amount. The same agenda listed approval of Sept. 15, 2026 Board of Equalization minutes and consideration of BOE matters.

Zoning code rewrite and land use hearings

A public hearing is set for Oct. 13 at 1:30 p.m. at 111 E. Tabernacle, St. George, with a Zoom option. The noticed changes include repealing and replacing zoning code Chapters 1-10, adding provisions for Agritourism, adding the Rural Tourism Zone, and modifying Chapter 12, the Mining and Gravel Zone. The body would make a recommendation to the County Commission. The notices refer to the hearing body both as the Land Use Authority and the Planning Commission.

Also on that agenda: a zone change for 5.00 acres, parcel 1151-B-2-HV, at approximately 2180 S Coal Pits Rd., Virgin, from OST-20 (Open Space Transition, 20-acre minimum) to A-5 (Agricultural, 5-acre minimum), with James Brant Reed listed as applicant; a plat amendment for parcel PHS-8-11-DVF near 90 N Doe Valley Cir, Dammeron Valley, where applicant David M. Yetsko proposes vacating a public easement and relocating it on the parcel; a road dedication for parcels along Juniper Road and Holt Canyon Road by Silver Sage Family Trust; and an amended conditional use permit for Verizon Wireless equipment at 850 W 3390 S in Hurricane. Written comments may be submitted to the Community Development Department before the meeting.

Library and arts boards

The Library Board's Oct. 7 agenda listed an LSTA Grant intergovernmental agreement, a budget discussion, Carnegie funds, and Overdrive, Libby and two-part authentication, plus a Staff Development Day on 10-12-26.

The Recreation, Arts and Parks Disbursement Advisory Board met Oct. 6 to review 10 funding applications and discuss a potential policy change to move the unused funds return deadline. No dollar amounts or final decisions were listed in that notice. Its Oct. 13 meeting lists 15 applications, a funding change discussion, and eligibility reviews for ART Provides and A.R.T.S. Inc.

The Board of Equalization's Oct. 6 agenda listed approval of Sept. 28 minutes and consideration of BOE matters.

Cancelled

The Habitat Conservation Technical Committee meeting scheduled for Oct. 14 was cancelled.

Coming up

• **Oct. 13 — County Commission special meeting:** discussion of ground ambulance service goals with the Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, covering cost, quality and access for unincorporated areas.
• **Oct. 13, 1:30 p.m. — Land use public hearing:** zoning code rewrite, agritourism and Rural Tourism Zone provisions, Mining and Gravel Zone changes, plus the Coal Pits Road and Pinion Hills applications, at 111 E. Tabernacle, St. George.
• **Oct. 13, 12:00 p.m. — RAP Advisory Board:** review of 15 funding applications. Future RAP dates are Nov. 3, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, all at 12:00 p.m.
• **Oct. 14 — Habitat Conservation Technical Committee:** cancelled.

Washington County roundup: Rezonings, contracts, and habitat plans on the agenda

All recent Washington County government meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no final decisions are available. The most consequential items on the table include two property rezonings and a series of contracts before the County Commission, plus multiple zone changes and permits before the Planning Commission.

County Commission

The County Commission met August 18 with a consent agenda and 16 regular items. The commission considered two property rezonings: one at Holt Canyon Road from A-20 to A-10 (applicant: Runway Ranch LLC) and one at 200 W. 1600 N. Kolob from OST-20 to SFR-1 (applicant: staff and Teresa Turner).

Also on the agenda were a contract with Brett Ryan for social media coordination services (R-2026-3806), award of a bid and contract for the Desert Color NICA Project (R-2026-3808), and a grant agreement with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food for predation management (R-2026-3812). The meeting also included appointments to boards, a search and rescue report, and purchase requests.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission held a regular meeting on August 11 with public hearings and administrative reviews. Public hearings were scheduled for two zone changes:

• A 3.10-acre parcel along the eastern shoreline of Kolob Reservoir (1040-C-1-A-HV) from OST-20 to SFR-1, applicant Teresa S. Turner.
• A 17.50-acre parcel west of Enterprise (7070-A-1-A-2-NC) from A-20 to A-10, applicant James Jessop.

A separate public hearing was also set for a zone change from A-20 to A-5 for a 7.07-acre parcel near Central (7090-A-3-NW), applicant John Littell.

Administrative items included a conditional use permit for a pavilion on the Kolob parcel (Teresa Turner), a conditional use permit for a pre-fab communication building in Leeds (UTOPIA, Mike Stephenson), and a hillside development permit for 798.01 acres east of New Harmony (Dusty Pulsipher).

Habitat Conservation Plan

The Habitat Conservation Plan Technical Committee met on August 19 to consider conservation options for habitat islands and fragmented desert tortoise populations. The committee also received an update on the Northern Corridor Record of Decision and lawsuit, as well as Zone 6 fencing and recreation planning. Minutes from June 10, 2026, were approved.

Board vacancy

On August 21, the County Commission announced it is accepting applications to fill one vacancy on the Dixie Deer Special Service District Administrative Control Board. The term runs through December 31, 2027. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and registered voters in the district. Applications are due September 21, 2026, to Sarah Lloyd at the Washington County Commission Office, with the appointment made in a public meeting after the deadline.

Coming up

The Habitat Conservation Plan's Land Acquisition Subcommittee will meet on August 26 to review current reserve inholdings, the completion of a Section 6 land exchange, the status of LWCF applications, and a Section 6 grant update for FY25. The agenda is routine, with no public hearings or major decisions listed.

Washington County authorizes up to $50 million in bonds for airport and Dixie Center improvements

The Washington County Commission voted July 15 to authorize up to $50,000,000 in sales tax revenue bonds to fund expansion of the St. George Regional Airport and improvements to the Dixie Center. The estimated total cost of principal and interest is $97,573,250, with a maximum interest rate of 6.0% per annum over a term of up to 30 years. The bonds will be repaid using transient room tax and tourism, recreation, cultural, convention, and airport facilities tax revenues.

Bond details

The resolution covers two projects: the Airport Expansion Project at St. George Regional Airport and the purchase, improvement, and expansion of the Dixie Center. The bond issuance is capped at $50,000,000. The commission's July 14 agenda had flagged the item for consideration, and the July 15 action authorized the bonds. Minutes for both meetings have not yet been published.

Land use and zoning

The Washington County Land Use Authority met July 14 to review several land use items, including a concept plan for Furrow Springs, a 180-unit apartment development on 12.15 acres near Hurricane. The Planning Commission also held a public hearing on a proposed zone change for a 2.4-acre parcel at approximately 2751 E Bench Road in the Enterprise Ranchos subdivision, which would rezone parcel ER-3-15-NC from A-20 (Residential Agricultural, 20-acre minimum) to RA-1 (Residential Agricultural, 1-acre minimum). The applicant is Clay Covington.

Other items before the Planning Commission included a conditional use permit for a 47-foot-tall single-family home at 8766 N 1900 W in Diamond Valley, and a public hearing on miscellaneous revisions to Title 10, including proposed amendments related to agritourism, a rural tourism zone, signage, and an outdoor tourism overlay zone.

The County Commission also addressed the 2751 E Bench Road rezoning from RA-20 to RA-1, along with ordinances amending Title 8 Chapter 5 on the transient room tax and sign regulations in C-2 and C-3 zones.

Other commission actions

The July 14 commission agenda included a resolution approving a fencing agreement with Tonaquint Ridge, Inc. for tortoise exclusion fencing, along with numerous resolutions on grants, agreements, and property conveyances. Presentations were scheduled on Kolob Reservoir, employee longevity, and a new K9. The regularly scheduled July 7 commission meeting was rescheduled to July 14.

Habitat Conservation Advisory Committee

On July 22, the Washington County Habitat Conservation Advisory Committee discussed the rescission of the "harm" definition under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The committee also reviewed the status of the Northern Corridor and Zone 6 development, and heard updates on utility projects including a Middleton waterline break repair, a water tank project on Cottonwood Road, and a TDS line repair near Pioneer Park.

Coming up

• **August 5 — Clerk/Auditor (proposed tax increase notice):** Washington County has issued a notice regarding a proposed tax increase. The notice references Hildale City and Toquerville City. Details of the proposal are expected on the upcoming agenda.