The Uintah County Commission met in their regularly scheduled Commission meeting on Tuesday. The Commission approved several agenda items. They approved tax-exempt properties including the addition of the Educational Media Foundation radio tower and the new Northeastern Utah Friends Against Family Violence property on 500 South. A contract with Octane Addictions for motocross entertainment during the 2023 fair was approved. The weed department presented a modification to the weed control ongoing contract with the BLM to extend it through 2024 and the Commission approved. Uintah County Sheriff Steve Labrum presented the contract held since 2021 with UBTech for security provided by the Sheriff’s Office. The Commission approved the contract from 2023 to 2026 for $90,000 dollars a year. During the public comment period, multiple community members expressed concerns about the Drag Story Hour to be held by a private group at the Uintah County Library. Uintah County Deputy Attorney Jon Stearmer provided clarification on what they are allowed to regulate. For groups that reserve a room and agree to follow the standards of conduct, the County can only regulate time, place and manner but not the content of speech. Stearmer said an example of regulating the manner would be like not allowing the use of a bull horn in the library. “The County will uphold the constitutional rights of all residents,” stated Stearmer. It was asked why the people gathering signatures for the flag referendum were not allowed to do so at the library and it was clarified that in that situation they were not trying to reserve a room but instead set up a table in front of the library. Commissioner Norton said that they will not allow anything illegal during the event. Library Board member Susan Horrocks invited all in attendance to come to the Uintah County Library Board meeting on April 28th at 9am to share their concerns.
