Uintah County approved the purchase of property during Tuesday’s Commission meeting to be utilized for affordable housing opportunities. Uintah County Commissioner John Laursen provided a summary of the project during the meeting, explaining that the property is about 35 acres next to the Uintah High School football and baseball fields. The County is collaborating with the Uintah Basin Association of Governments to administer the affordable housing opportunities through its Mutual Self-Help Housing Program. Uintah County issued a press release on Tuesday with details about the project, stating that the “funding for this initiative will be drawn from interest earned on county savings, ensuring no immediate impact on other budgeted services or operations. The investment will be repaid in full as the properties are sold – ensuring fiscal responsibility while addressing a critical community need. By using interest earnings and aligning repayment with future sales, the County is prioritizing a responsible financial approach while focusing on the well-being of its residents.” Commissioner Sonja Norton shared during the meeting that all the paperwork has been signed on the purchase but the sale hasn’t closed yet. She shared that a resident survey listed affordable housing as the #1 issue in Uintah County and she emphasized that this is a way to help the community while not putting a burden on the taxpayers. The Commissioners approved the purchase of the 35+ acres of land, including water rights, for $620,000 total.
