Red Fleet water shares was a main topic of discussion during the August 26th Uintah County Commission Work Session meeting. Uintah County Clerk/Auditor Mike Wilkins started the discussion, explaining that the County in recent weeks learned that they have access to 119 acre feet of water out of Red Fleet that was purchased in 2014 and is not being put to use. Wilkins stated that economic development opportunities are being lost in the community due to the water shortage and so the County has been in discussions on how to potentially use that water for economic development. Wilkins brought up two possible uses, one for the new Heritage car dealership and the other for a business within Naples City that plans to employ up to 25 employees. Commissioner John Laursen explained that there had been a misconception that the water shares in question were being used in Jensen. He also emphasized that in order to gather input from the community on potential uses for the 119 acre feet of Red Fleet water, an Open House has been scheduled for next week. The meeting discussion included the larger discussion of the water shortage in the Ashley Valley. Among the comments received, Vernal City Councilman Corey Foley asked why the County would use a portion of those shares on the new Heritage dealership property when Vernal City has the water to do so and that has been in the works for months as part of the annexation in process. He suggested that the 119 acre feet from Red Fleet could be focused on providing water where there are no other options available. The Open House will be held on September 5th at the Western Park from 6 to 8pm.
