Maintaining infrastructure comes with a price tag and pursuing funding options is a must for municipalities to accomplish needed projects. Faced with the need for water infrastructure upgrades, Vernal City applied for and received final approval for CIB mineral lease funds through the Community Impact Board. “The Board approved almost $5 million dollars in a grant and loan mix,” shares Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion. “The funds will replace aged transmission water lines and services in older neighborhoods. The CIB mineral lease funds originate from mineral extraction operations on federal lands throughout the State with Uintah County providing about half of the mineral lease funds.” The funding breaks down to $2.9 million dollars in grant funds and $2.1 million in a low interest loan.
