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By Myrna Trauntvein
TN Correspondent

Commissioners signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Beaver and Millard Counties to combine efforts on tourism projects.

Shanna Memmott, Juab County Tourism Director, also requested a letter of support for funding for the trail project she is working on.

The three items before the commission were an MOU so the three counties could cooperate, the approval of a grant and the writing of a letter of support for the grant to be sent by commissioners.

“The project is an off-highway vehicle regional trail system collaboration with Juab, Millard, and Beaver Counties,” said Memmott.

The first grant was ready, she said.

“We plan to digitize the trails such as the High Desert Trail, the Nebo Loop, Levan Gravel Springs and Mona Pole in Juab County,” Memmott said.

“Under terms of the MOU, we will work together,” said Memmott.

The grant is for $30,000 with a $37,450 cash match.

A Honda Pioneer that will fit five people will also be purchased.

“The MOU looks good,” said Ryan Peters, county attorney.

Clinton Painter, commissioner, made the motion to adopt the MOU and to approve a letter of support for the grant.

“I think it is a good thing to be part of,” said Marvin Kenison, commissioner. “I will make the second.”

All voted in favor.

The three counties will work together on projects, said Memmott. That was what the MOU outlined. She said that the other counties would also approve and sign MOUs.

The State OHV Fiscal Incentive Grant (FIG) is a quarterly grant. It is open to city, county, and federal agencies as well as non-profit organizations. It provides assistance to sustain, enhance, and improve motorized recreation within Utah, said Memmott.

The new grant year will close on January 15.

For example, Memmott said, if they asked for $25,000 the grant would pay for 75 percent and the county would need to pay 19 percent of the match.

The Quarterly FIG currently has no limit, but proposals tend to range from $20,000-120,000. Each applicant must offer matching funds, and projects that offer more match (such as 50 percent of the total project cost) will be more competitive.

Memmott said that they had submitted Painter as the manager for the grant for Juab County.

FIG funds may be spent on tourism, such as the promotion and administration of OHV related events and/or facilities. They may also be spent on the construction, improvement, operation, acquisition, or maintenance of publicly-owned or administered OHV facilities (including infrastructure).

Trail work may include the development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities, the purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment, the acquisition of property for trails/trailheads, and the assessment of trail conditions for accessibility and maintenance.

John Crippen, county administrator, was appointed to write the letter of support.

Kenison said that PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) could be used for the match.

Richard Hansen, commission chairman, said that the payment monies were in the budget. He said that they could dip into TRT (Transient Room Tax) for funds, as well.

Applications are due on the 15th of the following months: July, October, January, and April.

Memmott also thanked the commission for sending her to a conference about tourism and said she had learned a great deal.