Duchesne County commissioners recently held a public hearing regarding the establishment of the Recreation Special Service District.

Approximately 12 people showed up at the hearing to express support or opposing opinions of the establishment of the district. Several people objected only based on the fact that they thought the forming of the district would cause an increase in their taxes, only to find out that the district would finance the services by mineral lease payments.

“We're funding it this way because if the mineral lease monies are there, great, the community gets the improvements, but if it's not there, it isn't a big deal,” Deputy Duchesne County Attorney Jonathan Stearmer said.

Stearmer is also required by state law to use the language that states “taxes may be levied annually upon all taxable property within the proposed special service district, that fees or charges may be imposed to pay for some or all of the services that the special service district is proposed to provide.” However, he wants to make it very clear that such a levy is not being contemplated at this time. As such, the sole funding mechanism for the district will be mineral lease funds.

“The language specifically says here, '... As such the sole funding mechanism for this district will be mineral lease funds,' ” County Commissioner Ron Winterton said. “End of sentence, that's it. There's no talking of taxes what-so-ever.”

The following areas were excluded from the district: all towns and municipalities within the county and areas of the county within the Tabby Valley Park District and the Neola County Park District.

Currently, Duchesne County provides certain recreational activities. It is understood that the district would continue to fulfill these obligations by continuing to provide funding to the following recreational activities: Uintah Basin In Celebration, T.V. services, assistance with the Duchesne County Chamber of Commerce. In the event the above obligations are met and sufficient funding is available, the district may provide money to other recreational activities (including, but not limited to, Duchesne County Fair) within the district.

“I know if we're going to have people move into our area, one of the things they ask is, 'What is there to do here?' ” Duchesne City Mayor-elect RoJean Rowley said. “I think recreation is very important to our area to attract people to come into the area... If it isn't a taxing district then I'm in agreement with it.”

Anyone interested in protesting the establishment of the district may send a signed, written protest to the Duchesne County Commissioners at Duchesne County P.O. Box 270, Duchesne, Utah 84021-0346 by Dec. 1. Any withdrawal of the protest or cancellation withdrawal shall be filed with the Duchesne County Commission at or before Dec. 15. Any protest signed on behalf of a corporation owning property in the district shall be sufficient if signed by the president, vice president or any duly authorized agent of the corporation.

Following the hearing and expiration of time to file and withdraw written protests, the Board of County Commissioners shall adopt a resolution either establishing the district or determining that the district should not be established. The resolution may contain any changes the commissioners determine to be equitable and necessary, including changes in the boundaries of the district, to assure that the district does not contain property that will not be benefited by the proposed district.