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Washington County Fair

Commissioners Envision Legacy Park as World-class Equestrian Facility

Since first being elected to the Washington County Commission in 2014, Commissioner Victor Iverson has been instrumental in significantly improving the county fair equine facilities at what is now called Washington County Legacy Park.

A Washington County native and life-long resident, Commissioner Iverson grew up on a small farm in La Verkin with horses, mules, and farm animals of every kind. He has brought this background with him throughout his career as a public servant, tirelessly fighting for rural and agricultural issues.

One of Commissioner Iverson’s largest passion projects has been revitalizing Legacy Park. In the past, these county facilities, located on the outskirts of Hurricane City near SR-9, were under-utilized except for a small group of equine professionals and hobbyists. Overtime, the facilities were largely ignored and became dilapidated, but where others merely saw problems Commissioner Iverson saw opportunity. Washington County could and should be a premier destination for agricultural and equine-related events.

When Commissioner Dean Cox and Commissioner Gil Almquist were elected, they joined Commissioner Iverson in his vision. Since then, Washington County designed and built the Grafton Building, which has hosted numerous community events such as rodeo, horse racing, barrel racing, livestock shows, horse shows, dog shows, and much more.

Washington County has also spent substantial dollars improving all existing Legacy Park facilities.

“The goal is to make Legacy Park a better overall facility, to work towards making it a world-class venue that will continue to have a positive economic impact across Washington County and be an enjoyable place for equestrian enthusiast,” Commissioner Iverson said.

“Last summer, when many facilities closed, the Commission stepped up and offered to host the Utah High School Rodeo Association and Utah Junior High School Rodeo Association’s state championship competitions at Legacy Park which I was proud to attend,” Commissioner Gil Almquist said. “The event was an outstanding success and Washington County can look forward to hosting many other similar events in the future.”

Another major success at Legacy Park was the 2021 Washington County Fair, which received rave reviews from residents for being held in April (instead of August when it had occurred in the past) and boasting numerous “firsts” for Washington County’s facilities.

Washington County is committed to continuing to cultivate the opportunities Legacy Park provides and increasing its availability for public use. Although several renovations and improvements have been made, several older buildings remain in extreme need of repair.

A recent evaluation of these older facilities shows many of them are unsafe for public or private use, with some that are beyond repair.

As part of their vision to make Legacy Park a premier destination for equestrians, Washington County plans to make necessary improvements to these facilities including the removal of the most decayed structures.

While this will mean previously existing contracts with a small handful of private business owners will not be renewed in 2022, the equestrian community and public at large will benefit from having safe and expanded horse-facilities. The race-track will remain open and available for public-use, whether by professional horse-trainers or part-time horse recreationists.

“Legacy Park will continue to remain focused on agricultural and equine-related activities. Any rumors that the county is planning to cut-off public access or build a soccer complex in place of horse stables are untrue,” Commissioner Iverson said. “I love the equine community and am passionate about continuing to have them be an integral part of our county. Any improvements made to Legacy Park will be to improve facilities and increase the ability of the public to use them.”

Promoting agriculture and Western traditions, including equestrian events and other activities remain a priority for Washington County. The Commission feels confident their vision and plans for Legacy Park will promote the interests of the broad equine community and increase the public’s appreciation and involvement in equine activities.

Dean Jeffery Cox Obituary

Commissioner Cox’s interests, talents, and contributions to Washington County were many. Read about a few of them in his beautifully written obituary linked below.

https://spilsburymortuary.com/obituaries/dean-jeffery-cox/

Services will be held beginning Friday, July 16, 2021, with a public viewing from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Dixie Convention Center at 1835 Convention Center Dr. in St. George (Google Maps). The funeral will be held at Dixie State University’s Cox Performing Arts Center at 325 South 700 East (Google Maps) on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 10:00 AM.

Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands

Resolution No. R-2021-2789 – A Resolution in Support of Additional Fire Restrictions Order

WHEREAS, Washington County (“County”) is in a drought and experiencing extreme fire danger conditions and also an increase in human caused fires;

WHEREAS, due to the current and forecasted weather conditions, coupled with the extremely dry vegetation conditions in Southwest Utah and Northern Arizona, the Color Country Interagency Fire Managers are implementing Advanced (Stage II) Fire Restrictions;

Download copy of Resolution R-2021-2789 by Washington County

WHEREAS, pursuant to the attached information, and in accordance with Utah Code Section 65A-8-212, the following acts are prohibited in all unincorporated private and all state and federal lands within Washington County:

  1. Igniting, building, attending, using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, wood stove fire, including fires in developed campgrounds and improved sites. All debris burning is strictly prohibited. No campfires are allowed in any location until restrictions are rescinded. The one exception is that in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, campfires are permitted below the high-water mark of the lake in areas devoid of vegetation.
  2. Discharging or using any kind of fireworks on unincorporated private land (always prohibited on state and federal lands.)
  3. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order as determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practices J335 and J350.
  4. Operating a chainsaw or other motorized equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, other than motorized vehicles between the hours of 1:00 PM and 10:00 PM. A one-hour fire watch is required after chainsaw or other motorized equipment has shutdown.
  5. Detonating of explosives, incendiary or chemical devices, pyrotechnics, or exploding targets, or tracer ammunition (always prohibited on federal land).
  6. Cutting, welding, or grinding of metal in areas of dry vegetation.
  7. Smoking except in an enclosed vehicle or building, or a developed recreation site or areas of a minimum of three (3) feet in diameter cleared down to mineral soil.

WHEREAS, supporting the Additional Fire Restrictions is in the public interest and preserves the community’s economic, environmental, recreational and aesthetic resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH, that Washington County supports the attached Additional Fire Restrictions.

VOTED UPON AND PASSED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION HELD ON THE 6TH DAY OF JULY, 2021.

Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands

Resolution No. R-2021-2780 – A Resolution in Support of State Fire Restriction Order

Washington County (“County”) is experiencing an “exceptional drought,” the most severe since the mid-1950’s;

WHEREAS, due to the current and forecasted weather conditions coupled with the extremely dry vegetation conditions in Southwest Utah, the Utah State Forester, in consultation with the county commission of each of the affect counties, has determined that measures must be taken to prevent the ignition of forest and rangeland fires;

Download copy of signed resolution R-2021-2780 by County & State

WHEREAS, pursuant to the attached Fire Restriction Order, and in accordance with Utah Code Section 65A-8-212, the following acts are prohibited in all unincorporated private and all state lands within Washington County:

  1. No open fires of any kind except within established public facilities in improved campgrounds, picnic areas. -OR- In permanently constructed fire pits at private homes where running water is present.
  2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area that is paved or free from dry vegetation.
  3. Discharging or using any fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including exploding targets.
  4. Cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation.
  5. Operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine without an approved and working spark arrestor.

WHEREAS, the Fire Restriction Order also lists two small categories of exempt persons from these rules;

WHEREAS, any of the above acts is a violation of state law and is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000; and

WHEREAS, supporting the Fire Restriction Order is in the public interest and preserves the community’s economic, environmental, recreational and aesthetic resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH, that Washington County supports the attached Fire Restriction Order.

VOTED UPON AND PASSED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION HELD ON THE 1st DAY OF JUNE, 2021.

Washington County of Utah

Road Maintenance Projects in Washington County

Washington County Road Department
Road Maintenance Projects

  • Monday to Monday, May 17 – 24, 2021: Chip and Seal Old Highway 91 from Gunlock turnoff West to the Utah/Arizona State Line.
    • There will be limited road closures, but flaggers and pilot cars will be used every day. Traffic may be limited to one lane at a time and drivers should expect delays.
  • Tuesday to Friday, May 25 – 28, 2021: Chip and Seal roads in the Sky Ranch Subdivisions, Cliff Dweller Subdivision and 1100 West from 3250 South to 3750 South.
    • There will be limited road closures, but flaggers and pilot cars will be used every day. Traffic may be limited to one lane at a time and drivers should expect delays.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Washington County Road Department at (435) 634-5736.

Notice Bid Invitation - Kolob Terrace Road Retaining Walls

Notice of Bid – Kolob Terrace Road Retaining Walls

NOTICE OF BID INVITATION
Washington County
Kolob Terrace Road Retaining Walls

Washington County will receive sealed proposals until 10:00 am local time, Monday, May 24, 2021, at the Washington County Commission Office for the following project.

Visit Public Works to download Bid Documents

This project consists of construction of approximately 53.5 Cubic Yards (180.63 linear feet) of reinforced concrete retaining wall, earthwork, and traffic control may be awarded at the discretion of the Owner.

Bids will be opened publicly at 10:05 am, May 24, 2021, at the Washington County Commission Chambers, Administration Building:

111 East Tabernacle
St. George, UT 84770
(Google Maps)

Bid documents may be obtained from Washington County Public Works Department. Please contact Washington County Public Works Deptartment at 435-301-7670 to reserve a printed set of plans and specifications and to get your name on a list for any notifications of bid addenda or clarifications.

The bid will be awarded to the lowest responsible responsive bidder. If, however, the County deems it to be in the best interest of the County, the County reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or minor defects in any bids, to eliminate entire items, and increase or decrease the quantities shown in the bid form.

Each bid must be accompanied by an Irrevocable Letter of Credit, in favor of Washington County, which is satisfactory and in a form suitable to Washington County (Cashier’s Check, Certified Check, or Bid Bond) in the amount of 5% of the bid. Cashier’s or Certified Checks are to be drawn to the order of Washington County. County shall exercise the letter of credit, or cash the check if the successful bidder withdraws its bid after Notice of Award. After Notice of Award and prior to commencement of work, the contractor has five (5) calendar days to sign the contract with the County, and comply with insurance and bonding requirements. Failure to sign the contract and meet insurance and bonding requirements within five (5) calendar days of the Notice of Award may result in forfeiture of the Bid Bond and possible loss of bid.

Bids, which contain irregularities of any kind, may be rejected as informal or incomplete.

Visit Public Works to download Bid Documents

Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands

Resolution No. R-2021-2765 – A Resolution in Support of Proclamation of Advanced Closed Fire Season in Southwest Utah

WHEREAS, the Utah State Forester, in accordance with Utah Code Section 65A-8-211(1), has advanced the closed fire season in Southwest Utah to begin on May 1, 2021 instead of June 1, 2021;

Download copy of signed proclamation by County & State

WHEREAS, Washington County (“County”) recognizes the fire threat that naturally-caused weather conditions pose to people and property within the County;

WHEREAS, wildfire danger is unseasonably high due to warmer temperatures, drier than normal weather and abnormally dry fuel conditions in Southwest Utah, including in the County;

WHEREAS, wildlands threatened by wildfire are critical to sustain public safety, health and economic well-being;

WHEREAS, an advancement of the closed fire season would reduce open burning on unincorporated state and private land; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the residents of Washington County that the closed fire season be extended until the fire risk lessens.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH, that Washington County supports the advancement of the closed fire season as described in the attached Utah State Forester Proclamation.

VOTED UPON AND PASSED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION HELD ON THE 4th DAY OF MAY, 2021.

Washington County of Utah

2021 Tax Sale

Notice is hereby given that on May 20, 2021, at 10:00 AM, Kim Hafen, Clerk-Auditor, will offer for sale (unless redeemed prior to sale) at public auction, pursuant to the provisions of section 59-2-1351 Utah Code, the described real estate situated in said county and now held by it under preliminary tax sale. This sale will be located in:

Washington County Administration Building
111 East Tabernacle
St George, Utah
(Google Maps)

Auctions will be by open bidding wherein the full parcel will be sold to the highest dollar bidder.

Tax Sale — Full List & Details

Published in the Spectrum
April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 2021

Washington County of Utah

Washington County Juvenile Public Defender Contract Available

Members of the Utah State Bar in good standing are invited to apply for the following Washington County Juvenile Public Defender contract:

Juvenile Public Defender Contract (1): $64,356 annual compensation plus CLE subsidy. Successful candidate will represent indigent clients as assigned by Fifth District court judges in Washington County.

Click here to download Juvenile Public Defender Contract.

Contract (see above link), Resumes and letters of interest should be submitted by April 23, 2021 to:

Nicholle Felshaw,
County Administrator
111 East Tabernacle 
St. George, UT  84770
(Google Maps)
nicholle.felshaw@washco.utah.gov