05-13-2026 Box Elder County Commission meeting

The Box Elder County Commission held a meeting on May 13, 2026, where several procurement and contract-related matters were addressed. The commission approved Agreement 2620, renewing a five-year lease for the use of private property as a firearm shooting range with Al Smart, including insurance and liability provisions. They also approved State Aid Agreement 2619 for the Historic Orchard Pathway project, which involves a multi-use non-motorized pathway with funding contributions from the county, Willard City, and the Utah Department of Transportation. Additionally, the commission approved Agreement 26-21 related to the Cooperative Wildlife Protection Plan, which includes new equipment and fuel break projects for wildfire management. Other administrative actions included forgiving late fees on a mobile home tax account and approving an extension payment plan for property taxes on a residential parcel. The commission also adopted Resolution 26-13, updating personal policies and procedures regarding fleet policies and occupational safety and health. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to public comments expressing strong opposition to the proposed AI data center project in Box Elder County, citing concerns about water usage, environmental impact, and lack of adequate public input. The commission acknowledged the controversy and emphasized their efforts to gather information and provide transparency. No votes were taken during the public comment period regarding the data center project.