by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan County Commission approved support for tourism marketing efforts, approved a county mapping software, and updated policy related to purchases as part of their latest meeting.
Members of the San Juan County commission approved a three-year contract with Balcony Technology at their June 2 meeting.
The contract will allow the county to use geospatial mapping software for the County Recorder’s office.
County Recorder Cindi Holyoak requested the approval, stating the software can be used to visualize complex land records that have not been mapped previously including mining claims, easements, solar farms and other interests.
The Keystone software integrates land records directly with parcels allowing county staff and the public to view subsurface rights. Members of the commission approved the contract after review.
Members of the commission also received a presentation from Ecostrat presenting on a Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone. The report issued San Juan County a “Double B” rating which labels it as “non-investment grade”. The three month study scored three areas including product surplus, supply chain strength and infrastructure.
While the report showed the county is not a good match for industrial level production, Economic Development Director Talia Hansen noted the report provides a valuable roadmap.
Hansen highlighted the county is already utilizing “Wood for Life” program as a biomass operation providing local fuels for wood-fire stoves and heaters in the county. The report could help the county scale the program to assist local communities.
The commission also approved letters of support for tourism related efforts. Members of the commission approved a letter of support for the county’s participation with the Utah Office of Tourism Co-op Marketing grant application for $215,000.
San Juan County Visitor Services Director Allison Yamamoto-Sparks shared a shift in strategy: rather than increasing the total volume of tourists, the county will focus on increasing the length of stay and also promoting shoulder season travel.
A key part of this marketing includes promotion of the “Milky Way Highway”, an unofficial trail connecting dark-sky communities like Moab and Bluff.
Yamamoto-Sparks says promoting night-sky viewing will encourage mid-summer visitors to stay through the heat of the day and support local businesses.
Members of the commission also approved a letter of support for Blanding City’s $13,000 marketing grant to help fund the Bears Ears Marathon, a Boston Marathon qualifier in November
At the meeting, county staffer Tammy Gallegos was recognized by the commission and county HR Director Tranner Sharpe.
Gallegos was recently recognized by the Utah Emergency Management Association with the “Incident Response of the Year” award for the county’s handling of the Deer Creek fire in the La Sal area in the summer of 2025. The association also named Gallegos as a Utah Certified Emergency Manager.
Members of the commission also approved an update to the county purchasing policy naming the County Clerk/Auditor as the county purchasing agent.
While department heads can approve department purchases within their budget of up to $5,000. Department heads and the county clerk/auditor as the county purchasing agent must approve purchases between $5,000 and $15,000 with purchases over that amount requiring commission approval.
The change essentially adds the clerk/auditor as the purchasing agent rather than a county administrator.
Commissioners also provided reports with Commissioner Jamie Harvey reporting on a recent UDOT meeting in Montezuma Creek noting funds have been issued to connect streetlights at the new roundabout though NTUA had not yet finalized the connection.
Commissioner Harvey also highlighted the recent “Peace Run” that went through the county with international runners visiting San Juan County and promoting a spirit of unity.
Commissioner Silvia Stubbs reported on ongoing challenges facing senior centers noting concerns at centers in Navajo Mountain and Oljato. Stubbs reports she is looking at the use of food trucks to ensure seniors receive adequate nutrition.
Commissioner Lori Maughan noted the upcoming San Juan Stampede Pro Rodeo will be the weekend of June 11-13 and also highlighted a ribbon-cutting for the North Wash Boat Ramp to help river runners along the Colorado in San Juan County.
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