Garfield County commissioners approve $15,000 for sixth-grade Washington, D.C. trip

The Garfield County Commission voted 3-0 on Oct. 12 to approve $15,000 to help sixth-grade students across the county pay for a trip to Washington, D.C., in November. Commissioner David Tebbs made the motion and Commissioner Jerry Taylor seconded it. ^[1]

Students from Panguitch, Escalante and Bryce Valley elementary schools came to the meeting and described the trip and their fundraising efforts over the year. ^[1]

In board reports, Taylor thanked the road crew for responding to recent flooding across the county and said crews are replacing the bridge at Main Canyon. Commissioner Leland Pollock said construction on the River Lane bridge is complete but it cannot open until guardrails are installed, which are not expected to be available for 30 days. ^[1]

Taylor and Pollock both reported on the Panguitch Lake Dam ribbon-cutting. Pollock said about 25 lawmakers attended along with Gov. Spencer Cox. Public Works Director Dave Dodds also discussed the dam situation and credited the road crew for its work during the dam emergency. ^[1]

Dodds said the department has received three grants and will add an equipment operator next spring. County Planner Kaden Figgins said concrete for the Panguitch Lake boat ramp extension was scheduled to be poured that week, weather permitting. ^[1]

Tebbs reported on efforts to reach an agreement between Panguitch Lake Fire and Garfield County EMS and on work toward a dead animal pit in Tropic. County Clerk Camille Moore said representatives from the Bryce Valley and Escalante areas need to be appointed to the county library board, and the county will look for people willing to serve. ^[1]

The commission went into a closed session on the character and competence of an individual, pending litigation and real estate. ^[1]