Castle Dale council tables short-term rental changes, approves $21,762 in fire equipment and a sidewalk grinding contract
September 10, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 20 S 100 E
At its Sept. 10 meeting the Castle Dale City Council tabled proposed changes to the short-term vacation rental ordinance after members disagreed over the 29-day limit, license revocation and transient room taxes, and one member asked for a public hearing. It approved a contract with Precision Concrete Cutting for sidewalk grinding and repairs, backed by $35,000 budgeted for the project, and approved fire department purchases of about $21,762 from money the city received for its Black Canyon Fire response. The council also swore in a new city recorder. These are draft minutes posted with the Oct. 8 meeting packet.
From the draft minutes. Updated November 3, 2026.
In brief
7 items came up for a decision or discussion: 4 approved, 2 discussed, and 1 tabled.
The agenda records 2 dollar amounts, the largest $35,000.
This write-up links 2 source documents.
6 members were present.
Residents raised short-term rental rules, sidewalk repairs, fire department equipment, and ems staffing.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Short-term vacation rental ordinance changes | Tabled · 5-0 |
| Contract for sidewalk grinding and repairs | Approved · 5-0 |
| Black Canyon Fire money and fire department purchases | Approved · 5-0 |
| Fall Fest fundraiser fee waiver | Approved · 5-0 |
| New city recorder sworn in; bank account signers and credit card limit | Approved · 5-0 |
| Reports: land use, animal control, parks, fire and EMS | Discussed |
| Treasurer's tax report | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
City code
Short-term vacation rental ordinance changes
Tabled · 5-0
Land Use Administrator Kerry Lake raised concerns about the 29-day rental limit, taxes, licensing, parking and enforcement. Members discussed whether a rental that runs past 29 days would require revoking the business license and whether transient room tax (TRT) still applies after 29 days. Mayor Danny Van Wagoner said the state definition of a short-term rental does not provide for revoking a license after 29 days and that TRT is not required after that period. The draft changes would also allow revocation after three or more violations in 12 months. Councilmember Glen Gerber asked for a public hearing and moved to table; Councilmember Bradley Giles recused himself from the discussion to avoid the appearance of a conflict.
- Issues raised: 29-day limit, transient room tax, licensing, parking, enforcement
- Proposed: revocation after three violations in 12 months
Contract
Contract for sidewalk grinding and repairs
Approved · 5-0
Councilmember Giles said the city's annual sidewalk assessment found problem areas, and Precision Concrete Cutting began grinding along Highway 29 from the east side of Center Street until the available budget ran out. Some issues were beyond what the company could fix, and a contractor has been contacted about those repairs with help from city maintenance. About $35,000 has been budgeted. The council approved the contract.
- Budget$35,000 to Precision Concrete Cutting
Public safety
Black Canyon Fire money and fire department purchases
Approved · 5-0
Fire Chief Ignacio Arrien said about $35,616 remained from money the city received for its Black Canyon Fire response after payroll. A payment from Babylon Fire covered payroll only because no city equipment was used. The department needs three wildland radios on federal frequencies (about $9,366 quoted), fire shelters (about $700), more equipment and a portable mobile pump of about $3,000 for flood emergencies. The critical equipment totals $21,761.66. Councilmember Joel Dorsch moved to approve the purchases and keep the remaining fire money with the department rather than the general fund.
- Purchase$21,761.66
- About $35,616 remained after payroll
- Radios about $9,366; shelters about $700; portable pump about $3,000
Other
Fall Fest fundraiser fee waiver
Approved · 5-0
Two organizers asked the council to waive the $50 non-refundable fee for the Fall Fest fundraiser. The council waived the applicable fees.
Appointment
New city recorder sworn in; bank account signers and credit card limit
Approved · 5-0
Angelina Austin was sworn in as the new city recorder, with the oath given by Treasurer Rebecca Norton. The council added the new recorder to the bank account and the Public Treasurers' Investment Fund (PTIF), removed the former recorder, and raised the treasurer's credit card limit to $10,000 at the mayor's request.
Other
Reports: land use, animal control, parks, fire and EMS
Discussed
Land use: a zoning change request east of Esquire Estates to allow RV placement goes to the next Land Use meeting, and a hearing will be held on a request to vacate a never-developed private subdivision. Animal control: 18 calls, 15 feral cats trapped, three dogs impounded; the officer asked for two or three more traps. Parks: new rubber surfacing is on order for Cheddar Park, restroom and roof work is under way, and construction on the All-Abilities Park was expected to begin the following week. Fire: the department has eight firefighters, seven with Red Card certification. EMS: Castle Dale and Orangeville stations were about 25 percent fully staffed, 31 percent partly staffed and 43 percent unstaffed, with five calls in the past month; Emery County approved a $2 per hour retention increase.
Budget
Treasurer's tax report
Discussed
August 2026 sales tax revenue was $39,836.24, down $1,965.69 from $41,801.93 in August 2025. Transportation tax revenue was $3,525.94, down $217.20 from August 2025. All but three business licenses had been renewed.
- Sales tax Aug. 2026: $39,836.24 (Aug. 2025: $41,801.93)
- Transportation tax Aug. 2026: $3,525.94 (Aug. 2025: $3,743.14)
What residents said
Short-term rental rulesSidewalk repairsFire department equipmentEMS staffing
A resident appeared about a pending ordinance violation notice and a water service question; the council agreed to schedule a separate meeting with the resident.