An agenda item on Monday’s Uintah County Commission meeting is drawing attention. The agenda for the March 13th meeting, which begins at 11:00am, includes a new ordinance which is proposing to revise the “Parliamentary Procedure Rule regarding Voting Rights of Member of the Board of County Commissioners.” Concern shared on social media is asking why the two present Commissioners would change procedures, especially before a third Commissioner has been appointed to replace Mike McKee. In response, Commissioner Bill Stringer explained that the change is not for all decisions made but would allow, during time sensitive issues like making board appointments, for the Chairman to second a motion in order to continue forward with the business of government. Several special service district board terms expired on December 31st and have remained empty because names proposed in a motion failed for a second, which Stringer says is “a real problem when [the Commission] can’t take care of business.” Public concern has also been expressed about what is being called a delay by the Commission to officially notify the Republican Committee of the Commission’s vacancy. McKee’s last day in office was March 2nd, making March 3rd the first day the Commissioners could deliver official notice to the Committee of the vacancy and thus enable the Committee to submit their selection for McKee’s replacement. Without the Commission’s notice, the Committee cannot continue the replacement process. Commissioner Stringer stated that the Commission’s failure to notify the Committee is simply a matter of scheduling it into a very busy week and that he and Commissioner Horrocks had not been able to get to it. Stringer said it is their intent to prepare the letter this week to submit to the Committee. Once the Commission officially notifies the Committee, the Committee has up to 30 days to submit a name . Once the Committee submits a name, the Commission has up to 5 days accept the appointment. If the Commission fails to do so, the matter then moves to the desk of the Governor.
