VANSTON — The Uinta Count Commission addressed gambling issues, health contracts, COVID-19, the Fort Bridger Airport and more at their meeting on Oct. 6.

After adding Public Works Director Clay Baird to the agenda, the Commission approved the agenda with that addition.

Rebecca Eastman was appointed to the Uinta County Library Board.

Clerk Amanda Hutchinson told the commission, “The Board of Equalization agreed with the county assessor in regards to the tax assessment on G & L Rentals. I am just stating what you already discussed in the work session and you now have the opportunity to publically ratify the assessor’s decision on the tax assessment of G & L Rentals.”

The Commission unanimously approved the Assessor’s decision to tax the property of G & L Rentals.

Jill Jarrod with Wyoming Downs asked the Commission for approval to approach bars and restaurants with bars about placing horse racing terminals (NRT machines) in their businesses. According to the flyer Jarrod presented Wyoming Downs staff will service the NRT machines weekly; pay all winning tickets and will do all the IRS paperwork. The bars receive a portion of the bets wagered by their customers.

“The Gaming Commission oversees and controls the determination and legal authorization of the sites. They are selected site by site; it is not a blanket approval. Their standards are extremely high. This would be a tax boost for the County. Just this past year Wyoming Downs paid $96,500 in taxes to Uinta County and the Horse Palace paid approximately $91,000 in taxes.”

In response to a question from Craig Welling regarding how the machines would be kept away from those under the age of 21 if they were placed in restaurants; Jarrod affirmed the machines would be kept in a separate room where only persons over the age of 21 could enter.

Resolution 20-28 approving Wyoming Downs LLC to conduct para mutual wagering on live horse racing, historic horse racing, and simulcast events at existing bars and legally authorized establishments within Uinta County, Wyoming was unanimously approved by the Commission.

County Emergency Management Director Kim West asked the Commission to approve Resolution 20-26 and 20-27 both of which are submissions of applications to the Coronavirus Relief Grant to the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB/CARES Act).

Public Works Director Clay Baird brought the Commission up-to-date regarding the Fort Bridger Airport rehabilitation and improvement project. Baird said there were four main areas to sign certification on in order to receive the grant monies. He explained the FAA requires the program sponsors to certify the project met the FAA and Federal requirements and the County is satisfied with the results.

Baird discussed the four main requirements for the grant project: the consultant that was selected; the design plans and specification; the construction project; and the construction contract; all had to follow Federal and FAA standards.