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By Julie Johansen

Castle Dale Town Council gathered for their regular meeting on Thursday. The agenda was adjusted to allow for a report from the city’s zoning administrator, who said planning and zoning had approved another Airbnb business license and there would be no board meeting. December for the planning commission. He also reported the resignation of the secretary of the planning commission, which means that another secretary will have to be appointed.

The first item on the regular agenda was a request from Steven Jeffery that each council member express his feelings on tourism in the community. He said he was involved in three businesses in the county, including cryptocurrency, building a rock climbing wall and an RV park in Orangeville. He wanted to know if it was worth making these investments because he feels the county does not support him. The council said yes, but one council member said she prefers investment in industry and if tourism is promoted it should be done properly and openly.

Kimball and Roberts’ auditors then delivered their audit report virtually. Their report was more glowing than previous years and they commended staff for improvements and the inclusion of a CPA on the city’s audit committee. They asked for signatures for those who had completed the training on the Open and Public Meetings Act. Mayor Danny Van Wagoner then read the pages of the OPM Act to council and asked that the signatures be recorded.

Christmas bonuses were then approved for full-time and part-time city employees. Then the 2023 council meeting schedule was approved, with meetings remaining on the second Thursday of each month. The Liquor Ordinance was amended to remove all restricted sale hours. Council also voted to create a town beautification committee and the names will be presented to the mayor at the January meeting.

Departmental reports to the council were next on the agenda. Castle Dale Fire Chief Britni Moreno recently returned from Florida where a new fire truck was inspected and the engine is expected to arrive around mid-December. She also reported that the county firefighting group is considering group training so that all units can be trained together. In closing, the Castle Dale City Code Enforcement Officer tendered his resignation to the council.