Box Elder County honors wildfire response crews, approves road funding

During its regular meeting, the **Box Elder County Commission** formally recognized the county's **Road Department** for its instrumental role in containing several major seasonal wildfires across northern Utah, while also authorizing key municipal infrastructure funding for Mantua and Honeyville.

### Wildfire Response Commendation

Commissioner **Lee Perry** read an official nomination submitted by the county fire marshal detailing the Road Department's interagency coordination with the **Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands** and the county Fire Marshal’s Office:

* **Heavy Equipment Deployment**: Road crews provided bulldozers, motor graders, support trucks, and trained equipment operators holding red card wildfire certifications.

* **The Johnson Fire**: In response to the fast-moving blaze near Plymouth and Portage, eight road crew personnel worked throughout the night establishing firebreaks. This tactical defense allowed wildland firefighters to conduct backburn operations, containing the fire at approximately 6,800 acres within 24 hours.

* **Critical Protection**: The department also established defensive perimeter lines that prevented the Little Mountain Fire from engulfing the county landfill, and assisted in containing the Harley Fire near Tremonton, which had prompted residential evacuations and closed sections of Interstate 15.

### Transportation & Infrastructure Grants

The commission approved critical municipal road grants administered under the county's Local Transportation Corridor Preservation Fund:

* **Mantua 100 South**: Approved a $50,000 grant toward a $300,000 project reconstructing the primary southern entryway into Mantua, following unanimous endorsement by the county Council of Governments.

* **Honeyville Frontage Road**: Authorized an $88,775 municipal reimbursement to Honeyville for completed widening and resurfacing improvements along its primary frontage road corridor.

### Financial Oversight & Economic Expansion

* **Federal ARPA & Safety Radios**: County Auditor **Shirlene Larsen** updated commissioners on remaining American Rescue Plan Act obligations, noting that Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency funds have been allocated to upgrade frontline public safety radios.

* **Business Retention Contract**: Convening as the county Redevelopment Agency, commissioners renewed the Business Expansion and Retention contract with the **Box Elder Chamber of Commerce**, following a presentation from CEO **Monica Holdaway** highlighting ongoing support tours for major industrial employers including Nucor, Big J Milling, Post Consumer Brands, and Whitaker Construction.