FARMINGTON — The Davis County Commission has added its support to the expansion of the S&S Shortline Railroad by 1.5 miles from its current west Farmington location to the Davis County Fairgrounds.
Owner Steve Flanders told commissioners last week he is negotiating with the Utah Transit Authority to put his 24-inch-wide track on the old Denver & Rio Grande Railroad roadbed. He said he has received support from the city of Farmington, the Utah Department of Transportation and UTA for the project.
The S&S, a private railroad with rolling stock not quite one-half the size of a regular railroad, is on Flanders' farm in west Farmington. The train hosted 6,000 passengers a year ago in December, and he expects more this month. The railroad runs each day, weather permitting, on a mile of track at 575 N. 1525 West. Commissioners also approved the adoption of ordinances that increase the fees charged by the Davis County Sheriff's Office, restrict the parking of for-sale vehicles on county-owned property and prohibit the use of motorized vehicles on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
Barry Burton, from the county's Community and Economic Development Office, told commissioners too many motorized vehicles such as dirt bikes are using the trail, causing a conflict with hikers and horse riders and creating unsafe conditions. Also, he said, many motorized bike riders are tearing up the hillside and causing ecological damage.
In two weeks it will be unlawful for any person to ride a motorized vehicle on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail or within the area of any easement or property of Davis County through which the trail passes. Signs will be posted warning riders, and citations will be issued to violators, Burton said.
Commissioners approved raising the fees charged by the Sheriff's Office for such things as haircuts, cutting checks and urinalysis testing. In all, seven of the 27 fees the office charges inmates were increased. A haircut now costs $9, up from $7.50; a beard trim, $3.50, from $3; Urinalysis testing, $15, from $10; work release processing fee, $15, from $10; a sack lunch, $3.50 from $2.50; weekend work release processing fee, $20, from $15; and cutting a check, $5 from $2.
Sheriff's Office business manager Keith Major told commissioners the office needed to bring its revenues in line with its expenses.