Utahns pride themselves on “limited government” and “conservative” values. Yet, a recent Box Elder County decision clears the way for development of a sprawling data facility, impacting 40,000 acres of rural land, including water prioritization while in a cycle of widespread drought.
Box Elder County’s “commission” form of government, covering every square inch of the county, including all municipal jurisdictions, consists of but three commissioners empowered to decide what best serves the common good. Is this representative of limited, conservative government, when even any two of three elected commissioners have such overreaching power that affects the whole of county population, and beyond; hence, the placement of greater power in fewer hands?
Utah law allows options for county government leadership. It’s surprising that Box Elder continues to tolerate such a narrow, inward form of county government that affects so many.
Richard and Paula Watkins,
Mendon