KZMU News

KZMU News discusses the latest with Times-Independent associate editor Doug McMurdo. This week - property owners can expect a tax increase, Chris Baird gets hired as Grand County's new council administrator, the change of county government study committee finalizes its recommendation, and NPS Southeast Utah Group superintendent Kate Cannon retires. Plus, a preview on the TI's 2019 year in review.

KZMU News discusses the latest with Times-Independent associate editor Doug McMurdo. This week - property owners can expect a tax increase, Chris Baird gets hired as Grand County's new council administrator, the change of county government study committee finalizes its recommendation, and NPS Southeast Utah Group superintendent Kate Cannon retires. Plus, a preview on the TI's 2019 year in review.

The Grand County Council passed their 2020 budget this week, including a property tax increase that will help rectify an impending deficit. Plus later in the news, the county now has a noise ordinance on the books, a fitness app might be changing how mountain bikers recreate, and Club Rio closes its doors as a dive bar with one final late night dance party. Tune in.

The Grand County Council passed their 2020 budget this week, including a property tax increase that will help rectify an impending deficit. Plus later in the news, the county now has a noise ordinance on the books, a fitness app might be changing how mountain bikers recreate, and Club Rio closes its doors as a dive bar with one final late night dance party. Tune in.

With a drought plan finished, water managers from across the southwest recently gathered in Las Vegas to figure out what’s next. Climate change is already restricting the region’s water supplies, and there’s little agreement on how to bring balance back to the Colorado River basin. Then later in the news, officials across Utah are urging members of Congress to pass legislation that would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The money goes toward creating and improving federal lands, state parks and local recreation projects. Tune in.

[Photo: Operation of the Colorado River's second largest reservoir, Lake Powell in southern Utah and northern Arizona, will be a major piece of negotiations on the river set to start next December. Luke Runyon/KUNC]

With a drought plan finished, water managers from across the southwest recently gathered in Las Vegas to figure out what’s next. Climate change is already restricting the region’s water supplies, and there’s little agreement on how to bring balance back to the Colorado River basin. Then later in the news, officials across Utah are urging members of Congress to pass legislation that would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The money goes toward creating and improving federal lands, state parks and local recreation projects. Tune in.

[Photo: Operation of the Colorado River's second largest reservoir, Lake Powell in southern Utah and northern Arizona, will be a major piece of negotiations on the river set to start next December. Luke Runyon/KUNC]

In recent years, Moab’s leaders have publicly grappled with balancing both sides of a successful tourism economy – embracing an economic engine providing jobs and getting dollars into locals’ pockets, while aiming to correct increasingly crippled infrastructure and soaring rent and home prices. Elected officials say they want new, holistic development that will help diversify the economy, enhance quality of life, and fill in any infrastructure gaps. A recent networking event connecting Utah investors to development-ready projects in Moab and Grand County aimed to set such goals in motion.

[Photo: Mayor Emily Niehaus with local developer Mike Bynum at a Dec 13th networking event]

Grand County Opportunity Zone Info:

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/1009/Opportunity-Zones

UAC Sorenson Impact presentation on Opportunity Zones:

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/7039/UAC-Sorenson-OZ-Presentation?bidId=

In recent years, Moab’s leaders have publicly grappled with balancing both sides of a successful tourism economy – embracing an economic engine providing jobs and getting dollars into locals’ pockets, while aiming to correct increasingly crippled infrastructure and soaring rent and home prices. Elected officials say they want new, holistic development that will help diversify the economy, enhance quality of life, and fill in any infrastructure gaps. A recent networking event connecting Utah investors to development-ready projects in Moab and Grand County aimed to set such goals in motion.

[Photo: Mayor Emily Niehaus with local developer Mike Bynum at a Dec 13th networking event]

Grand County Opportunity Zone Info:

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/1009/Opportunity-Zones

UAC Sorenson Impact presentation on Opportunity Zones:

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/7039/UAC-Sorenson-OZ-Presentation?bidId=

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt announced a new federal study last week leading into another round of negotiations for the Colorado River’s future. States within the southwestern watershed are to set to begin talks over a new set of agreements and Bernhardt says this new study will set the parameters. Plus, Public Lands Corner features a conversation with local artist Katrina Lund and NPS River Ranger Steve Young about a new interpretive project on public lands.

Public Lands Corner Show Notes:

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/current/?type=flow

https://www.ksl.com/weather/snowpack

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt announced a new federal study last week leading into another round of negotiations for the Colorado River’s future. States within the southwestern watershed are to set to begin talks over a new set of agreements and Bernhardt says this new study will set the parameters. Plus, Public Lands Corner features a conversation with local artist Katrina Lund and NPS River Ranger Steve Young about a new interpretive project on public lands.

Public Lands Corner Show Notes:

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/current/?type=flow

https://www.ksl.com/weather/snowpack