02/16/2026
Approved minutes of 1-13-26 meeting (Approved on 02-16-2026)
SANPETE WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
BOARD of TRUSTEES
Jay Olsen
Matthew Palmer
Justin Jackson
Wade Eliason
McCrae Christiansen
Stanford Jensen
Scott Bartholomew
Meeting
For
January 13, 2026
6:30 P.M.
Present were: Jay Olsen, Mathew Palmer, Justin Jackson, McCrae Christiansen, Stanford Jensen, and Scott Bartholomew. Also present were Brian Andrews with Hansen Allen and Luce Engineering, Amanda Olsen, Kristine Oxman, Adam Hunt, Tom Day, and Randy.
Welcome- Jay Olsen called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Approval of the December 9, 2025, minutes- The Minutes of the December 9, 2025, meeting were reviewed by the board. Matt Palmer made a motion to approve the minutes. Justin Jackson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, with Jay Olsen, Mathew Palmer, Justin Jackson, McCrae Christiansen, Stanford Jensen, and Scott Bartholomew each voting in favor.
Division of Water Rights (Aaron Hunt) Metering- Aaron Hunt with the Utah Division of Water Rights provided an overview of potential funding and support for the automation and measurement of diversions on the Sand Pitch distribution system. Data would be collected in real time and posted through the Division’s systems. The Division would assist with installation, data collection, and maintenance, subject to future funding availability. Measurement could be expanded in phases depending on funding and interest. Automation and metering would support current and future projects, including the Narrows Project. The Board expressed strong interest in pursuing funding opportunities and would like to start taking tours and talking about what measuring systems they want.
Huntington–Cleveland Irrigation Contract- The Board reviewed proposed updates to the Huntington–Cleveland Irrigation Company contract. There is a discussion regarding the contract revisions, primarily clarify financial responsibility for cost overruns exceeding five percent. Quarterly coordination meetings were discussed. The Board agreed to seek additional clarification from legal counsel and Water Resources representatives on the water resources contract.
Projects;
• New Applications Received - Salt Mine Conservation Conversion Project; The Board reviewed a funding request related to the Salt Mine Conservation Conversion Project. The project involves the installation of new pivots and gates on the Paiute Canal. Total estimated project cost is $365,000, with USDA funding secured in the amount of $182,000. The applicant requested 50% cost share assistance for pivot installation, totaling approximately $21,000. The project is privately operated and therefore scores lower than public water projects.
A motion was made by Stanford Jensen to approve the Salt Mine Conservation conversion Project. The motion was seconded by Justin Jackson, and the motion passed unanimously with Jay Olsen, Mathew Palmer, Justin Jackson, Wade Eliason, McCrae Christiansen, Stanford Jensen, and Scott Bartholomew each voting in favor.
M and M Irrigation has submitted a request for funding for repairs to their main transition line. We are waiting for a complete evaluation before they are ready to submit their application to the board. The full scope is not known yet. Stanford asks about their measuring devices. A motion is made by Stanford to add to our ranking criteria the requirement to have a mandatory automated measurement flow and have data available or reported for our use. Scott Bartholomew seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously with Jay Olsen, Mathew Palmer, Justin Jackson, McCrae Christiansen, Stanford Jensen, and Scott Bartholomew each voting in favor.
Randy Strate reported that on their project, they are still waiting for the NRCS, but their VA has been approved. Their next stage is to get approved for funding for design.
Current District Projects- Brian Andrews updates the board on the current projects. Gunnison/Fayette projects are completed. Skyline Mountain is complete. The sterling project is ongoing. North Creek has sent in their invoice.
Our Change Application Status- Our hearing is scheduled for this Thursday in Ephraim at 2:00.
Monitoring of Change Applications- No new applications have been filed. Brian Andrews states that the application discussed and approved to file a protest letter during their last meeting has now been filed. Randy Strate asks about what the criteria are that trigger us to file a protest. The board states that it has mostly been when they see concerns with surface to groundwater transfers. Randy would like to see more done by the state to enforce regulations and validate water. He expresses that there is more application that they should be protesting. Jay states that we are working towards gathering information so that when we go to the State, we have data. We are working towards making water rights a little more responsible. This is a start.
District Website update on progress with setting up the website. Their has been 3 different people showing interest so far, and they are putting together their bids. The approval of the website developer will be put on the next agenda for a decision and approval. Brian Andrews has found a copy of the Narrows video that we have been looking for. He gave it to the secretary, and we can link it to the new website.
Finance- Approve payment of outstanding bills- The board reviewed the bills. A motion was made by Stanford Jensen to approve the bills. Justin Jackson seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously, with Jay Olsen, Mathew Palmer, Justin Jackson, McCrae Christiansen, Stanford Jensen, and Scott Bartholomew each voting in favor.
Closed session UCA 52-4-205(1)(c )) (UCA 52-4-205(1)(d)(i)(ii)- Stanford Jensen made a motion at 8:02 PM to go into closed executive session to discuss litigation and land. McCrae Christiansen seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously, Jay Olsen, Mathew Palmer, Justin Jackson, McCrae Christiansen, Stanford Jensen, and Scott Bartholomew each voting in favor.
Scott Bartholomew made a motion to go out of the executive session at 8:44 PM. Stanford Jensen seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously, with Jay Olsen, Mathew Palmer, Justin Jackson, McCrae Christiansen, Stanford Jensen, and Scott Bartholomew each voting in favor. The following motions were made as a result of discussions in the closed meeting. Justin Jackson made a motion to approve the chairman to sign the change application letter (A 43 850 / 843850), stating the district's financial ability to move forward with the project. The motion was seconded by Matt Palmer, and the motion passed unanimously, Jay Olsen, Mathew Palmer, Justin Jackson, McCrae Christiansen, Stanford Jensen, and Scott Bartholomew each voting in favor.
Justin Jackson made a motion to have Nate make the modifications to the water rights contract, but approve the Huntington-Cleveland project pursuant to their sending a letter or MOU supporting the Narrows project. Matt Palmer seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously, Jay Olsen, Mathew Palmer, Justin Jackson, McCrae Christiansen, Stanford Jensen, and Scott Bartholomew each voting in favor.
Water Users Conference- The Utah water users conference is coming up on March 17-18. Any board members who are planning on attending need to let the secretary know so that she can book hotel rooms and get them registered.
Covering the cost of the mayor and commission's groundwater discussion- Scott explained that they need a count of who is coming to the mayor's and commission meeting on February 12, 2026, for the Groundwater discussion. The board talked about paying for the planning commission, also. They would like this matter to be put on the next agenda so that they can approve the cost of board members who are going and the planning commission.
Open and Public Meeting training- Because of time, the training will be postponed until the next meeting.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:11 PM
Next Scheduled Meeting: February 10, 2026
