Washington County authorizes up to $50 million in bonds for airport and Dixie Center improvements
The Washington County Commission voted July 15 to authorize up to $50,000,000 in sales tax revenue bonds to fund expansion of the St. George Regional Airport and improvements to the Dixie Center. The estimated total cost of principal and interest is $97,573,250, with a maximum interest rate of 6.0% per annum over a term of up to 30 years. The bonds will be repaid using transient room tax and tourism, recreation, cultural, convention, and airport facilities tax revenues.
Bond details
The resolution covers two projects: the Airport Expansion Project at St. George Regional Airport and the purchase, improvement, and expansion of the Dixie Center. The bond issuance is capped at $50,000,000. The commission's July 14 agenda had flagged the item for consideration, and the July 15 action authorized the bonds. Minutes for both meetings have not yet been published.
Land use and zoning
The Washington County Land Use Authority met July 14 to review several land use items, including a concept plan for Furrow Springs, a 180-unit apartment development on 12.15 acres near Hurricane. The Planning Commission also held a public hearing on a proposed zone change for a 2.4-acre parcel at approximately 2751 E Bench Road in the Enterprise Ranchos subdivision, which would rezone parcel ER-3-15-NC from A-20 (Residential Agricultural, 20-acre minimum) to RA-1 (Residential Agricultural, 1-acre minimum). The applicant is Clay Covington.
Other items before the Planning Commission included a conditional use permit for a 47-foot-tall single-family home at 8766 N 1900 W in Diamond Valley, and a public hearing on miscellaneous revisions to Title 10, including proposed amendments related to agritourism, a rural tourism zone, signage, and an outdoor tourism overlay zone.
The County Commission also addressed the 2751 E Bench Road rezoning from RA-20 to RA-1, along with ordinances amending Title 8 Chapter 5 on the transient room tax and sign regulations in C-2 and C-3 zones.
Other commission actions
The July 14 commission agenda included a resolution approving a fencing agreement with Tonaquint Ridge, Inc. for tortoise exclusion fencing, along with numerous resolutions on grants, agreements, and property conveyances. Presentations were scheduled on Kolob Reservoir, employee longevity, and a new K9. The regularly scheduled July 7 commission meeting was rescheduled to July 14.
Habitat Conservation Advisory Committee
On July 22, the Washington County Habitat Conservation Advisory Committee discussed the rescission of the "harm" definition under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The committee also reviewed the status of the Northern Corridor and Zone 6 development, and heard updates on utility projects including a Middleton waterline break repair, a water tank project on Cottonwood Road, and a TDS line repair near Pioneer Park.
Coming up
- **August 5 — Clerk/Auditor (proposed tax increase notice):** Washington County has issued a notice regarding a proposed tax increase. The notice references Hildale City and Toquerville City. Details of the proposal are expected on the upcoming agenda.