Cache County (Utah). Executive Council Minutes, 1857-

These minute books record the actions of the governing body of the county. The executive- council body (until 1986, the county commission, or in the territorial period, the county court) was authorized to manage all county business and property. This includes budgeting, equipment purchasing, and auditing; use of county lands; districting for schools, roads, voting, drainage, etc.; taxing, specifically acting as an ex- officio board of equalization; business licensing; arranging for the construction of roads, public buildings, etc.; contracting for services; supervising the conduct and payment of all county personnel; providing for basic health care, public safety, and care of the indigent; canvassing election returns and appointing certain officials; and incorporating municipalities.

Following the formation of territorial government, the legislature in 1852 passed acts relating to the formation and government of counties. There were no county commissions, but the probate judge inconjunction with the county selectmen were invested "with the usual powers and jurisdiction of County Commissioners" and as such were known as the county court. The probate court clerk (also known as the county clerk) was to keep the records of the court. This pattern was followed when Cache County was made a county in 1856 and organized in April 1857.

The court was authorized to manage all county business and county property. This included auditing all claims against the county and payments by the treasurer. The court controlled all timber and water privileges and could grant mill sites and herd grounds. Court members created election precincts, road districts, and school districts and appointed superintendents of such districts. They located sites and oversaw the erection of public buildings, notably travelers rest stations in the 1860s and the county court house in the 1880s. The selectmen in conjunction with the court were to provide for the maintenance of the poor, insane, andorphans. They levied property taxes for county purposes. They were also responsible for any litigation involving the county.

All these activities are noted in the minutes. The day's entries are prefaced by date, names of those present, where and when they met, and often who gave the prayers. Bids received, and bills and wages paid in conjunction with the activities are noted. The predominant activities in the first decades involve laying out roads, supervising elections, and collecting taxes. Names of individuals appointed as water superintendents, road supervisors, or other county officials (e.g. collector, fish commissioner, bee inspector, pound keeper) are mentioned frequently. Individual names and actions taken are also noted for the indigent, insane, and infirm.

In 1884 the legislature mandated that business licenses in general be obtained from the county courts for operation in unincorporated county areas; most applications were for liquor licenses. Provisions were also madethat year for the county court to approve the incorporation of towns, although applications were more common after the turn of the century. Minutes from the 1880s also include numerous mention of borrowing money from local banks to cover the county's current necessary expenses where there were insufficient funds in the treasury; in the 1890s, the county bonded for indebtedness. Reimbursement to owners for horses sold by the poundkeeper are also common during the period.

With statehood in 1896 an actual board of county commissioners was created. The probate judge was removed, but the selectmen continued serving as commissioners until elections were held. The county clerk remained the clerk of the board, recording the minutes.

There is an ongoing emphasis on roads and road districts. The members continued as a board of equalization for county property assessments with the added authorization to refund taxes erroneously collected. Adjustments on individual property tax assessments areitemized as are detailed resolutions concerning tax sales. Commissioners continued to serve as canvassers of elections also appointing election officers, setting the boundaries of voting districts, and assigning polling places. They continued to care for paupers and oversee public health. Proceedings on the use of thepauper fund frequently include a brief discussion of the family's personal and financial circumstances as well as the county's determination of what relief to allow.

Other responsibilities noted in the minutes include supervision of the conduct of all county, district and precinct officials, boards, and agencies. All personnel actions, including appointments and hourly or salaried wage increases, are recorded by individual name. Requisition and bid proposals are similarly detailed covering everything from a single typewriter for the clerk's office, to stationery printing, to bridge construction. The commission maintained a salary fund, granted licenses, franchisedutilities, passed ordinances, and issued bonds. Where the county had a more direct interest, detailed contracts are recorded, as in the cases of utility franchises or cooperative agreements made with the Agricultural College.