Box Elder County (Utah). County Commission Minutes, i 1856-

These minute books record the actions of the county commission, the governing body of the county. The commission (known during the territorial period as the county court) was authorized to manage all county business and property. This includes budgeting, equipment purchasing, and auditing; use of county lands, which in the territorial period emphasized water and timber rights but by statehood focused on roads and planning; 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; incorporating municipalities; and by the late 1950s, zoning and planning.

Following the formation of territorial government, the legislaturein 1852 passed acts relating to the formation and government of counties. There were no county commissions, but the probate judge in conjunction 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.

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. The selectmen in conjunction with the court were to provide for the maintenance of the poor, insane, and orphans. They levied property taxes for countypurposes. 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, bridges, and irrigation canals. Names of individuals appointed as water superintendents, road supervisors, or other county officials (e.g. collector, bee inspector, physician, pound keeper) are mentioned frequently, often with reports on their specific projects. Individual names and actions taken are also noted for the indigent, insane, and infirm.

In 1860, the legislature mandated that liquor licenses be obtained from the county courts; butcher licenses were added in 1865. In 1884 the legislature mandated that business licenses in general be obtained from the county courts foroperation in unincorporated county areas; most applications were for liquor licenses. Provisions were also made that year for the county court to approve the incorporation of towns. The court's role in tax assessment and tax sales also becomes more apparent by the end of the century.

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. Other responsibilities noted in the minutes include supervision of the conduct of all county, district and precinct officials, boards, and agencies. Commissioners served as canvassers of elections also appointing election officers, setting the boundaries of voting districts, and assigning polling places. The members continued as a board of equalization for county property assessments withthe added authorization to refund taxes erroneously collected. They continued to care for paupers and oversee public health and safety. They maintained a salary fund, granted licenses, franchised utilities, passed ordinances, and issued bonds. A major addition to their functions was made in 1941 when the commission was empowered to provide for the development and zoning of unincorporated areas of the county and to appoint a planning commission, although the board did not begin to adopt zoning regulations until 1958. The entries become progressively more detailed and inclusive. In particular, major functions of licensing and contracting, taxing, budgeting, and zoning are extensively documented.

Business licensing information includes name, type of business, business location, and action taken on applications. Where the county had a more direct interest, detailed contracts are recorded, as in the cases of utility franchises, county leases of property or services, and cooperativeagreements made with governmental agencies or private corporations. Cooperative agreements assume a major role by the 1970s, dealing with emergency services, transportation, social services, weather modification, etc.

Adjustments on individual property tax assessments are similarly itemized as are detailed resolutions concerning tax sales, particularly in the 1920s. Entries recording the commission's role in tax abatement are common in the 1930s, noting the tax amount and the description of the personal property or location of the real property involved. Use of the pauper fund also increases by the 1930s. Such proceedings 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.

All personnel actions are recorded, by individual name, for county employees from nursing home laundry supervisor to auditor. Such actions include appointments, hourly or salaried wage increases, requests for carallowances or to use county vehicles, and requests for funds to attend conferences. Requisition and bid proposals are similarly detailed covering everything from a single typewriter for the clerk's office, to vehicles for the sheriff's department, to gravel for major road department construction. Both personnel allotments and departmental purchases form part of audits and annual budgets, although these are just a dollar value per category/department.

By the 1970s, details on zoning changes, attracting corporations, and layout of subdivisions assume a major place in the minutes. Information recorded relates to applications for zoning changes, zoning hearings, and release of escrow funds following specified improvements.