Wayne County (Utah). County Commission Minutes, 1892-

These minute books record the actions of the county commission (known during the territorial period as the county court), the governing body of the county. The commission was authorized to manage all county business and county property. This includes budgeting, equipment purchasing, and auditing; use of county lands; districting for schools, roads, voting, 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 mid-1970s, planning and zoning. All these activities are noted in the minutes.

Following the formation of territorial government, the legislature in 1852 passed acts relating to the formation and government ofcounties. 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. This same structure was followed by Wayne County upon its organization in May 1892. 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 was the clerk of the board, recording the minutes. The previous responsibilities were maintained and expanded.

One of the principal activities noted in the minutes is the monitoring of the fiscal health of the county. Bills submitted for the purchase of supplies and services and departmental budgets are recorded regularly. The county commission assessed taxes and served as a board of equalization, adjusting assessments of individual property. The commissioners appointed andoversaw numerous county, district and precinct officials. They coordinated both departmental programs and personnel.

The commission created school districts and road districts. A major responsibility noted throughout the minutes is the layout of roads. The commissioners served as canvassers of elections, also appointing election officers, setting the boundaries of voting districts, and assigning polling places. They licensed businesses and granted franchises. They oversaw the resources of the county, allowing bounties on varmints and providing for the eradication of noxious weeds.

The commission oversaw the health and welfare of the county residents. They financed the care of the indigent and insane; relief projects were common topics in the 1930s. The commission appointed health officers, a public health nurse, and other health and welfare officials. By the 1950s, the commission created a library board and acquired TV service. The commission became part of the Six CountyDevelopment Program in the 1970s to provide health, mental health, and recreation programs for the county. A major addition to county commission 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. Wayne County appointed a planning commission in 1975.