Sevier County (Utah). County Commission Minutes, i 1865-

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 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 in conjunction with the county selectmen wereinvested "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. Sevier County followed this pattern of government when created in 1865. The court suspended business in 1867 because of Indian hostilities, requiring the probate judge to re-organize the county (re-appointing selectmen, redrawing precincts and school districts, etc.) in 1871 when business resumed. 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. Minute entries are prefaced by date, names of those present, and where and when the board met.

The commission was authorized to manage all county business and county property. This included auditing all claims against thecounty and payments by the treasurer. Until the early 20th century, individual claims were regularly itemized in the minutes. Annual budgets, salaries, and departmental budgets and fiscal reports are recorded throughout. The commission levied property taxes for county purposes and by the 1880s served as a board of equalization. Adjustments on individual property tax assessments are itemized.

The county court controlled all timber and water privileges and could grant mill sites and herd grounds. Irrigation districts were created beginning in 1871 and the first drainage districts were set up from about 1915 to 1920. The court and later the commission created road districts and oversaw the layout of roads, a task noted regularly throughout the minutes. They located sites and oversaw the erection of public buildings such as a courthouse and jail.

Commissioners cared for the indigent and oversaw public health and safety. Quarantine regulations were established and physicians and healthboards appointed. Use of the pauper fund 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. Tax relief is common during the period withdetails concerning compromise settlements on delinquent taxes and tax sales entered in the minutes. Entries note the tax amount and often the description of the personal property or location of the real property involved.

Commissioners served as canvassers of elections, also appointing election officers, setting the boundaries of voting precincts, and assigning polling places. The county provided for elections to incorporate towns and to bond. The county was authorized to license liquor vendors and butcher shops. Business licenses in general were granted by the court beginning in the 1880s. The granting of franchises for such things as telephones and electricity are noted beginning in the late 1890s.