What Did the Washington County Commission Decide? Quick Answer
At its October 20, 2026 meeting, the Washington County Commission approved six event marketing agreements funded by the county's tourism tax (transient room tax, or TRT), awarded a flood-mitigation contract at Legacy Park, and chose a producer for the 2027 County Fair and Rodeo. It tabled Resolution R-2026-3864, the contract for 911 ambulance service in unincorporated areas around Santa Clara and Ivins. All of this comes from the agenda and the meeting recording; minutes had not been approved yet.
Tourism Tax Event Marketing Agreements
Tourism staff explained that visitors staying in hotels, short-term rentals and RV parks pay a 4.5% transient room tax collected by the state and returned to the county. The Greater Zion Tourism Office uses it for promotion and destination projects, and its advisory board recommended each agreement. The money is aimed at out-of-state marketing for events. The commission approved each resolution on a voice vote.
| Resolution | Event or organizer | What staff described | Amount heard |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-2026-3852 | Vacation Races | 2027 Zion Half Marathon in February; about 2,000 to 3,000 participants | $7,500 |
| R-2026-3853 | Ride Southern Utah | Spring and fall St. George bicycle tours (April and October); 600 to 800 riders per event | Not stated |
| R-2026-3854 | Intermountain Cup Racing Series | Mountain bike series with 10 events statewide, four in the county; about 2,600 participants last year | $25,000 |
| R-2026-3855 | Red Slopes Soccer, LLC | February soccer tournament; about 450 teams, close to 50 international; an extra day added | $40,000 |
| R-2026-3856 | Coral Peak Gymnastics | Zion Invitational gymnastics meet in February at Legacy Park; about 1,000 gymnasts | Amount not clearly stated on the recording |
| R-2026-3857 | Underground Runner | Two March events, including a 50K trail race and the Southern Utah Half Marathon; about 1,000 non-local participants | $5,000 total |
The amounts are staff recommendations as heard on the recording, since the resolution texts were not attached to the public notice. Staff said the gymnastics agreement is meant to help bid for the 2028 state gymnastics finals, with the event moving to January later. For the soccer tournament, staff cited an economic impact of a little over $2 million.
The same agenda included a memorandum of understanding (R-2026-3858) to sponsor a 2027 Luxury Escapes television series aimed at Australian and New Zealand viewers, and a graphic design contract. Earlier, the commission recognized Commissioner Adam Snow with a Tourism Trailblazer Award from the Utah Tourism Association.
Legacy Park Flood Work and the County Fair and Rodeo
The commission awarded the Legacy Park flood mitigation contract (R-2026-3860) to Suncore. Staff described a new detention basin and moving access to the manure storage area, with work expected to start around November 2 to 4, weather permitting.
For the 2027 County Fair (R-2026-3862), the county received two proposals; one arrived late and was disqualified. The county rodeo (R-2026-3863), to be held with the fair in April, drew five proposals scored on concept, experience and budget. Both contracts went to one local, family-owned production company, pending a standard agreement. The company's name will be in the signed contracts; we will add it once the county posts them.
Why the Santa Clara-Ivins Ambulance Contract Was Tabled
The county issued a request for proposals on October 5 for 911 ambulance service in the unincorporated part of the Santa Clara-Ivins response area, excluding land inside Santa Clara and Ivins city limits. The RFP says the current provider, Santa Clara Ivins Public Safety, could bid, that the county would give full consideration to all qualified providers, and that issuing it "does not indicate any predetermined outcome." Proposals were due October 19, with an award anticipated October 20.
On October 20, a commissioner moved to table R-2026-3864, saying staff still wanted some information. The motion passed. The county had also held an October 13 special meeting on cost, quality and access goals for ground ambulance service in unincorporated areas with the Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department. The recording gave no reasons or new date. A Santa Clara proposition is also on the Nov. 3 ballot; see our Washington County ballot guide.
Earlier, on October 6, the commission's agenda included tourism tax funding for Hurricane's Sand Hollow Road trail and 180 West pedestrian bridge, and an incentive for NatureServe's 2027 conference; we did not review those outcomes. See our Santa Clara and Ivins city guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which events got Washington County tourism tax funding on Oct. 20?
According to the meeting recording, the commission passed event marketing agreements for Vacation Races, Ride Southern Utah, the Intermountain Cup Racing Series, Red Slopes Soccer, Coral Peak Gymnastics and Underground Runner (Resolutions R-2026-3852 through R-2026-3857).
How much tourism tax money went to each event?
Staff recommendations heard on the recording: Vacation Races $7,500; Intermountain Cup $25,000; Red Slopes Soccer $40,000; Underground Runner $5,000 for two events. No amount was heard for Ride Southern Utah. Check the signed agreements for final figures.
What happened to the ambulance contract for the Santa Clara-Ivins area?
The commission tabled Resolution R-2026-3864, which would award contracts for 911 ambulance service in unincorporated areas around Santa Clara and Ivins. A commissioner said staff still wanted to get some information back. No new date was announced.
Who will run the Washington County Fair and Rodeo in 2027?
The commission awarded both contracts, Resolutions R-2026-3862 and R-2026-3863, to the same local production company, which county staff described as family-owned. The rodeo will be held with the fair in April 2027.
Where does transient room tax come from?
Staff said visitors who stay in hotels, short-term rentals and RV parks pay a 4.5% transient room tax that the state collects and returns to the county. The Greater Zion Tourism Office invests it in tourism promotion and destination projects.
Sources
- Utah Public Notice Website: Washington County Commission agenda, Oct. 20, 2026
- Utah Public Notice Website: audio recording of the Oct. 20, 2026 meeting
- Washington County: RFP for 911 Ambulance Services, Santa Clara-Ivins area (Oct. 5, 2026)
- Utah Public Notice Website: special meeting agenda, Oct. 13, 2026 (ground ambulance goals)
- Utah Public Notice Website: Washington County Commission agenda, Oct. 6, 2026
- Washington County: RFP for the 2027 County Rodeo
Published November 1, 2026. Based on the Oct. 20 meeting recording; minutes were not yet approved.
