Emery County Commissioner Talks Youth, Emergency Response, and Mineral Lease Funds

Jordan Leonard discusses community initiatives, a new sheriff's office app, and managing fluctuating county revenues.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 3:43am

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In a recent interview, Emery County Commissioner Jordan Leonard covered a range of topics, including supporting local youth programs, a new emergency notification app being developed by the county sheriff's office, and ongoing discussions around the management of mineral lease and payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) funds that fluctuate year-to-year.

Why it matters

As a rural county, Emery faces challenges in engaging its youth, communicating effectively with residents, and maintaining consistent funding for critical services. Leonard's comments highlight the county's efforts to address these issues and ensure the community remains vibrant and well-supported.

The details

Leonard spoke about the county financially supporting a group of Emery High School juniors attending the American Legion Auxiliary's Girls State program, an initiative to help young people learn about government processes. He also discussed a new app the Emery County Sheriff's Office plans to launch to improve communication with citizens, providing quick access to emergency information as well as community event details. On the financial front, Leonard addressed the county's reliance on mineral lease and PILT funds, which can be unpredictable, and the need to carefully manage those revenue streams to sustain essential services.

  • The Emery County Commission meets biweekly.
  • The American Legion Auxiliary's Girls State program takes place this summer.

The players

Jordan Leonard

Emery County Commissioner who oversees initiatives related to youth engagement, emergency response, and county finances.

Emery County Sheriff's Office

Law enforcement agency developing a new app to improve communication with Emery County residents.

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What they’re saying

“We always get excited when we have our youth wanting to learn about government and County process and state and federal Government process as well.”

— Jordan Leonard, Emery County Commissioner

“I'm glad that the sheriff has spearheaded this, but we need to have a better way to communicate with our citizens. I know there's social media and different avenues, but that really doesn't touch everybody, and sometimes you need information out there in a really quick manner.”

— Jordan Leonard, Emery County Commissioner

What’s next

The Emery County Commission will continue to monitor the development of the new sheriff's office communication app and work to ensure it is implemented effectively to reach all residents.

The takeaway

Emery County is proactively addressing challenges common to rural communities, such as youth engagement and consistent public communication, while also grappling with the complexities of managing fluctuating revenue streams to maintain essential services. The county's efforts demonstrate a commitment to supporting its residents and ensuring the long-term vibrancy of the region.