Robin O'Driscoll retired from the Uintah Recreation District in 2021 after 28 years, the last twelve as executive director. Vernal's biography says he joined the City Council in January 2022 to fill a vacancy. His assignments include the consolidated dispatch governing board, the fire suppression district, the Uintah Basin Narcotics Strike Force governing board and the Chamber of Commerce.
Vernal's council on Sept. 16 awarded the 500 South mill-and-overlay project to Burdick Materials for $1,599,895, the low of three bids and below an engineer's estimate of about $2 million. Councilmember Randel Mills recused himself, citing a conflict of interest.
Graphic: The Utah Ledger · Original graphic · The Utah Ledger
Between June and September 2026, Vernal's council approved three change orders and a work change directive on Condie Construction's 100 North water and sewer contract. Change Order 1 alone raised the contract from $4.84 million to $5.40 million. The engineer agreed to credit the city's share of a design error.