Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! First we are going to cover some upcoming events you won’t want to miss: including an invasive Douglas-fir beetle info session in Summit Park and a Public Health and Safety Fair in Kimball Junction. Then we are going to dive into this week’s council meeting to share some info about the ongoing talks between Summit County and Recycle Utah, and also some information about the redistricting our county has been tasked to comply with.

 – I-80 Kimball Junction to US-40 Paving

– Douglas-fir Beetles in Summit Park

Currently, an estimated 50-60 trees are already dead or in severe decline. The affected trees were discovered on privately-owned vacant lots and a small portion of Summit Park Open Space. However, the beetles can and will spread unless we identify and treat affected trees in the surrounding neighborhood.

So you may be wondering: “What can I do?”

The Summit Park HOA is able to provide a non-toxic pheromone repellent to homeowners. The repellant is proven effective at protecting healthy trees from beetle attacks. These packets are already being distributed in and around the outbreak area in an effort to contain the spread.

Want to know more and get involved in protecting our forests? Join public lands and forestry experts at 385 Matterhorn Dr on June 26 from 4pm-6pm. You can learn how to identify Douglas-fir trees, see the attacking beetles and signs of their damage, and find out how to manage & prevent future attacks.

So if you live in or near Summit Park, we hope you’ll attend and learn how to protect the trees on your property and warn your neighbors about the dangers of the bark beetle.

Whether you’re hiking, biking, skiing, or enjoying time in the dog park, protecting your skin should be part of your daily routine.

Some ways to stay sun-safe this summer:

Make a pledge for summer safety. Protect a life. Win cool prizes! Summit County Health will be holding drawings every Monday for 10 weeks June through August for those who sign a Summer Safety Pledge. You can make the pledge today at: summitcounty.info/summersafetypledge

Staying on the same theme of safety…join Summit County Health, the Summit County Sheriff’s Department and the Peace House for a fun family-friendly safety fair on June 28. Activities include: a kids bike derby, free face painting and hot dogs, food trucks, prizes, games, crafts, and learning about fire trucks.

The event will be held from 10am to 1pm at the information Center parking lot in Kimball Junction (Also known as the Hugo Coffee Shop parking lot) at 1794 Olympic Pkwy.

– Council Meeting Recap

Discussions are underway between Recycle Utah, Summit County staff, and council members, as the nonprofit prepares to leave its Park City location by fall of 2026. That means collection services will need to end by June of that year.

But there’s good news—all parties are working together on both an interim strategy and a long-term plan for waste diversion in our community.

While no concrete strategies have been finalized yet, there’s a clear focus on collaboration and shared goals. Options are on the table, and we’ll be keeping you updated on this evolving issue.

Former Summit County Council Chair Malena Stevens, who concluded her term in 2024, has been appointed to represent unincorporated Summit County residents on the newly established districting commission. Stevens brings a wealth of experience to this role, having served on the County Council and the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission.

The districting commission’s task is to divide Summit County into five distinct geographical districts, ensuring each district has roughly equal population, with only a 10% deviation based on the most recent census. The commission will meet throughout the summer and early fall to develop a district map, which will be subject to public hearing before finalization.

Stevens has expressed concerns about the current districting plan, particularly regarding the representation of unincorporated areas. She has suggested an alternative model with three districts and two at-large council seats to ensure broader representation and prevent narrow, localized decision-making.

As the districting process moves forward, public input will be crucial. Residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming meetings and share their perspectives on how the county should move forward with redistricting. For more information and to get involved, visit the Summit County website and stay in the loop on social media and our monthly newsletter.

Summit County scored above average among medium-sized government organizations in Salt Lake, Summit, and Wasatch counties in the following categories:

And in other good news, the County has also been added as a “Change Partner” with Bolder Way Forward.

Bolder Way Forward is a statewide initiative to elevate women and girls and help families thrive by ensuring aspects of safety, security, health, and wellbeing are met, allowing them to explore and pursue educational, professional, civic, leadership, and other opportunities according to their interests, and to feel abundant levels of support and a sense of belonging as they do so.