Summit in Six

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six. Today, we dive into another legislative update, highlight adoptable animals at the Summit County Animal Shelter, and share some exciting volunteer-related news items. Alright, let’s get into the news! 

TOPIC 1: Legislative Update 

We are wrapping up week 5 of the Utah Legislature’s 2025 General Session. Deputy County Manager, Janna Young, was back in front of the County Council this week to discuss key bills Summit County is monitoring. We’ll discuss one of those bills here today, but if you want to listen to Janna’s full recap, please visit summitcounty.info/councilrecording. 

The main discussion regarding the Legislative Session at this week’s County Council meeting was about House Bill 356 which requires Counties with a Council-Manager form of government, like Cache County and Summit County, to have at least 65% of Council Members each representing a single district rather than be elected at-large. In Summit County, all of our County Council Members are elected at-large. 

As Summit County understands the bill language at this time, HB356 would mean that all five current county council member’s terms would end on December 31, 2026, and five newly elected council members would begin their terms on January 1, 2027. 

As we understand it, this bill intends to bring a stronger voice to rural parts of counties. However, the council pointed out that with at-large seats it is more likely to have broader representation. 

We’ll keep our listeners updated on this bill as it continues to move through the session. 

As a reminder, the General Session runs until March 7 which is one week away! Every week of the session, we’ll remind our listeners that you can watch the 2025 legislative session in real time through the online tool at le.utah.gov. Click on the “calendar” button then the desired meeting and the committee webpage will have links to materials and the audio/video recording. 

You can also follow individual bills and receive email alerts whenever action is taken on the measure. To sign up for alerts, visit le.utah.gov and click on the “Bills” tab at the top of the page to perform a bill request or keyword search. Once you’ve located the desired bill, click “Track this” or “Email notification.” The website for each bill also provides the bill text, status information, audio/video of any committee hearings or floor debates, and details on the bill sponsor.

TOPIC 2: Adoptable Pets

Summit County Animal Control would like to invite you to their shelter to visit with some of their current residents! These pups are all super sweet and would love to find their fur-ever homes. Come on by the shelter at 1745 S Hoytsville Road and meet any one (or all!) of these sweet animals that could be your new best friend. No appointment is necessary! Our shelter hours are Monday – Saturday: 10:30am-4:30pm. Questions? Call (435) 615-3985 or visit summitcountyutah.gov/animalcontrol. 

TOPIC 3: Volunteer Spotlight

We wanted to take a moment to share a VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT from our Senior Citizens Department! Meet Kate and Gale Pace! This husband and wife duo are the ultimate volunteers. Two times a week they pick up a Summit County resident at 5:30 am to drive them to their medical appointment. They wait five hours while the individual completes their appointment, then they take them home. In 2023 they made 87 trips for seniors in need of transportation to a medical appointment, and in 2024 they made 148 trips! Isn’t that amazing?!

That is just one of the many examples of Kate and Gale’s service to others. Thank you for supporting our community! If you are a Summit County resident and need a ride to a medical appointment, please reach out to our Senior Citizen Services department to inquire about the availability of volunteer drivers. We are always looking for MORE volunteer drivers to apply! For info about both our driving resources and volunteering, call: 435-336-3014 or visit summitcountyutah.gov/seniors. 

TOPIC 4: Volunteer Opportunities – Eastern Summit County Planning Commission

The Summit County Council is seeking two individuals to serve on the Eastern Summit County Planning Commission. The Commission meets on the first and third Thursday of each month.

 Interested citizens must be residents of the Eastern Summit County planning district for at least one year before appointment. The Commission’s role is to hear land use proposals and adhere to the Eastern Summit County Development Code.

A vacancy is published after a current member’s term expires. If eligible, the member can reapply. All term-expired members are eligible to reapply.

Interested applicants must submit their online application at: summitcounty.info/volunteer. For further information contact: Peter Barnes at 435-336-3129. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! We have a quick episode for you today! We discuss week 4 of the Utah State Legislature’s 2025 General Session and then share some cool collaborations between the Summit County Sustainability Division and the Summit County Library. Alright, let’s get into the news! 

TOPIC 1: Legislative Update 

And, we’re back again with week 4 of legislative updates from the Utah State Legislature’s 2025 General Session! This week, Deputy County Manager, Janna Young, highlighted several bills the county is following on the hill. We’ll mention a few here today, but if you want to listen to Janna’s full recap, please visit summitcounty.info/councilrecording. 

Up first, Janna discussed a bill related to the Transient Room Tax. Details of the bill seem to be constantly changing, but in its most recent form there is potential for counties, like Summit, to use a portion of the revenues from the Transient Room Tax generated within their borders to spend on things like Search and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, and, even, roads. Janna mentioned that if passed Summit County could explore using these funds for the Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, project on SR-224. 

After that, Janna dove into a couple energy-related bills. 

Every week of the session, we’ll remind our listeners that you can watch the 2025 legislative session in real-time through the online tool at le.utah.gov. Click on the “calendar” button then the desired meeting and the committee webpage will have links to materials and the audio/video recording. 

You can also follow individual bills and receive email alerts whenever action is taken on the measure. To sign up for alerts, visit le.utah.gov and click on the “Bills” tab at the top of the page to perform a bill request or keyword search. Once you’ve located the desired bill, click “Track this” or “Email notification.” The website for each bill also provides the bill text, status information, audio/video of any committee hearings or floor debates, and details on the bill sponsor.

TOPIC 2: Summit County Library x Sustainability Collaborations 

The Summit County Sustainability Department and the Summit County Library Branches have partnered to offer our community FREE resources to help their homes run more sustainably! 

If you’re interested in figuring out how your home may be wasting energy and money, you can now check out a FREE energy detective kit at any Summit County library! Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, this interactive kit can help you find where energy and money are wasted in your home. A thermal camera, watt meter, smart plug, and refrigerator thermometer are included in the kit. For more information visit: summitcounty.info/energydetective.

And, if you need simple ways to improve energy and water efficiency in your household, all Summit County libraries are now offering FREE take-home conservation kits with items such as a toilet tank bank and weatherstripping foam, designed to save energy, water, and money! For more information visit: summitcounty.info/energydetective.

Hey everyone and welcome back to Summit County News here on Summit in Six. Today, we’ve got some interesting findings based on community feedback from the General Plan updates, more info on the 2025 Legislative session and its impacts on Summit County and a reminder for Summit County Parents. Let’s get into the news!

GENERAL PLAN  UPDATES

In Eastern Summit County, residents identified the following priorities:

Preserve open spaces for ecosystems & recreation:

Expand affordable housing options thoughtfully

And in Transportation & Economy, residents want to reduce traffic with smart planning, and support local businesses & small scale growth.

In the Synderville Basin, residents shared similar concerns:

Open Space for ecosystems and recreation is a top priority

Housing & Development: Residents want more attainable options near transit and services

Walkability, Transportation & Accessibility

Community Character

Want to stay involved or give your input? Visit summitcounty.org/GeneralPlans to share your feedback!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

HB 332 – This would require the state to withdraw from ERIC (Electronic Registration Information Center), which acts as a clearinghouse for information on people moving from state to state within the U.S. for elections, ultimately reducing the accuracy of our voter roles. This bill is a concern with Clerks across the state who are working with the Lt. Governor’s office on it.

HB 342 – allows farming operations to compost animal waste without state oversight from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). 

HB 368 – Limits local land use restrictions, increases state oversight of zoning decisions and requires faster processing of development applications to reduce delays. This is a large bill (more than 7,000 lines) and the County is working to understand the impact it could have at the local level.

SB 197 – fully repeals the homeowner credit and replaces it with a tax deferral. The home owner credit is an option for individuals 66 years or older with an annual income of $40,000. Many Summit County residents utilize this program to keep their homes. Tax deferrals only pass the tax burden on to the heirs of the property.

As a reminder, you can watch the 2025 legislative session in real time through the online tool at https://le.utah.gov/. Click on the “calendar” button then the desired meeting and the committee webpage will have links to materials and the audio/video recording. 

You can also follow individual bills and receive email alerts whenever action is taken on the measure. To sign up for alerts, visit le.utah.gov and click on the “Bills” tab at the top of the page to perform a bill request or keyword search. Once you’ve located the desired bill, click “Track this” or “Email notification.” The website for each bill also provides the bill text, status information, audio/video of any committee hearings or floor debate, and details on the bill sponsor. 

SHARP SURVEY REMINDER

The survey is anonymous, voluntary, and confidential. Results are used by numerous local organizations that provide valuable services for our children. The Health Department asks that parents give permission and encourage their children to take the SHARP Survey this year. To help you and your child prepare, a frequently asked questions page is available at  https://summitcounty.info/SHARP25 

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six. This week, we’ll cover some key items from this week’s County Council meeting, including a weekly report on the Utah State Legislature’s General Session and an update on a Summit County housing authority for our community. Then, we’ll give a forecast from our friends over at UDOT Wasatch Back and wrap things up with some messages from the Summit County Health Department. Alright, let’s get into the news! 

Topic 1: Legislative Update 

On Wednesday’s County Council meeting, Deputy County Manager, Janna Young, reported on the activity happening at the Utah State Legislature’s General Session this week. 

Some key bills Janna highlighted were:

For more details on the bills we’ve mentioned and other legislative updates, visit summitcounty.info/councilrecording and click item number 4 listed below the video. 

Interested citizens can watch Utah’s 2025 legislative session in real-time at le.utah.gov and click on the “calendar” button. Click on the desired meeting and the committee webpage will have links to materials and the audio/video recording. 

Additionally, the State Legislature’s website allows citizens to sign up to follow individual bills and receive email alerts whenever action is taken on the measure. To sign up for alerts, go to le.utah.gov, and click on the “Bills” tab at the top of the page. Then either perform a bill request or keyword search. Once you’ve located the desired bill, click on “Track this” or “Email notification” underneath the photograph of the bill sponsor. The website for each bill also provides the bill text, status information, audio/video of any committee hearings or floor debates, and details on the bill sponsor.

Topic 2: Housing Authority Update 

Before we dive into the Housing Authority update, for some context, the Housing Authority was created by the County Council on December 11, 2024. The purpose of the Housing Authority is to manage and provide affordable housing, especially for low- and middle-income families, located within the jurisdiction of the Authority. The Housing Authority boundaries are the unincorporated area of Summit County (no towns or cities are included in those boundaries).

At this week’s County Council meeting, draft bylaws for the Housing Authority were brought before the Council. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the terms and conditions related to the Board of Commissioners for the Authority – including how many commissioners should sit on the board, term limits for commissioners, the qualifications of commissioners, and the County Council’s involvement with the board and housing authority overall. 

Council requested that the Commission be comprised of: 

Council also requested that Commissioners serve no more than three (3) consecutive terms, including portions of unexpired terms; and asked staff to draft preliminary interview questions for the potential commissioners and some recommendations regarding background.

If any of our listeners are interested in serving on the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Summit County will advertise the vacancies at a future date on summitcountyutah.gov. 

TOPIC 3: Council of Governments Meeting Reminder 

Before we move on from our Council recap, we wanted to mention to our listeners that there will be a Council of Governments meeting next Tuesday, February 4. At the meeting the Council, along with each city mayor, will review and discuss feedback the Summit County Planning Department received from General Plan surveys that were administered to the community last year. The group will also review Transportation Sales Tax Revisions and a reprogramming request for the Old Ranch Road project as it relates to Transportation Sales Tax funding. 

The community is invited to attend this meeting in-person at the Council Chambers located within the Courthouse in Coalville (60 N Main Street, Coalville) OR tune in on Zoom at summitcounty.info/cogzoom (that’s cogzoom in all lowercase). The meeting will begin at 6 PM again on Tuesday, February 4. 

Topic 4: Weekly UDOT Update & Dashboard Reminder 

ICYMI: earlier this month, the Utah Department of Transportation (aka UDOT) launched UDOT Wasatch Back to bring increased communication to drivers traveling in Parleys Canyon and the Park City area.

UDOT Wasatch Back provides real-time updates and driver education on social media (@udotwasatchback on Instagram, Facebook, and X) and at wasatchback.udot.utah.gov. 

This week’s forecast from our friends at UDOT Wasatch Back is: 

Traffic will remain busy this weekend in and around Park City, especially with winter weather in the forecast. Make plans to carpool, or ride Park City Transit and High Valley Transit for free. Use public transit from the Ecker Hill (I-80) and Richardson Flat (US-40) Park & Rides.

Another weekend storm is on tap, with snow moving in late Friday through Sunday. Snow looks to return Wednesday, so expect increased weekday crowds at the resorts. Winter driving skills will be needed, check traffic cameras at wasatchback.udot.utah.gov. 

And Sundance wraps up this weekend, so expect crowds to die down Monday — but not for long. The FIS World Cup kicks off next Thursday at Deer Valley. Catch a free bus at Richardson Flat Park & Ride to avoid parking hassles.

Topic 5: Health Dept. Messages 

We’ll wrap things up today with a few messages from the Summit County Health Department! 

First up, is a call to Summit County parents of 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders! The Utah Student Health and Risk Prevention or SHARP survey provides the youth in our community a chance to share their voices on community climate, school safety, underage substance use, mental wellness, and more. The survey is anonymous, voluntary, and confidential. Results are used by numerous local organizations that provide valuable services for our children. The Health Department asks that parents give permission and encourage their children to take the SHARP Survey this year. To help you and your child prepare, a frequently asked questions page is available at  https://sumh.utah.gov/data-reports/sharp-survey/#survey-questions-and-privacy.  

Switching gears: the Summit County Health Department is holding a Stop-the-Bleed training on Feb. 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Downstairs Conference Room at their Park City Clinic (650 Round Valley Drive). This class is for anyone who would like to learn life-saving information. The course will be taught by Intermountain Healthcare and free tourniquets will be handed out after you complete the course. Email [email protected] to reserve a space today! 

And, finally, January is Radon Awareness Month: Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that can build up inside buildings and homes. Now is a great time to test for radon levels because windows and doors in your home are usually closed all day and that helps with a more accurate reading. Testing your home is the only way to know if radon levels are high which could cause an increased risk for lung cancer in you and your family. Test kits are available at ALL Summit County Health Department clinics. We have more info on how to test for radon in your home at summitcountyhealth.org.

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! This week, we dive into a quick preview of this year’s General Session of the Utah State Legislature. Then, we share some important public health information regarding norovirus including tips on how to help stop the spread. Finally, we wrap things up with a last call for community planning lab applications and surplus vehicle bids! Alright, Derek, let’s get into the news. 

TOPIC 1: LEGISLATIVE SESSION PREVIEW  

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the general session of Utah’s 69th legislature began and will run until Friday, March 7, 2025. Over the next 45 days, Summit County will track activity at the State Capitol and provide updates to the County Council and to the public at the regularly scheduled weekly Council meetings. 

You can tune into those meetings every Wednesday on Zoom (https://summitcounty.info/councilzoom) or live on the Summit County, Utah Facebook Page. 

In case you’re wondering what the County’s areas of focus are for this session, key policy concerns relate to: 

We’ll continue to follow and report on the session’s progress, specifically as it relates to Summit County’s interests, each week right here on Summit in Six.  

TOPIC 2: NOROVIRUS

The Summit County Health Department wanted to share some information about Norovirus, as it’s a commonly spread virus this time of year that is very contagious and causes vomiting and diarrhea.  It is sometimes called the “stomach flu” or the “stomach bug.” However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu. The flu is caused by the influenza virus. Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days; but they can still spread the virus for a few days after. 

Here are some ways to stop the spread of norovirus: Wash hands well with soap and water; hand sanitizer alone does not work well against norovirus. Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. Do not prepare, handle food, or care for others when you are sick. Stay home when sick for 48 hours after symptoms stop.

TOPIC 3: LAST CHANCE!  

And, last but not least, we’ll wrap things up with a last call for community planning lab applications AND surplus vehicle bids! 

The community planning lab is a 10-week course that can help YOU understand the processes that drive local planning and land use policy decisions. Learn more about the Community Planning Lab and apply today through this coming MONDAY, January 27 at summitcounty.info/planninglab. 

The Summit County Auditor’s Office is accepting bids to purchase county surplus vehicles. 

Check out the available stock at summitcounty.info/surplus. To place a bid, the online bidding form can be found in the description of each vehicle. Bidding concludes end-of-day also this coming MONDAY, January 27, 2025. 

The winning bid will be the highest reasonable bid submitted. If a tie occurs, the Auditor’s Office will accept the bid that was placed first. 

If you have any questions about how to bid or the process, contact the Summit County Auditor’s Office at (435) 336-3027 or [email protected].

 TOPIC 1 – UDOT Wasatch Back dashboard 

We’ll get the ball rolling with some big news for Wasatch Back commuters! 

The Utah Department of Transportation (aka UDOT) is bringing increased communication to drivers traveling in Parleys Canyon and the Park City area.

UDOT Wasatch Back will provide real-time updates and driver education on social media (@udotwasatchback on Instagram, Facebook, and X) and at wasatchback.udot.utah.gov. This is an extension of the Roads to Recreation program that includes UDOT Cottonwood Canyons which has helped travelers navigate Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons since 2019.

Reporting in this new area will focus on I-80 in Parleys Canyon, US-40 between Silver Creek Junction and Mayflower, SR-224 from Kimball Junction into Park City, and SR-248 from Quinns Junction into Park City. It’s targeted toward drivers traveling to winter recreation destinations, but the information can be useful to anyone driving through this area.

Real-time updates begin January 22 and include major crash alerts, notifications of the Traction Law going into effect, ski resort parking status and other big impacts to traffic. During storms, footage of road conditions will show drivers exactly what to expect.

You can also find information about Summit County plowing routes and snow removal.

Check it out at wasatchback.udot.utah.gov.

TOPIC 2 – Text My Gov Launch Announcement

Have you signed up for Summit County’s new text-based alerts yet?

In December, Summit County launched a new communication platform for residents to connect with county services via TextMyGov. This service enables residents to effortlessly receive important non-emergency notifications and easily find specific information or report issues by texting the county.

Opt-in by texting the keyword “SUMMITCOUNTY” to the number 91896. After sending the initial keyword, you will be asked to reply “YES” to confirm opt-in. Residents may receive notifications for events, county service disruptions, and more.

For specific text alerts, text one of the following keywords to the number 91896:

Additional notification categories will be released in 2025. Beginning Spring 2025, residents can receive on-demand information 24/7 by texting 1-2 keywords to Summit County’s TextMyGov number, 435-495-4090. You’ll be able to get quick information about county departments and elected offices, and report concerns.

TOPIC 3 – Community Planning Lab Applications 

It’s time to apply for the SPRING 2025 Community Planning Lab, a 10-week course that can help YOU understand the processes that drive local planning and land use policy decisions. Learn more about the Community Planning Lab and apply today through January 27 at summitcounty.info/planninglab. 

TOPIC 4 – 910 Ranch Survey Open + Upcoming Open Houses

This is Summit County’s chance to help shape the future of the 910 Ranch:

You can also attend some open house events about planning for the 910 Ranch. All events will be held at the Sheldon Richins Building in Kimball Junction from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

There will be two sessions in January, one is NEXT WEEK on January 21st + there is another on January 30th. At these sessions, there will be materials outside the scope of the survey that residents will have the opportunity to engage with. To be clear: there are two January opportunities to attend, but both events are structured the same.

TOPIC 5 Surplus Vehicles

The Summit County Auditor’s Office is accepting bids to purchase county surplus vehicles. 

Check out the available stock at summitcounty.info/surplus. To place a bid, the online bidding form can be found in the description of each vehicle. Bidding concludes end-of-day on January 27, 2025. 

The winning bid will be the highest reasonable bid submitted. If a tie occurs, the Auditor’s Office will accept the bid that was placed first. 

If you have any questions about how to bid or the process, contact the Summit County Auditor’s Office at (435) 336-3027 or [email protected].

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! We’re kicking off the new year with our first episode of 2025! In this week’s segment, we’ll cover elected official appointments, the upcoming SR-32 Open House next week, the 910 Ranch Survey, and some opportunities to get involved with several volunteer boards.

Also in yesterday’s meeting, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources presented the County Council with a payment in lieu of taxes (PILT); compensation given to Summit County to make up for the presence of nontaxable land. We’re grateful for our state and federal partners who work with us to keep Summit County one of the country’s best places for outdoor recreation.

Every year, the County Council adopts an official work plan as a way to focus staff hours and align their work with the budget. It’s basically a blueprint for what work Summit County will accomplish in the coming year. The 2025 Work Plan was approved by Council at this week’s meeting. If our listeners would like to review the Work Plan and see what the County will be up to this year, please visit: summitcounty.info/workplan25

Mark your calendars for the SR-32 Corridor and City Centers Open House happening on Monday, January 13, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kamas Services Building located at 110 N Main St. in Kamas! 

In case you haven’t heard yet, the cities of Kamas, Francis, and Oakley, in partnership with Summit County, UDOT, and Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) are working to establish a holistic vision for the State Route 32 corridor from Oakley to Francis, with strategies for land use, transportation, economic development, and recreation. 

The SR-32 Corridor and City Centers Plan will balance and complement the regional use of the corridor with the needs of the communities of Oakley, Kamas, and Francis, including developing city center (downtown) plans for each community.

The project team wants to hear from the community as an integral part of developing a vision and plan for the SR-32 Corridor. 

At the open house on Monday, January 13, community members will have the opportunity to learn more about the project, meet the project team, and provide feedback on their experiences on SR-32 and their vision for the corridor and city centers along it. 

If folks can’t make the open house, there is an opportunity to provide input through an online survey: summitcounty.info/sr32survey.  

It’s time to apply for the SPRING 2025 Community Planning Lab, a 10-week course that can help YOU understand the processes that drive local planning and land use policy decisions. Learn more about the Community Planning Lab and apply today through January 27 at summitcounty.info/planninglab. 

TOPIC 4: Current Summit County boards and commissions volunteer opportunities

If you’re looking for ways to get more involved with your county in 2025, we’ve got two openings:

We will have all this information in our shownotes.

This is Summit County’s chance to help shape the future of the 910 Ranch! There is a survey Open Through January 31 that will help the County gather vital public input for creating a balanced land management plan that reflects community sentiment, allows for recreation opportunities, and safeguards natural resources and conservation values. You can take the survey at: summitcounty.info/910survey. 

You can also attend some open house events about planning for the 910 Ranch. All events will be held at the Sheldon Richins Building in Kimball Junction from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. There will be two sessions in January, one on the 21st + one on the 30th. At these sessions, there will be materials outside the scope of the survey that residents will have the opportunity to engage with. To be clear: there are two January opportunities to attend, but both events are structured the same.

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six. This is our last episode of 2024 – which feels crazy to say! Time flies! Today, we’re recapping the six biggest stories of the year, including this week’s big story about the Summit County Council approving an amended development agreement with Dakota Pacific Real Estate. Without further ado, let’s get into the news… 

TOPIC 1: DPRE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT APPROVAL 

At this week’s County Council meeting—the final meeting of 2024—the Summit County Council approved Dakota Pacific Real Estate’s amended development agreement in a 4-1 roll call vote. 

The approval concludes an arduous deliberation process that began in 2019 when DPRE first applied to amend its development agreement for 90 acres of property in the Kimball Junction area – adjacent to the Skullcandy Building. 

To read the agreement in full, visit: summitcounty.info/dpreagreement. To watch the council meeting and approval, visit summitcounty.info/councilrecording. 

TOPIC 2: PURCHASES & ACQUISITIONS 

Moving onto some big purchases and acquisitions that happened this year. First up, back in May, the Summit County Council purchased the Skullcandy headquarters building for $17.5 million using sales tax bond funding.  

At the time, County Council Chair, Malena Stevens, said of the purchase: “Summit County has worked for years to identify a suitable location for a new county facility in the Snyderville Basin. The Council has explored options to acquire an existing property such as the Skullcandy headquarters compared to the cost feasibility of building a new facility. Existing infrastructure may best serve our community in a more fiscally responsible manner.” 

From here, the county will work with Skullcandy on a new lease to determine the future of the building. Summit County is interested in getting some county functions in the building and anticipates sharing more with the public about these plans in the new year. Stay tuned!

In more purchasing news, Summit County also acquired the following properties this year with the help of bond funds for open space: the 835-acre Ure Ranch, the 8,558 acre 910 Ranch, and the 4,338 acre Wright Ranch in Echo Canyon. 

For some context, over the past three years, the Summit County Lands and Natural Resources Department has been dedicated to preserving vital wildlife corridors, water resources, viewsheds, and our county’s agricultural roots. To date, 13,731 acres of land have been secured countywide since 2021 with help from the General Obligation Bond for Open Space, grants, and Summit County Volunteer open space boards such as ESAP and the Open Space Advisory Council (OSAC).

Summit County acquires property and secures conservation easements for open space, conservation, and agricultural preservation. The County welcomes landowners to submit a Notice of Interest, or “NOI”, to have their property evaluated for possible qualified use of these Open Space Bond Funds. A NOI may only be completed by the property owner or an authorized representative. Find out more at summitcounty.info/NOI. 

TOPIC 3: ELECTION RECAP

The 2024 General Election saw record voter turnout with just over 26,000 ballots cast, a turnout of 89.11%. A massive kudos to the Summit County Clerk’s Office for overseeing and ensuring another year of secure and fair elections.  

Locally…

TOPIC 4: EMERGENCY SERVICES SALES TAX

Another important ballot measure voters saw on their ballots this past November was the Emergency Services Sales Tax. Voters passed the proposed sales tax increase with flying colors,  with approximately 72% of voters voting YES on the proposition.

The ESST is a one-half (.005) percent increase to sales taxes in Summit County (that’s 50 cents on applicable purchases of $100) intended to reduce the impact of tourism. 

Revenue generated from the Emergency Services Sales Tax will support things like Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Fire Protection, and even solid waste, here in Summit County:

Approximately 65% of sales tax revenue is generated by non-residents, which means nearly two-thirds of revenue generated from this tax will be paid by visitors.

Gas & Diesel, Medical prescriptions, and groceries or unprepared foods are not taxed.

Examples of taxable purchases include:

Residents can expect to start seeing the tax increase on applicable purchases around March or April of 2025. 

TOPIC 5: GENERAL PLAN UPDATES  

The County also began the process of updating our two general plans –  the Eastern Summit County General Plan and the Snyderville Basin General Plan – this year. 

For some context, a General Plan is a guiding document that outlines a community’s goals for future development, including land use, transportation, housing, conservation, and other key elements. General Plans are typically updated every five to ten years to ensure that the community’s values and expectations for the future are being considered.  

The Snyderville Basin General Plan was last updated in 2015. The Eastern Summit County General Plan was adopted in 2013. Over the years, there have been amendments to both plans to accommodate new State regulations, but this is the first comprehensive update in some time. 

Through research and extensive community engagement, the goal is to update both General Plans to include actionable goals and policies and clear implementation strategies that reflect the values of our community and support a sustainable future. 

This year, county staff sought feedback from both Eastern Summit County and Snyderville Basin community members through open houses and surveys specific to their own communities. Three in-person open houses were held and five surveys were administered across both sides of the county. Residents also had the opportunity to speak with planning staff virtually and participate in a self-guided, virtual open house. The engagement focused on themes like managing natural resources and growing responsibility, as well as Promoting Healthy Living, Preserving Unique Identities, and Creating Inclusive Communities, which were themes identified by the Community during Our Summit Community Visioning. The feedback staff receives will help guide the General Plan updates which in turn help to inform County policies.

In 2025, residents can expect more opportunities to provide feedback on the general plans, including updates to future land use maps and a newly required element focused on water use and conservation. Staff anticipates the adoption of both plans by the end of 2025.

To learn more, stay up to date on involvement opportunities, and more visit: summitcounty.info/gpupdates.

TOPIC 6: COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT 

And, finally, this year, the Summit County Health Department conducted and wrapped up the Community Health Assessment, and it is now complete! Thank you to everyone who participated. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of our community. From the results, the top areas identified for improvement overall in Summit County are:  

On a positive note, residents rated several factors as strengths, including:  

 We appreciate your contributions and look forward to using this data to better serve our community. Together, we’ll work to address challenges and celebrate our community’s strengths. Stay tuned for more updates!

OUTRO

Well…what a year it’s been! We’ll be back in 2025 continuing to bring you fast Summit County news every Friday! See you in January!

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! We have some exciting news to share this week: from the launch of a new countywide text messaging service to celebrating Council Chair Malena Stevens as she closes out her four years of service on the Summit County Council. All right, let’s get into the news.

TOPIC 1: TEXT MY GOV LAUNCH

A number of residents received a text message from Summit County initiating the service this week if they already had their number on file with the United States Postal Service. If you didn’t get this message, no worries. You can opt-in by texting the keyword “SUMMITCOUNTY” in all caps, with no spaces, to the number “91896”. Then reply “YES” to confirm you want to opt in.

There are text alerts already set up for specific topics. For county road construction, snow plowing, and other updates from Public Works, text “SCROADS”. For health advisories and other Health Department updates, text “SCHEALTH”. For information on Summit Bike Share, text “SCBIKE”.

It doesn’t stop there, though! Additional notification categories will be released next year. Beginning Spring 2025, residents will be able to receive on-demand information 24/7 by texting one or two keywords to Summit County’s TextMyGov number: 435-495-4090. You’ll be able to get quick information at your fingertips about county departments and elected offices, as well as report concerns.

During her years serving, Malena focused her time and attention on bolstering law enforcement, enhancing emergency medical services, assisting families with childcare, and responding to public feedback provided through the county’s “Our Summit” community visioning project. She also prioritized addressing the county’s housing crisis and traffic congestion challenges, particularly by supporting the newly established rural transit district, High Valley Transit, as a board member.

Thank you to Council Member Stevens for your commitment to making Summit County an all-around better place for those who live and visit here!

As always, if you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of mental health resources, don’t hesitate, dial 988.

At last week’s county council meeting, the Summit County Council proposed changes to the Daktoa Pacific Development Agreement for their property in Kimball Junction. At this week’s council meeting Dakota Pacific respond with their counter-proposal. 

There was a lot of detail discussed regarding density, construction phasing timelines, and more.  We recommend watching the replay of this conversation via the Agenda & Meeting Minutes section on the County website homepage.

The County attorneys will continue to work on a draft of the amended development agreement, and that will be brought before council at next week’s meeting on December 18th at 4pm at the Richins building.

This is your LAST CALL to fill out the Summit Bike Share End-of-Season survey! What do YOU want to see from Summit Bike Share next season? Your feedback will help us create a service that best reflects our community’s needs & values. You can take the survey at summitcounty.info/season24 until THIS SUNDAY, December 15, 2024.

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six. This week, we kick things off with a preview of an exciting new way residents can get updates from the county. Then, we provide updates on the Summit County Childcare Scholarship Program, Dakota Pacific, and more! 

Text My Gov Launch Announcement

Summit County is launching a new communication platform for residents to connect with county services via TextMyGov. This service enables residents to effortlessly receive important non-emergency notifications and easily find specific information or report issues by texting the county.

Summit County will officially launch the new text messaging system to the public on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Residents who have a cell phone number listed with the Post Office will likely receive a text message from 91896 from Summit County initiating the service. You can choose to opt-out at any time by texting STOP.

If you don’t receive the initial message, you can choose to opt-in by texting the keyword “SUMMITCOUNTY” to the number 91896. After sending the initial keyword, you will be asked to reply “YES” to confirm opt-in. Residents may receive notifications for events, county service disruptions, and more.

For specific text alerts, text one of the following keywords to the number 91896:

Additional notification categories will be released in 2025. Beginning Spring 2025 , residents can receive on-demand information 24/7 by texting 1-2 keywords to Summit County’s TextMyGov number, 435-495-4090. You’ll be able to get quick information about county departments and elected offices, and report concerns.

Childcare Scholarship Program Update

At this week’s County Council meeting, Deputy County Manager, Janna Young, gave an update on the county’s Needs-Based Childcare Scholarship Program, which launched in June of 2024.

Since then, 33 families have enrolled in the program, and more than 100 eligible families are on the waitlist. 

Approximately 35% of applicants were from the North Summit area, 24% from South Summit, and just under 22% from the Snyderville Basin. 

Due to a need to secure ongoing funding, program promotion to onboard new families was paused this year, and the requested funding for 2025 would only cover the families currently enrolled in the program.

Council approved $360k to fund the program in 2025, including an increase of $80k from last year to provide an additional three months of coverage next year for the families currently enrolled. Sixty-thousand dollars of the $360k was set aside for county employees who can receive an FSA match for childcare.

Dakota Pacific Update

Also during this week’s Council session, Summit County Council provided a response to redlines from previous meetings with Dakota Pacific Realt Estate (DPRE).

Among this response was an updated proposal on a number of areas concerning DPRE’s proposal at Kimball Junction:

Council proposed 350 market rate units and 350 affordable housing units and determined that building of the affordable and market rate units would happen at a 1:1 ratio as part of Council’s current structure.

To phase the construction of the proposed 700 units… 

A number of additional details were also discussed. For the full picture of where the project stands, we recommend watching the replay of this agenda item from this week’s Council Meeting via the Agenda & Meeting Minutes section on the County website homepage.

News Roundup: