October 21, 2022 – Community Engagement Opportunities Galore!



We usually start out with recapping topics that were covered at this week’s County Council meeting. Unfortunately, the State of Utah’s internet systems were down on Wednesday, and we were unable to stream the meeting. We promise we’ll double down next week to cover what you need to know! Be sure to check back in then. 

In the meantime, we have a community engagement heavy episode! We’re talking about some key engagement opportunities coming up that we think you all, our Summit in Six listeners, will want to be in the know about! 

Engage Page 

Before we get started, I wanted to preface that throughout the episode you’ll hear us point to a webpage called summitcounty.org/engage

This is a new initiative we’ve created over here in the Communications and Public Engagement Department where community members can find every active opportunity for them to get involved and stay engaged with Summit County. 

Community engagement informs and involves the public in the decisions and actions of local government. Attending these events, filling out these surveys, serving on these boards, and so on, are all ways that allow the County to best address the values, needs, and concerns of the public while also ensuring transparency and accountability, so please join us! 

2022 General Election 

Alright! First up we want to take a moment to talk about elections. The 2022 General Election – also referred to as the midterm – is right around the corner on November 8! 

Ballots were mailed out earlier this week on October 18 and should be arriving in mailboxes as we speak or early next week. In the meantime, sample ballots for each precinct are available online at summitcounty.org/281

Also, Vote Early Day is happening next week on October 28! In celebration of Vote Early Day, the Summit County Clerk’s Office will be helping every voter know how, where, and when they can vote for the 2022 General Election at Drop Box Locations all around the County. Stop by a drop box location between 8 AM and 1 PM to register to vote, plan your vote, or vote early with us! You can find locations at summitcounty.org/engage

We’ll check back in next week to talk about ballot deadlines, Drop Box locations, and where to-vote in person! 

EMS Planning 

Like we reported last week, a master planning process for Emergency Medical Services across the county began earlier this year to make sure high-quality emergency medical services are available for all residents and visitors, and to effectively plan for the future of EMS in Summit County.

As part of the process, the county is hosting town hall-style meetings to gather concerns, perspectives, and ideas of all those interested in the future of EMS in Summit County on: 

  • October 27: Ledges Event Center Multipurpose Room, Coalville | 6-8 p.m.
  • October 28: Summit County Health Department Downstairs Conference Room at Quinn’s Junction/Round Valley, Park City | 6-8 p.m.

If you have questions or comments about the future of EMS here in Summit County, these town-halls are a don’t miss! 

Rail Trail 

Shifting gears to the Rail Trail Corridor Project: a 30-mile arts, culture, recreation, and tourism corridor being designed to cultivate a strong sense of community and offer opportunities for both resource protection and economic revitalization along the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail.

Do you want to lend feedback about this project?

  • Visit summitcounty.org/engage to fill out a survey or to join a focus group.
  • You can also give feedback in person at two Open Houses. The first will take place Thursday, November 3 from 5:00 pm – 7:00pm at the Basin Recreation Offices across from Trailside Elementary School, the second Open House will take place Monday, November 7 from 5:00 pm – 7:00pm at the Ledges Event Center in Coalville.

*The SAME information will be presented at both Open Houses. The planning department is providing two options to ensure access to the maximum number of people.

Living with Wildfire 

And last, but certainly not least, join us for the next event in the Living with Wildfire Learning Series.  

Ever wonder what role fire plays on our local landscape? How controlled burns protect our community from destruction by fire? What are the keys to wildfire prevention? You’ll learn the answers to these questions (and many more), as well as hear from area professionals in wildfire ecology, wildlife biology, air quality, and beyond. 

This event will be hosted in person on October 25 from 6 to 7:30 PM at Park City’s Council Chambers at 445 Marsac Ave. You can also join virtually on zoom.  Zoom info can be found at summitcounty.org/engage and selecting the “Using Fire to Fight Fire” event. 

Outro

One last time, remember summitcounty.org/engage for ways to stay connected with Summit County moving forward!