Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! This week, we’ll kick things off with a recap of the June 4 County Council meeting, which included discussions on Richardson Flat environmental clean up efforts and federal funding cuts & impacts. Then, we’ll talk about an upcoming open house for the SR-32 Corridor and City Centers Plan, and wrap things up with some news from Summit County Animal Control. Alright, let’s get into the news! 

– Topic 1: Council Recap 

• Richardson Flat Site 

Staff from the Environmental Protection Agency were in front of the council this week to talk about the Richardson Flat remediation efforts. Our area is known for its rich mining history, and while its important to honor that history, some of the artifacts it left behind are harmful to both our environment and bodies. The EPA reported that there are about 1 million cubic yards of tailings spread between Richardson Flat and Prospector, including materials like zinc and arsenic, and so they’ve been researching and analyzing possible alternatives to “clean up” this area and make it safer for all who live and recreate in it. 

Now that the EPA’s assessment phase has concluded, they came to council to give our community a heads up that they’d be releasing their findings in the form of a Engineering and Evaluation Cost Analysis or EECA document sometime in the coming months. This document summarizes their findings and proposes a more specific plan for removal of these harmful contaminants. 

There will be a public comment period for our community to give input on the proposed removal plan, that will also include an open house. 

We’ll make sure we keep you up-to-date on when that engagement opportunity arises as this process continues to move forward. Like we said, the EPA staff estimated its likely to begin within the next few months. 

In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more or sign up to receive emails on this topic, please visit summitcounty.info/richardsonflat. 

• Federal Funding Cuts & Impacts  

County Lands and Natural Resources Director Jess Kirby and Health Director Phil Bondurant were in front of the council this week to present on how projected federal funding cuts will impact the work their teams do here in Summit County. 

For County Lands and Natural Resources, the main challenge federal cuts are likely to impose are increased wildfire risk and decreased recreation management. 

The current administration’s shift toward ‘Sound Forest Management’ promotes expanded logging and streamlined permitting processes. It is important to note that the Summit County logging industry is a vital component of our economy and rural livelihoods, and it can play a constructive role in forest management and wildfire risk reduction. However, it is essential to recognize that not all logging practices contribute equally to wildfire mitigation. Scientific evidence shows that while targeted thinning and fuel reduction can reduce fire intensity, large-scale or mismanaged logging may inadvertently increase fire risk, degrade ecosystems, and undermine long-term forest resilience. As grant programs increasingly favor projects aligned with timber production and economic development, this potentially sidelines key factors like public safety, climate resilience measures, and habitat conservation efforts. 

At the federal level, there also appears to be a growing emphasis on public-private partnerships in place of a federal-centric workforce. The recent administration’s workforce reductions have had a significant impact on recreation management and wildfire response capacity across federal land management agencies. Locally, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest has faced a 10% reduction in force, mainly within recreational and administrative roles. Seasonal wildfire staff, who play a crucial role in clearing hazardous fuels and assisting with initial attack efforts, have been drastically reduced due by hiring freezes and budget cuts. While core firefighting crews were largely retained, the support staff—including those responsible for logistics, communications, and coordination—have been cut, forcing frontline personnel to take on additional duties. This shift will increase the risk of delayed or less effective wildfire response, especially during peak fire season. Additionally, the inability to fund programs and hire seasonal staff will result reduced maintenance of trails, campgrounds, and recreation sites, delay or cancel contracts that carry out essential services like trash removal and restroom maintenance, and potentially close or restrict access to popular public lands due to lack of staffing. 

While there are no guarantees or concrete answers in place right now, the Lands and Natural Resources Department plans to adapt new funding/grant strategies to better align with the new narrative at the federal level, continue to strengthen their partnerships locally and throughout the state, and identify ways to fill gaps with existing resources especially in times of emergency. 

For the Health Department, as of May 22, 2025, the federal government has proposed roughly $80 billion in cuts to the public health system. Locally, that would leave the Summit County Health Department with only 63% of its anticipated budget is secure to provide staffing and programming to our community. Again, not much is clear and things continue to change regularly, but the Health Department leadership is committed to navigating these unknown waters is a productive and strategic way. One key step they’ve taken is writing to our state representatives as they begin to prepare for the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process. Specifically, Health and County leadership wrote to John Curtis to ask for support in maintaining funding for:

• Medicaid funded programs administered by local health departments
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding passed through to counties for critical programs
• Health and Human Services (HHS) programs that directly support county-level public health initiatives
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) programs that directly impact vaccine preventable diseases, especially those in our children and vulnerable populations

These funding streams enable counties like ours to provide critical services to our residents-ranging from maternal health to infectious disease control, chronic disease prevention, and emergency preparedness. They also support essential programs such as:

• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutritional assistance
• Behavioral and mental health services
• Substance use prevention and treatment
• Early prevention and intervention programs
• Environmental health initiatives including air and water quality monitoring
• Outreach and care coordination for vulnerable and underserved populations

While this isn’t the best news, and can feel scary, please know county staff are working tirelessly to stay on top of the latest information so that we remain strategic and poised to serve Summit County well.  We’ll be sure to keep our community updated on how the budgeting process and federal funding cuts may impact us.

– Topic 2: SR-32 Planning Open House

The SR-32 Corridor and City Centers Plan team wants your feedback on ideas for the future of the SR-32 highway in Kamas Valley. 

Join the planning team at their open house on Monday, June 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Summit County Library Kamas Branch Auditorium.

The planning process started in October of 2024 with stakeholders from three cities (Oakley, Kamas, and Francis) met with officials from Summit County, Utah Department of Transportation, and the Mountainland Association of Governments.

The goal of the planning process is to maintain SR-32’s critical function as a regional connection while making the cities’ downtown areas more pedestrian friendly and accessible.

Following Monday’s open house, the study will continue to run through summer and into fall and will likely include more opportunities for public engagement and input. Find out more online at: SR32.org.

– Topic 3: Love ‘Em and Leash ‘Em

Summit County Animal Control wants to reward responsible pet owners! From June through September, animal control officers will be on the lookout for residents who are walking their dogs on a leash.

When they spot a responsible pet owner, they will stop and ask for some basic information about you and your dog. Your name will then be entered into a monthly raffle drawing for a chance to win a prize. The program is called “Love ‘Em and Leash ‘Em.”

As a reminder, according to Summit County code, when a dog is not contained on private property, it must be on a leash, lead, or on an electric collar with a leash on the person at all times — unless in a designated dog exercise area.

Trust us: Animal Control would much rather be entering more people in a raffle for responsible pet ownership than write more citations for dogs off-leash.

Remember to “Love ‘Em and Leash ‘Em” and you might be the lucky pet owner who will be rewarded for helping keep our community safe and enjoyable for everyone!

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Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! This week we cover the whole gamut, from elections-related news to a wildfire prevention discussion, to some really exciting upcoming events like a UDOT Open House for the Rail Trail & US Route 40 and the upcoming Community Noxious Weeds Tour. In this episode, you’ll hear all that and more! Alright, let’s get into the news! 

– Candidate Filing Window 

Did you know? 2025 is a Municipal Election Year, and any qualified individual can run for office to make a difference in our community! Interested candidates will file in the office of their city, town, or special service district. Candidate filings for cities and towns will take place next week: June 2nd through June 6th, 2025. Candidate filings for special service districts will also take place starting next week, June 2nd, and will remain open through June 9th, 2025. Please visit the website of each jurisdiction for more information on filing dates, qualifications, fees, and available times.

– Burn Permit + Fire Sense

Starting this Sunday, June 1, through October 31, permits are required for open burns in unincorporated areas of the county. Burn permits are regulated through the State Forester and can be obtained by contacting the County Fire Warden at (435) 640-2075. The Fire Warden is available for permits Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please plan ahead to ensure permits are issued well before your planned burn. Burn permits for weekend burns should be requested by the preceding Wednesday.

Remember: even with a permit, you can only burn on approved burning days! Paying attention to factors such as wind, air quality, and temperature is important before you burn. 

In general, as we begin to move into the hot summer months, it’s important for everyone to prioritize wildfire prevention. By exercising your fire sense, you can help Utah prevent roughly 70% of its wildfires. For tips on wildfire prevention, please visit: utahfiresense.org/. 

– Rail Trail + U.S. Route 40 Combined Open House

If you live, work, or travel in Summit County, chances are you’ve passed through the intersection of U.S. Route 40 and state route 248. And if you enjoy outdoor recreation like biking or walking you’ve likely experienced at least a portion of the historic Rail Trail, part of which crosses beneath highway 40 before turning north to Silver Summit.

Utah Department of Transportation would like to invite the public to attend a combined open house for the Phoston Spur & Rail Trail Study and U.S. Route 40 Corridor Study between 5 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. 

The meeting will be in an open house format to allow the public to come at their convenience and discuss with UDOT staff and planning teams each study’s goals and objectives and provide feedback. They may discuss possible improvements or changes to U.S. 40 and the rail trail to upgrade transportation infrastructure and increase recreational access. 

Save the date: Tuesday, June 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Utah Film Studios in Park City. Visit udotinput.utah.gov/US40area for more details and contact information.

– Weeds Tour

The sixth annual Community Noxious Weeds Tour is next weekend, Saturday, June 7 from 9 AM – 12 PM! Meet Dave Bingham, Summit County’s Weed Superintendent, Dan Pena, Weed Enforcement Officer, as well as some other special guests at Richardson Flat Park and Ride to learn to identify and control noxious weeds on your property! Please RSVP FOR FREE at summitcounty.info/weedstour25 to let us know you’re coming. 

– Request a Free Bike Rack for Your Business

Summit County, in partnership with Park City Municipal, is making it easier to bike around town with the Request-a-Rack program! This initiative offers free bike racks and installation to any business in Summit County. Since launching, racks have been installed at over 25 locations across the area. Want to join them? Visit summitcounty.info/request-a-rack to make a request today.

– Roads Dash

If it’s not ski season, it’s road work season! Stay up-to-date on road work throughout Summit County this summer using our brand new Roads Dashboard.

Visit summitcounty.info/roadsdash for a map of where, when, and what is happening on our roads. 

On the Roads Dash, you’ll see there are some key projects kicking off construction next week, including the Smith + Morehouse Bridge Reconstruction and the Matterhorn Terrace Reconstruction project. Additionally, you’ll find information like what’s the latest on the Silver Summit Interchange project and Old Ranch Road construction. 

So, again, visit summitcounty.info/roadsdash to stay in the loop on road work this summer!

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Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! We have some big updates to share about future districting for county council seats, a recap of proposals to develop the Cline-Dahle property, and a preview of Pride Month and the upcoming weed tour.

Alright, let’s get into the news!

TOPIC 1: County Council Districting Commission

Summit County Council voted 4-1, with Roger Armstrong opposed, to adopt new code establishing a commission to create voting districts for council seats. The new code complies with the requirements of House Bill 356: a state law passed in the last legislative session that requires Summit County to move away from its at-large council system.

According to the new code, the commission will be authorized to divide Summit County into five voting districts. Some rules governing the composition of each district are as follows:

• There can’t be more than a 10% total population difference between districts
• Each district must be contiguous and reasonably compact
• District boundaries cannot divide existing voter precincts (meaning cities/towns will not be carved up into separate districts)
• The districts will abide by tenets of the United States Constitution

The commission will be made up of every Summit County mayor (or resident of their municipality they appoint) plus one representative living in the unincorporated areas of the county and the county clerk (who does not vote on decisions). Because the community of Hideout has land in Summit County, that means they will have a representative serving on the commission in addition to the six other municipalities.

After voting to adopt the new code, the county council then made their appointment for the representative for unincorporated Summit County. The council again voted 4-1 (Armstrong opposing) to select Malena Stevens as the representative and — by virtue of the new code — chair of the districting commission.

The new commission will meet in the coming months to review district proposals. They must present a proposed map of district boundaries by October 1, and presumably conclude their work by the time the commission is “sunset” on June 1, 2026.

If you would like to read the full text of the new county code to better understand the districting process and timeline, check the link in our show notes.

TOPIC 2: Cline Dahle Proposals

The bulk of the time from Wednesday’s council meeting was dedicated to hearing proposals from six development companies interested in the 30 acres of county-owned land known as the Cline Dahle property.

Acquired in 2017 by then-county manager Tom Fisher, the property is located along Rasmussen Road between Jeremy Ranch Elementary and the Summit Center Commerce Park. Along with a project summary detailing the proposed number of and makeup of residential units, the developers were asked to address 13 neighborhood elements outlined in the request for proposal.

These 13 elements include, among other things, natural feature preservation, scenic views, parks, accessibility, housing for diverse incomes, housing variety, and unique design elements. So, how did the various proposals stack up against one another?

In terms of land use, all proposals allotted at least 9 acres to open space, with Columbus Pacific (21.8 acres), Layton Legacy Jeremy Village (21.5 acres), and Brinshore and GTS Development (19.5 acres) designating the most to natural features.

For affordable housing, two of the proposals offered a 100% affordable housing mix: the Brinshore/GTS Development team and Layton Legacy. The remaining four ranged from 94% (Columbus Pacific) affordable housing all the way to around 23% affordable (Evergreen Devco). The total number of residential units varied widely:

• Brinshore/GTS Development: 146 units 
• Crandall Capital: 286 units
• Columbus Pacific: 172 units
• Evergreen Devco: 211 units
• JF Development Group: 200 units
• Layton Legacy: 200 units

Finally, estimates for the proposed cost and finance structure differed based on a laundry list of factors. Some developers suggested soft loans from the county to facilitate more affordable housing. Some planned a lease model to pay the county over time for use of the land, while others offered a flat price to purchase the land outright.  

No final decision was reached nor was any developer given any indication that their proposal was favored over the others. The council will have time to consider the various benefits and consequences of each proposal and return at a later date with follow-up questions and/or decisions. 

To see the various proposal documents and watch the development representatives make their case, you can watch a recording of the council meeting in full at summitcounty.info/meetings. 

TOPIC 3: Pride Month

During this week’s council meeting, Summit Pride representative Virginia Solomon appeared before council to request that they renew a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month. Here is an excerpt from the proclamation which was approved by Council:

“Pride Month is a reminder of how much we have to celebrate, and should prompt us to never let up in our efforts to ensure full equality, inclusion, and empowerment for every member of our LGBTQ+ community, and all communities.

LGBTQ+ Pride month is the positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) people; promotes their self-affirmation, dignity, and equality rights; increases their visibility as a social group; builds community; and celebrates sexual diversity and gender variance.

Summit County is committed to learning how to advance inclusion for LGBTQ+ residents by creating and supporting policies and programs that stand against discrimination and by promoting equality and opportunity for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Solomon also invited council members and the community to attend the kick off march and party on June 1. The council voted unanimously to accept the proclamation. Visit summitpride.org for upcoming events information related to Pride Month.

TOPIC 4: Community Noxious Weeds Tour

Summit County’s Weeds Division is hosting a Community Noxious Weeds Tour on Saturday, June 7, from 9 AM to 12 PM to educate residents on the “most-wanted” weeds here in Summit County.

Residents will meet Dave Bingham, Weed Superintendent, Dan Pena, Weed Enforcement Officer, and some other special guests at Richardson Flat Park and Ride to learn to identify and control noxious weeds on their own properties.

Please RSVP FOR FREE at summitcounty.info/weedstour25 to let us know you’re coming. Gloves are suggested, but not required.

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Hi everyone and welcome back to another week of news on Summit in Six. We’ve got updates on Restaurant Tax Funding, kitten care tips from Animal Control and two upcoming events you won’t want to miss.

TOPIC 1: Restaurant Tax Awards & Funding

After County Council declined to award the Sundance Film Festival $85,000 in Restaurant Tax funding, the Summit County Restaurant Tax Advisory Committee came to this week’s council meeting with a recommendation to roll those funds into next year’s award rather than redistributing them among the current awarded projects. This plan was approved by County Council.

As a reminder, the Summit County Restaurant Tax Grant is used to promote tourism & local economic growth. The Summit County Council established the Restaurant Tax Advisory Committee to investigate, advise, and recommend the best uses of the funds collected from this tax.

Some of this year’s awards include:

• Alf Engen Ski Museum and the Park City Museum
• Park City Arts Council
• Coalville City – Car Show & Light Parade
• Francis City – Frontier Days
• Kamas City – Fiesta Days
• Oakley City – Oakley Rodeo
• Peoa Recreation Special Service District
• South Summit High School Rodeo Club
• Summit Bike Share
• Summit County Derby
• Summit County Rodeo
• Utah Olympic Park

TOPIC 2: Community Planning Lab Presentations

Next week we have the opportunity to hear from the 2025 Community Planning Lab cohort! Come see their presentations Monday night (May 19) from 6 to 8 pm at the Richins Auditorium in Kimball Junction

The planning lab is a 10-week course for locals to deep-dive on zoning, community planning, land use, and more. As the culmination of their learning, each participant makes a detailed proposal tackling local issues.

This year’s cohort presentations include:

• walkability
• freight farms
• affordable housing
• revitalizing downtowns
• and more!

There will be two new planning commissioners among those presenting. For more information about the planning lab, visit summitcounty.info/planninglab.

TOPIC 3: Kitten Season Advice

For the month of May, Animal Control has some tips for how best to care for and help kittens found outdoors. Cats commonly give birth to litters of kittens in late spring/early summer, and Summit County has an existing population of both feral and barn/farm cats.

It’s not uncommon for kittens to turn up in residential areas. Here are some things to keep in mind before you consider taking them to Animal Control. 

First and foremost: kittens need their mother’s care for the first 8 weeks of life. Separating a kitten from its mother prematurely is a risk to the kitten’s health. Until the kittens are old enough to be weaned, you can help by:

• Placing a water dish and wet cat food near the den for when the mother cat returns. 
• If they have inadequate protection from the weather or other animals, you can place a cat carrier with dry straw or dry blankets near their current den. 
• Ensure they have peace and quiet by keeping dogs and other animals away.

If there is a serious threat to the kittens, or if 8 weeks have passed, you can try and catch the cats and bring them to the shelter. Please be absolutely sure before taking kittens in as pets or bringing them to your local shelter: young kittens need special care round the clock to survive.

For more tips on how to care for outdoor cats and kittens, check out this link: https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/finding-kittens-outdoors/.

TOPIC 4: Nature Events in late May

Near the end of May, we have two great events addressing how we care for the great outdoors! First on Tuesday May 29: do you have what it takes to be “Weed Wise?” Join the County Lands and Natural Resources Dept. for the second installment of their “Roots of Conservation” series from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Richins Building in Kimball Junction.

Hear from these noxious weed gurus: Dave Bingham, Summit County Weed Superintendent, and Sara Jo Dickens from Ecology Bridge & the Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA).

RSVP at: summitcounty.info/rootsofconservation

And finally, don’t forget The Summit County Stormwater Coalition’s upcoming “Trails, Trash and Tunes” event on Saturday, May 31st from 12pm – 4pm at Silver Creek “Loomis” Park (6530 Silver Creek Drive).

Welcome in spring and celebrate the Earth with:

• LIVE music from Mountain Town Music
• Trail + park cleanup
• Beer garden with Offset Bier for the 21+ crowd
• Kids activities hosted by the Summit County Library
• And educational booths about stormwater, noxious weeds identification and more!

Registration is FREE and encouraged so we know who is coming. Visit: summitcounty.info/trailstrashtunes25.

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Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six!
In today’s episode, we are going to cover Mental Health Awareness Month, summer safety tips, the Fourth Annual Trails, Trash and Tunes event… and more! Alright, let’s get into the news!

Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health continues to be a major issue in Summit County, with more than half of our residents having experienced mental health challenges in the past year. How can we all support mental health awareness this month? Visit OurMentalHealth.org for more information about mental health events and resources in our community. If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis, text or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline.

Wildfire Awareness Month
May is also Wildfire Awareness Month. As Utah approaches another wildfire season, we urge everyone to spare a few moments to prepare for wildfires. Regardless of your location, you play a key role in wildfire prevention. Here are some ways to start:

• Create defensible space around your property
• Sign up for emergency alerts
• Practice safe outdoor burning and remember to use your Fire Sense
• Review your evacuation plan

Let’s protect Utah together. Visit Firewise.org or check out utahfiresense.org to learn more.

Tick Season is Here!
With warmer weather, tick activity is on the rise in Utah. While Summit County Health Department doesn’t offer tick identification services, residents can stop by any clinic in Kamas, Coalville or Park City to pick up a tick collection vial and instructions on how to send it to a lab for testing. When spending time outdoors, wear long sleeves, tuck your pants into your socks, and use an EPA-registered insect repellent to help prevent tick bites. To learn more about tick prevention, safe removal, and tick borne illnesses in Utah, visit the link in our show notes. [epi.utah.gov/tickborne-diseases]

Sun Safety
It’s crucial to practice sun safety, especially in Summit County, where melanoma rates are notably high. Summit County has the 2nd highest incidence rate for melanoma in the state and more than double the national average.​

Here are some tips to protect yourself while enjoying the outdoors:

• Apply Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, reapplying every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.​ 
• Wear Protective Clothing: Opt for long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses to shield your skin and eyes from harmful UV rays.​ 
• Seek Shade: Limit direct sun exposure during peak hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.​ 

  By taking these precautions, you can safely enjoy the benefits of nature while reducing your risk of skin cancer!

Fourth Annual Trails, Trash and Tunes
The Summit County Stormwater Coalition is excited to host the FOURTH Annual “Trails, Trash and Tunes” event on Saturday, May 31st from 12pm – 4pm at Silver Creek “Loomis” Park (6530 Silver Creek Drive).

Welcome in springtime and celebrate the Earth with:
– LIVE music from Mountain Town Music
– A trail + park cleanup

– For the 21+ crowd, enjoy a beer garden with Offset Bier

– Kids activities will be hosted by the Summit County Library
– Education booths about stormwater, noxious weeds identification and more!

Registration is FREE and encouraged so we know who is coming at summitcounty.info/trailstrashtunes25. The link is in our show-notes.

May Weeds of the Month
It’s that time of year again, and our Weeds of the Month segment is BACK on Summit in Six! In this segment, we’ll cover some of Summit County’s most-wanted noxious weeds. May’s first two Weeds of the Month are Dyers Woad and Hoary Cress.

Dyers Woad is a native of Europe. It was brought here for the production of textile dyes and thrives in waste areas, gravel pits, roadsides, roadside pastures, and any disturbed soils. Dyer’s Woad can can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall, and the weed has a thick, deep tap root. Its leaves are blue-green with a whitish midrib. At its mature stage, Dyer’s Woad has a bright yellow bloom that is highly visible in late spring. A crazy fact about Dyers Woad is that large plants can produce up to 100,000 seeds, so the goal is not to let it get that big. To control Dyers Woad, herbicide can be effective if applied at the proper time of year and if applied during the rosette to pre-bloom stage.

Hoary Cress originated in Europe too. It reproduces by root segments and seed, and is commonly found on disturbed sites along roadways, field edges, and excavations. It is also a widespread weed of grain fields, cultivated fields, and meadows. It grows particularly well on somewhat saline soils. Hoary Cress is a perennial plant that grows 1 to 2 feet tall with creeping rootstocks. Its leaves are finely toothed, and its upper leaves clasp the stem. Its bloom is in late spring with clusters of white flowers, each flower contains four petals. Its seed pods are heart-shaped bladders and contain two brownish seeds. To control Hoary Cress, select herbicides offer fair to good control when applied from the rosette to early bloom stages.

Did you know that Summit County provides FREE weed-spraying equipment to all residents? If you have weeds like Dyers Woad or Hoary Cress on your property, learn more about this service here: bit.ly/sprayrentals

If you aren’t sure which plants are which, you can find more information, including photos of these weeds at various stages of their growth and of their key identifying features, at summitcounty.info/idweeds. 

Willow Planting Event on the 910 Ranch
Join the County Lands and Natural Resources team for a willow planting event on the 910 Ranch next Thursday (May 15) from 1–4 pm. By planting native willows, the stream bed will be more resistant to erosion and there will be more homes and food for wildlife. Expect to walk across uneven terrain and potentially in or near water, so please wear suitable clothing and protective footwear (long sleeves, pants, and muck boots recommended). Bring hats and sunscreen, carry water, and be prepared for spring weather. Please register for this free event at: https://summitcounty.info/willowplanting

Summit County Chief Building Official, Richard Butz Retires
Our Chief Building Official, Richard Butz is retiring after 33 years of service to Summit County. From the very beginnings of his career Richard has built an environment of problem solving, a commitment to quality, communication, and trust, developing valuable relationships with a broad range of stakeholders throughout Summit County and the State of Utah. He has been an outstanding example of dedication and hard work during a roller coaster of construction cycles. Significant milestones include the building boom surrounding the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. Then in 2008, during difficult times for the entire construction industry, Richard re-committed to the future of Summit County by shouldering the job of Senior Building Inspector. Most recently, in 2021, he took on the position of Chief Building Official. Richard has made significant and meaningful contributions to the health, safety, quality of life, and general wellbeing of the citizens of Summit County and the State of Utah. Thank you for your 33 years of service, Richard!

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Welcome to May! In today’s episode, we are going to cover the formal organization of a much-anticipated housing authority, the many great events and resources promoting Mental Health Awareness throughout the month, and some more community tools and events dealing with water safety, noxious weeds, and road construction. Alright, let’s get into the news!

TOPIC 1: County Council Selects Housing Authority Board Commissioners

The county is moving forward with the creation of an independent board to direct affordable housing programs and seek solutions for medium and low income families. After interviewing 13 candidates at last week’s council meeting, council members formally amended the bylaws of the Summit County Housing Authority and selected seven people to serve on its board of commissioners.

The new bylaws dictate that the board will be composed of three county council members and four residents serving at-large. All commissioners must live within the boundaries of the housing authority, and the four residents selected by council to serve on the board were Kristen Schulz, Jennifer Lewis, Joan Meixner, and Rich Sonntag. 

Lewis, Meixner, and Sonntag will serve until Feb 28, 2026. Schulz will serve until February 28, 2030. 

The at-large commissioners will serve alongside council members Tonja Hanson, Canice Harte and Megan McKenna. All council members spoke very highly of the candidates. Harte specifically said the motivation behind amending the bylaws was to increase the size of the board to allow more of these highly qualified applicants to serve.

The focus for the housing authority will be on addressing housing needs through financing, acquiring, building, maintaining and managing housing projects and programs. This includes providing medium to low income residents with affordable housing opportunities and incentivizing moderate income housing.

TOPIC 2: May Declared Mental Health Awareness Month

County council also unanimously adopted a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

According to the proclamation, an estimated 16,000 Summit County adults live with a mental health diagnosis, and 1 out of 7 children live with a severe mental health illness severe enough to impair daily functions. Summit County commits to support education and provide peer-support groups, financial assistance for those seeking therapy, and mental health tool kits through behavioral health and the mental wellness alliance.

The proclamation concludes with these words:

The people of Summit County are encouraged to come together to recognize that mental health is universal and applies to everyone, and we encourage individuals to take care of their mental health by recognizing when they need help and seeking treatment.

Throughout the month of May, there will be many community events promoting mental wellness and encouraging awareness for those facing illness and stigma. Visit ourmentalhealth.org to learn more about mental health tools and other resources available locally, events happening this month in our community, and how you can start mental health conversations with loved ones.

TOPIC 3: Test Your Well for Bacteria

With the warmer weather, we can expect flooding and runoff from snowmelt, which can affect water quality—especially in wells. 

It is always a good idea to test your well periodically for bacteria. That’s where the Summit County Health Department’s Environmental Health team comes in! We have an in-house laboratory facility to test for bacteria and nitrates in drinking water and provide this service for individuals and community water systems. 

We charge $27 for a bacterial sample and $30 for a nitrate sample. Contact the Summit County Health Department in Coalville for more information at: 435-336-3224 or visit summitcountyhealth.org/water

Also: If a resident wants to test for water contaminants that we do not test for in our county lab, we can offer to take the sample to a larger lab.

TOPIC 4: Upcoming County Lands Events

Event 1: Roots of Conservation
Do you have what it takes to be “Weed Wise”?! Join the County Lands and Natural Resources Dept. in their second event in their “Roots of Conservation” series on Tuesday, May 29, 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Richins Building in Kimball Junction.

Hear from these noxious weed gurus: Dave Bingham, Summit County Weed Superintendent, and Sara Jo Dickens from Ecology Bridge + Summit Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA).

RSVP at: summitcounty.info/rootsofconservation

Event 2: Birding on the 910!
And The birds are back, and so are we! Join the County Lands and Natural Resources Dept. for a guided morning walk and birdwatch on the 910 Ranch on Saturday May 10 from 7am – 9am! This event is limited to 15 participants and an RSVP is required at summitcounty.info/910birding

We’ll be spotting spring migrants and year-round residents, listening for calls, and learning how to identify local birds with help from our expert bird watching Volunteer Ambassadors—and the Merlin Bird ID app!

TOPIC 5: Roads Dashboard is LIVE!

If it’s not ski season, it’s road work season! Stay up-to-date on road work throughout Summit County this summer using our brand new Roads Dashboard.

Visit summitcounty.info/roadsdash for a map of where, when, and what is happening on our roads. If you’ve got questions, each project listed on the dashboard provides a point of contact who can help you learn more. So, again, visit summitcounty.info/roadsdash to stay in the loop on road work this summer!

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Hi everyone and welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! With spring slowly creeping across Summit County, we’ve got some exciting seasonal announcements and updates on recent and upcoming public input. Let’s get into the news.

TOPIC 1: Summit Bike Share Launch

First off, the bikes are back in town! Starting May 1, Summit Bike Share will launch its 2025 season. And the best news is that passes are more affordable than ever!

You can get a season pass for unlimited 30-minute rides for just $50! If you need to ride a little longer, you pay $0.25/minute when you go over the 30-minute window. However, if you dock the bike after your 30 minutes are up and take a new bike, you get another half hour without any additional cost!

For questions or to see a map of bike stations, visit summitbikeshare.com. If you don’t want a season pass, you can get a 5-day pass for $25 or a single 30-minute ride pass for $5. You can download the app through the App Store or Google Play store.

With a fleet of over 200 e-bikes stationed across the Snyderville Basin, the bikes have tons of utility for users. If you just need to travel a short distance in town from your work to a meeting, if you want to try a nearby restaurant but don’t want to deal with the hassle of traffic/parking, or if you just want to take a short ride on a nice day: Summit Bike Share is here to help!

Help us make Summit County a more sustainable, active, and enjoyable place to live. Try out Summit Bike Share, and remember to wear a helmet and ride responsibly!

TOPIC 2: Roads Dashboard

If it’s not ski season, it’s road work season! Stay up-to-date on road work throughout Summit County this summer using our brand new Roads Dashboard. Visit summitcounty.info/roadsdash for a map of where, when, and what is happening on our roads. If you’ve got questions, each project listed on the dashboard provides a point of contact who can help you learn more. So, again, visit summitcounty.info/roadsdash to stay in the loop on road work this summer!

TOPIC 3: Public Land Use Maps

There’s still one more chance to contribute to land use maps for the Eastern Summit County General Plan! The last open house to contribute to future land use maps will be on Tuesday, April 29, from 5–7 pm at the Ledges Event Center in Coalville.

For some context, the county’s planning and zoning department began the process to update its general plans in 2024. These plans assess everything from housing costs to transportation needs to environmental and historical preservation. Planners rely on everything from geophysical data to public input to craft a plan that reflects the community’s vision.

Due to differences in conditions and priorities, the county has two general plans: one for the Snyderville Basin and another for Eastern Summit County, which includes everything from Henefer south to Woodland.

The latest development in drafting the general plan is the creation of future land use maps. You (and other residents in Eastern Summit County) have a chance to weigh in on how land should be used in and around your community. Planners held a similar event in Kamas on this Thursday, and the upcoming event in Coalville will have the same activities and information.

We hope to see you on Tuesday evening at the Ledges Event Center in Coalville!

TOPIC 4: KnowYourScript

Leaving expired or unused medications in your home increases the risk of misuse. Proper medication disposal is key to keeping your family safe, especially from the rising threat of teen prescription drug misuse.

What can you do?  Bring your unused medications to Recycle Utah Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Silver King parking lot at the base of Park City Mountain Resort.

If you can’t make it this weekend, you can find a disposal site in Summit County at: summitcounty.info/medicationdisposal.

TOPIC 5: Continued Public Input on HB 356 — County Council Districting

And last, but not least, a recap of public input on HB 356, which is a legislative bill talking about county districting. Public input on HB 356, which is a bill that would require Summit County to move to five districts for county council seats, continued at this week’s council meeting.

Residents from both sides of the county attended virtually and in-person to share their thoughts and concerns on the current form of council government — where all five members are elected “at large” and every resident gets to vote for all five members. The form mandated in HB 356 would require 5 geographic districts where you can only vote for the council member that represents your district.

At the heart of this matter is that representation, with residents at this meeting and last week’s COG (Council of Governments) meeting sharing different opinions on if they would be better represented by a single council member who lives in their district (and potentially may more represent their values and needs), if a combination of districts and at large seats would be best, or if residents are better represented by being able to vote on all five “at large” seats as opposed to a single seat in their district.

From this point on, the bill is scheduled to be reviewed and potentially modified in the Utah Legislature’s Special Session in May. In the meantime, you can learn more about HB 356 and its proposed changes to county government at https://summitcounty.info/hb356.

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Hey everyone! Welcome to a special episode of Summit County’s weekly news podcast, Summit in Six! Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the latest on the Kimball Junction Environmental Impact Statement or EIS. 

For some context, since 2019, UDOT, in partnership with Summit County, has been working to evaluate improvements at the I-80 and State Route-224 interchange at Kimball Junction and on SR-224 from Kimball Junction through the Olympic Parkway intersection in Summit County. This project builds on information from the Kimball Junction and SR-224 Area Plan, which was completed back in 2021.

Most recently, UDOT released a draft EIS and identified Alternative C as the preferred alternative. Now, a public comment period is open for the community to review the published draft and give their feedback. 

Before we dive any further, let’s introduce UDOT Project Manager, Becky Stromness, who joins us to explain the features of Alternative C and answer some common questions about the EIS.

BECKY:

Thank you so much for having me on, Ammon. I want to thank everyone who has already commented or attended one of the public hearings. It’s so important to us to understand the needs of the community, and everyone’s input helps with our final decision.

AMMON:

Absolutely. Community participation throughout this entire process has been and continues to be so important. After all, the end result will hopefully improve all of our lives! 

So, Becky, let’s start with the basics. We know the project intends to improve the interchange area in Kimball Junction, but what exactly does that mean?

BECKY:

That’s a great question, Ammon! The project will improve traffic operations and travel times on SR-224 from the I-80 interchange through Olympic Parkway. Another purpose of the project is to reduce vehicle queues on the I-80 off-ramps. Additionally, on SR-224, the project will improve the level of service at the intersections, meaning that drivers won’t have to sit through multiple light cycles due to congestion. Both of these things are a safety concern, so the solutions we implement will make driving faster and safer in the area! 

We also want better mobility and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists because we’re seeing a growing demand for active transportation along and across SR-224. We’re confident the alternative we identified will address all these factors. 

AMMON:

It’s good to know that together UDOT and Summit County have taken a wide-angle perspective to analyze a variety of transportation aspects, including safety and mobility at the interchange off ramps and SR-224 intersections, as well as thee impact on future bus rapid transit, walkability, and more.

BECKY:

That is exactly right. The EIS process is pretty comprehensive, evaluating all sorts of effects  from the alternatives and comparing those effects to what would happen if we took no action. I encourage everyone to give the EIS a read if you would like a better understanding of the alternatives and how we landed on Alternative C.

AMMON:

Let’s talk a little bit more about Alternative C.

BECKY:

You bet! Alternative C features an additional lane exiting I-80 eastbound at Kimball Junction, plus a dedicated right turn lane onto SR-224. These will help manage the flow of traffic so vehicles aren’t queuing in the travel lanes of I-80. 

There will also be the addition of a third travel lane for both NB and SB directions on SR-224. Alternative C also focuses on the intersections — including adding dual left turn lanes for all legs at both Ute Boulevard and Olympic Parkway.

AMMON:

And what about the active transportation improvements?

BECKY:

For pedestrians, we’re going to be building a new underpass beneath SR-224 just south of Ute Boulevard that connects the north-south trails on each side of SR-224. Cyclists will get buffered bike lanes on SR-224 from Olympic Parkway to Rasmussen Road. These additions should improve connectivity and comfort for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

AMMON:

How do these specific features differ from the other alternatives that were under consideration?

BECKY:

In our Draft EIS, we also evaluated Alternative A, and a No-Action Alternative, meaning what would Kimball Junction look like in 2050 if we didn’t make any improvements. The biggest difference between Alternatives A and C is that Alternative A would convert the current I-80/SR-224 interchange into a split-diamond design, meaning the interchange would be split between the existing location and a new intersection with a second bridge over I-80. This would be built near the outlet mall west of SR-224.

AMMON:

So why did Alternative C ultimately win, if you will?

BECKY:

As far as meeting our goals for the project, Alternative C showed the biggest reduction in travel delay and faster travel speeds during peak periods, as well as the shortest vehicle queue lengths or vehicle backups, on the I-80 off-ramp. Additionally, transit travel times are estimated to be more than 2 minutes better than the 2050 No Build condition. The new undercrossing that will be added will help improve the ability for active transportation users getting back and forth across SR-224 safely.

AMMON:

Did it have anything to do with cost concerns?

BECKY:

Cost wasn’t the primary determining factor in our decision; however, Alternative C is 60 percent less expensive than Alternative A and is a more reasonable expenditure of funds for the anticipated operational benefits compared to Alternative A.

One feature that we really like about Alternative C is that it would be compatible for future needs as the area continues to grow. Nothing about it would prevent us from implementing other options like Alternative A if it were to ever be needed.

AMMON:

Yeah, it’s good to hear both from you and from our transportation team here at the county that this is an ongoing effort to improve traffic and increase mobility options, with the Kimball Junction Interchange just being one key milestone in a larger effort. 

So, Becky, what happens next?

BECKY:

Although we’ve identified Alternative C as our preferred alternative, the decision isn’t final yet. We want to hear from the community about what they think of Alternative C, how we analyzed the potential impacts, and the proposed mitigation of those potential impacts.

AMMON:

How can people give comment?

BECKY:

There are several ways to comment  — we just held two public hearings, but you can still share your comments and concerns online or through a letter or phone call. All that information is on our website, which is kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov. We’ll be accepting formal comments through April 28th.

AMMON:

And the comment opportunity is open to anyone?

BECKY:

Yes, everyone is welcome! If you live, work, or travel in Kimball Junction we want to hear from you.

Public feedback in each step of the process is important to us to help us understand the needs of the community and make sure we’re not missing anything. We will take everyone’s comments into consideration as we develop our final decision.

AMMON:

So, listeners here with us right now, we encourage you to get involved in guiding the future of transportation in Kimball Junction by heading over to kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov and submitting formal comments to the UDOT team! 

Becky, can you tell us what happens after public comment closes?

BECKY:

So, once the comment period wraps up we hope to publish our Final EIS and issue a Record of Decision later this year. This will include a response to all of the formal comments we have received on the Draft EIS and we will identify the selected alternative.

AMMON:

I guess I’m wondering what happens after the record of decision? With the Olympics coming in 2034 – which isn’t as far away as it sounds – do you anticipate this project to be done by then?

BECKY:

Yes! UDOT is working to identify funding for the project so it can be designed and built in advance of the upcoming Winter Olympics.

AMMON:

Alright! Well, thank you for all this great info and for your time today, Becky.

And for our listeners: again, we encourage you to get involved and stay involved! The fruits of this whole process will affect and benefit all of us who live and work here in Summit County.

One last reminder: all of the project’s latest updates, reports, and comment opportunities can be found online at kimballjunctioneis.udot.utah.gov. As always, we’ll be sure to link the URL in our show notes for you. Becky, anything else you’d like to add?

BECKY:

I don’t think so. We’ve definitely covered it all. Thanks for having me, Ammon.

AMMON:

Ok! That’s all for now on Summit in Six. See you next time!

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Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! Today, we recap this week’s County Council meeting, discuss the latest with House Bill 356, a bill that changes the way Summit County elects our council members, and finally, highlight some exciting events happening in the county in the next few weeks. Alright, let’s get into the news. 

– TOPIC 1: Council Recap   

Let’s kick things off with some highlights from this week’s County Council meeting. 

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: First, the County Council approved a proclamation recognizing the second week of April each year as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Summit County’s Public Safety Telecommunicators (or 911 Dispatchers) are the first, often unseen, heroes who answer 9-1-1 calls, provide life-saving instructions, dispatch emergency responders, and maintain constant communication during crises. We want to send a massive thank you to the men and women who serve as dispatchers here in Summit County. These folks work tirelessly behind the scenes to protect our community, so from everyone here at the Summit in Six team, thank you! 

Weber River Watershed: Next, the council took an important step forward regarding the Weber River Watershed Resilience partnership. For some context, the partnership launched back in 2020 and is a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional effort focused on increasing the resilience of the headwaters of the Weber River to natural and human-caused disasters, such as catastrophic wildfire. In fiscal Year 2023, Congressman Blake Moore secured $1 million in federal funding for the partnership. Before Summit County can access this funding, we had to complete four key steps, including creating a work plan, submitting a budget narrative, and undergoing an environmental assessment, all of which we have already done. Finally, the county had to define a procurement policy that complies with federal standards. This week, the council approved that procurement policy. This approval is the final step needed before we can submit our full documentation to the EPA and unlock the $1 million in funding for this vital watershed resilience work. 

Housing Authority Update: After that, the council approved bylaws for the Summit County Housing Authority. To rewind, 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). The newly approved bylaws state that the Housing Authority Commission will be composed of 5 people – 3 members from the elected Summit County Council and 2 members at large. The council appointed council members Tonja Hanson, Megan McKenna, and Canice Harte to sit on the Commission as representatives of the council. Once the Commission is fully staffed and the new Executive Director is in place, the Summit County Housing Authority will begin meeting monthly. One of the first items of business will be to develop a management and operations plan. There are also several budgeted tasks that the authority will be working on. These include:

• • A utility study for deed restricted housing (water, sewer, power, and gas)
  • The creation of an online housing dashboard
  • A financial incentive program to support deed restricted housing in Eastern Summit County
  • Facilitate the creation of an Employer Assisted Housing Programs

This is all really exciting progress for affordable housing in Summit County. Stay tuned for more on the Authority and the work it’ll do in the future! 

Temporary Zoning Ordinance: Finally, staff asked council to approve a temporary zoning ordinance that amends Summit County’s code to establish an administrative development agreement process within the Snyderville Basin planning district consistent with the requirements of Utah State code. The purpose of the ordinance is to bring the Snyderville Basin Development Code into compliance with the changes made to State Code by Senate Bill 26. SB26 effectively rezoned property within the unincorporated area of Summit County around the Kimball Junction Transit Center, which is a longer way of saying the land Dakota Pacific Real Estate owns. SB26 also requires that the County implement that rezone through an administrative land use permit process. Council approved the temporary ordinance which means it will be in effect for 6 months. This will allow adequate time for the consideration of an administrative development agreement for the State Imposed Rezone. To be clear, the approval of this TZO, in itself, does not mean any specific part of Dakota Pacific’s design for their land in the Kimball Junction area is under consideration.  The ordinance just created a process for the county to review the application if and when a land use permit application from DPRE under SB26 comes. 

– TOPIC 2: HB356 Public Comment Opportunities 

Alright, let’s talk about House Bill 356. A bill that changes the way Summit County elects its Council Members. 

During the 2025 Utah Legislative Session, the Utah State Legislature passed House Bill 356, a new law that mandates Summit County transition from at-large to district-based representation. District representation divides the county into a set number of geographic districts, and the voters in that district elect one person who lives in that district to represent them. 

This legislation will significantly change how your County Council is elected—and how you are represented. You will no longer be able to vote for all 5 members of the County Council.

 The bill was signed into law on March 27, 2025. However, Governor Spencer Cox acknowledged problems with the legislation and committed to a special legislative session in May to address its “unintended consequences.”

Ahead of the special legislative session you have the opportunity to hear more about this issue and give your feedback at two upcoming public input sessions:

—————————–

Tuesday, April 15 | 6 PM

Council of Governments Meeting

Summit County Courthouse 

60 N. Main St, Coalville

—–

Wednesday, April 23 | 6 PM 

County Council Meeting

Richins Building 

1885 W. Ute Blvd, Kimball Jct.

—————————–

Ahead of public input, you can learn more about this issue at summitcounty.info/hb356. 

– TOPIC 3: Other Upcoming Community Events 

Let’s wrap things up with some other engagement opportunities coming up! 

County planners are holding two open houses in late April to collect resident feedback and create future land use maps as part of the Eastern Summit County General Plan Update process. These land use maps are important because they will take community input to incorporate into plans for future zoning, open space conservation, and other development priorities.

The first event will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 5–7 pm at the Kamas Library. The second open house will be on Tuesday, April 29, from 5–7 pm at the Ledges Event Center in Coalville. 

Both open houses will have the same information and activities. For more information, visit summitcountyutah.gov/generalplans.

Finally, Recycle Utah’s Household Hazardous Waste Day will be April 26th from 9 AM – 1 PM. PLEASE NOTE: Hazmat Day will be in the Silver King Lot (1498 Lowell Ave, Park City). Summit County residents can bring hazardous waste for FREE! No business waste will be accepted. For a full list of what materials are accepted, visit recycleutah.org, navigate to the Events tab, and scroll to find Household Hazardous Waste Day!

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Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! If you’ve ever wondered how things like fighting fire and community water supply are managed at the county level, then do we have the episode for you! We also announce a great new way to weigh in on local issues and an opportunity to do a bit of water conservation in your own backyard.

Alright, let’s get into the news!

TOPIC 1: FIRE AND WATER SPECIAL DISTRICT DEEPDIVE

The public portion of Wednesday’s county council meeting kicked things off with a request from the Park City Fire District to approve a contract for their new fire chief. Council members, in their role as the Governing Board of the fire district, heard from the chair of the fire district’s administrative board and the outgoing fire chief.

Okay, hold on Ammon. That’s a lot of organizations and titles you just mentioned. Can we take a step back and explain how the county council and the fire district are connected?

First, it’s important to understand the difference between a fire department and a fire district. A fire department typically serves the needs of an individual city or a collection of cities, but their operations are restricted essentially to the city limits.

A fire district typically serves a large area encompassing several communities and/or unincorporated land between communities. Fire departments get their funding through taxes collected by the city, whereas fire districts are funded through property taxes within their boundaries (typically overseen at the county level).

So Park City Fire District serves more than just the city?

Exactly. In addition to Park City proper, the fire district serves Jeremy Ranch, Pinebrook, Snyderville, Summit Park, Silver Summit, Promontory, and more. It protects more than 110 square miles and helps with more than just fires.

So, back to the council meeting, what did they need from the county councilors?

Members of the Summit County Council also serve as the governing board of the Park City Fire District. Since they disburse funds to the district, they also approve major hires — in this case, a new fire chief.

After a thorough interview process, the administrative board (made up of community residents) made a recommendation to promote the current deputy chief, Peter Emery. Emery has been with the Park City Fire District for over 16 years, and received a strong recommendation from outgoing Chief Bob Zanetti.

The council members approved the employment contract for Emery, and thanked Zanetti for his 36 years of service with the Park City Fire District. Emery will take the helm as fire chief on May 1, 2025.

There were a couple more employment-related topics raised at the council meeting. Following the fire folks, the council heard from Peter Andrew Garland, General Manager for the Mountain Regional Water Special Service District.

As a reminder, the water district serves the needs of thousands of county residents in unincorporated communities — similar to the fire district. The Mountain Regional Water District employs over 30 people and manages:

• 130 miles of water lines
• 19 groundwater wells
• 140 pumps to move water across steep terrain

The county council oversees the budget and hiring for the water district’s chief official. The councilors thanked Garland for his 3 years of service with the county and unanimously brought him back for another 3 years by approving his new contract.

TOPIC 2: FLASHVOTE MAKES CIVIC ENGAGEMENT A CINCH

Do you have about a minute a month to help make Summit County better?

We’re teaming up with FlashVote to share resident priorities with elected officials. You can make your voice heard by signing up to receive 1-minute surveys by email, text, or phone call: civic participation has never been easier! Once you sign up, you’ll receive a notification whenever there is a new survey. After 48 hours, the survey is closed and all participants will receive a summary of the results and be able to see how your responses compare to the group.

If you’re worried about privacy: we’ve got good news! Your responses are anonymous: FlashVote will not share any personal or demographic information with the county.

You can sign up now at: flashvote.com/summitcounty or call 775-235-2240 to participate by phone or text only. Some county residents may also receive a text from FlashVote directly with an invitation to sign up. If you would like to share your thoughts, we encourage you to participate.

The first survey is coming soon, so sign up now!

TOPIC 3: REDUCED COST RAIN BARRELS AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

April’s showers may have all been snow so far, but with temperatures expected to rise in the next week we could see rain with the next storm system. If you want to keep your “May flowers” watered and prepare for the dry months of June, July, and beyond, you may want to consider a rain barrel!

The Utah Rivers Council is partnering with Summit County to offer a limited number of heavily discounted rain barrels as part of the RainHarvest program. Through the program, Utah residents can play a direct role in water conservation by storing runoff from their gutters in rain barrels, then watering their gardens and landscaping with the stored water during dry spells.

Participating in the RainHarvest program also helps protect Utah’s waterways from polluted runoff during storm events and reduces demand on local water systems. That means more clean water in our aquifers, reservoirs, and rivers. 

You can go to summitcounty.info/rainbarrel25 to order a barrel at a reduced-cost of $57 while supplies last. Once the subsidized barrels run out, $85 rain barrels are available for purchase by any member of the public. 

After purchase, barrels will be distributed at a one-day in-person event in early May. Rain barrels will not be shipped to residents.

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