Intro 

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in 6. Today, we’re back again covering all things related to property tax season! We’ll kick things off with some info on the Truth in Taxation process and remind listeners to look out for their Property Tax Notice! Then, we’ll give one more reminder about the Assessor’s new property valuation mapping tool. Finally, we’ll switch gears and wrap things up with updates on the Our Summit Community Visioning, the Weber Watershed Coalition and Resilience Fund, and the upcoming Jana Kramer concert in Coalville! 

Our Summit Update  

The Our Summit Team was in front of the Council this week to provide an update on how the first two phases of the visioning process have gone so far! 

ICYMI: Our Summit is a year-long community visioning process the county began back in January of this year.

So far, the process has engaged 13% of the North Summit Area, 14% of the South Summit Area, and 11% of the Park City Area. Residents have answered questions like what do you love most about Summit County or what is missing or could use improvement in the county? They’ve also participated in activities that focused on how and where Summit County should grow over the next 20 years. 

From here, the team will kick off phase three of the year-long process. Residents should be on the look out for opportunities over the next few months to take a third questionnaire about the priorities of different community areas in Summit County and respond to some draft vision statements that might guide  future decisions and plans in Summit County. 

We’ll be at the Summit County Fair this weekend. Stop by our booth, take the latest questionnaire, and get the opportunity to win some really cool prizes, including tickets to this weekend’s PRCA Rodeo and the upcoming Jana Kramer Concert!

Truth in Taxation 

The Truth in Taxation process is underway for six taxing entities in Summit County.

Whenever a taxing entity proposes a property tax revenue increase it triggers a state-mandated “Truth in Taxation” process. The process is meant to encourage transparency and provide an opportunity for residents to comment on the proposal.

Park City School District, South Summit School District, Henefer Town, Oakley City, Weber Basin Water Conservancy, and Central Utah Water Conservancy are all proposing tax increases.

The two biggest proposed tax increases would be for the school districts. The average residential property in those districts would be paying about $250 more annually. For Oakley, the average resident would pay roughly $40 more annually; and for Henefer, the average household would pay about $10 more each year. The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District is keeping the tax rate the same, but with property value increases, the average household would pay $40 more annually; and residents in the Central Utah water district would pay an extra $4 annually.

South Summit School District and the town of Henefer have already held public hearings on their proposed increases. BUT if you want the opportunity to comment on any of the others, you can find the full schedule at summitcounty.org/auditor right there on the left-hand menu titled “2023 Truth in Taxation”. 

Notice of Property Valuation 

Summit County Residents should keep an eye out for their tax disclosure notice which was sent through the mail by the Auditor’s Office last week. There is a 45-day window of opportunity to review your property. As a taxpayer, you should be watching for market changes and whether your property is coded correctly, and receiving any exemptions that may be available to you.

Property Valuation Web Platform 

If you have questions about your property valuation info, the Assessor’s Office worked hard to create an online interactive web platform that increases accessibility to valuation information by sharing public details about Summit County properties.

The platform…

• Provides county taxpayers with a resource to examine the equity of the 2023 tax assessment.
• Allows users to visualize various aspects of the county assessment such as market values, taxable values, the area factor rate, quality, year built and square footage.
• Breaks down the price per square foot and also shows the percentage change from last year’s property valuation.

You can access the interactive platform at summitcounty.org/assessor.

The web platform also includes a “Contact Us” section at the bottom so folks can reach out to the appraiser assigned to the area their property is located in.

Board of Equalization 

If you have questions on how to appeal your valuation and to apply for the Board of Equalization, you can visit summitcounty.org/boe.

Weber River Partnership 

On Wednesday, August 9, Summit County Lands and Natural Resources Manager, Jess Kirby, Summit County Council-member, Malena Stevens, and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Forest Supervisor, Dave Whittekiend, went before the State legislature to discuss highlights of the successful Weber Watershed partnership and the ways the state can support and help expand the project. 

Summit County is proactively, and with many partners, leveraging innovative financing to protect critical water sources for Summit County, downstream communities, and the Great Salt Lake. Stay tuned as we share more about this exciting cross-boundary partnership moving forward.

Jana Kramer  

And last but certainly not least, Jana Kramer is coming to the Summit County Fairgrounds in Coalville on August 19th! With special guests Josh Kelly and Jagertown and tickets starting at just $10, this is a don’t miss exciting night of entertainment! To learn more about the event and to buy your tickets, please visit summitcounty.info/janakramer.

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Today, we cover…

• All things related to property tax season
  • Assessor’s new property valuation mapping tool
  • Property Tax Disclosure Notices
  • Truth in Taxation public hearings
• A reminder that the Summit County Fair is BACK this weekend

Property Tax Valuation Tool 

The Assessor’s Office has been working hard to create an online interactive web platform that increases accessibility to valuation information by sharing public details about Summit County properties, and last week they officially launched their Property Valuation Mapping Tool! 

The maps on the web platform… 

• Provide county taxpayers with a resource to examine the equity of the 2023 tax assessment
• Allow users to visualize various aspects of the county assessment such as market values, taxable values, the area factor rate, quality, year built and square footage
• Break down the price per square foot and also show the percentage change from last year’s property valuation

Folks can access the interactive maps and a tutorial on how to use them at: summitcounty.org/assessor.

Tax Notices 

While we’re on the topic of taxes, Summit County residents should keep an eye out for their tax disclosure notice which was sent through the mail by the Auditor’s Office earlier this week. 

There is a 45-day window of opportunity to review your property. As the taxpayer, you should be watching for market changes and whether your property is coded correctly, and receiving any exemptions that may be available to you.

If you have questions about your property valuation info, you can visit summitcounty.org/assessor to access the awesome web platform we just talked about and also to reach out to the appraiser assigned to the area your property is located in.

ALSO if you have questions on how to appeal your valuation and to apply for the Board of Equalization, you can visit summitcounty.org/boe.

Truth in Taxation Hearings  

And, the last tax-related topic we have today is reminding our listeners that the Truth in Taxation process is underway for six taxing entities in Summit County. 

Before we keep going here, Isaac, can you explain to me and our listeners, what Truth in Taxation is? 

Of course! Whenever a taxing entity, for example a school district, proposes a property tax revenue increase it triggers a state-mandated “Truth in Taxation” process. The process is meant to encourage transparency and provide an opportunity for residents to comment on the proposal. In the end, the County Council makes the final decision.

Ok that makes sense. So six entities in Summit County are proposing increases? 

Yes! Park City School District, South Summit School District, Henefer Town, Oakley City, Weber Basin Water Conservancy, and Central Utah Water Conservancy are all proposing tax increases. 

You mentioned that the public would have the opportunity to comment on the increases? 

Yes… each entity is hosting a truth in taxation public hearing on their proposed increases. You can find a full schedule of the hearings, including dates, times and locations– this can all be found in our show notes, HERE. 

•       Park City School District – Aug 15, 2023 – 6pm – 2700 Kearns Blvd. Park City, UT
•       South Summit School District – Aug. 9, 2023 @ 6pm – 285 E 400 S. Kamas, UT
•       Henefer Town – Aug 8, 2023 @ 7pm – 150 W Center St. Henefer, UT
•       Oakley City – Aug 23, 2023 960 West Center Street Oakley, UT
•       Weber Basin Water Conservancy – Aug 28, 2023 @ 6:30 pm – 2837 E Highway 193, Layton, UT
•       Central Utah Water Conservancy – Aug 21, 2023 @ 6pm – 1426 # 750 N, Orem UT

Awesome. Do you have any idea how much the increases are? 

The two biggest proposed tax increases would be for the school districts. The average residential property in those districts would be paying about $250 more annually.

For Oakley, the average resident would pay roughly $40 more annually; and for Henefer, the average household would pay about $10 more each year.

The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District is keeping the tax rate the same, but with property value increases, the average household would pay $40 more annually; and residents in the Central Utah water district would pay an extra $4 annually. 

Thanks, Isaac. I’ll just reiterate that listeners should check out our show notes for information on the Truth in Taxation public hearings…if proposed increases are affecting you, that is your opportunity to voice your opinion on the matter.  

Summit County Fair 

Finally, the Summit County Fair is back THIS WEEKEND, starting tomorrow August 5 through August 12! 

Come join us and experience this traditional, small-town fair with cowboys and bucking broncos, a carnival, fair royalty, home canned goods, flowers, vegetables, and so much more! Events are held throughout Summit County, but the home-base is in Coalville at the Summit County Fairgrounds! 

You can also participate in the “Be Part of the Art” event at the fair this year. On Friday, August 11 AND Saturday, August 12 from 11am-4pm visit the Ledges Sculpture Creative Activation tent located on the Eastern wall of the Ledges Event Center Building (at 202 Park Road in Coalville) where sculpture artists Sasha Primo and Romeo Sosa will be available to guide your participation in a creative activity to make your mark on the new Ledges Sculpture!

Also: The Demolition Derby event is happening this Saturday, August 5, and the PRCA Rodeo will take place Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12th! To get tickets, view the rest of the fair’s schedule, and more, please visit summitcountyfair.org. 

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This week, we cover: 

• Assessor’s Office Property Valuation Maps
• Summit County Curbside Yard Waste Program
• ‘Let’s Talk’ initiative
• Summit County Fair + Jana Kramer Concert

Property Valuation Maps 

The Summit County’s Assessor was in front of the council this week to demonstrate the Assessor’s property valuation mapping tool! The Assessor’s Office has been working hard to create an online interactive web platform that increases accessibility to valuation information by sharing public details about Summit County properties.

These maps:

• Provide county taxpayers with a resource to examine the equity of the 2023 tax assessment
• Allow users to visualize various aspects of the county assessment such as market values, taxable values, the area factor rate, quality, year built and square footage
• Break down the price per square foot and also show the percentage change from last year’s property valuation

Folks can access the interactive maps at summitcounty.org/assessor or directly at summitcounty.info/propertyvaluemaps. If you want a quick tutorial on how to use the maps, please visit summitcounty.info/valuationmapshowto. 

Yard Waste Program 

In case you missed our special episode last week, the Summit County Curbside Yard Waste Program is an optional curbside yard waste program Republic Services is planning to offer to selected locations in Summit County in Spring 2024. 

In order to successfully launch the program, we need 3,500 residences in the selected area to opt into the program. If the minimum number of sign ups are received, participating residents will receive 95-gallon yard waste carts in which they can place residential yard waste. The carts will be placed on the curb for weekly collection – just like residents’ normal trash bins!

To learn more about the program, including how to see if your home falls into the selected areas, and how to sign up, please visit summitcounty.org/yardwaste. 

Let’s Talk Initiative 

Park City Leadership’s Class 29 was in front of the council this week to present their class project called, Let’s Talk, a leadership training program focused on facilitating more civil discourse in our community. 

The program is built around the simple, but powerful belief that holding conversations that connect people instead of dividing them is a skill that can be trained and modeled by our community leaders. Inspired by some of the country’s most successful communication education programs and assembled in partnership with Mountain Mediation Center, Let’s Talk provides skills based, interactive training to participants. In just a few short hours, participants will learn or refresh skills that they can implement immediately, including how to be self aware entering a discussion, how to listen actively and intently, why finding common ground is the foundation of a connected conversation, and how to communicate to connect instead of to convince.

There is an opportunity for the public  to get involved in the program happening on August 10 from 6 to 9 pm at the Blair Education Center at Park City Hospital. Learn more and sign up at www.letstalk-parkcity.com. 

Summit County Fair 

Finally, the Summit County Fair is back NEXT WEEKEND on August 5 through August 12! 

Come join us and experience this traditional, small-town fair with cowboys and bucking broncos, a carnival, fair royalty, home canned goods, flowers, vegetables, and so much more! Events are held throughout Summit County, but the home-base is in Coalville at the Summit County Fairgrounds!  

The signature Demolition Derby event is happening next Saturday, August 5, and the PRCA Rodeo is taking place Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12th! To get tickets, view the rest of the fair’s schedule, and more, please visit summitcountyfair.org.

And, don’t forget, Jana Kramer is coming to the Summit County Fairgrounds in Coalville on August 19th! With special guests Josh Kelly and Jagertown and tickets starting at just $10…this is a don’t miss exciting night of entertainment! To learn more about the event and to buy your tickets, please visit summitcounty.info/janakramer.

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Hey everyone and welcome to a special edition of our weekly news podcast, Summit in Six. While we usually try to keep things short around here, today we’re going to have a longer form conversation with Summit County’s Landfill Superintendent, Tim Loveday and Republic Services’ Municipal Contract Administrator, Ashlee Cawley.

Republic Services, in partnership with Summit County, is planning to launch an optional curbside yard waste program in selected locations throughout Summit County in 2024 and Ashlee is here with us to talk more about the yard waste program and what it might look like for Summit County residents next year. 

Tim, can you give our listeners a little background into how the county arrived at this potential yard waste partnership with Republic Services? 

When the County went out RFP for curbside collection services, we asked that potential contractors offer us a separate but integrated proposal to provide opt-in services, of which yard waste was a primary target.  This would assist in diverting waste from the landfills.  Republic offered the potential within the confines of our contract, to work with Spoil to Soil or other subcontractors to meet the County’s requirements.  While this opportunity has been challenging, we are at the threshold of a unique opt-in collection program within the Solid Waste Division and offered through a joint relationship between Summit County, Republic Services and Spoil to Soil.  This effort comes at little cost to the tax payers, relying on funding primarily from those who choose to participate. 

Ashlee, can you give us an overview of what the program will look like? 

For sure! The Summit County Curbside Yard Waste Program is an optional curbside yard waste program Republic Services is planning to offer to selected locations in Summit County in Spring 2024. In order to successfully launch the program, we need 3,500 residences in the selected area to opt into the program. If the minimum number of sign ups are received, participating residents will receive 95-gallon yard waste carts in which they can place residential yard waste. 

How will the yard waste be collected?  

Participating residents will place their carts on the curb for weekly collection – just like your normal trash bins! 

Can commercial businesses that fall within the selected areas opt-in to the program? 

No. This program is for residential yard waste only. Attempted sign-ups from commercial entities and/or landscaping businesses will be rejected.

What areas of the county have been selected? 

The Curbside Yard Waste Pilot Program is only available for selected locations throughout the county. Please visit bit.ly/scyardwastemap and plug your address into the map to see if you’re eligible for the program. 

What if you’re interested in the program, but your address does not fall in the selected areas? 

If your address does not fall in the selected area, but you’re interested in receiving potential yard waste services, select that option on the sign up form. You will then be asked to provide your information for the waitlist. 

Do you have an idea of what the program might cost? 

The cost of service will be an annual fee of $125 for collection from April 1 to October 31, 2024 (with annual increases per the County’s agreement with Republic). Prior to beginning service, participants will also be billed an additional $85 start up and cart delivery fee. The program will only start if the minimum number of residents have signed up. At that time, you will receive a confirmation email that your address will be included in the program with a notification that your bill will be mailed to your address. You will need to pay your bill before a cart will be delivered. Again, you will only be billed for weekly residential yard waste pick-up after we have confirmed 3,500 residences have signed up in the selected area.

How do folks sign up? 

Residents can express their interest in the program by visiting bit.ly/scyardwasteform.

If folks sign up now, but change their mind at the time the confirmation emails are sent out, will they have the chance to opt-out before billing? In other words, is signing up now a commitment to the program? 

Because we need 3500 sign-ups to begin this residential program, we are treating sign-ups as a commitment. We understand that there can be extenuating circumstances, such as a resident moving, financial hardship, etc. We would ask that residents treat this as a commitment when they sign-up on the official page. There is also a county website where residents can sign-up  just to learn more. 

What exactly is yard waste? 

Examples of yard waste include grass clippings, tree limbs, leaves, etc. Yard waste containers should never be used for food, sod, rocks, dirt, non yard-waste organic materials, alternative recyclable materials, and garbage/waste, etc.

Where will the yard waste go? 

We are planning to take the material to Spoil to Soil’s composting farm, in Peoa, Utah. 

Tim, why not the Summit County landfill? 

It’s a simple diversion plan to remove yard waste from the landfill; giving us more air space (ie longer life and lower costs) and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions potential from our landfills.  

Great! Alright those are all the questions I have for you. Is there anything else about this program you want our listeners to be aware of?

This program is a result of requests from our residents.  Its success relies heavily on the expertise of the participating parties and on the participation of Summit County residents.  This is an opportunity for us all to make a difference!

If any resident is interested in the program or they have questions, they can email us at summitcountyyardwaste@republicservices.com. We’ll be happy to hear those questions and provide any necessary information.

If you’re interested in the program, but not quite ready to sign up or join the waitlist, you can also always visit yardwaste.summitcounty.info to sign up to receive more information about the program via email! 

Also you can always follow the County’s social media channels for more information and updates on the program moving forward. Our handles are @summitcountyut on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! 

Ok! Before I let you go, Ashlee, communication between Republic Services and our community is so important! How can people stay in touch with Republic about their regular trash and recycling service? 

Residents can sign up to get phone updates (voicemail or text) regarding their waste and recycling services. If you’re not signed up yet, and you would like to sign up, there are two options: online or via email. If you want a breakdown of how to sign up, please visit summitcounty.org/republicupdates.

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

Tim Loveday has served as the Summit County Solid Waste Superintendent for the last 7 years.  Prior, he served as a professional geologist and environmental consultant to federal, municipal and private sector clients. He has spent over 30 years in the solid waste and environmental management industry.

Ashlee Cawley has worked with Republic Services for three years. Republic Services is the contracted service provider of curbside recycling and waste collection in Summit County for over 20 years.  Ashlee is the municipal contract administrator for the Utah and Page, Arizona area which means she helps oversee their contracts with municipalities, aka, local governments. 

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Today, we cover:

• Mosquito Safety Information from the Summit County Health Department
• Summit Envisions Learning Series
• Public Input Opportunity for the State’s Long Range Transportation Plan
• Jana Kramer in Concert

Mosquitoes 

As a result of increased moisture this winter and spring, Summit County has seen an unwelcome increase in mosquito populations. The Summit County Mosquito Abatement team has partnered with Vector Disease Control Inc. to implement an efficient technique to mosquito abatement using cutting-edge drone technology.  The Mosquito Abatement team disperses traps throughout Summit County to test for potential infections. In Summit County, no mosquitoes have been reported to have the West Nile virus in over 10 years.

Although there have been no reported case of West Nile  in our county, it’s still important to reduce your risk for mosquito bites. Dispose or drain standing water in your yard and protect yourself with  long-sleeved clothing and various types of EPA registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of eucalyptus when outdoors. If you experience symptoms like fever, body aches, or swelling beyond the bite site, consult a healthcare professional.  

Summit Envisions Learning Series 

Earlier this week, Our Summit, the County’s year-long community visioning effort, hosted a Summit Envisions Learning Series event centered around AFFORDABLE HOUSING. 

Missed this week’s event? Don’t worry! The second Summit Envisions Learning Series is happening THIS coming Monday, July 17 and will focus on TRANSPORTATION. Attendees will hear from the County’s Transportation Planning Director and Executive Director of High Valley Transit before launching into a hands-on scenario-based activity. The event will take place from 6-8 PM at the Blair Education Center, located at 900 Round Valley in Park City. 

THEN, on Tuesday, July 18, the third and final Summit Envisions Learning Series will take place, focusing on OPEN SPACE + RECREATION, at the Ledges Event Center, located at 202 Park Road, in Coalville from 6-8 PM. Attendees will hear from the County’s Open Space + Natural Resources Director, as well as from some of our Planning Department who deal with land use issues in the County every day!  

You definitely don’t want to miss out on these events. To learn more and register for free, please visit oursummitcounty.com. 

UDOT Public Comment 

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has released the Long-Range Transportation Plan for public comment. The plan details rural Utah’s anticipated transportation needs for 2023 to 2050 and includes a list of proposed projects to address the outlined needs.

The opportunity to provide input on the plan and prioritized projects will continue through July 25, 2023.

To review the plan and provide comments, please visit udotinput.utah.gov/udotplanning. For information on UDOT’s Long-Range Transportation Plan in Spanish, please visit udotinput.utah.gov/udotplanning-es.

Jana Kramer in Concert

BIG NEWS! Jana Kramer is coming to the Summit County Fairgrounds in Coalville on August 19th! With special guests Josh Kelly and Jagertown and tickets starting at just $10…this is a don’t miss exciting night of entertainment! 

Jana Kramer is an actress, ACM award-winning country music singer and a New York Times best-selling author. She is known for her role as Alex Dupre on the television series One Tree Hill. Kramer began her musical career in 2012 with the release of her self-titled debut album, Jana Kramer, which was followed by her sophomore album, Thirty One, in 2015. 

Kramer won ‘New Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the 2012 Academy of Country Music awards and in 2015 was nominated for ‘Best Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the ACMs. She’s spent the last year focusing on her career and family. She continues to record her award winning iHeart Podcast, Whine Down with Jana Kramer and has recently launched a specialty wine line, One Brick Wines.

As a One Tree Hill fan, I know I’m super excited to see her in concert! To learn more about the event and to buy your tickets, please visit summitcounty.info/janakramer. 

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Today, we cover:

• Some quick County Council news
• Our Summit, Summit Envisions Learning Series
• Road construction updates from UDOT

County Council News

We’ll kick things off with some quick County Council news…the July 12 and July 19 meetings have been canceled. We’ll see you back at Council on July 26. 

Summit Envisions Event 

The FIRST Summit Envisions Learning Series, part of the County’s year-long community visioning effort, is happening this coming Monday, July 10 at the Kamas Library, located at 110 N. Main Street in Kamas. 

The event will be centered around AFFORDABLE HOUSING and the future of Summit County. The event will last about 2 hours, from 6-8 pm, beginning with a short presentation from a housing advocate at Mountainlands Community Housing Trust followed by a visioning activity designed to make participants think about different scenarios related to growth and affordable housing. 

Please register for the event (for free) at oursummitcounty.com.  

While we’re on the subject, there will be two more Summit Envisions events this month! 

The second Summit Envisions Learning Series will center around TRANSPORTATION and will take place on Monday, July 17 from 6-8 PM at the Blair Education Center, located at 900 Round Valley in Park City. 

And, last but not least, the third and final Summit Envisions Learning Series will be about OPEN SPACE + RECREATION and will happen at the Ledges Event Center, located at 202 Park Road, in Coalville, on Tuesday, July 18 from 6-8pm.  

You can learn more about these events and again register for free at oursummitcounty.com. 

Road Construction  

Up next, we have a construction update from UDOT! Earlier this week, UDOT crews began construction to maintain the bridges over I-80 at Silver Creek Junction (US-40/Silver Creek Road) in Summit County. This work and the associated ramp closures will extend through the end of July.

Drivers can expect nightly ramp closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Drivers should plan ahead and follow the signed detour routes. Those traveling on westbound I-80 to southbound US-40, toward Heber, will exit I-80 at Kimball Junction and route back to US-40. Conversely, those traveling on eastbound I-80 to northbound US-40 will exit onto southbound US-40 and use Silver Summit to route north on US-40.

If you have questions, you can reach out to the project team at (385) 365-2112 or i80bridges@utah.gov. And, you can always visit udotinput.utah.gov/i80bridges for more information.

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Today, we cover:

• Results of a childcare needs assessment in Summit County
• Exciting news about Summit Bike Share
• Fire safety and prevention information 

Childcare Needs Assessment 

At this week’s County Council meeting, the results of a childcare needs assessment conducted here in Summit County were presented. Some key findings from the report, which has been in the works since August of 2022, included: 

• Working Families Need Childcare. The majority of working families in Summit County rely on someone outside of themselves or their spouse/partner/co-parent to provide childcare and over 80% of survey respondents in the report said that childcare issues had affected their employment, such as causing them to reduce hours at work or decline/not seek promotions.  
• Current Summit County Childcare Capacity Is Insufficient. The current capacity of licensed childcare centers is not sufficient to meet demand and waitlists are extremely high, particularly for infants. In fact, according to the report, Summit County lacks 1,133 spaces to meet the estimated demand.
• Childcare is Unaffordable for Many Families. Based on survey results, the majority of parents with children aged five or younger in Summit County are paying more than 10% of their income on childcare and most families do not receive any kind of financial support to cover the costs of childcare.
• Losing Federal Pandemic Support Will Further Decrease Access and Increase Costs.  Federal funds provided the Summit County childcare industry with an investment of over two and a half million dollars in calendar year 2022 alone. In Summit County, 40% of childcare provider survey respondents reported that their program would be closed now without the stabilization payments and all of the recipients used the stabilization payments to increase wages for their employees. Loss of the stabilization grants will only exacerbate historically inadequate compensation causing a workforce shortage in the early childcare industry.
• Lack Of Access to High-Quality Early Care and Education Harms the Community At Large. Investing in high-quality, affordable childcare and early childhood education in coordination with parental support and health programs helps: (1) closes the achievement gap, (2) assists local employers in attracting and retaining their workforce, (3) strengthens school districts, (4) breaks the cycle of poverty, and (5) maximizes our collective return on investment.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can read the report in full at bit.ly/2023childcareneeds. Ultimately, the Council was interested in creating a working group that would include representatives from local and state government, the business community, and nonprofits, to come up with a plan to meet the demand now and in the future. An ideal plan that would include: where the money comes from? Who implements the services? What impact will the services create? And so on.  The Council was wary of making a monetary investment as a band aid solution to the childcare gap and was cautious in their roles as stewards of public monies. However, they are unanimously supportive of exploring long-term solutions. From here, more conversations will be had on this topic and we’ll be sure to keep our listeners informed as it continues to progress. 

Summit Bike Share 

Ok moving on to some very exciting news! Summit Bike Share is BACK for the season starting this weekend – Fourth of July weekend! 

The team at Summit Bike share has been working hard this week to get stations ready to go and bikes back out on the streets, and the system is expected to be fully operational in the next few days. Stay the most up-to-date by following Summit Bike Share on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! You can find those links in our show notes. 

As a reminder, Summit Bike Share offers a fun & easy transportation option for locals and visitors to explore all Park City has to offer. Going for a ride is simple – the electric-assist bikes act like a regular bike and don’t have any complicated gears or buttons to learn. Just start pedaling and the bike will provide an extra boost to get you moving without breaking a sweat!

Learn more at summitbikeshare.com or by downloading the official Summit Bike Share mobile app available in the apple store and google play. 

Fireworks / Fire Sense 

And, finally, as we head into the weekend, we wanted to take some time to talk about some fire safety and prevention tips from our friends at Utah Fire Info. 

Up first, while fireworks are not banned this year in Summit County, caution with fireworks is strongly advised. Keep a fire extinguisher and water nearby when lighting any fireworks this weekend. Being smart with your fireworks this year could prevent up to 6% of Utah’s human-caused fires. 

If you plan on spending this weekend camping with friends and family, remember that being careful with your campfires this summer could help prevent 28% of Utah’s human-caused fires. Never leave your fire unattended and make sure your fire is completely out before walking away from it – you should be able to feel coolness with your hand to know it’s fully out! In addition, please only start fires in an approved pit or on clear ground, paying attention to local fire restrictions. 

Up next, did you know safe shooting behavior can help prevent almost 4% of Utah’s human-caused wildfires? If you’re shooting this weekend, be sure to aim away from dry grass and rock. Placing your target away from rock backstops can help prevent ricochets and sparks and please remember that exploding targets tracer rounds are never allowed on public lands or in national parks. 

And, finally, remember to think about your vehicle as something that has the potential to cause a fire. Be sure to secure your trailer chains to make sure they don’t drag and avoid parking a hot car or recreation vehicle on dry grass. Tractors, off-roading vehicles, and other equipment must have spark arrestors and be sure to keep your trailers or RV’s properly maintained, especially their tire pressure. Practicing these quick tips could help prevent 24% of Utah’s human-caused wildfires.

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Congratulations and Farewell to Sheriff Justin Martinez

At this week’s Council meeting, staff said a fond farewell to Sherriff Justin Martinez as he embarks on his next role as U.S. Marshal for the District of Utah. Sheriff Martinez began his law enforcement career in 1996, working for Sandy City Police Department. Justin has also worked for Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Transit Authority, Draper City Police Department, and his final stop was at Summit County in 2005. Justin earned the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. In 2014, Justin was elected Sheriff and led the Sheriff’s Office until his resignation this week.

From Justin’s proclamation: Justin holds a holistic approach to law enforcement, he gained the public’s trust along with his deputies and employees. To serve and protect wasn’t just a statement, it was his mission. Justin was not just the elected Sheriff, he was a leader in Summit County government and always collaborated and cooperated with all County departments and elected offices in order to do right by the citizens of Summit County.

Thank you, Justin, for making our community a safe and productive place to live, work and play.

Recycle Utah Dumpster Days

Save yourself a trip to the landfill and take advantage of Dumpster Days!

Dumpster Days at Recycle Utah will be held on June 23 – 24 from 9 AM – 4 PM.

Two large bins will be placed on Woodbine Way for garbage and yard waste.

Recycle Utah requests that patrons only use the dumpsters during designated drop-off hours. Volunteers will be available to assist you. No overnight dumping is allowed and these dumpster days are specifically for Summit County residential waste only.

The following items are NOT accepted during Dumpster Days: mattresses, tires, refrigerators, and hazardous materials.  To learn how to dispose of these items, visit recycleutah.org.

Upcoming and Ongoing Road Work

We also wanted to give our listeners a quick overview of some ongoing and upcoming road projects! 

UDOT has begun the first phase of construction on the US-40 Flyover from northbound US-40 to westbound I-80. To safely complete this work, the US-40 flyover will be closed for up to one-month. The ramp will open by the 4th of July weekend.

• Drivers should expect…Day and night work (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Increased noise, vibration, dust and lighting
• Up to one-month closure of the US-40 Flyover
• Traffic shifts, detours and lane closures
• Travel delays

This project is one of several bridge maintenance projects UDOT is conducting in Summit County to prolong the life of the bridges, enhance safety and provide a smoother ride for drivers.

Have questions? Visit udotinput.utah.gov/i80bridges or reach out to the project team at (385) 365-2112 or i80bridges@utah.gov.

For more information about the project, please visit bit.ly/us40project

Update on the Bitner Ranch Rd. to Silver Creek Rd. Connector Project:

This past week, roads crews focused on continuing excavation of Bitner Ranch Rd with a one-way signal in place. Grading/excavation on the West side of Division Street Roundabout continued as well.

Next week, prep work for the new mail house structure on Silver Creek Rd. is set to begin and hopefully the excavation on Bitner Ranch Road will be near completion.

Do you have questions about the project? Contact Spencer Nielson, Summit County Roads Engineer, at 435-336-3291, or via email at snielson@summitcounty.org.

If you are a resident that wants to stay in the know throughout the project, please subscribe to our mailing list at bit.ly/connectorroad. We will also be posting regular updates to the Silver Creek Neighbors Facebook Page.

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Today, we cover…

• Dakota Pacific Update
• Fire Season Safety and Prevention Info.
• Upcoming 2023 Community Noxious Weeds Tour

Dakota Pacific 

First up, we have a development in the conversation surrounding the Dakota Pacific Development Agreement. On Thursday, June 15, a Third District Court Judge ruled that Dakota Pacific’s 2023 special purpose legislation, SB84, does not apply to its property at Kimball Junction.

In a press release, Summit County Attorney, Margaret Olson, said “Dakota Pacific’s ham-fisted tactic to subvert the Summit County community and Summit County’s legislative process and instead lobby the Utah Legislature to impair a 15-year old, carefully negotiated contract; and override local land use authority and our community’s right to local self government has failed.” 

In the same press release, Summit County Council Chair, Roger Armstrong, said “Dakota Pacific’s malicious deployment of lobbyists to spread false allegations that Summit County inhibits and blocks development projects which included affordable housing remains of great concern.” Such allegations are patently false and belied by affordable housing projects negotiated and/or incentivized by Summit County over the last several years. 

Summit County’s careful planning provides additional housing for more than 3,000 individuals and families at 80% AMI or less. In several instances, those projects are 100% affordable rather than the woefully inadequate 10% minimum affordable housing in the special purpose legislation that Dakota Pacific obtained from the Utah Legislature. 

Summit County will take a moment to celebrate this decision and then turn its attention to the remaining claims surrounding the special purpose legislation in this matter. Summit County will continue to protect local control over local lands.

Fire Season

Switching gears, and as summer approaches, let’s talk about something important that often gets overlooked – your vehicle. Next time you’re headed out to go camping or shooting or otherwise enjoy the outdoors in this great state of ours, it’s crucial to check your tires, ensure that your vehicle is well-maintained, and park it away from dry vegetation to prevent any fire hazards. For more fire prevention info, safety tips, and the most up-to-date fire outlook, please visit utahfireinfo.gov.

Weeds Tour 

And last but certainly not least, Summit County’s Weed Control program is hosting a Community Noxious Weeds Tour on Saturday, June 24 from 10 AM to 12:30 PM to educate residents on the “most-wanted” weeds here in Summit County. Residents will join Dave Bingham, Weed Superintendent, and Dan Pena, Weed Enforcement Officer, and some other special guests at two different locations (Richardson Flat, Pinebrook) to learn to identify and control noxious weeds on their own properties. Transportation will be provided for up to 14 people, so please RSVP for FREE at https://bit.ly/weedstour23 to reserve your spot. Gloves are suggested, but not required. Coffee and pastries will be provided before the tour begins.

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Today we cover…

• Proper sandbag disposal
• Tick Season Info.
• Upcoming Community Noxious Weeds Tour
• Road Construction Projects

Sandbag Disposal

Up first, we just wanted to give one more reminder about how best to dispose of your sandbags when the time comes…

• Once acquired, sandbags are your responsibility, including proper disposal. Summit County does not offer sandbag pickup or individual disposal. Residents who live within city limits can contact their municipality to see if they offer disposal options.
• Residents who are physically unable to dispose of their sandbags can request help from the Sandbag Samaritan volunteer list by emailing pio@summitcounty.org.
• Be aware that sunlight quickly degrades bags.
• Do not dump sandbags in rivers, creeks, streams, canals, ditches, roadway gutters, storm drain inlets, or anywhere but your property.
• Basic safety precautions, such as wearing gloves, long pants, and long sleeves, are also encouraged when disposing of bags and sand.
• Suggested disposal options include: reusing sandbags on your personal property or disposing in landfills and trash receptacles. If you do plan on using your curbside bin to dispose of sandbags, please only dispose *one bag at a time* and do not place multiple bags on the curb for pickup. 
• Sand or sandbags that have been in contact with flood water specifically should not be reused in ways that involve direct, regular, human contact, such as sandboxes or playgrounds. 
• If you believe your sandbags may have come in contact with sewage, fuels, or other non-household chemicals, contact Summit County Environmental Health at 435-333-1502.

As always, you can stay up to date on all things sandbags and flooding at summitcounty.org/flooding. 

Tick Season

Spring has sprung in Utah which means ticks are back. Stay vigilant and informed to help protect yourself from these tiny, but troublesome creatures. Our first tick tip for the season is to avoid grassy, bushy and sage-brushy areas along edges of woodlands and fields through mid-July. For tick prevention information, please visit summitcountyhealth.org/ticks. 

US Marshall Confirmation  

Up next, we just wanted to wish Justin Martinez a massive congratulations. Earlier this week, he was confirmed by the US Senate to be U.S. Marshal for the District of Utah. Justin is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and served as our Sheriff. He has dedicated his life to keeping our communities safe and Summit County was lucky to have him for the last 8 years. Congratulations, Justin! 

Weeds Tour 

Summit County’s Weed Control program is hosting a Community Noxious Weeds Tour on Saturday, June 24 from 10 AM to 12:30 PM to educate residents on the “most-wanted” weeds here in Summit County.

Residents will join Dave Bingham, Weed Superintendent, and Dan Pena, Weed Enforcement Officer, and some other special guests at two different locations (Richardson Flat, Pinebrook) to learn to identify and control noxious weeds on their own properties.

Transportation will be provided for up to 14 people, so please RSVP for FREE at https://bit.ly/weedstour23 to reserve your spot. Gloves are suggested, but not required. Coffee and pastries will be provided before the tour begins.

Road Construction 

And, finally, we just wanted to give our listeners some quick reminders about summer road work projects. 

Remember:  Earlier this month, UDOT began the first phase of construction on the US-40 Flyover from northbound US-40 to westbound I-80. To safely complete this work, the US-40 flyover will be closed for up to one-month. The ramp will open by the 4th of July weekend. 

Additionally, UDOT crews will be paving and improving the Devil’s Slide Bridge this month. A heads up to our listeners that all traffic to Croydon must continue on I-84 to Exit 115 in Henefer. Due to heavy truck traffic and narrow roads, please slide down and expect traffic coming from the opposite direction. During construction, Exit 111 on I-84 will remain open to turnarounds however the Croydon Bridget and access to County Highway 1980 is closed until the bridge work is complete. Schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather, equipment issues, or materials availability. We’ll be sure to keep you updated at summitcounty.org/roadprojects. 

The last project update we have is on UDOT’s work on US-40 from SR-248 to the Wasatch County line. The most up to date schedule we have from UDOT is… 

From Monday, June 12 through Saturday, June 17, there will be daytime single lane closures in place on US-40 in each direction from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. for concrete grinding operations. 

On Monday, June 12 and Tuesday, June 13, SR-248 northbound on and off ramps are expected to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.   

And on Wednesday, June 14 and Thursday, June 15, SR-248 southbound on and off ramps are expected to close from midnight to 6 a.m.

For more information about the project, please visit bit.ly/us40project.

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