2022 General Election

The 2022 General Election took place this past Tuesday, November 8 and we just wanted to take a moment to review some key local preliminary outcomes. 

To clarify, we’re reporting these as of Thursday, November 10. The canvass to certify the official results is not until November 22. 

Okay so… 

• Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson, Summit County Sheriff Justin Martinez, and Summit County Clerk Eve Furse are positioned to remain in office.  
• Cindy Keyes, former Finance Director for the Summit County Health Department, will become the new County Auditor. 
• It also looks like Chris Robinson is positioned to maintain Seat D on the Summit County Council, and Canice Hart currently is in the lead for Seat E on the Council. 
• As for the School Board seats…
  • There were two races for North Summit School Board seats 4 and 5, which Kevin Orgill and Vern Williams are in the lead to win those. 
  • Matthew Weller and Olivia Gunnerson are in the lead for the open South Summit School Board seats. 
  • And Meredith Reed and Nick Hill look like they’ll take the Park City School Board’s two open seats. 

Again, we’ll circle back on these in a couple weeks after the canvass has taken place. 

RPO Designation 

Ok, moving onto this week’s County Council meeting. First, the Council approved the designation for a Wasatch Back Rural Planning Organization. 

You may be wondering what a Rural Planning Organization is, and you’re not alone! It’s a new concept to me too. bridget, you want to explain a bit more? 

Sure. So, in 2016 Congress elevated the role of local officials in statewide planning so that states (in this scenario, state entities like UDOT) must “cooperate” rather than “consult” with local governments. 

An RPO will do a number of things including: develop regional long-range multimodal transportation plans; prioritize transportation projects they believe should be considered for funding in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan process, and in local transportation improvement programs; foster the coordination of local planning, land use, and economic development plans with State, regional, and local transportation plans and programs; and provide technical assistance to local officials.

The Wasatch Back RPO that Council approved this week will consist of  Summit County, Wasatch County, and the cities within them. Each community will appoint one representative as a member of the board, and Mountainland Association of Governments will act as the administrative and technical staff to the Board, provide coordinating consultant services, and prepare and administer the annual work program and budget.

At the end of the day, the most important thing our listeners should take away from this is that by establishing an RPO, Summit County’s transportation priorities will be elevated with UDOT because we’ll have a seat at the table to advocate for them! 

Mental Wellness Strategic Plan

Next, the Council approved a Mental Wellness Strategic Plan that will address gaps identified in mental health and substance abuse treatment and service within Summit County. The development and execution of this plan is a community-based effort and would not have been possible without the work of countless individuals and organizations in the Summit County community.

This Strategic Plan serves as a document to guide the community’s shared goals in mental wellness. These goals include:

• Expanding community access to mental health & substance use programs and services
• Increasing prevention and education around mental health & substance use
• Ensuring success and sustainability of mental health & substance use programs
• Establishing systems to support life during recovery and reintegration into the community
• Ensuring equity of mental health & substance use programs and services for Latino population and underserved community members

By addressing issues of mental health and substance use, the quality of life for all Summit County residents is enhanced.

Snow Talk 

Ok, up next, join Summit County, Park City Municipal, and our local resorts (including Deer Valley, Park City, and the UOP) at the Park City Hospital Blair Education Center THIS Monday, November 14, from 6-8 p.m. for a community presentation and open house about the upcoming winter season. Dinner and childcare will be provided.

If you are unable to attend in person, the presentation portion can be viewed live on Zoom. Questions will not be taken via Zoom. Please join us in-person for questions and conversation!  You can find the Zoom link and more information on the summitcounty.org homepage under “Summit County News” and selecting “SnowTalk”. 

Veterans Day 

Finally, this Friday November 11 is Veterans Day.. Each Veterans Day is a remembrance set aside to honor those who have defended our country. 

So, today, we wanted to pause to reflect on the sacrifices of the men and women who have served our nation—ordinary Americans performing extraordinary service. 

We express our sincerest gratitude and deepest appreciation to and for all Veterans. Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and selfless valor.

And, in case you missed it, we’ve been highlighting Summit County Veterans all week! Go to summitcounty.org homepage and find the Summit County Veterans highlight under the News Section to read their stories! 

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General Election 

Up first, the 2022 General Election is this coming Tuesday, November 8, so we want to cover some important information for Summit County voters. 

Early voting is taking place as we speak. If you need to vote early for any reason, you can do so now through Saturday, November 5 AND on Monday, November 7 anytime between 8 AM and 5 PM. Early voting locations are: the Clerk’s Office at the Courthouse in Coalville or at the Kimball Junction Branch of the Summit County Library in the Main Floor Conference Room.  

If you’re planning to VOTE BY MAIL, your ballots must be postmarked by this coming MONDAY, November 7. Ballots were mailed to Summit County voters early this month. If you haven’t received your ballot please call the Summit County Clerk’s Office at 435-336-3203. 

If you’re planning to vote in person on election day or by drop box, you can find election day voting locations and times, and drop box locations, at bit.ly/summitvotes! 

EMS Update 

Ok moving on to this week’s County Council meeting. We know Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the county has been a hot topic over the last couple months, and we have an update from Wednesday’s meeting. 

Back in early August, Park City Fire District (PCFD) presented to the Council the possibility of PCFD exiting their current interlocal agreement with Summit County to independently provide EMS within their district boundaries with no financial support from the County. Instead, they requested that the revenues collected from billings within PCFD boundaries go to them and not the County.

Simultaneously, a master planning process for Emergency Medical Services across the county began this summer to make sure the County’s EMS system is reliable, viable, and sustainable for all residents and visitors now and into the future.

While the findings from the master planning study are gathered and analyzed, the current agreements between PCFD and Summit County are set to expire this coming February, so a temporary solution is needed.

At Wednesday’s County Council meeting, the Council approved amendments to the three interlocal agreements between PCFD and the County that will extend EMS services to Park City, North Summit and South Summit for another year, as a more permanent solution, with support from the EMS master planning study, is identified.

Additionally, the agreement for services in PCFD boundaries also specifies that PCFD can collect EMS revenues, for one year only, within their district boundaries and not receive any budget from the County. The County will still provide funding to PCFD to provide EMS in North Summit and South Summit and will continue to collect the billings charged in those areas.

Basically, what this means is that while the County, in partnership with the mayors and three fire districts, figures out the best option for providing reliable, viable, and sustainable EMS services county-wide, PCFD will continue to operate EMS in all three areas of the County as they do today.

Doug Retirement  

After six years, Doug Clyde retired from the Summit County Council on Wednesday, November 2. We wanted to take a moment to recognize and thank Doug for all he’s done to improve the health, safety, and welfare of our community, and celebrate his commitment to making Summit County an all-around better place for those who live and visit here.

As a council member, Doug served with passion about water quality and land use. He became an expert on issues involving riparian and sensitive lands. He has an unwavering commitment to decreasing sprawl, reducing traffic, improving transit, and keeping Summit County’s air and water clean.

Doug also served as the Council Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic. He responded to citizen concerns, supported staff, and helped lead the County through this crisis. He led us well.  

He will be remembered for his colorful commentary on issues, his humor, and his commitment to preserving the agricultural heritage and rural nature of eastern Summit County and improving quality of life for Summit County residents. Thank you for everything, Doug.

Property Taxes 

Moving on to some quick reminders for our listeners… 

First up, it’s tax bill season! Property tax bills were mailed last week. If you haven’t received your bill already, be sure to keep a lookout for it in the mail this week.  

Taxes are due November 30. At summitcountytreasurer.org you can pay your bill online, arrange for automatic payments, change your mailing address, and set up email notifications. 

If you have any questions, please email the Treasurer’s Office at treasurer@summitcounty.org or call (435) 336-3038.

Winter Parking 

Next, we have a quick winter safety reminder. As we enter the winter months, be aware that seasonal parking limits will go into effect starting November 15 and will last through April 15. There will be NO on-street parking on County roads, unless otherwise marked. 

For more tips on being safe this winter, you can go to the homepage of summitcounty.org and click “2022-2023 Winter Safety Reminders” right under the Summit County News section. 

Snow Talk 

And, finally, SnowTalk is coming soon! Join Summit County, Park City Municipal, and our local resorts (including Deer Valley, Park City, and the UOP) at the Park City Hospital Blair Education Center on Monday, November 14, from 6-8 p.m. for a community presentation and open house about the upcoming winter season. Dinner and childcare will be provided.

If you are unable to attend in person, the presentation portion can be viewed live on Zoom. Questions will not be taken via Zoom. Please join us in-person for questions and conversation! 

You can find the Zoom link and more information on the summitcounty.org homepage under “Summit County News” and selecting “SnowTalk”.

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Because the State of Utah’s internet systems were down on Wednesday of last week, we weren’t able to report on last week’s Council meeting. So up first this week, we’re circling back to some topics we missed!  Then, we’ll jump to topics from this week’s County Council meeting including a continuation of the Kimball Junction Interchange conversation.  And, we’ll finish up with some 2022 General Election info and upcoming community engagement opportunities. 

Kimball Junction EIS + Listening Session 

Okay, up next we’re going to talk about the Kimball Junction interchange at I-80 and SR-224. 

The Summit County Transportation Department has been working with UDOT to complete an Environmental Impact Statement or EIS to identify some options that will address congestion, mobility, safety, access, and travel time reliability at the Kimball Junction interchange and on SR-224.

Previously, UDOT, in partnership with Summit County, identified over 30 potential design alternatives. Now, the group is presenting a narrowed list of (3) recommended alternatives for further analysis. You can view these at: SUMMITCOUNTY.ORG/ENGAGE.

Reviewing the options at that link is important because, in the coming months, UDOT will be asking for public input and engagement from the Summit County community on the proposed alternatives. A public comment period will take place during the month of December 2022, and then there are planned open houses (both in-person and virtual) planned for early January. Keep that timeframe on your radar! 

As always, we’ll keep summitcounty.org/enage updated with all this info as we receive it and reshare updates from UDOT on county social channels. 

Community Visioning 

An exciting county-wide community visioning process was announced at this week’s Council meeting. The purpose of the process is to connect with and elicit meaningful, actionable input and feedback from community members to prepare for the future of Summit County over the next 30 years. 

The county hired a nationally recognized firm, called Logan Simpson, which has done similar work in communities like Teton and Cache counties that builds on culture and history to co-create an inclusive, healthy, and resilient future. 

At the end of the process, we should have a strategic plan that will help inform future land use, housing, development, transportation, health, and climate action planning work. 

The county is excited to work with Logan Simpon to guide really responsible change. 

This is such an awesome opportunity for community members to share concerns, and ideas and ask a lot of questions. The more the county hears from you, the better we’re able to address and include your values, needs, and concerns in the decision-making process.

 Stay tuned over the coming months for exact opportunities about the ways in which you can get involved in this process, and as always keep an eye on the summitcounty.org/engage page too! 

2022 General Election 

Alright shifting gears to the 2022 General Election (also referred to as the midterm) which is taking place on Tuesday, NOVEMBER 8! Let’s cover some basic details… 

If you’re planning to VOTE BY MAIL, your ballots must be postmarked by November 7. Ballots were mailed to Summit County voters early this month. If you haven’t received your ballot please call the Summit County Clerk’s Office at 435-336-3203. 

ELECTION DAY VOTING LOCATIONS

Election Day voting will be available for Summit County voters for the 2022 General Election at the following times and locations. A Summit County voter may vote at any of these Voting Centers.

November 8, 2022, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at:

• Coalville City Hall (Council Chambers), 10 North Main, Coalville
• Marsac Building (Downstairs Commission Chambers), 445 Marsac Avenue, Park City
• Summit County Library Kimball Junction (Main Floor Conference Room) 1885 West Ute Blvd., Park City (24/7)
• South Summit County Services Building/Kamas Library (Main Floor Conference Room), 110 North Main, Kamas

EARLY VOTING

Early voting will be available for Summit County voters for the 2022 General Election at the following times and locations:

• Thursday, November 3 through Saturday, November 5.
• Monday, November 7, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Locations

• Summit County Courthouse (Clerk’s Office), 60 N Main, Coalville
• Summit County Library Kimball Junction (Main Floor Conference Room) 1885 West Ute Blvd., Park City

DROP BOX LOCATIONS:

Ballots can be dropped in Ballot Drop Boxes on or before 8:00 p.m. November 8, 2022. All Drop Box locations close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

North Summit

• Summit County Library, 82 North 50 East, Coalville (24/7)
• Henefer Town Hall, 150 West Center Street, Henefer (24/7)

South Summit

• Francis City Hall, 2317 Spring Hollow Road, Francis (24/7)
• Oakley City Hall, 960 West Center Street, Oakley (8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday)
• South Summit County Services Building/Kamas Library, 110 North Main, Kamas (24/7)

Park City/Snyderville

• Marsac Building, 445 Marsac Avenue, Park City (24/7)
• The Market at Park City, 1500 Snow Creek Drive, Park City (6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays)
• Fresh Market Jeremy Ranch, 3151 West Kilby Road, Park City (24/7)
• Summit County Library Kimball Junction (DMV Entrance), 1885 West Ute Blvd., Park City (24/7)
• Summit County Health Department Round Valley/Quinn’s Junction, 650 Round Valley Drive, Park City (24/7)

Rail Trail 

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

Do you want to lend feedback about this project?

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

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

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

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

Engage Page 

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

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

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

2022 General Election 

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

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

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

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

EMS Planning 

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

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

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

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

Rail Trail 

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

Do you want to lend feedback about this project?

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

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

Living with Wildfire 

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

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

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

Outro

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

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Today, we’ll…

• Cover some items from this week’s council meeting, including a proposed study on the Echo Divide Wind Park and Community Reinvestment Area, as well as give an update on the North Summit Special Service Recreation District Project.
• Preview the upcoming community input sessions for the future of EMS in the county.
• Share some amazing opportunities for community engagement with the Community Development Department and recap a wildfire fuels treatment project that will take place this fall along I-80.

Proposed Echo Divide Community Reinvestment Project Area

Let’s dive into our council recap by taking a step back to 2019 when the Eastern Summit County Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit to review a project called the Echo Divide Wind Park. The proposed project is located along the Utah-Wyoming border southeast of I-80 in eastern Summit County, approximately 7 miles southwest of Evanston, Wyoming.

According to Echo Divide Wind LLC the project will use approximately 39 turbines to generate up to 100 MegaWatts of electricity, which is capable of powering the equivalent of approximately 21,730 Summit County homes per year. Towards that end, Echo Divide Wind LLC has approached the Summit County Community Development and Renewal Agency to consider the establishment of a community reinvestment project area plan and budget in support of the Echo Divide Wind Farm Project.

The Board of the Summit County Community Development and Renewal Agency adopted a resolution directing staff to begin that process. Doing so represents the first step towards establishing a Community Reinvestment Area and associated tax increment area. The establishment of a new Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) and associated Tax Increment Area (TIF) could potentially benefit the County and other taxing entities.

North Summit Recreation Special Service District

The North Summit Recreation Special Service District came before council to discuss some issues they’ve run into during the process of building out their Beacon Hill Park project. As a recap: in 2018, Coalville City transferred land to The District via a special warranty deed under the restriction that the property would be used for a public park, for recreational purposes, and for meetings and events consistent with any public park

Then in 2021, The County and The District applied together and received a Summit County Recreation Arts and Parks Grant for One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,100,000.00) to be used for this project.

Fast forward to this summer of 2022– The District discovered they are unable to proceed with development because the parcel they were given is currently included in a pre-recorded plat for the Indian Hills Subdivision Plat 3. A North Summit family owns the neighboring lots within the Indian Hills Subdivision Plat 3 to the east of The District’s platted lots and would be impacted by any subdivision amendment like the one North Summit Rec. is seeking.

The District’s progress is halted until they receive an amendment on the plat and can vacate a portion of Settler’s Drive. So Council gave their support to the special service district to take the next step forward and file paperwork with Coalville City concerning the subdivision amendment and road vacation they seek.

That application will go through the city’s public process, so there will be plenty of time and opportunities for public engagement and feedback on this project as it moves forward in the review process.

2023 Budget

Interim County Manager Janna Young presented her 2023 Budget Recommendations to Council with Finance Director Matt Leavitt this week. Janna indicated a 10% Cost of Living Increase or “COLA” for County employees as a high item on her budget agenda for this year. She said this COLA would assist Summit County in being competitive with surrounding jurisdictions, increase the employee retention rate, and keep up with the increased cost of living and inflation in the area.

Here’s a surface-level look at the 2023 Manager’s Budget Recommendation:

• It reflects a $71.7 million dollar operating budget (which is around an 8% increase from the 2022 budget)
• $11.6 million dollars of that operating budget will be coming from fund balances
• There are 9 new positions being recommended, but 3 full-time positions are grant funded and 1 full-time position is fee funded.

These positions include:

• A permit technician in the planning and zoning department
• An entry-level engineer
• A GIS specialist in IT
• A landscape technician in the Facilities Department
• An Economic Development and Housing Specialist
• A floater position that can assist multiple departments with excess workflow
• An emergency preparedness position from the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) 
• A Communications Coordinator position
• A Public Lands Coordinator

The 2023 Budget Process will continue into next week’s Council meeting once Council members have had the time to review the manager’s recommendations in full. So be sure to tune in next week for an update on this topic.

Summit County EMS Planning community input

In August, Summit County began a master planning process for Emergency Medical Services across the county. The process is being facilitated by SafeTech Solutions, LLP, an independent national EMS consulting firm with broad experience in strategic planning, EMS assessment, and rural EMS. 

The goals of the Summit County EMS master planning process are to ensure reliable, efficient, and high-quality emergency medical services for all residents and visitors, and to effectively plan for the future of EMS in Summit County.

As part of the effort to study, understand, and improves EMS, the county is hosting three town hall-style meetings to gather concerns, perspectives, and ideas of all those interested in the future of EMS in Summit County.

If you have questions or comments about the future of EMS, please plan to attend one of the following in-person meetings:

• October 20 – South Summit County Services Building (Library) Auditorium, Kamas | 6-8 p.m.
• October 27 – Ledges Event Center Multipurpose Room, Coalville | 6-8 p.m.
• October 28 – Summit County Health Department Downstairs Conference Room at Quinn’s Junction/Round Valley, Park City | 6-8 p.m.

Rail Trail Corridor – Public Engagement Round 2

Shifting gears to a few opportunities to get involved with the Community Development Department:

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

Do you want to lend feedback about this project?

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

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

The Community Development Department is also seeking residents to join their Community Planning Lab–it’s a 10-week course from mid-January to April. The course will have a hybrid format to meet in person or via Google Classroom. Planning Lab activities will include presentations from experts in the planning and land use policy fields, field trips, and project work. Visit summitcounty.org/engage to let us know you’re interested in enrolling.

Parley’s Canyon Oak Brush Project:

Head’s up to those traveling I-80 Eastbound in the coming weeks….Work is set to begin on the Parleys Canyon Oak Brush Mastication Project on Oct. 20. You’ll see machines like this grinding down the Oak Brush along a section of I-80 near the Lamb’s Canyon exit throughout the fall. This will NOT affect road traffic, but the project is so visual that we wanted to give everyone advance notice and knowledge around the project.

You may be wondering: “Why bring in a big machine to tear up Gamble Oak?”

Well, while it may not be the prettiest sight, this process will open up the landscape to thrive. Diverse native plants will finally grow again after being overshadowed by Gamble Oak for years. Another benefit of this project is that it provides wildfire fuels mitigation for the area near where the Parleys Canyon Fire took place in 2021.

Shoutout to all the partners involved in this project: Utah Forestry, Fire & State Lands, Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake City Public Utilities and the U.S. Forest Service.

Stay tuned: We will be sharing updates about this project over the coming weeks.

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Today, we:

• Cover a few items that were discussed at this week’s council meeting, including some updates on the ongoing Emergency Medical Services discussion and the council’s support of a community-wide sustainable tourism plan
  
• Share some amazing opportunities for community engagement—There’s a new program called “The Community Planning Lab” for County residents to enroll in and also some Open Houses are on the calendar for “phase two” of public input on the Rail Trail Corridor Project.

Community Planning Lab

Let’s kick it off with some info about The Community Planning Lab…a course designed for Summit County residents, community leaders, business owners, and other community stakeholders who want to be more engaged in and better understand processes that drive local planning and land use policy decisions.

This is a 10-week course from mid-January to April. The course will have a hybrid format to meet in person or via Google Classroom. Planning Lab activities will include presentations from experts in the planning and land use policy fields, field trips, and project work.

Participants will come away with an understanding of how planning helps shape our cities and towns and how engagement and participation in local affairs develop the community.

Would you be interested in joining a Community Planning Lab hosted by the County’s Community Development Department? Let us know by filling out our brief survey at bit.ly/scplanninglab or simply visit summitcounty.org/engage for more details on the lab and a link to the survey.

Rail Trail Corridor – Public Engagement Round 2

The next round of opportunities for community engagement for The Rail Trail Corridor project is upon us! As a recap: the Rail Trail Corridor is a 30-mile arts, culture, recreation, and tourism corridor being designed to cultivate a strong sense of community and offer opportunities for both resource protection and economic revitalization along the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail.

Here are some ways to get involved for this second round of feedback and input which will run through January 2023 and offer the Community Development Department more specific information from the community, ensuring that the plan for the Rail Trail Corridor accurately represents your goals.

• An Open House will take place Thursday, November 3 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Basin Recreation Offices across from Trailside Elementary School
  
• A second Open House will take place Monday, November 7 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Ledges Event Center in Coalville.

*The SAME information will be presented at both Open Houses. The planning department is providing two options to ensure access to the maximum number of people. Lastly, if you’re interested in participating in a focus group for this project, you can fill out a short survey at summitcounty.org/engage.

County Council Recap: 

EMS Conversation 

Since 2020, the County has been engaged with mayors and fire districts throughout Summit County in a conversation about Emergency Medical Services and where we want to go with this service in the future. At this week’s council meeting, all three fire district chiefs came to the table to discuss this topic.  

Here are a few key takeaways from Wednesday’s discussion: 

 First off: the county is moving forward with a study conducted by a third-party consultant called “SafeTech Solutions”. Their research will help the county make data-based decisions about EMS operations, system structure and governance, and budget. The study will involve an extensive stakeholder interview process and public engagement, as well as an in-depth financial analysis to better understand the community’s expectations for level of service and what they are willing to pay for while also taking into account the County’s population, demographics, geography, and best practices. The study is on track to finish in May of 2023 when the consultant will present short-, mid-and long-term recommendations to the County Council.

We encourage the public to attend and provide input on this topic at various open houses at the end of October. A public meeting will be held in each area of the county – North Summit (Coalville), South Summit (Kamas), and PC/Snyderville Basin (Quinn’s Junction). Stay tuned here on the podcast, on social media and on our website for more information about dates, times and locations.  

The bottom line is no decisions about changing EMS service or operations were made at Wednesday’s Council meeting. Park City Fire District will continue to operate EMS countywide, responding to calls in North Summit and South Summit, as well as in the Park City area as they have been for the last decade.  

Sustainable Tourism Plan

Council also heard from Jennifer Wesselhoff, President and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce, and ultimately approved a proclamation that demonstrates Summit County’s commitment to being stewards of the Sustainable Tourism Plan.

Several members of the Summit County leadership team and staff participated in the Stewardship Council and other parts of the process that shaped the Sustainable Tourism Plan, including Council Member Roger Armstrong, Former County Manager Tom Fisher, Economic Development & Housing Director Jeff Jones, Basin Rec Director Dana Jones, Community Development Director Pat Putt, and Sustainability Manager Emily Quinton.

The objectives of this plan are to:

1. Cultivate local pride and respect for the Park City / Summit County experience.
2. Implement sustainable transportation, housing, water, energy, and waste management policies and initiatives.
3. Protect and manage our natural environment to enable sustainable outdoor recreation.
4. Ensure the long-term resilience of the Park City / Summit County economy.
5. Equalize the economic benefits and mitigate impacts of the visitor economy.
6. Leverage messaging and programming to accelerate sustainable tourism.
7. Foster the development and management of Summit County’s art and culture tourism assets.

You can learn more about the plan at: www.visitparkcity.com/sustainabletourismplan

Senior Citizens Services Department – Changes to code

The Senior Citizen services department made some amendments to their code all of which were passed at this week’s council meeting. The most notable was that the age requirement for participation in the senior centers changed from 55 years old to 60 years old.

We do want to point out that if you are under 60 and have a spouse or partner who meets the age requirement, you can still participate!

Basin Recreation – Tax Increase

And a final, quick update—Council approved Basin Recreation’s plans to increase 2023 taxes by nearly 20%. According to Basin Recreation Director Dana Jones, the purpose of the increase is to fund additional positions, keep up with the rising costs of goods and services, and maintain assets such as equipment, and prepare for future capital replacement needs.

To clarify, the action take this week does NOT mean the increase has been adopted. On December 14, 2022: The District will hold a public hearing at 6:00 pm, as part of the Summit County Council meeting on the proposed property tax increase. A second public hearing will be held afterward on the District’s proposed 2023 budgets. Following each public hearing, the County Council can adopt resolutions accepting the property tax increase and the 2023 budgets.

You can stay tuned for all opportunities for public engagement on this topic at summitcounty.org/engage.

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In today’s episode we:

• Cover a few topics that were addressed at this week’s County Council meeting including an exciting opportunity for residents to participate in a Community Planning Lab and some Truth in Taxation information. 
• Then, we’ll talk about how YOU, our Summit in Six listeners, can help build the Summit County Historical Archive! 

Community Planning Lab 

First up, the Summit County Community Development Department was in front of the Council to share an exciting new endeavor they’re embarking on. 

It’s called the Community Planning Lab and it’s designed for Summit County residents, community leaders, business owners, and other community stakeholders who want to be more engaged in and better understand the processes that drive local planning and land use policy decisions.

So how does it work? 

Well, it will take place over a 10-week period of time from mid-January to April of 2023. It will have a hybrid format so folks will participate both in person and online, and types of activities will include presentations from experts in the planning and land use policy fields, field trips, and project work. 

I’m curious what kind of topics will be covered in the lab? 

Sample topics for the lab include learning the types of plans and zoning ordinances, how to effectively engage with community councils, the what, where, and how of affordable housing, talking about smart growth, and so much more. Hopefully, participants will come away with an understanding of how planning helps shape our cities and towns and how engagement and participation in local affairs develop community.

Ok, last question! Does it cost anything? 

No. The Planning Lab is free and available to all interested community members and stakeholders in Summit County. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please visit summitcounty.org/planninglab to learn more and sign up to receive information on how you can get involved! 

Truth in Taxation

Two taxing entities here in Summit County, Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District and North Summit Fire District, were in front of the Council last night to talk about their Truth in Taxation processes. 

Before we continue, what exactly is Truth in Taxation, Bailey? 

Good question! When any taxing entity in the County intends to increase the revenue they receive from property taxes, it triggers a state-mandated process called “Truth in Taxation”. Basically, Truth in Taxation encourages transparency and provides an opportunity for residents to comment on the proposed increase. Ultimately, the County Council makes the final decision.

So, because both entities, North Summit Fire and Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District, intend to increase property taxes, we think it’s important that our listeners and all residents of Summit County understand what will happen in the coming months regarding these proposed tax rate increases and when exactly they can give input and feedback. 

Please visit the summitcounty.org homepage and find the “What’s Next: Truth in Taxation” spotlight for exact dates and details on what happens next for North Summit Fire District and Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District’s Truth in Taxation process. 

Summit County Historical Archive

And, finally, we want to highlight our most recent submission to the Summit County Historical Archives! 

Yes, we are so excited to have received a submission from Summit County resident Jackie Smith Ball. She sent us photos of the old Wanship Cash Store which was run by her parents Jack and Florence Smith from 1950 – 1985. According to Jackie, her parents kept the store open 365 days a year. “Still today people talk about how much they loved the little store that I grew up in,” she recalls, adding that they would give free groceries to travelers and locals in need.

Summit in Six listeners, help us build our archive! Share your photos and stories of your Summit County Life over the years. Please email history@summitcounty.org to submit with the subject line “Summit County Life.

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In today’s episode we:

• Cover a few topics that were addressed at the Council’s special meeting on Monday, September 19 including an update from High Valley Transit and some more moderate income housing news. 
• Then, we talk about National Preparedness Month, the 2022 General Election, and an upcoming community engagement opportunity our listeners won’t want to miss. 

High Valley Transit 

Up first, we have a quick update on High Valley Transit. Due to delayed construction and after several attempts at finding a different temporary home, it was decided at this week’s Council meeting that HVT will continue to use the Ecker Park and Ride Lot for a little bit longer! 

Their home at Ecker is currently used for staging, operations and maintenance of transit vehicles and facilities. They’ll remain at Ecker until their new Maintenance and Operations Campus on the Gilmor Parcel is completed mid-next year. 

Moderate Income Housing 

Okay, moving onto some more moderate income housing news. Last week, we reminded listeners that House Bill 462 was passed earlier this year and it imposed new requirements on cities and counties to encourage the development of moderate-income housing. 

In response, both the Snyderville Basin and Eastern Summit County Planning Commissions have been working to develop new Moderate Income Housing Plans and forward them to the Council for approval. 

Last week, after a public hearing and review of the Basin’s proposed plan, the Council postponed approving it. 

On Monday of this week, another public hearing was held regarding amendments to Eastern Summit County’s Moderate Income Housing plan.

After discussions related to annexation districts, the inclusion of language for vulnerable populations, and continued talks regarding the HTRZ component of the Basin’s plan, both plans were approved. 

From here the plans will be sent to the State for review. If and when they’re approved at the state-level, Summit County will be eligible to receive TIF funds which help to finance many other projects throughout the county. 

National Preparedness Month 

I can’t believe September is already almost over! With all that’s been happening this month we forgot to mention something pretty important…

September is National Preparedness Month which means it’s dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies.

As we know here in Summit County, disasters and emergencies don’t wait for a convenient time. And, preparing for them shouldn’t wait either.

We encourage all of our listeners to start preparing TODAY by signing up for Summit County Emergency Alert System at summitcountyalerts.org. 

This system helps Summit County provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as emergencies, unexpected road closures, missing persons, special event impacts and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. Again, sign up today at summitcountyalerts.org. 

Voter Registration 

Wednesday was National Voter Registration Day and with the 2022 General Election just a few months away, we wanted to take a moment to remind folks to check in on their voter registration status! 

Did you know 1 in 4 people are not registered to vote or aren’t sure if they’re registered? Have you moved recently? Changed your name? Did you just turn 18? 

Take 30 seconds TODAY to register to vote, check your registration status, or update your voter registration. You can do so at vote.utah.gov to make sure you’re VOTE READY today! 

For the 2022 General Election, the deadline to register and receive a vote by mail ballot is October 28, 2022. For more information on voter registration and elections here in Summit County visit: bit.ly/votesummitut. 

Community Engagement 

Finally, throughout the rest of September and early October, Summit County, Mountain Mediation Center, and Park City Municipal invite you to participate in one of their open houses on The Utah Olympic Bid. 

Share your hopes, and concerns about how a Winter Olympics would affect our communities. You can view specific dates and locations at summitcounty.org/engage. 

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In today’s episode we:

• Cover a few topics that were addressed at the County Council meeting on Wednesday including a quick Dakota Pacific Development Agreement update and some Moderate Income Housing news.
• Share information about several community engagement opportunities that are happening within the County in the coming weeks that you won’t want to miss. 

Dakota Pacific Update 

Community Development Director, Pat Putt, was in front of the Council this week to give a status update on the Dakota Pacific Development Agreement proposal.

For some context, since it’s been a while since we’ve talked about it, last year Dakota Pacific presented an original development proposal for the Summit Research Park/Park City Tech Center located in Kimball Junction to the community. 

They received significant feedback at a December public hearing that led them back to the drawing board to

1. Come up with a Plan B proposal, and
2. Update their traffic impact study. It was agreed that the impact study must be peer reviewed before moving forward. 

To be clear, the Community Development Department and the Council have not received a formal amended, or plan B, proposal from Dakota Pacific at this time, although staff are expecting it to be submitted to them any day now.

So what was Pat in front of the Council to talk about if there is no updated proposal yet? 

Good question! He was really there to discuss specifically that peer review process we mentioned a little earlier when discussing the traffic impact study. He wanted to make certain the scope of the work is in alignment with the Council’s needs and expectations before moving forward with the bidding process to hire an independent, third-party firm. 

From here, outreach to potential peer review candidates will start. Stay tuned for more updates on this process, as well as on the amended development agreement in the coming weeks. 

Moderate Income Housing

Shifting gears to some affordable housing news…

Earlier this year, House Bill 462 was passed and imposed new requirements on cities and counties to encourage the development of moderate-income housing. 

In response, both the Snyderville Basin and Eastern Summit County Planning Commissions have been working to develop new Moderate Income Housing Plans. 

This week, the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission forwarded a proposed plan to the Summit County Council to review and potentially approve the plan. The Council had a lengthy discussion about the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone or HTRZ component, as well as expressed concerns about workforce housing and issues related to funding and maintaining a certain level of service within the county, but no action was taken on the Basin’s plan.

The Eastern Summit County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on their recommendation to the Council next week on Monday, September 19. Eastern Summit County residents are encouraged to attend the hearing (which will take place at the Ledges Event Center starting at 4 PM) to give their input on moderate income housing in their communities. More information can be found in the Agenda Center on the summitcounty.org homepage. 

Community Engagement Opportunities 

We’ll start to wrap things up here with some upcoming engagement opportunities for our listeners! 

First up, North Summit Fire District hosted two open houses to engage with their community about the Fire District’s financial situation and work together to determine a path forward to make sure the public and North Summit firefighters are safe and protected. 

Any North Summit Fire District residents or firefighters who may have missed the open houses, don’t worry! You can view the informational material presented and give feedback online at bit.ly/solutionsforsafety.  

Up next, we encourage our listeners to come on out to the next event in the “Living With Wildfire” series on September 20 which is co-hosted by Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter and Summit County!

Climate change is affecting every part of the country. In the western U.S. we’re seeing larger, hotter, and more frequent wildfires. These fires not only affect wildlife and air quality, but watersheds, water quality, and can forever change a landscape. How do ecosystems respond, and how can we help make these systems and our natural resources more resilient?

You’ll hear from panelists Brad Washa, Jess Kirby, and Dr. Paul Rogers as they discuss their work in this field and what impacts we’re seeing both locally and state-wide. There will also be a live Q&A at the end of the discussion.

The event will run from 6:30 – 8:00 PM at Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter located at 1258 Center Drive in Park City. Other upcoming events in the series can be found at summitcounty.org/engage. 

Finally, throughout the rest of September and early October, Summit County, Mountain Mediation Center, and Park City Municipal invite you to participate in one of their open houses on The Utah Olympic Bid.

Share your hopes, and concerns about how a Winter Olympics would affect our communities. You can view specific dates and locations, as well as RSVP at summitcounty.org/engage. 

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In today’s episode we:

• Cover the Wasatch Back Transportation Tour which took place this week with members of the Utah Senate, Summit County and Wasatch County staff and councilmembers, and key transportation and tourism partners in the area

• Then we’ll share info about numerous opportunities to get involved and have your voice heard on the topics of: mental health, fire services, the prospect of an Olympic bid for Utah and more!
  
  Let’s get into the news…

Smoke Advisory

The heat wave is finally over but several wildfires in nearby states may make it less enjoyable to take advantage of the cooler temperatures outside this weekend. Over the next several days, heavy drift smoke is expected in Summit County. At the time of this recording, there are no active fires in Summit County. As a friendly reminder from our Fire Warden and Public Safety Dispatch, only report a fire to dispatch if you see a defined smoke column or flames.

You can text SCFIREINFO to 888777 to receive the latest updates on Summit County fire outlook, information, and more.

Wasatch Back Transportation and Transit Tour

On September 6, Summit County Council and High Valley Transit welcomed members of senate leadership from the state legislature on a Wasatch Back transportation and transit tour. Members included Senate President Stuart Adams, Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers, Senate Executive Appropriations Chair Jerry Stevenson and Senator Ron Winterton, District 26. The goal of this event was to build stronger relationships with decision-makers at the state level and share with them the wonderful regional collaboration and coordination we are facilitating across the Wasatch Back to improve mobility and reduce congestion. The Park City Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau, Wasatch County, and the Military Installation Development Authority MIDA co-hosted the tour with Summit County.

The event kicked off at the Ecker Hill Transit Center, before visiting the new site of High Valley Transit’s future operations and maintenance facility near Silver Summit. The group concluded their tour by visiting the MIDA Resort development project at Mayflower in Wasatch County, then gathering at the Pendry Hotel in Canyons Village. 

North Summit Fire Open Houses

Shifting gears to the topic of fire safety in our communities: North Summit Fire District is holding two public open houses next week to take a clear look at the fire district’s financial situation and determine a path forward to make sure the public and our firefighters are safe and protected. Residents of the North Summit Fire District are invited to listen to a presentation discussing current coverage inadequacies and solutions for critical upgrades to North Summit Fire District service levels. Questions and comments from the public will be taken at the end of the presentation.

The events are Monday, September 12, and Wednesday, September 14 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Ledges Event Center at 202 Park Road, Coalville, UT 84107. There will be a Zoom option available ONLY for the Wednesday, September 14th meeting. You can also find a link to the Zoom meeting at summitcounty.org/engage to tune in and participate.

Mental Health Town Hall

Shifting gears to community input sessions related to health…Now’s your chance to help guide the next 5 years of mental health improvements in our community by attending one of two Town Halls next week.

The first town hall will be held on September 13 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Sheldon Richins Building in Kimball Junction and the second town hall will be held on September 15 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at the Park City Library.

It’s crucial that we help our community and loved ones address their needs and create those services that will help our community the most. For more details on these events, visit: summitcountyhealth.org/townhall

Olympic Meetings
It’s a busy month for public engagement opportunities in Summit County. Throughout September and into October, Mountain Mediation Center, in partnership with Park City Municipal and Summit County, Utah invites the public to join their next “Community Conversation Series – The Utah Olympic Bid: A Summit County Listening Project.” Participants will have the opportunity to share their hopes and concerns about how a Winter Olympics in Summit County would affect our communities. These facilitated small group conversations will allow everyone’s voice to be heard.

There are multiple dates and locations of each conversation All in-person conversations will take place from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., while the virtual Zoom Conversation will be held from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. The conversations will be bilingual (in both English and Spanish), and refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, so you are encouraged to RSVP to reserve your spot. Check out all dates and times and RSVP by visiting summitcounty.org/engage. Dates and times will also be listed in the show notes.

The dates and locations of each conversation are as follows:

September 13 – Kamas Library

September 20 – Virtual Conversation via Zoom

September 22 – Kimball Junction Library

September 28 – Christian Center of Park City

September 29 – Ledges Events Center in Coalville

October 6 – Park City Library

Living With Wildfire Series

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity across the west. You can learn how landscapes, biodiversity, and our watersheds are responding by attending the next event in Summit County’s Living with Wildfire Series on September 20th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Swaner Preserve and Eco Center in Kimball Junction. Hear from panelists including Summit County Public Lands Manager Jess Kirby, recently retired State Fuels Specialist for Utah’s Bureau of Land Management Brad Washa, and ecologist Dr. Paul Rogers as they discuss their work in this field and what impacts we’re seeing both locally and state-wide. There will also be a live Q&A at the end of the discussion! There are options for either in-person or virtual tickets to this event. Details and registration can be found at: swanerecocenter.org/calendar

Adopt-A-Thon

We have a few other Summit County events, activities, and volunteers to inform you about: On Saturday, Sept. 17 Summit County Animal Control is co-hosting an Adopt-A-Thon with Nuzzles and Co. at the Summit County Animal Shelter at 1745 S. Hoytsville Road in Wanship! The event runs from 11 am to 3 pm. Come one come all to find a new furry friend!

Watershed Restoration Volunteer Opportunities

Lastly: September 24th is National Public Lands Day and you can celebrate by participating in a Stream Restoration Volunteer Day with one of Summit County’s partners: Sageland Collaborative.

They will be hosting restoration opportunities all month long—but we are encouraging you to join Summit County’s  Public Lands Manager Jess Kirby on September 23 or 24 to clean up East Canyon Creek which is a Summit County property!

To participate or see what other restoration opportunities are out there, you need to register at sagelandcollaborative.org.

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