Episodes

  • November 21, 2025 — Transportation sales tax, Utah Renewable Communities, and more!

    November 21, 2025 — Transportation sales tax, Utah Renewable Communities, and more!
    Nov 21 2025
    Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! We’ve got the latest from the Council of Governments meeting on Monday, and the county council’s Wednesday meeting. This includes a review of the Transportation Sales Tax policy, information on the Utah Renewable Communities program, and much more! Alright, let’s get into the news! TOPIC 1: TRANSPORTATION TAX The Council of Governments met earlier this week to discuss the Transportation Sales Tax, also known as the TST, which is a voter-approved .25% sales tax that pays for regionally significant transportation projects across Summit County. This includes things such as road improvements, active-transportation connections, transit, and safety projects that enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and promote economic development. The Council of Governments finalized its recommendation for how this year’s TST funds should be allocated. The County Council approved that recommendation during their meeting on Wednesday, meaning the 2025 project funding decisions are now set. This includes funding or partial funding for: A countywide vanpool program (Summit County)Upgrades to the bikeshare program (Summit County)The Hoytsville bridge replacement (Summit County)The Icy Springs Interchange project (Summit County)High Valley Transit’s SR-224 Bus Rapid Transit project (High Valley Transit)Phase 2 of Park City’s Thaynes Pathway project (Park City)Little Kate and Monitor Drive bike and pedestrian improvements (Park City)A transit signal priority technology upgrade in Park City (Park City) Lastly, a total of $483,040.26 of Small Cities Grants will be awarded to Coalville, Henefer, Kamas, Oakley and Francis. TOPIC 2: UTAH RENEWABLE COMMUNITIES If you don’t already know, Utah Renewable Communities, or URC, is a coalition of 19 cities and counties, including Summit County, that are working with Rocky Mountain Power to provide a new option for clean energy. The program’s goal is to support the development of new clean energy sources that would match the amount of energy consumed by homes and businesses. Before moving forward, the URC needs to be approved by the Utah Public Service Commission, which is reviewing the program now. There is a scheduled public hearing set for December 16 at 6 p.m. where anyone can share comments or ask questions. After the hearing, the Public Service Commission is expected to issue a decision as early as January 2026. If the program is approved, Summit County would have 90 days to pass an ordinance to officially join. From there, Rocky Mountain Power would mail two opt-out notices to all local customers, giving them the choice to participate or stick with their current service. If you are interested in attending the Public Service Commission hearing on December 16th, you can attend in person at the Heber M Wells Building in Salt Lake City, or virtually by going to summitcounty.info/URCmeeting. TOPIC 3: CLINE DAHL PROPERTY Next up is an update on the Cline Dahl property near Jeremy Ranch. This is a 30 acre site owned by Summit County that could include housing, a transit park-and-ride hub, and recreation amenities. The current proposal from the developer team includes a recommendation to build more for sale units in place of rental units due to a revision in average income data. They are now proposing about 60% ownership and 40% rentals, with the overall plan calling for 173 total units. The plan also includes community uses like a Basin Rec fieldhouse and space for a new Park City Fire District station, however details and final agreements are still being negotiated with the County and housing partners. Construction wouldn’t start until at least August 2026. TOPIC 4: URE RANCH Now moving on to Ure Ranch, the 848 acre property in the Kamas Meadows area of Eastern Summit County. On Wednesday, Council approved the conservation easements for the North Meadows and Recreation parcels located within Ure Ranch, ensuring the protection of the area’s natural and cultural features by limiting development. These are just two of the six parcels that make up the Ure Ranch property. Staff will continue to advance the remaining four conservation easements for the rest of the property before the end of the year. TOPIC 5: EAST CANYON ROAD CLOSURE Quick reminder: East Canyon Road will begin its seasonal road closure on December 1st and will reopen on April 30th, 2026. TOPIC 6: HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES To close out this week’s podcast, we want to wish all our listeners a happy Thanksgiving! As a reminder, Summit County offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, in observance of the holiday. The Sheriff’s Office and local Fire/EMS crews will have limited staff working. Republic Services’ trash pickup will be delayed by one day for curbside pickup on Thursday and Friday. That means, residents who usually receive curbside pickup on Thursday should put their containers out on Friday ...
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    6 mins
  • November 14, 2025 — County employees, new sales tax, how housing helps kids, and more!

    November 14, 2025 — County employees, new sales tax, how housing helps kids, and more!
    Nov 14 2025
    Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! We’ve got the latest from county council’s Wednesday meeting — including a breakdown of county employees, details for a newly approved sales tax, housing data, and more! Alright, let’s get into the news! TOPIC 1: 2026 PERSONNEL BUDGET County council continued its 2026 budget review in this week’s meeting. Kicking off the discussion, County Manager Shayne Scott and Finance Manager Matt Leavitt presented an overview of current employees and a request for funds to support new hires, raises, and employee benefits. A few key stats that might interest you: Summit County currently has 19 elected officials and chief deputies, 373 full-time positions, and 38 part-time positionsThe average age of a county employee is 44The average length of service (meaning time working for the county) is 8 years However, only 38% had more than 8 years of service, meaning there are some long-term employees that skew the result higher Year-to-year, the county spends an average of 62% of its budget on personnel (but the 2026 budget will actually be slightly under that average) Eight new positions were proposed, including a full-time public records coordinator, an additional school resource officer through the Sheriff’s department, and more staff for the finance, engineering, facilities, IT, and waste collection departments. The raises proposed in the upcoming budget include a 2.7% cost of living adjustment for all employees and an additional $1.2 million in funds for merit raises. The county is also raising its 401(k) match to be more competitive in retaining and attracting new employees. The council will continue to hear more about the 2026 budget in the weeks to come. A public hearing on the budget will be held on December 3rd in the Snyderville Basin (location to be determined) and a second public hearing will be held on December 10th at the county courthouse in Coalville (after which the council is expected to adopt the budget). TOPIC 2: COUNCIL APPROVES IMPACTED COMMUNITIES TAX Near the end of the lengthy meeting, council voted 4-1 to approve the “Impacted Communities Tax” (formerly known as the Resort Communities Tax). The new sales tax of 1.1% would be applied to purchases of specific goods and services within unincorporated Summit County, including: Retail sales of physical or digital goodsPaid admission for entertainment and recreational activitiesMeals at restaurants, eateries, catering & other dining options The tax would not apply to unprepared food (like groceries), prescription medications, and gasoline. The intent of this tax is to pay for bonds that would support long-term transportation improvements to benefit residents, visitors, and businesses. The tax takes effect next summer and is expected to bring in about $17 million annually. The total sales tax for purchases in unincorporated Summit County would then be 8.75%. Use of these funds is restricted to transportation infrastructure and transit projects. The goal is to reduce traffic congestion and provide public amenities to improve community connectivity and quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors. The county needs to start preparing for the future by establishing a funding source to construct these improvements, some of which begin in 2026. To learn more about the intent of the tax and where the money will be spent, check out the link in our show notes. TOPIC 3: AFFORDABLE HOUSING HELPS KIDS The Summit County Housing Authority is tasked with addressing the housing shortage facing Summit County’s medium and low-income residents — a growing problem facing residents of all ages and backgrounds. Since the housing authority was created in May, the board of commissioners has been meeting monthly to talk with community partners, prepare a strategic plan, and start community outreach efforts. One goal for the housing authority is to increase awareness of the challenges faced by people experiencing housing insecurity. We are excited to share an excerpt from the first of many educational articles from the Housing Authority: “Stable, affordable housing is essential for children — and for Summit County’s future,” written by Kristen Schulz, director of the Early Childhood Alliance and housing authority commissioner. The article begins, “Providing families a safe, affordable, and stable place to live allows children and families to thrive. Research across public health, education, and economics shows that affordable and stable housing reduces toxic stress, improves physical and mental health, provides better educational outcomes, and creates economic stability and opportunities that last a lifetime…” To read the article in full and find links to peer-reviewed research that backs up her claims, visit summitcounty.info/housinghelpskids. TOPIC 4: ELECTION CERTIFICATIONS Did you know? Election results aren’t final until the canvass. A canvass is when the...
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    7 mins
  • November 7, 2025 — Deep Dive on H.B. 48: wildfire prevention, new fees, and data

    November 7, 2025 — Deep Dive on H.B. 48: wildfire prevention, new fees, and data
    Nov 7 2025
    Hi everyone! Happy November, and welcome back to another episode of Summit in Six. This week, we’re going to be taking an in-depth look at information we learned from last night’s meeting about House Bill 48, which is the Wildland Urban Interface Code. Let’s get into the news! TOPIC 1: HB 48 – WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE On November 6, the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands (FFSL) held a public meeting to discuss the upcoming of implementation of House Bill 48, a fee and enforcement imposed by the State Legislature to improve defensible space in Wildland Urban Interface (also known as the WUI). Before we get into the recap from this meeting, we want to stress that there are still many details to be finalized moving forward. Here’s what we’ve learned so far: For some background, the WUI is the area where development meets or intermingles with wildland. These zones are more prone to wildfires and require specific safety measures and mitigation strategies. In addition to wildfire prevention efforts, the intent of HB 48 and the WUI code may be a tool in the future to prevent insurance companies from dropping coverage of properties in high risk WUI areas by providing a means for residents to take documented and certified measures to protect their property from wildfire risk. Although this is a state law, municipalities such as counties and cities will be responsible for adopting and enforcing the WUI code. Counties and cities are required to adopt this law by January 1, 2026 and will then work to produce a WUI boundary map for their area. The state is also working on a high-risk boundary map for all of Utah that has not been finalized at this time. Beginning next year, FFSL will send notices to property owners in the high risk area. Fees In 2026 and 2027, there will be a flat fee between $20 to $100 dollars based on the square footage of every taxable structure on a property. This fee will be the same regardless of any wildfire prevention work you’ve done on a property. While the fee schedule has not been finalized by Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, here’s a summary of the current proposals : Structures up to 1500 sq ft. will be charged $20Structures up to 3000 sq ft will be charged $40Structures up to 4500 sq ft will be charged $60Structures up to 6000 sq ft will be charged $80Structures beyond 6000 sq ft will be charged $100. Beginning in 2028, the fees for properties in the high-risk WUI area (still to be defined) will be based on a Lot Assessment conducted by a certified WUI coordinator from the state, county, or city. The fee schedule will likely change to be based around the annual costs of implementing the WUI code. Residents will not be charged for Lot Assessments directly, as the fee set by FFSL is meant to fund the cost. Fees will be collected by the county and given to the Utah Wildfire Fund with exact details based on agreements with each county. Fees can only be used to cover the cost of Lot Assessments, mapping, database softwares and other needs to implement the WUI code. The county may keep a portion of this fee to cover these direct costs. Lot Assessments Lot Assessments must be voluntarily requested by the property owner. Neither the state nor municipalities have the authority to conduct a lot assessment on private property without the permission of the property owner. Any type of Lot Assessment done before the program begins in 2026 or not conducted by a certified WUI coordinator will not count. Properties that choose not to undergo a Lot Assessment will be classified at the highest risk level, which we’ll discuss in a moment. The two main areas of focus for the lot assessment will be looking at the defensible space around structures and home hardening methods (such as the type of siding or roofing a structure has). This assessment results in a triage score, based on the WUI code in HB 48 and national “Firewise” standards. A Classification III score is the most extreme, meaning a property is not fully compliant with survival space or home hardening measures.A Classification II score means a property has survivable space but not home hardening.A Classification I means a property is still in the high risk area but has done everything to be compliant with WUI code. As risk is reduced, the fee for property owners is also reduced. After a Lot Assessment is conducted, homeowners will receive a full assessment report and can self certify improvements to their property. Property owners may appeal the results of their Lot Assessment or their score within 45 days of the assessment being conducted and include evidence of why they think the results were wrong. Data Information from property Lot Assessments will be given to property owners, counties and the Forestry, Fire and State Lands Division. Insurance companies will only be able to see the triage score but not the full assessment. Stay tuned as more information and clarity on HB 48 and the WUI code becomes available ...
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    7 mins
  • October 24, 2025 — Early Voting Preview, Resort Tax Explainer, and Surveys Galore!

    October 24, 2025 — Early Voting Preview, Resort Tax Explainer, and Surveys Galore!
    Oct 24 2025
    Hey everyone and welcome to another week of news here on Summit In Six. We’ve got some important information on Early Voting for next week, an overview of the Resort Communities Tax Council is considering, a couple of open surveys and more! TOPIC 1: EARLY VOTING AND MAIL-IN BALLOTS With the 2025 General Election just around the corner, Early Voting begins this coming Wednesday, October 29, through Saturday, November 1. Voters: please be aware that the Park City voting center has been RELOCATED to the Quinn’s/Round Valley Summit County Health Department at 650 Round Valley Drive, Park City. Voting will take place in the Lower Conference Room. The Marsac Building will not serve as a voting center for this election. This includes Election Day as well. While early voting dates are the same in both locations, please pay close attention to the following times: Hours at the Health Department will be 8 AM–1 PM all four days.Hours at the Summit County Courthouse will be 8 AM to 4 PM EXCEPT on Saturday, November 1, which is 8 AM–1 PM. And don’t forget to check your mailboxes, voters! The Summit County Clerk’s Office mailed ballots to active, registered voters for the 2025 General Election last week. If you didn’t receive a ballot, but believe you should have, please email elections@summitcountyutah.gov. Questions about the upcoming election? Visit summitcounty.info/electionFAQ. TOPIC 2: RESORT COMMUNITIES TAX This week in County Council, Finance Officer Matt Leavitt and County Manager Shayne Scott gave council members an overview of the Resort Communities Tax. This is a local sales and use tax the County can impose on certain taxable purchases from businesses in unincorporated Summit County (outside any city limits). Revenue from this tax can be used on public infrastructure and improvements, including transportation and transit projects. It was created to help resort communities support the needs of visitors and mitigate the impacts of tourism on the community. The County Council can choose to implement the tax anywhere from 0.5% to 1.1% to bring in an estimated $7.7 to $17 million in annual revenue. Examples of purchases this tax would apply to include: Retail sales of physical or digital goods.Paid admission for entertainment and recreational activities.Meals (prepared food and beverage) at restaurants, eateries, catering & other dining options. Major industries contributing to the tax include: UtilitiesRestaurantsOnline salesRetail businessesHome improvement storesResort lodging and nightly rentals Items such as unprepared food (like groceries), prescription medications, and gasoline, diesel and other fuels are not affected by this tax. The Resort Communities Tax does not change property tax amounts, either. The County is considering this tax to support long-term transportation improvements to benefit residents, visitors, and businesses by easing congestion and constructing public infrastructure for major future events (such as the 2034 Olympics). If approved, potential projects include: Improvements to the I-80/Kimball Junction interchange and surrounding roadsTransit center, bus rapid transit along State Route 224Structured parking with workforce housingPedestrian bridge over State Route 224 The Council will decide whether or not to adopt the tax in the October 29th council meeting next week. TOPIC 3: FEEDBACK ON WATER ELEMENTS OF COUNTY GENERAL PLANS Do you care about thoughtful planning and development based on water availability? Round 2 feedback on the Water Element of the Snyderville Basin and Eastern Summit County generals plans opens today, October 24 through November 5. Visit summitcounty.info/waterelement to review the plans and provide your feedback on this vital component of the planning process. TOPIC 4: SUMMIT BIKE SHARE: COUNTDOWN TO SEASON’S END It seems like no time at all has passed since things kicked off for Summit Bike Share in May, but after almost 6 months of unprecedented ridership: we’re approaching the season’s end. Projections estimate we’ll have served over 20,000 riders, and our bikes will have traveled almost 70,000 miles! There’s still time to try out a bike for the first time, or ride a few miles more if you already have a pass. To celebrate the incredible season we’ve had, we’re offering half price rides for the next 10 days. From today through Sunday, Nov. 2, you can enjoy a 30-minute ride for just $2.50. Go to summitbikeshare.com to see a station map, purchase a pass, and learn about the bike share’s history. Barring any extreme weather, our last day of the season will be Monday, November 3. We have many incredible sponsors to thank, especially title sponsors Intermountain Healthcare and Park City Chamber of Commerce. We also appreciate the continued support of Deer Valley Resort, Mountain Magazine, and Pocket Guide to Park City. We have ambitious plans for next year, so stay tuned for more updates. TOPIC 5: LAST CALL FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION...
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    7 mins
  • October 17, 2025 — Fall Roundup: County Budget, Sustainability News, Events, and More!

    October 17, 2025 — Fall Roundup: County Budget, Sustainability News, Events, and More!
    Oct 17 2025
    Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! We may have experienced the first snows of the season, but we have more autumn weather on the horizon and plenty of seasonal events to enjoy. In today’s episode, we are going to cover a brief overview of the draft 2026 county budget, share some great sustainability news, answer your election questions, and highlight some great events and public engagement opportunities! Alright, let’s get into the news. TOPIC 1: DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2026 At Wednesday’s meeting, County Council reviewed a draft budget for 2026 totalling $100 million. County Manager Shayne Scott and Finance Manager Matt Leavitt presented the draft figures and highlighted key details. The roughly $10 million increase over this year’s budget was largely attributed to a 0.5% sales tax for emergency services implemented last November. Next year, the same tax is expected to bring in about $16.5 million in revenue. Revenue sources in general breakdown as follows: $36.2 million from property taxes$18 million through sales taxes$16.5 million from the aforementioned emergency services sales tax$4 million through licensing and permitting$13.9 million from grants and intergovernmental revenue (much of which supports Health Department programs)$8.2 million through fees and services (fees from commercial businesses, planning department, etc.)$5 million from other sources As for where the money will be spent, the five highest expenditure sectors are public safety ($32 million), public works ($15 million), general fund ($22 million), governance ($13 million), and public health ($10.5 million). Between now and December 10, the county will be meeting weekly to review the budget in greater detail and discuss changes as necessary. Some items that were considered or requested for the budget but not addressed in the 2026 draft include: funds for 8 additional full-time employees (in addition to 8 that would be funded), about $1.1 in miscellaneous requests, a courthouse remodel, the Park City Senior Services building, and no recommendation for a property tax increase. The next meeting for council on Oct. 22 is expected to include a discussion on revenue and tax projections, as well as an overview of fund balances. A public hearing on the budget is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 3 in the Snyderville Basin (at the Richins Building) with another hearing in Coalville scheduled for Dec. 10 (at the courthouse). After the public hearing on Dec. 10, the County Council is expected to adopt the budget later in that meeting. TOPIC 2: EXCITING DIVERSION NEWS WITH RECYCLE UTAH Earlier this week, Summit County, Park City, and Recycle Utah announced a partnership to ensure residents continue to have uninterrupted, accessible, and expanding options for responsible waste diversion now and in the years to come. Together, they are developing a coordinated plan for the Summer of 2026, when Recycle Utah moves out of its current location, in order to guarantee residents continue to have access to the recycling options they have always enjoyed. Included in the plan is an effort to find Recycle Utah a new home. Park City is relinquishing its rights to a 4.18-acre parcel of land in the U.S. 40 corridor specifically so Summit County and Recycle Utah can designate the property as the permanent location for Recycle Utah’s future operations. This site will allow Recycle Utah to continue operating a central drop-off and collections center, while remaining a hub for waste education, outreach, and community building. Looking ahead, the three organizations are exploring opportunities to make recycling more convenient than ever for more of our community. This includes launching a joint effort to “refresh” Summit County’s 2018 Solid Waste Master Plan. This process has already begun and includes creating an action agenda with new and more robust waste reduction and diversion targets, as well as strategies to achieve them. Our goal is to create a roadmap for the next 5, 10, 20 years and beyond that reflects the values of our community, adapts to changing needs, and advances long-term sustainability. It’s really cool to know Summit County, Park City, and Recycle Utah are united in this work. This joint success reflects the best of what we can accomplish together. TOPIC 3: ELECTIONS UPDATE Are you registered to vote yet? If not, the deadline to register and receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the 2025 General Election is just ONE WEEK away on Friday, October 24, 2025. The easiest way to register if you have an up-to-date Utah driver’s license is to go to voter.utah.gov. If you miss the October 24th deadline, you can register to vote at an early voting location or an Election Day voting location. However, you will need to present two forms of identification at the voting location to register, one that proves your identity and the other that proves your residence. For our registered voters: check your mailboxes! ...
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    8 mins
  • October 10, 2025 — Council Members Assigned to New Districts, Skullcandy Building Update, Water Element Feedback Opp & More!

    October 10, 2025 — Council Members Assigned to New Districts, Skullcandy Building Update, Water Element Feedback Opp & More!
    Oct 10 2025
    Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six. Today, we recap this week’s County Council meeting & share upcoming event and engagement opportunities for our community to tap into. Alright, let’s get into the news! TOPIC 1: DISTRICTING MAP APPROVAL & DISTRICT ASSIGNMENTS The Summit County Council approved the Districting Map on Wednesday, and Council members were assigned to their new districts. To view the approved district map, please visit: summitcounty.info/districtmap2025. District 1, shown blue on the map and encompassing much of the North Summit area as well as neighborhoods like Upper and Lower Silver Creek, and Bitner North and South, will be represented by Tonja Hanson; District 2, which is green on the map and covers the South Summit area, will be represented by Megan McKenna; District 3, showing purple on the map and covering Park City Proper, will be represented by Roger Armstrong; District 4, which is orange on the map and encompasses neighborhoods including Upper Pinebrook, Park West and Park West South, Ranch Place, Silver Springs, Snyders Mill, Old Ranch Road South, and Highland Estates East and West, will be represented by Chris Robinson; and, finally, District 5, which is yellow on the map and covers neighborhoods including Kimball Canyon, Jeremy Ranch East and West, Pinebrook North, Lower Pinebrook East and West, Wagon Wheel, Moose Hollow, and Summit Park, , will be represented by Canice Harte. Again, we recommend reviewing the approved district map at summitcounty.info/districtmap2025 to see which district your voting precinct falls in. If you don’t know your voting precinct, visit summitcounty.info/precinctmap and type in your address. For the 2026 Election Cycle, the seats held by Councilmembers Harte and Robinson, in Districts 4 and 5, are the two seats up for election. The other three seats, so seats for Districts 1, 2, and 3, will be up for election in 2028. TOPIC 2: SNYDERVILLE BASIN REC DISTRICT PROPOSED TAX INCREASE Also at council this week, the Snyderville Basin Recreation District discussed its proposed tax increase. Dana Jones, District Director, shared that Basin Rec intends to increase 2026 property taxes in the amount of $1,337,367, which is an approximate 15% increase. If approved, the additional revenue will be used for the purpose of Staffing, Capital, and Ongoing Asset Maintenance Projects, Contract Services & Insurance Increase. A public hearing on the proposed increase will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. At that hearing, residents will have the chance to comment on the proposed increase. After, the Council will approve the district’s 2026 budget with or without the proposed increase. TOPIC 3: SKULLCANDY BUILDING UPDATE The Summit County Manager’s Office gave an update on the Skullcandy Building. Here’s what we learned: Since purchasing the building, county staff have been working with GSBS Architects on a design for the first floor of the building that includes a new library, DMV office, Council dais and meeting room, and more. The design is now complete, and construction documents are finalized. Highlights of the design include: A single point of entry for all of the public for easy wayfinding; a public lounge/lobby area near the front entry; several conference spaces, as well as a large multipurpose room that the county can use for a variety trainings, film screenings, meetings and other functions (meeting space is the biggest need currently in county facilities, particularly in the Kimball Junction area).The county has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a General Contractor (GC). The plan is to choose a GC and complete a contract by the end of October or, beginning of November, so construction can start mid-November. We anticipate the project to take around six months to be completed.The intent is for very limited construction and improvements to this space for cost purposes. The Richins Building will be demolished in the Spring of 2026 to make way for a parking structure and transit center as contemplated in the Public-Private Partnership with Dakota Pacific Real Estate. Because of this, services currently offered in the Richins Building will need to find a new home. The Park City Branches of the Summit County Library and DVM will go to Skullcandy. Other offices we are considering relocating to Skullcandy are: Lands and Natural Resources Team; Building Inspectors; Communications and Public Engagement; Emergency Operations Center & training space; Health Department (administration and nonclinical teams); Deputy County Manager office; Housing Authority Executive Director; Offices for IT and Facilities personnel dedicated to the building. The transportation planning and bike share team will move to the former Mountain Regional Water building in the Silver Summit area, which the county purchased in September 2025. We are still discussing where to move the MCOT and Latino ...
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    9 mins
  • October 3, 2025 — Redistricting Hearing, Active Transportation, and Vaccine Clinics

    October 3, 2025 — Redistricting Hearing, Active Transportation, and Vaccine Clinics
    Oct 3 2025
    Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! In today’s episode, we are going to cover the latest on redistricting for county council seats, share an opportunity to gather public input on active transportation, and let you know more about vaccine clinics coming soon to your neighborhood. Alright, let’s get into the news! TOPIC 1: County Hears From Public on Redistricting Maps This week the county council held a public hearing on the latest version of the Summit County districting map. After listening to a handful of residents, who all supported the proposed map, council chair Tonja Hanson announced the hearing will be continued next week — Wednesday, October 8. That meeting will take place at the courthouse in Coalville & allow more opportunity for comment. Ahead of the October 8 meeting, the Utah state legislature will meet in a special session on Monday, October 6 to potentially revise HB356. It’s unclear how that session will affect the proposed map. For some context, in Summit County, a significant shift is underway in how residents will choose their County Council representatives. A new state law, House Bill 356, mandates that Summit County transition from an at-large election system to district-based representation. This means voters will elect a single representative from their geographic district every four years, instead of voting for all five council members. The law also outlined the process to create a district commission made up of all municipal mayors in county boundaries and one representative from unincorporated Summit County. The districting commission’s task was to divide Summit County into five distinct geographical districts, ensuring each district has roughly equal population, with only a 10% deviation based on the most recent census. The commission met throughout the summer to develop and refine their map, which they’ve now presented formally to the county council. Stay tuned for more information next week! TOPIC 2: Active Transportation Plan Survey Chances are, if you live in, go to work, or visit Summit County, you love the mountain landscape. Easy access on trails from residential or shopping areas is a huge part of the appeal: whether you’re on two wheels or your own two feet. “Active Transportation” is the term we use to describe human-powered travel like walking, running, and cycling. In 2019, Summit County completed its first Active Transportation Plan to start building a countywide network of trails, road crossings, and facilities. The transportation team has been hard at work bringing funds and planning resources to towns and cities to support their projects while connecting the unincorporated areas, as well. After 6 years, it’s time for an update to the plan! And we need your input to shape the future of our beautiful county roads and trails. See a map of existing conditions, areas of concern, and recommendations at summitcounty.info/activetransportation. This new plan will focus on areas outside of Park City, with particular emphasis on eastern Summit County. Some key considerations that will guide the new plan include safety, accessibility, connectivity, and sustainability. We want to preserve the county’s natural character and make living and visiting here even better! Please share your thoughts and help inform the planning process through the community survey. Access the survey and review the background info at summitcounty.info/activetransportation. TOPIC 3: Vax & Go Clinics Gear up for cold and flu season with ease! Visit one of our drive-through vaccine clinics NEXT WEEK: October 7 at the Kamas LibraryOctober 8 at the Coalville LDS Church Lot, orOctober 9 at Park City Mountain Parking Lot All of these clinics will run from 11 am – 6 pm. We have both flu and Covid vaccines available. If you have medical insurance, please bring your cards. If you are uninsured, you can still attend and receive a free flu vaccine. There is no appointment necessary, but pre-registering is helpful at: summitcounty.info/vaxngo25. TOPIC 4: Final Month for Summit Bike Share 2025 Season To kick off the final month of its 2025 season, Summit Bike Share is offering $1 rides Oct. 2–4! Cruise around town this evening (Friday Oct. 3) and all-day Saturday Oct. 4 and enjoy the many great events and activities set against an incredible autumn backdrop. Feel the crisp air, take in the views at your leisure, and skip the hassle of finding parking. Just download the app and sign up for an individual pass to take advantage of the discount. For more information about how to get a pass and start riding, visit summitbikeshare.com. Thanks to the Restaurant Tax Grant for sponsoring Summit Bike Share and making this promotion a possibility.
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    5 mins
  • September 26, 2025 — Affordable Housing, County Facilities & Upcoming Events!

    September 26, 2025 — Affordable Housing, County Facilities & Upcoming Events!
    Sep 26 2025
    Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six. Today, we recap this week’s County Council meeting, which included an affordable housing update and the latest on the County’s facilities planning process. Then, we wrap things up with some fun community engagement opportunities you won’t want to miss out on. Alright, let’s get into the news! – TOPIC 1: Affordable Housing Update This week’s County Council meeting kicked off with an exciting update on affordable housing in Summit County. Economic Development and Housing Manager, Maddy McDonough, presented a beta version of a brand new tool her team is calling the Land Use Prioritization Map. The tool comes on the heels of the creation of a local Housing Authority and the drafting of a Housing Authority Strategic Plan. With a clearly identified need for affordable housing, the question becomes, as McDounough stated, “where do we put the housing?” The Land Prioritization Map can be used to answer that question. It will help identify lots and parcels that are most suitable for affordable housing in Summit County. It can be used to inform Future Land Use Maps, regional and neighborhood level planning, and help the County prioritize land acquisition. The tool is not available for public use yet, but this is a great example of really innovative, informative and useful work happening inside the county organization right now. We’ll be sure to keep our listeners updated as the Land Use Map continues to take shape! – TOPIC 2: County Facilities Planning Next, County Manager Shayne Scott provided the latest information on the county’s facilities master planning process. For some background, the county has been going through this process since January of 2025. A study was conducted to better understand the current condition of the county’s facilities and their ability to respond to things like workforce needs, service delivery, and growth, giving the county a road map for the next 25 years. It involved interviews with county leadership, elected officials, department directors, an employee survey, and a physical evaluation of each county building looking at safety, space, condition, and ability to meet county purposes. Now, a Master Plan has been proposed including recommendations for facility upgrades, renovations, and new construction. The Maste Plan will be broken into three phases, each with a specific timeline for improvements, as well as estimated costs of such improvements. At this week’s meeting, Councilmembers wanted to reiterate and make clear that the county seat will NOT be moving from Coalville at any point during this planning process. Further discussion about facilities upgrades and renovations specifically for next year, 2026, will occur as the 2026 budget discussions continue. Those budget discussions are important for our community to tune into beyond learning about this facility’s process. It is in those conversations that decisions about how taxpayer dollars are spent get made, so tune in! We’ll make sure to provide details on budget discussions as they begin to occur. A recommendation for how to utilize the former Skullcandy facility will be a separate conversation with the Council in two weeks on October 8, 2025. – TOPIC 3: Air We Share The Summit County Health Department’s latest installment of their Public Health Speaker Series is happening NEXT WEEK! This session, called the “Air We Share”, will allow attendees to hear from local air quality and healthcare experts and learn practical tips to protect their health, including how to monitor local conditions and learning to build a DIY box fan filter. Representatives from local and state agencies will also be present for conversation and connection. These speakers include: Seth Arens from Western Water Assessment; Kerry Kelly, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah; and Dr. Wing Province, Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Medicine Physician at Intermountain Health. This is a don’t miss event! Join the Summit County Health Department at the “Air We Share” event on Tuesday, September 30 from 5:30 – 8pm at Kamas City Event Center. More information can be found at summitcounty.info/speakerseries. – TOPIC 4: Book signing at Kamas Library Summit County Library invites you to join authors Heather B. Moore and Allison Hong Merrill at the Kamas Valley Branch as they discuss “The Paper Daughters of Chinatown” (Young Readers Edition). Their book, based on a true story, relates the experience of two friends who unite to help rescue immigrant women in the most dangerous corners of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the late 1890s. Come hear from the authors as they share how they combine their love for historical research with storytelling. DATE: October 3 TIME: 5:00 p.m. LOCATION: Kamas Valley Library Ages 12+ are welcome. Refreshments will be served, and Dolly’s Bookstore ...
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    6 mins