Hey Eagle Mountain. Colten here.

Thanks to everyone who filled out my survey. The more I understand how you all are doing, the better I'll be at providing value to you. As I continue growing this Valueletter, I want to focus on what matters most, especially as I build out more resources for you.

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By the way, today’s Valueletter is a long one. So strap in.

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The City Council meets Tuesday, September 1 at City Hall, 1650 East Stagecoach Run. The afternoon work session starts at 4:00 PM and the evening session, where the votes happen, starts at 7:00 PM. Both are open, and public comment opens the evening session.

Utah State University surveyed Eagle Mountain residents in April as part of a project covering 57 Utah cities and towns. Dr. Courtney Flint presents the results to the Council on Tuesday afternoon. You can read them on page 27 of the agenda packet.

Here is what stood out.

When residents were asked what they value most about living here, the words that came up over and over were small town, quiet, trails, open space, dark skies, and neighbors.

The survey drew 359 responses, about one in every 85 adults in Eagle Mountain. The findings are worth reading, though the researchers themselves point out that the people who answered do not quite match the makeup of the city. If you would like to hear Dr. Flint present it and the Council discuss it, that happens at the 4:00 PM work session.

The Council votes Tuesday evening on a new chapter of city code that would restrict how property tax revenue is spent.

Under the proposed rule, property tax money would go into a locked fund that can only be spent on law enforcement. That means the city's contract with the Utah County Sheriff's Office, or an Eagle Mountain police department if the city ever starts one. Fire and ambulance service are specifically excluded, and money the state requires the city to track separately, like debt payments, would stay outside the fund.

Also listed in the proposed rule: while the city builds its yearly budget, it could not consider adding staff anywhere else in city government until police funding is covered. Not parks, not public works, not the library.

The city would aim for property taxes to cover about 85% of what police service costs, with a range from 75% to 95%. If property tax revenue climbs above that range, the Council has to consider lowering the rate. If it falls below, the Council has to consider raising it, which would require the same public notice and hearing the state requires for any increase.

This follows the August 18 meeting, where the Council raised the property tax rate. The city put the increase at about $2,132,876, or 69.81% more property tax revenue than the prior year.

Here is what else the Council takes up. If one of these matters to you, the full agenda packet has the details.

Retaining wall rules. (Open for public comment) The city wants to replace its rules for retaining walls. A wall four feet or shorter with nothing on top of it would not need a building permit, while anything taller, or anything holding up a driveway or a building, would need a permit and a design by a licensed engineer.

A rezone on Aviator Avenue. (Open for public comment) Three parcels totaling 13.76 acres are zoned for neighborhood shops and services, and the owner wants them rezoned to agricultural. Planning Commission minutes record the stated reason as a tax break until someone wants to build commercial there. The city's staff report calls the change temporary, and nothing has been proposed for the land.

A community garden near Silver Spur. (Discussion only) A group of residents wants to put five to ten raised beds on an unused patch of city land. They would tend the beds themselves and are not asking the city for money right now. The Council decides whether they can come back with a full plan.

The city's annual resident survey. (Discussion only) The city's $14,960 survey of residents goes out again this year, and Tuesday is when the Council can change the questions before it is finalized.

Brylee Farms townhomes. (Consent agenda) Near Eagle Mountain Boulevard and Aviator Avenue, a townhome developer is asking to cut a 2024 commitment from 40 three-story units with 600 square foot garages down to 20, adding 40 two-story units with garages as small as 490 square feet.

Joining the North Utah County Aquifer Council. (Consent agenda) Eagle Mountain would pay $12,500 a year to join a group of Utah County cities building a shared drinking water plan that looks ahead to the year 2100.

Also on the agenda: a business park subdivision behind Eagle Mountain Storage that renames Gateway Park Boulevard to Wild Blossom Boulevard, final closeout costs on the finished White Hills water tank, and two code cleanups. Those last items are on the consent agenda, which passes in a single vote with no discussion unless a Council member pulls something out.

Ryan's Design & Print is a family-owned business, proudly owned and operated by Ryan and Jennifer Dewsnup in Eagle Mountain. Ryan's journey in the printing industry began at just 16 years old, when his mom snapped a photo of him loading paper into a printing machine at the first print shop where he worked in Salt Lake City. Fast forward to today, and that early experience has grown into a business of his own.

At Ryan's Design & Print, they provide quality printing and personalized service to businesses, organizations, and families throughout the local community. Some of their most popular services include vinyl banners, flyers, business cards, and postcards, along with many other custom printing and signage options.

The Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce named them Home-Based Business of the Month in March 2024, which the Cedar Valley Sentinel covered that April.

They are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and their minimum order is $15. You can reach them at 801-455-2936 or [email protected], or see their work at ryansdesign.com.

On a personal note: Ryan offered to sponsor my poster for ShopFest on September 12. So a huge shoutout to Ryan and Jennifer, and I hope you'll choose these two in the future if you have any design and print needs.

Property tax relief applications are due Tuesday, September 1. Utah County runs several programs, including abatements for residents 65 and older, exemptions for disabled veterans, and an exemption for residents who are legally blind. To have relief show up on your October tax notice, the application has to be in by September 1.

Adult fall pickleball registration closes today, Monday, August 31. Eagle Mountain Parks and Recreation has eight league and open-play options on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and evenings.

Free and reduced-price school meal applications are open for every Alpine School District family, including Eagle Mountain schools. Apply through LINQ Connect or pick up a paper form in English or Spanish at any school. A new application is required every school year, last year's benefits expire at the end of September, and benefits cannot be applied to meals your student already ate.

There is a men's mental health support group meeting in Eagle Mountain every Tuesday night, 7:30 to 9:00 PM. It is run by the i love you, bro PROJECT, a Utah nonprofit focused on men's mental health and suicide prevention. The group meets at Eagle Mountain Counseling, 3714 East Campus Drive, Suite 101. Go in the building doors and the room is straight ahead, near the restroom door. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 any time to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Learn more here.

Austin Whitney released a new song on August 14. "Summer & A Country Song" is on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and Amazon Music.

Eagle Mountain Academy applications are open for the six-week course starting September 16.

Sign up for the city's Days of Service projects by calling 801-789-6600 or emailing [email protected].

Register for Utah's Statewide Virtual Job Fair ahead of September 10.

That’s all for today.

See you around,

— Colten

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