Happy Monday! Colten here.

Thanks to everyone who sent me questions to ask Mayor Gray, Councilmember Huish, and Councilmember Whiting. For my first time moderating a podcast, I think it turned out well. I hope that you check it out (details below).

Let’s jump into what’s going on this week.

Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here for weekly Eagle Mountain updates. (Or scan the QR code at the end of this email.)

Own a local business or have an event coming up? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]. I'm always looking for things to share.

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Mayor Jared Gray, Councilmember Zachory Huish, and Councilmember Craig Whiting sat down for a recorded conversation about the city's proposed property tax increase. The discussion happened on Councilmember Huish's own podcast and was not an official city meeting.

I moderated the conversation and brought forward real questions from Eagle Mountain Value subscribers and from Facebook comments, so that residents' actual concerns made it into the discussion directly. Not every question could fit in the time available, but the three officials answered many of the ones I have heard most often from you over the past month.

You can watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts.

Two key dates are still ahead. The Truth-in-Taxation public hearing, Utah's required public hearing process for a tax increase like this one, happens August 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The final vote on the budget and tax rate happens August 18, 2026.

The Eagle Mountain Planning Commission meets Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The item most residents will want to know about involves the data center project connected to Meta. The proposed agreement would extend the same landscaping and screening rules already used on the first phase of the project to a newer, adjacent section, and would remove a small piece of land that has been sold to Rocky Mountain Power. The Commission is being asked to recommend the change so the item will move forward to the City Council.

Here’s what else is on the agenda:

The meeting starts with a work session at 5:30 PM, followed by the regular policy session at 6:30 PM. Meetings are open to the public.

As a reminder: Eagle Mountain is preparing to adopt its Community Development Block Grant program, a source of federal funding cities can use for projects like housing assistance and public improvements. Public comment is open through August 4, 2026.

This week's Local Spotlight goes to Fulton Premier Bookkeeping, run by Eagle Mountain resident Cassandra Fulton. In her own words: "I help small business owners save time and money by assisting them in making sound financial decisions based on up-to-date and accurate information. Your success is my success."

If you run a small business and need help keeping your books in order, you can find Cassandra on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or book a call directly through her Calendly page.

Steel Days, American Fork's biggest annual celebration, runs for more than a week this year, from Saturday, July 18, through Saturday, July 25.

A few highlights worth planning around: the opening car show and cruise kick things off on July 18, a carnival runs at Mary and Art Dye Park through much of the following week, and the celebration closes out on July 25 with the Steel Days Run, a Grand Parade, and a fireworks show.

Full schedule and times are on the Steel Days website.

Layne has been part of the Eagle Mountain community for 24 years, running a small egg farm just outside city limits. His hens are free range and fed without corn or soy, and if you have driven past Cory B. Wride Park this summer, there is a good chance you have already met him. He has been known to hand out free eggs there when his hens produce more than he can sell.

This time around, Layne wants Eagle Mountain Value readers to know about the easiest way to get his eggs: delivery, right to your door. A box of four dozen costs $25, with free delivery anywhere in Eagle Mountain. Just text Layne at 801-641-2145 to place an order.

If you would rather see the farm in person, Layne also runs the Chick Inn, a working ranch stay where guests can see the whole process from hens to eggs. You can find him on Instagram and Facebook, or book a stay directly through Airbnb.

That’s it for today. Stay safe. Stay cool. And help a neighbor out when you can.

See you around,

— Colten

Is this a forwarded email?
Subscribe here or scan the QR code below to never miss what’s going on in Eagle Mountain.