Happy Thursday, Eagle Mountain. Colten here.

I went on an evening hike with my oldest daughter on Tuesday at Battle Creek Falls and, I kid you not, we got to see the cutest little bunny ever. Pics below to prove it.

After that cuteness overload, ready to get an Eagle Mountain Thursday update?

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.

The Eagle Mountain City Council passed its FY 2026-2027 interim budget Tuesday night, a temporary spending plan that takes effect July 1 while the city finalizes its full budget for the year, and it includes a significant property tax increase.

Why is the increase so large? The Council’s core explanation is that Eagle Mountain has not raised property taxes since 2010. During that time, the city has leaned on sales tax revenue to cover law enforcement, leaving other departments understaffed and essential services stretched thin. This budget shifts more of those costs back to property tax to stabilize core services.

Eagle Mountain does not have its own police department. Instead, the city contracts with the Utah County Sheriff's Office to provide law enforcement coverage here. Of the $6,958,141 the increase would generate, $1,507,939 would go to higher costs in the Sheriff’s Office contract. The remaining funds would support other essential public safety operations.

One public comment drew an important correction from Mayor Gray. A resident asked if a 218% increase meant their mortgage payment would jump by about $1,500 per month. Mayor Gray clarified that the 218% figure applies only to Eagle Mountain City’s slice of the total property tax bill, not the entire bill. Eagle Mountain City currently makes up 5.79% of what residents pay in property taxes each year (the red slice in the pie chart below). Below is what the full bill looks like for a $500,000 home at 2025 rates:

City Manager Ben Reeves noted that even with this increase, Eagle Mountain would still remain in the bottom third of Utah County cities for property tax revenue. Councilor Whiting said anticipated data center revenue could someday support a discussion about lowering the city’s rate. Mayor Gray cautioned that any future reduction would require careful evaluation and is not guaranteed.

Key dates: The Truth-in-Taxation hearing is August 6 at 6 PM. The final budget vote is August 18.

After the Council session, the council members sitting as the Redevelopment Agency Board unanimously adopted the agency's FY 2026-2027 budget. The RDA is a separate financing tool, funded by tax increment generated by major employers like Meta, Tyson Foods, and QTS Data Centers, not by residents' property taxes. Most of that money flows back to those companies through existing agreements. More background in Monday's issue.

Public comments at Tuesday's meeting were dominated by concerns about Silverlake Road. Residents in the area are worried about what a new road connection to Saratoga Springs would mean for traffic and safety in their neighborhood. The Council noted a speed study will be essential before any final design decisions are made. Saratoga Springs is reportedly eager to move forward. The map below shows the two proposed connection options the traffic study evaluated.

The Council discussed how transmission lines should be treated in Eagle Mountain's agricultural zone, expressing a preference for a zoning overlay — a layer of additional rules applied on top of existing zoning — rather than a blanket restriction. Staff is working to get more information to residents, particularly about potential cost impacts.

The contract with MHTN Architects for a City Hall and Library feasibility study was approved. The Council added a condition that all members be included throughout the process.

Residents can still submit written comments on the Area 7 Annexation — the proposed addition of new land to Eagle Mountain's southeast boundary — at any time by emailing [email protected].

A regional water treatment facility that opened this month in Vineyard will improve both the reliability and the quality of Eagle Mountain's drinking water — even though most residents will never see it.

The Central Utah Water Conservancy District opened a groundwater polishing plant at its Vineyard Complex that filters iron and manganese from deep well water before it enters the regional system. Those minerals are naturally occurring and not a health risk, but they cause the rusty staining, metallic taste, and cloudy water that residents sometimes notice. The plant brings seven previously unusable wells online and can supply treated water for more than 100,000 homes across north Utah County. Eagle Mountain receives much of its water through CUWCD's regional infrastructure, so this upgrade directly benefits residents here.

The practical effects over time include better-tasting tap water, less staining on fixtures and appliances, and more reliable pressure during peak summer demand. It also adds redundancy to the regional system, meaning supply is less vulnerable if surface water sources run short.

This is a capacity and quality upgrade — not a reason to ease up on conservation. The lawn watering guide and current fire conditions still apply. More details in the Herald Extra coverage.

Today — Thursday, June 18

Tomorrow — Friday, June 19

Saturday, June 20

I featured Doris' Dough Co on Monday and wanted to make sure you didn't miss them. They make small-batch sourdough, English muffins, focaccia, cakes, and cookies — all from scratch, and they tend to sell out fast. Find them at the Eagle Mountain Farmers Market on Saturdays, order ahead through Hotplate, or follow along on Instagram at @dorisdoughco.

Free Summer Meals — free and open to youth 18 and under.

Thanks again for reading. If there’s something valuable I missed, let me know. I’m trying to help our neighbors stay better connected to their community.

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.