Hey Neighbor. Colten here.
After a blistering and windy Saturday, it was nice to have a relatively cool and calm Sunday. Thanks to everyone who said hi to me at the Farmer’s Market.
Let’s see what we’ve got going on this week.
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UTILITY BOX
🌤 This week's weather
Mon 08 — ⛅ 87°/63°, partly cloudy
Tue 09 — ⛅ 79°/50°, partly cloudy
Wed 10 — ☀️ 80°/48°, sunny
Thu 11 — ☀️ 84°/54°, sunny
Fri 12 — ☀️ 91°/58°, sunny
Sat 13 — ☀️ 88°/55°, sunny
Sun 14 — ☀️ 86°/54°, sunny
🚧 Crack seal wrapping up — Daytime work continues through June 11 in the Arrival, Sage Valley, Autumn Ridge, City Hall, Eagle Point, and Harmony neighborhoods, 7 AM–6 PM. Park vehicles off the roadway during work hours. Details
📚 Library closed today, June 8.
🌿 Lawn watering guide — Check this week's recommended watering schedule for Eagle Mountain. Weekly guide
AT CITY HALL
I wasn't able to watch the recording of last week's City Council meeting until this weekend, so today’s issue has the full recap I promised. It’s much longer than usual, so bear with me.
June 2 City Council Meeting Recap
Financing bond approved for Smith's & Lowe's development
The council approved a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bond: a financing arrangement where future sales tax revenue generated by a new development is used to pay for the roads and infrastructure that make the development possible, rather than drawing on existing city funds.
Up to $10 million in redevelopment agency bonds approved.
Tied to a proposed 50-acre retail development anchored by Smith's and Lowe's.
Roads funded: Old Airport Road, Lake Mountain Corridor, and Pony Express Parkway improvements.
The vote was 3–1, with Councilmember Wood voting no and Councilmember Huish not voting either way.
Wood's stated reason for voting no: Eagle Mountain is now attractive enough to major retailers that this kind of tax deal is no longer necessary.
What it means for residents: roads get built sooner and major retail gets closer, but a portion of the sales tax those stores generate goes toward paying off the project rather than into the city's regular budget for services.
Property tax hearings — mark your calendar
The city's proposed property tax increase is moving toward a series of public hearings. Here's the full timeline:
June 16 — Interim budget public hearing, City Council Chambers, 7 PM
August 6 — Truth in Taxation hearing (the required public hearing under Utah law for a property tax increase)
August 18 — Final vote on the new tax rate and budget
I've been covering this for several weeks. Browse past issues on my website. Don’t forget to review the city’s Truth in Taxation page and submit a public comment here.
A few more items from June 2
The council made neighborhood speed bumps and speed tables one of its legislative priorities, meaning they plan to actively work on it.
A 10-year franchise agreement with AT&T and Forged Fiber passed.
The Community Services Board's scope was formally expanded to include trails.
Horizon Development
The item was pulled from the agenda, so it wasn't discussed or voted on. I imagine it will return as a public hearing at a future meeting.
Planning Commission meets Tuesday, June 9
Work Session 5:30 PM — Policy Session 6:30 PM — City Council Chambers
Two public hearings on the agenda:
Senior Housing Overlay Zone
A proposed new zoning framework that would make it easier to build age-restricted (55+) housing in Eagle Mountain — single-level homes, twin homes, duplexes, and rambler-style condos. The goal: give long-term residents a path to downsize without leaving the city.
Area 7 Annexation
The city is exploring a southeast boundary expansion toward Utah Lake. A key factor: recently discovered rare earth and critical mineral deposits in the Lake Mountains area — the same deposits that have drawn significant state and national attention. The proposal is early-stage, with infrastructure costs and environmental considerations around Utah Lake still to be worked through.
For background on the mineral discovery:
Also on Tuesday's agenda: a proposal to update building permit and inspection fees so they more closely match what it actually costs the city to provide those services.
Assistant City Manager Retires
Fionnuala "Finn" Kofoed, the Assistant City Manager, has announced her retirement after more than 20 years of service to Eagle Mountain. A celebration is being held at City Hall today.
2026 MLS All-Star First XI — Zavier Gozo
Eagle Mountain's own Zavier Gozo was named to the 2026 MLS All-Star First XI last week, making him the first Utah native ever selected to the MLS All-Star Game. The 19-year-old Real Salt Lake attacker will represent his home state alongside Lionel Messi and Son Heung-Min when the All-Star Game is played July 29 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
THIS WEEK
Pony Express Days Rodeo
Pony Express Days wraps up this week with three nights of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo action. Gates open at 7 PM each night at the Pony Express Memorial Arena. Dates of the rodeo:
Thursday, June 11
Friday, June 12
Saturday, June 13
Food Truck Rally
Every Thursday, 6–9 PM, Cory Wride Memorial Park (through September)
Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 9 AM–1 PM, Cory Wride Memorial Park (through October 10)
Coming up: Movie in the Park — Friday, June 19, 9 PM, Silverlake Amphitheater
WORTH THE DRIVE
Tonight
Summer Monday Fundays: Chalk, Walk & Boogie at Neptune Park in Saratoga Springs, 5–9 PM; free. Details
Saratoga Springs Splash Days
Saratoga Splash Days runs June 10–13 with free family events all week — water party, carnival, free concert Friday, grand parade, and fireworks Saturday. Full schedule
Fork Fest
Fork Fest 2026, June 12–13 at Art Dye Park in American Fork; music and arts festival; ticketed. Details
Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days
Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days runs June 13–21 on Main Street in Pleasant Grove; free entry. Details
The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music plays nightly at Rosecrest Pavilion in Herriman through June 19; outdoor theater; ticketed. Details
AT THE LIBRARY
The library is closed today, June 8.
Summer Reading Kick-Off — Thursday, June 11
6–7 PM at Friends in Need Animal Sanctuary, 5194 N. Lake Mountain Rd. Bring carrots or celery to share with the animals. Donations appreciated but not required. Details
Fossils & Geology with Hutchings Museum — Thursday, June 18
10:15–10:45 AM at Cory Wride Memorial Park. The Hutchings Museum brings hands-on fossils and geology specimens out into the community. Details
Kids STEAM Lab — Thursday, June 18
4–5 PM at Walden Park; ages 8–12. This month's challenge: build a contraption that keeps a water balloon from bursting when dropped from a ladder. Details
FREE SUMMER MEALS
Free meals are available to all kids 18 and under at several locations this summer. No registration required. If you are in need, please take advantage of these resources. I hate to think that my neighbors are struggling without knowing where to get help.
Utah Food Bank — Cory Wride Memorial Park
Monday–Friday, 12:30–1:30 PM
Running June 1–August 7
No service June 19, July 3, or July 24
Meals are eaten on-site
Details and locations
Alpine School District — Mountain Trails Elementary
Breakfast 8–9 AM / Lunch 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Weekdays through June 26
No income qualification needed
Deatils and locations
Boys & Girls Club of Utah County
Free meals at several Utah County locations June 29–August 14.
Details and locations
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
I stopped into E.M. Brunch & Café on Friday and ordered the breakfast burrito. It was absolutely delicious.
The café is tucked in at 3535 Ranches Pkwy and open daily 8 AM–3 PM. The menu runs from chilaquiles and breakfast tacos to French toast. It’s the kind of place that's easy to miss if you don't know it's there. Be sure to check them out and let them know Colten from the Eagle Mountain Value highly recommended them.
Well, that’s it for today’s Valueletter. Thanks for reading.
See you around,
— Colten
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