Happy last week of school! Colten here.

Another school year is almost in the books. Just one week left for Alpine School District families. For those with kids in school (like me), are you ready to have your kids full time again? My wife and I aren’t sure how we feel about it yet…

Anywho, let’s jump into what’s going on this week.

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A cool and breezy start, warming through the week. Sunday looks great.

Crack seal maintenance starts tonight at 8:00 PM and runs nightly for approximately one to one and a half weeks. A treatment map is on the city's page.

Paving begins today on both roads as part of the ongoing water line improvement project. Two shifts: 8:30 AM to 2:15 PM and 3:15 to 9:00 PM. No end date announced.

Construction begins today near the east end at 1100 West and will progress westward. The road will widen to five lanes between Saratoga Road and 1100 West. Two lanes stay open throughout. Estimated timeline: 12 to 18 months. Expect lane shifts, reduced speeds, and delays.

Utah County's once-per-week lawn watering schedule is now in effect. The weekly watering guide has recommendations by grass type and current conditions.

After I sent questions to the city about the proposed property tax increase, city officials responded and scheduled a meeting. I'll be sitting down with members of the city council tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19, at 3:00 PM at City Hall.

My questions covered three things: how the full $6.96 million increase is being allocated, what is included in the "public safety" line item, and what the $1.51 million in new spending specifically covers.

If you have questions you'd like me to bring, reply before Tuesday afternoon. I'll report back Thursday.

The Work Session starts at 4:00 PM and the Policy Session at 7:00 PM at City Hall (1650 E Stagecoach Run). Here are a few items I'm watching.

Smith's, Lowe's, and Road Funding

The City Council will continue the discussion of the proposed retail development that would bring Smith's Marketplace and Lowe's Home Improvement to Eagle Mountain. The focus tomorrow is the road funding question: how should the city pay for the improvements that development would require, including Old Airport Road, the Lake Mountain Corridor, and Pony Express Parkway.

The proposed approach would use future sales tax revenue generated by the development to help pay for road construction now. The big policy question is how much financial backing, if any, the city should provide if those future revenues fall short. This is a discussion item. No vote is scheduled.

Fire Service: No Change in Who Responds

Eagle Mountain is not switching fire providers. The question on the table is how fire service gets paid for.

The city currently shares fire service costs with other cities through a regional funding pool. Council will vote on a resolution to begin the process of shifting to a direct contract with the Unified Fire Authority instead, based on Eagle Mountain's specific costs. Several nearby cities already do it this way. This resolution starts the process. It does not complete it.

Public Hearing: Fire Safety Setbacks Near Open Land

If your property sits directly on the edge of Eagle Mountain's wildland boundary, this item may affect you. Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that would require a 30-foot buffer between structures and that boundary line. The goal is to reduce fire risk. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5 to 0. This applies only to lots on the wildland boundary, not every home near open space.

Utility Bill Help: A Possible Expansion

The city has a program that helps qualifying households with their utility bills. Since launching in August 2025, it has helped 28 households. The city is now considering expanding it to cover both renters and homeowners, pay up to half of the full utility bill up to $75 per month, and allow applications year-round. This has not been adopted yet. Tuesday's discussion is a first step.

Also on the Agenda

Two Planning Commission seats will be filled: Chad Decoursey and Laura Jensen are up for appointment. If you planned to attend the June 16 or August 18 budget hearings, note that the published start time of 6:00 PM was a clerical error. Both hearings start at 7:00 PM.

Mike Kieffer published his final article for the Cedar Valley Sentinel recently. He covered local news in this valley for years, and he did it with care and consistency. In his final piece, he mentioned Eagle Mountain Value and encouraged his readers to subscribe. That kind of handoff means more to me than I can say here.

Thank you, Mike. You can read his final article here.

If you found Eagle Mountain Value through Mike's recommendation, welcome!

Eagle Mountain City Recreation will take over the recreational soccer program starting Fall 2026. Registration is already open. The program will serve players from Pre-K through 9th grade, with volunteer coaches, games at Cory B. Wride Memorial Park, a friend request option during registration, and affordable registration costs.

Register for Fall Soccer | View all Eagle Mountain Recreation programs

If you have a Cedar Valley High School senior, graduation practice is this morning at the CVHS Auditorium from 8:00 to 9:30 AM. Diploma and yearbook pickup will follow practice.

Graduation is Thursday, May 21, at 7:00 PM at the BYU Marriott Center. If you cannot attend in person, a live stream will be available.

Friday, May 22, is the last day of school for Alpine School District students. Schools typically dismiss earlier than usual on the last day. Plan your pickup accordingly.

Eagle Mountain's annual Memorial Day Ceremony takes place at the Pony Express Memorial Cemetery, 4648 N Eagle Mountain Blvd, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Details here.

Eagle Mountain residents can pick up free landfill passes at City Hall. Spring is a good time to put them to use.

Starting June 4, food trucks will gather at Cory B. Wride Memorial Park every Thursday from 6 to 9 PM, running through September. Vendor sign-up information is available if you are interested in participating.

The market opens Saturday, June 6, at Cory B. Wride Memorial Park. Hours are 9 AM to 1 PM, every Saturday through mid-October. More information here.

Pony Express Days is one week away. Here is the full breakdown from the official schedule.

Wed, May 27 | Family Fun Night 4:00-8:00 PM
Nolen Park Inflatables, food trucks, Touch-a-Truck, and balloon artists. Free activities. Food available for purchase. Free wristbands required for inflatables. Complete your Event Participation Waiver ahead of time. Vendor booth registration available.

May 27-29 | Pickleball Tournament 6:00 PM nightly
Cory Wride Park Pickleball Courts $30 per team. Check in 30 minutes before your match. Register here.

Thu, May 28 | Carnival Buddy Night 4:00-10:00 PM
Cory Wride Memorial Park Tickets onsite: $45, Buy One Get One Half Off. Vendors, food trucks, and live performers 5:00-9:00 PM.

Fri-Sat, May 29-30 | Full Carnival 12:00 PM-11:00 PM
Cory Wride Park Advance tickets $35, gate price $45. Buy tickets here. Entertainment Friday 8:00-9:00 PM, Saturday 2:00-5:00 PM.

Sat, May 30 | Grande Parade 10:00 AM
City Center Route: Pony Express Parkway to Aviator Avenue to Eagle Mountain Boulevard.

Sat, May 30 | Car Show 4:00-7:00 PM
Midvalley Fields, 5806 Pony Express Pkwy Register a vehicle or booth: [email protected].

Sat, May 30 | Fireworks 10:00 PM
Cory Wride Park Synchronized to music.

Layne's Farm Fresh Eggs

A few weeks ago, Layne pulled up to Cory Wride Park and started handing out free eggs to anyone who wanted them. That is how I met him.

Layne runs a small egg farm just outside Eagle Mountain. He has been part of this community for 24 years, and the free eggs were his way of giving something back when his hens produce more than he can sell.

His farm is also home to the Chick Inn Airbnb, which he describes as the first chicken-experience farm stay in the area. Guests come and see the full process, from the hens to the eggs. Layne doesn't just want guests to have a great time. He hopes they leave with a little more appreciation for where their food comes from.

Even if you never make it out to the farm, you can still get his eggs delivered to your door. His hens are free range and fed without corn or soy. A four-dozen box is $25 with free delivery in Eagle Mountain.

Find Layne on Instagram or Facebook, or book a stay at the Chick Inn.

Well, that’s it for today’s Valueletter. If you have tips, know a local business worth spotlighting, or just want to say hello, reply to this email. I read every one.

See you around,

— Colten

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