The Summit County Council signed off on a new list of priorities last week after combining the ideas and concerns of numerous local officials and leaders.
During a day-long brainstorming session in July, representatives from the Sheriff’s office, the county health department, local non-profits and organizations, Park City Municipal and Summit County staff voted on the priority and importance of each issue. Group members also outlined the best organizations to work on each matter and outlined a strategy.
“We need to give clear, working direction that has measurable progress,” said councilmember Sally Elliott on the reason for clearly prioritizing each issue. “It is important as a good management tool and as a clarification on priorities.”
The six strategic issues the county wants to address immediately are: economic diversity, sustainability, communications, the county’s relationship with the state legislator, workforce housing and maintaining Summit County’s identity.
The top priority is how to diversify the economy. With a large portion of Summit County’s economy reliant on Mother Nature and the tourism industry, representatives expressed concern that many residents can not find employment year-round in the county.
Second on the list is sustainability, specifically how Summit County can meet the economic, environmental, and social needs of the present without compromising future generations’ quality of life. The county wants to increase its role as a sustainability leader by encouraging the community to support local businesses, clean industry and agriculture. In leading by example, the county hopes to monitor its energy use and carbon-footprint.
Finding ways to improve and modernize communications at all levels is the third issue. Hoping to encourage citizen participation and county cohesiveness, representatives are looking to increase communication between departments, the public and other government agencies.
Another top issue is improving Summit County’s relationships with the Utah Legislature and Governor in order to have a more effective voice at the state level. The county wants to portray a positive and accurate vision of itself as whole, not just Park City. doing so, representatives are hoping to work more closely with Utah lawmakers to make sure no false assumptions are made about Summit County.
Workforce housing and what Summit County can do to support and encourage the creation of workforce housing is fifth. Representatives said increasing workforce housing will help diversify Summit County and create stronger community-ownership since people who work in the community will be able to afford to live there.
Last on the list is maintaining Summit County’s identity and bridging the East/West divide. Hoping to draw attention to the positive aspects of having diverse geographic economies and resources, representatives want to increase a sense of community throughout the county.
Over the next two years, the council hopes to address additional issues including aligning government efforts, managing growth, improving technological services, generating funds and maximizing equity among taxpayers through revenue structure and promoting and expanding recreational opportunities.
Long-term issues representatives want the county to focus on include management of natural resources, agriculture and improving cultural diversity.
The council has outlined its goals and strategic issues in the past, but this is the first time so many shareholders have been involved in the process said Elliott.