Wasatch Back voters have just a few more days to cast their ballots in the general election.

Tuesday is Election Day, and the Summit County Clerk’s Office has received 4,190 ballots, or 30% total countywide, as of Friday morning. The majority are from mail-in or drop box votes, with a small turnout so far from early voting. 

Ballots were mailed about two weeks ago. Since then, Clerk Eve Furse said staff have been collecting and processing ballots so they’re ready to count and training poll workers. Early voting also started on Wednesday and will remain open through 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Summit County Health Department’s Quinn’s Junction location on Round Valley Drive and the Summit County Courthouse on Main Street in Coalville.

Furse anticipated countywide voter turnout would be about 45%, which is typical for an off-year election. She expects the majority of ballots will be cast on Monday or Tuesday.

Staff planned to start counting ballots on Friday afternoon. Each is marked with a unique identification number tied to each voter. The Clerk’s Office collects and processes ballots by verifying the signature matches against past signatures — with an opportunity for the voter to correct it if challenged — and scans the barcode. Then, the ballots are entered into the tabulation equipment. 

Furse said the system records and counts the votes, but the information is suppressed until polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. 

The biggest challenge for the Clerk’s Office has been keeping up with all of the changes to the West Hills incorporation election. 

Summit County Third District Judge Matthew Bates’ October ruling invalidated the election after 10 people filed a lawsuit to block the vote. West Hills sponsor Derek Anderson appealed the ruling to the Utah Supreme Court, which temporarily reinstated the election. However, the state’s high court ultimately reversed its decision after a last-minute hearing.  

Furse said the Clerk’s Office had to cancel the West Hills vote in its system, which then would “spoil” or flag ballots in that election, reinstate it, and then call it off again. However, ballots were already printed, so 97 residents will still see the incorporation vote on their ballot.

The Clerk’s Office has also heard a few questions from people living in the Snyderville Basin who did not receive a ballot. Furse clarified that not every voter will have an election. 

For example, the only race in the Snyderville Basin is for Summit County Service Area #3 Board of Trustees and that is solely open to Silver Creek residents. There would have been a water reclamation district election, but there were as many candidates as open seats.

Municipal elections are being held for mayor and city council in Coalville, Francis, Henefer, Kamas, Oakley and Park City. One candidate is also running for one open South Summit Fire District fire board commission.

Ballot drop boxes are located throughout Summit County, including the Park City Library, Oakley City Hall, Francis City Hall, Henefer Town Hall, the Summit County Courthouse, the Coalville and Kamas Valley branches of the Summit County Library, The Market at Park City and the Quinn’s Health Department. Hours may vary by location.

Mail-in ballots must be in possession of the Clerk’s Office by Tuesday night to be counted, a change from previous years when ballots had to be postmarked the day before the election. Voters who are unsure if their ballots will arrive in time by mail should use a drop box instead.

The first round of preliminary results will be released by the Clerk’s Office after polls close. Updates will be provided throughout the week until all votes are counted.

The post Summit County voter turnout around 30% appeared first on Park Record.

Oakley residents rounded up at City Hall for a spirited candidate forum, where those running for mayoral and city council seats shared their vision for the town’s future.

The event on Tuesday offered community members the chance to hear directly from the people hoping to win their vote about pressing issues.

Oakley Rodeo Committee board member Sam Aplanalp and former Oakley Mayor Doug Evans organized the event, joking that they formed the nonpartisan — and unofficial — “Oakley Election Committee” as a way to promote civic engagement, community involvement and respectful dialogue ahead of the election. 

The three candidates for Oakley City Council are Amy Regan, Kerbee Leavitt and Christopher Dillman. Also, Mayor Zane Woolstenhulme is seeking another term and current City Councilor Steve Wilmoth is challenging him.

The candidates

Regan is a 33-year resident who served on the Oakley Planning Commission from 2002 to 2010, and is a 20-year member of the Oakley Civic Club. Regan has worked at the South Summit School District for about 18 years. 

Leavitt grew up in Oakley and wants to preserve its agricultural heritage. Her varied background includes business ownership, cosmetology, event coordination, nursing and nonprofit work to support military veterans and first responders. She previously ran for City Council in 2023.

Dillman has lived in Oakley with his family for more than a decade. He works as a project executive in heavy civil construction and has been actively involved in the community, supporting local trails and serving on the Oakley Rodeo Committee.

Oakley voters will choose their top two candidates for City Council on Election Day. The winners will take over the seats held by Wilmoth and City Councilor Kelly Kimber, who are not seeking reelection.

Instead of serving another term on the City Council, Wilmoth decided to challenge Oakley’s incumbent mayor for the office.

Wilmoth has lived in Okaley for 24 years, nine of which he has spent on the City Council. He said he has more than three decades’ worth of experience managing people, and 25 years of experience managing businesses. 

Woolstenhulme acknowledged his family roots are deep in Oakley, with his grandfather, father, uncle and brother all serving as mayor. The incumbent previously served for about 20 years on the Planning Commission and works as a business administrator for the Ogden City School District. 

The issues

Candidates were provided five questions about key issues in the community in advance so they could prepare responses for the forum. Then, attendees randomly selected who would answer first by drawing names out of a hat.

First, they were asked about their opinions on the proposed master planned development for the village center, and the course Oakley should take — one of the most divisive issues in the community. The Oakley Planning Commission and city staff have been collaborating with a developer on the proposal for about three years, though the initiative has been in discussion for almost 20. 

Most candidates were cautious, but open to elements of the proposal — which includes a mix of commercial businesses, a new post office and housing in the core of Oakley. They supported the idea of developing the city center to improve community amenities and foster commercial growth, yet they consistently emphasized the need for planning and phasing.

Regan was supportive of improving the area and appreciated the serious conversations happening between Oakley and the developer. She said she was still concerned about the scale of retail, housing and parking in the recently downsized plan, but Regan emphasized she sees the need for affordable or attainable housing in Oakley. She wanted to preserve the small-town feeling by adding more green space and walkability.

Wilmoth said, “We need to slow down.” He wanted discussions to focus on either the north or south side of the property to ensure there’s a phased approach to development. Wilmoth added that he’s worried about overbuilding in the city center, and didn’t like the idea of apartments there. He was also opposed to selling the entire property to one developer and wanted Oakley to retain some control over the land.

Woolstenhulme has been supportive of development in the city center area since the rodeo grounds were relocated. He pointed to the City Council-approved General Plan, which details the vision and policies for growth and development. Woolstenhulme advocated for the rights of private property owners and stressed the importance of growing the community’s small commercial tax base.

Leavitt appeared to be the most critical of the development. She said she wanted to see modest commercial growth that supports local businesses and blends into Oakley’s rural character, and opposed development that would diminish that. Leavitt referenced enhancing existing spaces in the community instead. She had additional issues with the impact of apartments on safety and the rural culture.

Dillman recognized the need to increase the commercial tax base in Oakley, but said he wasn’t sure whether the city center project was the best way. He raised questions about how new growth from apartments would impact existing facilities like water and sewer. Dillman was supportive of taking a phased approach to development, but wants to revisit the master plan to ensure it reflects the desires of current citizens.

Candidates were asked to share their opinions about the direction Oakley has taken, or should take, concerning attainable housing for local workers:

• Dillman acknowledged the challenge of finding affordable housing, but cautioned against over-managing the market. He was wary about the effects of rapid growth and suggested Oakley work with county and state resources.
• Regan cited the city’s General Plan, which calls for diverse housing types. She noted the lack of multifamily housing options and the need to support teachers, first responders and city employees. She suggested starting near the city center and working with community partners.
• Wilmoth sees a need for affordable housing, but he said it should not be located in the city center to preserve green space and the rural feeling. He preferred housing options such as condos rather than apartments.
• Woolstenhulme referenced the success of the North Bench Farms project, which brought deed-restricted homes to the community with the help of community partners. He encouraged creative solutions, such as smaller lots and zoning ordinances, within the city code.
• Leavitt was nervous about affordable housing in Oakley and didn’t want to see it in the city center. She questioned what levels of affordability would be attainable, and wanted development to benefit local families rather than attract second homeowners. 

Next, they were asked to share any ideas or concerns regarding Oakley’s critical infrastructure and service needs, such as water, sewer, roads, public safety, and recreation facilities such as parks, trails and open space.

• Leavitt emphasized thoughtful investment. She would prioritize upgrading water and sewer systems, road maintenance and preserving open space.
• Dillman praised the new well and called for an assessment of water and sewer lines. He also noted the sewer plant may need expansion.
• Regan highlighted the importance of safeguarding Oakley’s water infrastructure and increasing its sewer capacity. She supported trail development to improve walkability.
• Wilmoth stressed the importance of ensuring infrastructure supports growth. He said the sewer facility will need attention, and noted some bridges will need to be replaced.
• Woolstenhulme said he’s helping to initiate a capital improvements plan to assess infrastructure. He also wants to update impact fees so new growth pays its fair share.

Of course, there was a question about suggestions for modifying or improving the Fourth of July Oakley Rodeo and its facility, as well as what can be done to encourage volunteer efforts.

• Wilmoth called the rodeo the “heartbeat” of Okaley and vital for city funding. He wanted to see more seating and said that emphasizing the importance of volunteers would boost participation.
• Woolstenhulme sees the rodeo as a catalyst for community spirit and financial support. He said teaching new residents about Oakley’s tradition of volunteerism is key.
• Leavitt highlighted her personal connections to the rodeo. She wants to balance growth to preserve the event’s hometown charm and suggested more community involvement.
• Dillman serves on the rodeo committee and said he wants to help more residents feel connected to the event. He was open to improvements at the rodeo grounds as needed.
• Regan noted she’s a long-time supporter of the rodeo, but cautioned that bigger isn’t always better. She believes that the community will step up to help when asked.

Lastly, the candidates shared their thoughts on the city’s financial health and economic sustainability.

• Woolstenhulme stressed the need for careful planning and prioritization. He prefers small, incremental tax increases over large, infrequent ones. 
• Leavitt supported prioritizing essential needs and said she favors seeking grants and donations rather than borrowing. There should be a clear repayment plan for any debt.
• Dillman said he wants to keep taxes and rates low. He suggested seeking grants, increasing local spending and leveraging city assets for revenue.
• Regan was in favor of responsible bonding for infrastructure and believes new development should pay through impact fees.
• Wilmoth said Oakley is financially healthy, but some impact fees need to be reviewed. He supports bonds if repayment is feasible and praised the city’s grant-writing abilities.

The post Oakley residents meet council, mayoral candidates appeared first on Park Record.

Candidates have just a few weeks left to sway voters before Election Day, and those running for office in Park City plan to make their pitches during a political forum next week.

KPCW and The Park Record will host the event, which features the five candidates running for Park City Council and mayor. The forum is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Jim Santy Auditorium in the Park City Library. 

The first hour of the event will spotlight City Council candidates Tana Toly and Jeremy Rubell, the incumbents, as well as Diego Zegarra, an Old Town resident and nonprofit leader. Voters will choose which two candidates win the open seats on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Toly had a commanding lead in the August primary election, followed by Zegarra and Rubell. 

Toly was born and raised in Park City, and her family is well-known as the owners of Red Banjo Pizza on Main Street. Toly is finishing her first term on the City Council, and previously served on the municipal Historic Preservation Board. Her platform is rooted in progress, including completing the senior center, preserving open space and preparing for the 2034 Games.

Zegarra has lived in Park City since 2018 and works as the vice president of impact for the Park City Community Foundation. His platform is focused on housing, transportation and transit as well as sustainability. Zegarra has said his campaign is also about community and making sure locals’ voices are heard.

Rubell is a Thaynes Canyon resident with experience in management consulting and executive leadership. He is seeking a second term so he can continue his work at the municipal level and help lead the community through change. His priorities include fiscal responsibility at the Marsac Building and preserving neighborhoods and open space.

Mayoral candidates Ryan Dickey, who currently serves on the City Council, and Jack Rubin, a Park Meadows resident, will present their platforms during the second hour of the political forum. There was no primary election in the mayoral race with only two candidates. Incumbent Park City Mayor Nann Worel is not seeking reelection.

Next month’s top vote-getters will take the oath of office in January.

Dickey was appointed to the City Council in 2021 to replace Worel as she took over the mayor’s office. He was elected to a full term in 2023, and his public service also includes the Snuderville Basin Planning Commission and the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District. Dickey’s campaign prioritizes leadership, housing, transportation, regional collaboration and Park City’s culture. 

Rubin made Park City his permanent home in 2014, though his connection to the community dates back to 1978. His background includes varied business experiences in finance, investment banking and more. Rubin is running for mayor with the goals of putting residents first, keeping the community accessible and affordable, protecting Park City’s heritage and upholding local values.

Questions at the political forum will focus on the top issues in Park City, such as traffic and development, as well as the future of the community related to the 2034 Winter Olympics and the ski industry. 

Community members can ask questions in person and online, too. KPCW will livestream the political forum on YouTube.

Businessman John Kenworthy also advanced to the general election after the primary, but he withdrew his City Council campaign in September. His name will still appear on the ballot, though no votes cast for Kenworthy will be counted.

Ballots will be mailed to voters on Tuesday and will start appearing in mailboxes later next week. 

The Park Record and KPCW also partnered to create a voter guide featuring the ballot items in Summit and Wasatch counties, which will arrive around the same time.

The voter guide includes questions for city council and mayoral candidates in eastern Summit County, as well as Heber City, Midway, Hideout, and Park City. It also provides information about the general obligation bond for voters in the North Summit School District and the potential incorporation of West Hills.

Ballots must be returned to the Summit County Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day — rather than postmarked the day before the election and received later, as in past years, due to a new state law. 

Drop boxes for ballots will be located throughout Summit County: the Summit County Courthouse in Coalville, the Coalville branch of the Summit County Library, the Park City Library, The Market at Park City, Oakley City Hall, Francis City Hall, Henefer Town Hall, the Kamas Valley Branch of the Summit County Library, the Kimball Junction branch of the Summit County Library by the DMV entrance and the Quinn’s Junction location of the Summit County Health Department.

There’s also now a section for voters to opt in to receiving mail-in ballots in the future. Registered voters must indicate their preference to continue receiving ballots by mail because they will no longer be sent automatically after 2029 (also because of changes to state law). 

The deadline to register and receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the general election is 5 p.m. on Oct. 24. People who are not registered to vote by the deadline, but are otherwise eligible, may vote provisionally in person during early voting and on Election Day.

Early voting is available from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 at the Summit County Clerk’s Office in the County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and until 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Quinn’s branch of the Summit County Health Department will also be open for early voting from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the scheduled dates.

In-person Election Day voting will be available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Coalville City Hall, the Kamas Valley branch of the Summit County Library and the Summit County Health Department in Quinn’s Junction.

The post Park City candidates to share platforms at upcoming political forum appeared first on Park Record.

Coalville will have a new mayor next year, and it will be up to East Side voters to help narrow down the varied slate of candidates in August ahead of the general election.

Mayor Mark Marsh isn’t seeking reelection, opening the door for one of four residents who declared their candidacy last week to lead the city. The candidate filing period opened on June 2 and remained open until 5 p.m. on Friday.

Each municipality — Coalville, Oakley, Francis, Kamas and Henefer — will elect a mayor and at least two town or city council seats in November. The majority of the races are contested.

In Coalville, half of the mayoral candidates said they were inspired to run for office because they feel the community is at a crossroads.

Coalville native Rory Swensen, clinic director of Peak Medical in Park City and chair of the Summit County Democratic Party, said he’s running for mayor to address the gridlock at City Hall and the growth challenges the town faces. Swensen emphasized the need for collaborative leadership, better participation from Coalville City Council members and community engagement.

“We have some division in the city,” he said. “There is a real strong desire to keep the soul and the charm of Coalville in the face of the growth that’s coming, and what’s resulted in, especially over the last few years, some costly mistakes with the Wohali development, and also some dysfunction within City Hall.”

If elected mayor, Swensen said, he would be a proactive leader rooted in partnerships and preserving the eastern Summit County community. He emphasized a need to protect what residents love about the town while also actively preparing for, and helping to shape, future growth. Otherwise, the community will be “clobbered by it.” Maintaining affordability for the next generation was a key priority for Swensen, too.

Swensen added that there’s been a tendency for the City Council to “punt” decisions around without taking action and a lack of preparedness from members during discussions. He said the mayor needs to have a firm, collaborative approach to improve the accountability and efficiency of the city to ensure decisions are being made.

“We can keep stalling, or we can shape the future,” Swensen said. “I’m running to keep Coalville strong and liveable and authentic. I want to be a leader who listens and acts.”

Tyler Rowser, an administrative battalion chief with the North Summit Fire District, had similar motivations to launch a mayoral campaign. He recognized the need for collaboration, better partnership between the mayor and the City Council and improved employee retention.

“I see Coalville is at a turning point, and we have two ways we can go here. We can either turn and succeed, or we can turn and fail. I want to see Coalville succeeding, and I want to make sure we have things in place to make it succeed,” Rowser said.

As a former city councilor and Coalville planning commissioner, Rowser also emphasized the importance of developing a strategic plan to avoid the negative impacts of development. 

He specifically mentioned a request from developers Larry H. Miller and Ivory Homes to annex a portion of its proposal to create a new town — formerly known as Cedar Crest Village, the downsized project is now called Hidden Meadow Village — into the Coalville city limits. Rowser was against the development, saying it would be “totally devastating” to Main Street and the community’s commercial base. 

He also advocated for officials and staff to start planning so that everyone can be on the same page instead of at odds with each other. Rowser added that many employees have departed because of tensions between the city and its administrative arm or because they can find higher pay elsewhere.

“I think there’s a lot that can be done,” he said. “I am worried about how to make Coalville better for the people that live there now, and how to do it with … the least impact on taxes.”

Coalville City Councilor Lynn Wood said the decision to run for mayor came about very quickly. She’s only been on the City Council for 18 months and has been focused on creating opportunities for meaningful community involvement, but Wood said additional priorities have emerged. She said she realized the mayor is in a unique position to facilitate changes in the city related to how the government is run.

“It’s critical that we expand and diversify our team of professionals and advisors in order to negotiate the best possible outcomes with the developments that are currently on the horizon,” Wood said. “Another priority is to involve the council more fully in the city administration and I’d work to bring back the council committees and assignments that were effective in past administrations.”

Former Planning Commissioner Walter Brock also filed a candidacy declaration. Brock could not be reached by the time of publication.

There are also two City Council seats with four-year terms on the November ballot. Coalville City Councilors John Hansen and Louise Willoughby are not seeking reelection. The individuals who declared their candidacy: Chris Tomczyk, Matthew Boyer, Andrew Nelson, Jeff Peterson, Colleen Goodman and Steven Richins. Boyer serves on the Planning Commission. 

Other East Side voters will also have a range of candidates to choose from, based on the other municipal filings. 

In Oakley, incumbent Mayor Zane Woolstenhulme announced his intent to run for reelection. Oakley City Councilor Steve Wilmoth filed as a challenger. 

Amy Regan, Kerbee Leavitt and Christopher Dillman declared their candidacy for the two open Oakley City Council seats, currently occupied by Wilmoth and City Councilor Kelly Kimber, who is not running for reelection.

Francis City voters will choose between two candidates for mayor, including incumbent Jeremie Forman. Byron Ames also filed to run.

Francis City Council incumbents Shana Fryer and Clayton Querry announced their plans to run for reelection. They are challenged by Lynsi Stone and Riley Atkinson, as well as Francis City Planning Commission Chair Justin Ciampi and Planning Commissioner Scott Buchanan.

Kamas Mayor Matt McCormick declared his intent to run for reelection. No one filed to run against him.

Incumbent Kamas City Councilor David Darcey is also running for another four-year term. Steve Cyr, Kandilee Sauter and Michael Georgi declared their candidacies for two open seats. City Councilor Jessica Allen Bateman is not seeking another term.

Henefer voters will also vote for a new mayor and three at-large town council seats this November. Officials published a municipal election notice on May 21, though it improperly stated the filing period ran from June 1 to 5. A second notice with the correct dates was posted on May 30. The website has not been updated to include which candidates have declared as of Tuesday.

There will be a primary election to narrow down the candidate field for the mayoral and city council races in Coalville, as well as the Francis City Council election, on Aug. 12. There will not be a primary in the other municipalities because there are not enough candidates to qualify for one. 

The general election is Nov. 4.

The post Coalville mayoral campaigns take shape ahead of August primary appeared first on Park Record.

East Side voters will have a varied slate of candidates to choose from based on the filings submitted by the end-of-week deadline.

Each municipality — Oakley, Coalville, Francis, Kamas and Henefer — will elect a mayor and at least two town or city council seats in the 2025 election. The candidate filing period opened on Monday, June 2, and remained open until 5 p.m. on Friday.

In Oakley, incumbent Mayor Zane Woolstenhulme announced his intent to run for reelection. Oakley City Councilor Steve Wilmoth filed as a challenger. 

Two seats on the Oakley City Council with four-year terms will also appear on the ballot. Amy Regan, Kerbee Leavitt and Christopher Dillman declared their candidacy. All three would be newcomers.

Coalville saw several candidates for mayor emerge, including Summit County Democratic Party Chair Rory Swensen, North Summit Fire Service District Administrative Battalion Chief Tyler Rowser, Coalville City Councilor Lynn Wood and former Coalville City Planning Commissioner Walter Brock. Incumbent Mayor Mark Marsh did not file for reelection.

Quite a few candidates are also vying for two seats with four-year terms on the Coalville City Council. The individuals who declared their candidacy are: Chris Tomczyk, Matthew Boyer, Andrew Nelson, Jeff Peterson, Colleen Goodman and Steven Richins. Boyer serves on the Planning Commission.

Francis City voters will choose between two candidates for mayor, including incumbent Jeremie Forman. Byron Ames also filed to run.

City Council incumbents Shana Fryer and Clayton Querry announced their plans to run for reelection. They are challenged by Lynsi Stone and Riley Atkinson, as well as Francis City Planning Commission Chair Justin Ciampi and Planning Commissioner Scott Buchanan.

Kamas Mayor Matt McCormick declared his intent to run for reelection. No one filed to run against him.

Incumbent Kamas City Councilor David Darcey is also running for another four-year term. Steve Cyr, Kandilee Sauter and Michael Georgi also declared their candidacies for two open seats. 

Henefer officials published a municipal election notice on May 30. However, the website does not include any information about which candidates have declared. The town has its mayor and three at-large council seats on the ballot.

Coalville and Francis are the only municipalities with enough candidates to qualify for a primary election, which will be held on Aug. 12. The general election is Nov. 4. 

This article was updated at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 9.

The post Eastern Summit County municipal races set appeared first on Park Record.

The referendum petition seeking to overturn the approval of Dakota Pacific Real Estate’s mixed-use project still needs more than 1,000 signatures verified for the issue to make it onto the November ballot.

A total of 3,201 signers, or just more than 70% of the minimum collection requirement, had been verified by the Summit County Clerk’s Office as of 9 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Lieutenant Governor’s website. 

If 1,353 more signatures are verified by the Clerk’s Office, Summit County voters will have the opportunity to vote on whether they want to overturn Ordinance No. 987, which would repeal the amended development agreement at the Park City Tech Center.

Staff has until Monday to finish counting and verifying the signatures submitted by Protect Summit County, the movement started by the seven referendum sponsors. 

Summit County residents Scott Greenberg, Joe Urankar, Ruby Diaz, Robert Lattanzi, Shawn Stinson, Brendan Weinstein and Jennifer Sexsmith filed the petition seeking to overturn the Summit County Council’s 4 to 1 vote approving the 725-unit project and public-private partnership on Dec. 1.

Deputy County Attorney Helen Strachan informed the group the proposed referendum was legally referable to voters in January. Utah Code states that a land use law, like the County Council decision approving the mixed-use development, was eligible for a referendum because it was a legislative decision on land use regulation.

Protect Summit County was then launched to help the sponsors gather as many signatures as possible before the 45-day collection period was over. They had until March 3 to submit a total of 4,554 verified signatures from 16% of voters countywide and at least 16% in three of the four districts to make it onto the ballot.

Although Clerk Eve Furse disqualified several of the signature packets submitted by Protect Summit County in February for “improper circulation,” the sponsors are confident they collected more than the minimum requirement. 

State code dictates how petition packets must be printed, bound, circulated and numbered. Statutory requirements say the packets must contain a cover page, a copy of the law subject to the referendum, one to 50 signature sheets, and a circulator verification sheet. Packets must be properly bound before they’re circulated, and cannot be taken apart or rearranged once attached.

Furse has until Monday to finish counting dozens of submitted packets. She’ll know by then whether the petition meets the total verified number to qualify, and staff will then confirm whether the percentage requirements are met. Unlike when casting a ballot, voters will not have the opportunity to correct a mismatched signature. 

The sponsors would be notified if the petition is sufficient or insufficient, but that decision might not come until late June because of the 45-day withdrawal period.

The Clerk’s Office staff is required to post the name and voter identification number of each signer on the Lieutenant Governor’s Office website after counting the signature, which remains online for 45 days. During that time, voters can also request their names be removed from the petition. 

Wasatch Back Future, a Political Issues Committee formed by Dakota Pacific executives in response to Protect Summit County, has encouraged signers to submit an application to take their name off. Summit County has received several requests.

The countermovement is focused on touting how the Dakota Pacific project has evolved based on community feedback as well as the positive impacts it could have on affordable housing and traffic.

Protect Summit County argues the development would exacerbate issues that already exist in Kimball Junction.

Summit County Chief Finance Officer Matt Leavitt estimated repealing Ordinance No. 987 could result in a loss of $266,800 in annual taxes; $4 million in rental income; $4 million in developer contributions; community amenities including an amphitheater, Kimball Junction interchange improvements, an S.R. 224 pedestrian safety crossing, and property donated to Summit County by Dakota Pacific.

Leavitt was also worried about whether the county would be eligible to receive Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) and Transit Transportation Investment Fund (TTIF) money from the Utah Department of Transportation as well as state and federal grants related to the bus rapid transit project on S.R. 224.

Officials expressed concerns about the Utah Legislature targeting Summit County if the Dakota Pacific project was not approved or if the referendum succeeded. Legislators ultimately approved Senate Bill 26 before the end of the general session, which ultimately codifies the amended Tech Center development agreement. 

Even if the referendum petition is declared sufficient, and Ordinance No. 987 is annulled by voters, Dakota Pacific could still move forward with its development. 

Since the referendum was announced, Dakota Pacific also filed a petition to incorporate its land as a preliminary municipality. If deemed feasible by the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office, the development firm would have the right to make land use and zoning decisions regardless of whether the ordinance is repealed.

Protect Summit County said it plans to pursue legal action if the referendum effort fails.

The post Dakota Pacific signature verification enters final week, final decision might not come until summer appeared first on Park Record.