[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6204593,"mediaKeyId","3778593-ccaec9489d0531f0403761d7daf0c186","parentId",3778593,"title","Utah County approves resolution to join statewide 250th‑anniversary programming","audioSeconds",150,"startMs",2076000,"endMs",2226000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3778593-ccaec9489d0531f0403761d7daf0c186&start=2076&end=2226","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3778593-ccaec9489d0531f0403761d7daf0c186/thumbnail_2076000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6204593/Utah/Utah-County-approves-resolution-to-join-statewide-250thanniversary-programming","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204593-f47c4025c4be5068012e997f85ccf959/orig.mp4?Expires=1770603896&Signature=RzjLElBgRJ3WmEt3lJs46jalclxHbJ8a1JNFH9xfCQATV5BGjBlAKN9wedtoSDMJs~eWtdqAXZ4jzG~Pj6pJsHdy6C-8sWVGklbsnflf3Z0xSfGUZfFMLBbSwQ4eE8GWDHJNQUsrsvC58nA1QitoScMi0kfEL9afmOGE57S0EmeXxJhRaGJ-lICR8IQcxq6Yk5Tt8L0~nlhP2KVJKmV4fa6lptZGd1oIvDQSKT-BZLmNjEMgx9hnV4kpUprrHLp~khH4jAI8AMjjQ~WNxVzWARGZI4NNe5hBynGmC-3A9jwzCvZaf~iiX9NvG9oOSJwEUSBxD0nCYqC2NE0UVIrkqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-10T00:48:55Z","article","On June 11 the Utah County Commission approved a resolution to join state-led programming for the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary and to form a county committee to coordinate local events.

Commissioner Beltran explained the county is opting into a state program that encourages counties to plan commemorative programming and said Utah County will partner with existing local organizations, including the Freedom Festival and Utah Valley University’s Center for Constitutional Studies, to coordinate events.

Commissioner Gardner noted the county already hosts multiple patriotic events and suggested integrating the anniversary into existing festivals and the county fair theme. A motion to approve the resolution passed by voice vote; no public comment was recorded on the item.

Next steps: the county will form the committee required by the state program and work with partner organizations on programming for the anniversary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Utah County Commission Public Meeting - June 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a resolution to opt in to state programming marking the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary, designating a committee and signaling partnership with the Freedom Festival and UVU’s Center for Constitutional Studies.","taxTitle","Utah County Commission, Utah County Commission and Boards, Utah County, Utah","taxId",67008,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6204600,"Utah County holds public hearing on Bridal Falls land swap; officials stress conservation and say \"There will be no gondola\"",567,1037000,1604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3778593-ccaec9489d0531f0403761d7daf0c186&start=1037&end=1604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3778593-ccaec9489d0531f0403761d7daf0c186/thumbnail_1037000.jpg","/articles/6204600/Utah/Utah-County-holds-public-hearing-on-Bridal-Falls-land-swap-officials-stress-conservation-and-say-There-will-be-no-gondola","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204600-57415347c93caa7a4756ecb6f2ffb1a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770603896&Signature=SC3By45Chgo~lVO8GibNtH6dI0QTJKfGwvSl9n44CmDouDLspO9B1pzi0UhQkVs0To-hufzuOt6ERHvw4zYjwTHEKlfWq870rwmNVVKdHbgE68dyujTNd7DxxHRJvYCQGyGQ3TkJ3IrWDvOuLyBZaRUyZhKMiqrS84dR7C3fgofa2qgYjcJtjCy8y2gv1yeTFKJ0o6SuBy9OhKRGoC71nlOAHxXr2Qi5LavQsFKfdQMD-LIldtfyzgHwEu8KEYvnJK5KmpRCf3MMO4qCSCX-dZvkxB9MEC~iLgU62NfNlBkcq-s6qjV3XJi8gQka7xifbMPQXDXofXJ7DHFbS3rohg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utah County Commission opened a public hearing on June 11 to discuss a proposed land swap with the U.S. Forest Service that would move the county-owned parcel at the base of Bridal Falls into contiguous county ownership in exchange for federal parcels near the top of the falls.

County staff member Richard explained the purpose of the swap as resolving management conflicts between county and federal jurisdictions and allowing the county to complete safety and access improvements in the area the county already maintains. Richard said the proposal is a land exchange, not a purchase, and that the area is governed by a conservation easement that preserves the site’s openness and prevents unsightly development.

The proposed improvements shown in county renderings would separate pedestrian and bicycle traffic at the falls — adding staggered gates and rerouting faster bicycle traffic around pedestrian areas — to reduce collisions where bicyclists and pedestrians currently cross paths near the base of the falls.

Public commenter Mark Allen of Protect and Reserve American Fork Canyon voiced concern about historical controversies at the site and potential infrastructure, saying it “feels like a family reunion, the haves, and the wannabes” and urging the county to keep the site fee‑free and free of commercialization. Allen asked whether the conservation easement is still held by the Utah Open Lands trust; staff answered that it is.

When asked directly about a possible gondola or tram, Richard replied plainly: “There will be no gondola. Period.” He said old tram facilities had been removed years ago and that the commission rescinded prior master-plan elements that contemplated such amenities.

Commissioner Beltran and other commissioners emphasized the county’s intent to keep Bridal Falls free and accessible. Beltran said the county’s earlier decision to seek state-monument status and a conservation easement was intended to preserve free public access; he called the swap “simply bringing the land back to us” so local officials could make stewardship decisions.

Staff said some construction work on areas the county already owns will begin this year; work on parcels that would be transferred depends on the federal process. County staff said congressional contacts had indicated they have the materials they need to advance the federal side of the exchange but that timing remains subject to the Forest Service and federal approvals.

No final decision on the land exchange was recorded at the hearing. The commission opened and then closed the public hearing; further action will depend on completion of federal and congressional processes and any future commission votes.

Next steps: county staff will continue coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and congressional offices and return to the commission as the federal process advances.","The county opened a public hearing on a proposed land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service to swap the base and upper parcels of Bridal Falls to create contiguous, county-managed parkland; staff and commissioners emphasized the area will remain subject to a conservation easement and that a gondola is off the table.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6204605,"Utah County reviews new transient room tax options, cites about $400,000 in potential annual revenue",618,383000,1001000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3778593-ccaec9489d0531f0403761d7daf0c186&start=383&end=1001","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3778593-ccaec9489d0531f0403761d7daf0c186/thumbnail_383000.jpg","/articles/6204605/Utah/Utah-County-reviews-new-transient-room-tax-options-cites-about-400000-in-potential-annual-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204605-ca0688c7d5e4d916358991eac0b994db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770603896&Signature=itZmyjjX0BTF~2ldMSXTqEGD2vS3d5caV2Uru5piQ6i-N3wPLWR5jXwAzqxusnpjuaK6oZbQjbMfOagCkQJxt8ls8EkU8v~BmvFawdynYBFbCWNQG98rguvE7fl9K-1UC0WaYwvzXjB1~1k09aWB4kW~JAoJNj6fDZe38wq6UNxw2FBUBd4U4QrA55C7Kc8jhI1nx7eZPudh5nT1rrAEtt0Q-9JxoS2gooA9T9ukzcgPIWXF5~xtOHg7NoupxZq3ikEgQUtJZHrsVHddKRi~nsiA5lJl3A6-2apd5DUprtJPa45J4tbfEsz6brcMTvJl0CGv1OzGtPzO~HrUONvXTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Utah County Commission held a work session on June 11 to review changes in House Bill 456 to the transient room tax (TRT) and to discuss how the county might use newly eligible revenue.

County staff member Ezra said the 2025 law “changes the transient room tax” and gives counties “more flexibility on the uses.” He told the commission the county could adopt an additional 0.25 percentage point before July 1; if enacted before that date, the extra revenue would begin on Oct. 1.

Why it matters: the optional 0.25 point would raise the county TRT from 4.25% to 4.5% and is estimated by staff to generate roughly $400,000 a year for Utah County. Under the revised eligibility in HB 456, marketing and promotion remain explicitly allowable while additional categories — including trails and mitigation of tourism impacts such as sanitation, search-and-rescue and law enforcement in unincorporated high‑tourism areas — can now also be funded in counties that generate more than $1 million annually in TRT receipts.

Staff outlined likely projects and cost estimates. Some road upgrades discussed include paving 800 North to 17600 West, with a preliminary estimate of about $4,000,000. Trail work already identified ranges from roughly $500,000 to $3,500,000; staff cited Provo Canyon Trail pavement rehabilitation as the largest single identified project at about $3,500,000. The Jordan River Trail and the Utah Lakeshore Trail were also listed as possible candidates.

County staff described the local search-and-rescue program as volunteer-run, saying volunteers “pay entirely out of pocket for all their equipment, their uniforms” and noting there are 17 members with some certifications. Staff said modest uniform allowances, additional equipment funding and training could be eligible TRT uses under the new law.

Commissioner Gardner asked for a public reminder about eligible uses, and staff confirmed that marketing and tourism promotion remain primary allowable uses under the statute even with the broadened eligibility for other categories.

Staff also noted that roughly 50% of county fire calls are indirectly tied to tourism pressure in canyon and trail areas but that state law currently does not list fire mitigation as an eligible TRT expense; staff said they could pursue a legislative change to allow fire mitigation funding in a future session.

No formal action was taken at the work session. Staff framed the discussion around policy choices the commission must make before the statutory adoption window: adopt the optional 0.25% before July 1 to allow the increase to take effect Oct. 1, or delay action and postpone any additional revenue to a later date.

Next steps: staff will continue to refine project lists and cost estimates and return to the commission with implementation options and any ordinance language needed for formal adoption.","Commission staff reviewed HB 456 changes to the transient room tax and potential county uses — from trail repairs to search-and-rescue support — and reminded commissioners of a pre-July 1 adoption window to make an added 0.25 percentage point take effect Oct. 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Utah County approves resolution to join statewide 250th‑anniversary programming

Utah County holds public hearing on Bridal Falls land swap; officials stress conservation and say "There will be no gondola"

Utah County reviews new transient room tax options, cites about $400,000 in potential annual revenue