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Utah County Commission sends letter to UTA urging inclusion of local projects in 2026 budget
Summary
The commission approved a letter to the Utah Transit Authority urging that projects in fast-growing Utah County be included in UTA's 2026 budget, noting promised routes to Eagle Mountain and West Lehi were not listed in the draft.
The Utah County Commission on Oct. 22 voted to send a letter to the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) urging the agency to include projects serving Utah County in its 2026 budget.
Commissioners said the 2026 draft budget presented by UTA focuses heavily on maintenance—vehicle and infrastructure replacement—but does not include several service expansions that county officials say were promised for Utah County. The commission noted that Utah County accounted for about 43% of the state's growth last year and said traffic congestion is a frequent constituent concern.
One commissioner told the panel that an Eagle Mountain dedicated route and a planned on-demand service for West Lehi and the Thanksgiving Point area, both expected this coming April under earlier commitments, are not included in UTA’s 2026 budget. "We're the fastest growing county, and we need to see some projects in 2026," the commissioner said.
The commission emphasized that the letter is intended as collaboration rather than rebuke. Commissioners noted ongoing discussions with UTA leadership and said Utah County has pledged local funds via the "Fifth Fifth" to accelerate some projects. The letter gives the county's opinion during UTA's public comment period, which remains open through Nov. 7, according to staff comments in the meeting.
The commission approved the letter by motion. Commissioners voiced support and the motion passed with affirmative votes recorded as "aye." No formal roll-call tally was read aloud in the transcript.
