Pleasant Grove approves $5 million interlocal grant for Ruth at doTERRA Theater; declares city equipment surplus

Pleasant Grove City Council on Tuesday adopted a three-year interlocal agreement with Utah County to accept $5,000,000 in transient room, convention and tourism (TRCC) funds for the Ruth at doTERRA Theater and separately approved a resolution declaring a range of city vehicles and equipment surplus.

The interlocal resolution (Res. 2025-08) authorizes the mayor to sign the agreement memorializing the county grant and the schedule of payments. General counsel told the council the amount “will not exceed the $5,000,000 that it's been awarded” and described a three-year disbursement schedule: $1,000,000 in 2025, $2,000,000 in 2026 and $2,000,000 in 2027.

The council approved the interlocal agreement by roll-call vote. Councilmember Williams moved the measure; Councilmember Anderson seconded. The recorded vote was: Anderson — yes; Rogers — yes; Jensen — yes; Lamone — yes; Williams — yes. The motion carried.

Council members and staff said the Ruth organization and the city provided an economic impact study to Utah County during the funding request; a staff member noted the packet includes an estimate that the theater’s annual economic impact to the county is about $50,000,000. Council discussion at the meeting focused on the mechanics of the grant and the county’s use of tourism-related tax revenues to fund the award.

The council also adopted Resolution 2025-09 declaring a list of aging or excess vehicles and equipment surplus, authorizing disposal in accordance with city surplus policy. The list the council reviewed included multiple trucks (a 1993 Ford 1-ton dump, a 2023 GMC pickup, 2006 Chevy Colorado and other older pickups), a John Deere Gator, mowers, two Polaris ATVs, a diamond conditioner, a Troy-Built trailer, a Boss snow plow and two Hemingway e-bikes. Director of operations explained the newer trucks will be sold via sealed bids and other items may be sent to auction. Councilmember Jensen moved the surplus resolution; Councilmember Rogers seconded. The roll-call vote recorded Anderson — yes; Rogers — yes; Jensen — yes; Lamone — yes; Williams — yes.

Public comment earlier in the meeting included remarks from Lindsay Christiansen, a Ruth Theater community liaison, who said the organization has distributed more than 6,500 countywide vouchers since opening and offered ticket vouchers for city department employees. Christiansen said the Ruth is “in the process of developing a variety of offerings to support our community.”

What the council approved Tuesday memorializes the county’s grant award and clears the way for the city to invoice Utah County on the schedule in the interlocal agreement; staff said submission of invoices triggers the county payments under the three-year schedule. The surplus resolution directs staff to dispose of the listed items under existing city policy.