Families propose life‑jacket loaner kiosk at Knowles area of Utah Lake after two drownings

Commissioners heard a family proposal to site a life‑jacket loaner kiosk and water‑safety signage on county property at the Knowles area of Utah Lake following a May 6 incident in which two young women from Saratoga Springs drowned. Richard Nelson introduced the request and said the families forwarded a written proposal in the meeting packet.

Stephanie (a family member) told commissioners the kiosk would combine educational signage about lake hazards with a rack of loaner life jackets that visitors can borrow and return. She said volunteers from the families and friends would handle maintenance and restocking — ‘‘we would almost set up, like, a little volunteer spreadsheet... and we would... do monthly or biweekly... regular maintenance or restock life jackets,’’ she said. She also said she hoped the kiosk would include a small plaque "in memory of Priscilla and Sofia" and the wording: "take 1 to save a life." She said search and rescue had told the family that life jackets could have improved the chances of rescue.

From the county perspective, Nelson said county staff did not see a prohibitive reason to locate the kiosk on the county parcel but recommended coordination on exact siting and that the county attorney review potential liabilities. Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about who would maintain the kiosk and whether signage about wind and other lake hazards was adequate; one commissioner urged staff to coordinate with public works and the Utah Lake Commission to confirm placement and signage needs.

Commissioners expressed condolences and support for the proposal and asked staff to follow up with counsel and partner agencies; no formal action was taken. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that passed on an 'aye' vote.