Midway selects $5M open‑space bond; Heber and Wasatch board review well‑being survey highlighting traffic concerns

Midway City council members informed the Wasatch County Open Lands Board on Aug. 12 that a public survey (about 300 responses) favored a $5,000,000 open‑space bond, and the council set that amount for the ballot process and associated public hearings.

Board members said Midway will hold at least two public hearings and one open house under a tight schedule if the bond proceeds. "By all of the votes that came out of 300 responses, far away at the $5,000,000 bond was selected," a Midway representative told the board.

Heber City reported it is preparing a USU grant application for a demonstration garden and other amenities at Merrifield Park (on the east side of the park, not on conservation‑easement land). Heber staff also noted they continue to await U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits for boardwalks and gravel paths on easement property.

The board reviewed a Utah State well‑being survey covering 47 communities. Heber returned about 400 responses; speakers said the results show traffic is the top community concern, followed by water supply/quality and open space. One board member said air‑quality monitoring has been delayed because calibrations were incomplete, and the board expects additional testing into next year.

Board members said the survey results support renewed outreach for an open‑space bond and that a follow‑up survey next year could reinforce local priorities. The meeting closed with members planning continued coordination among county staff, city officials and conservation partners on bond outreach and grant applications.