Eastern Summit OSAC reports major land closings, $23M spent protecting about 16,700 acres; elects chair, sets 2026 schedule

Summit County’s Eastern Summit Agriculture Preservation and Open Lands Advisory Committee (OSAC) on its first meeting of 2026 reviewed a string of recent land-protection closings and the status of the county’s open‑space bond funds, and set governance and outreach priorities for the year.

Jess Kirby, Summit County lands director, told members the county has closed on a series of large projects in recent months, including the 910 Ranch and its 37‑acre inholding, the Anders Farm, Echo Canyon (about 4,285 acres), the Yonge Ranch, a Summit Park lot adjacent to the Basin trailhead, and an East Hoytsville property described as roughly 2,800 acres. “All in all, we have protected 16,713 acres,” Kirby said, adding the committee has spent “about $23,000,000” from the bond to date and that roughly $18,000,000 remains available, after recording closing costs and interest adjustments. Kirby and staff described several parcels (about $2,000,000 in value) as near closing or in active negotiation.

Why it matters: the committee advises county council on how to spend bond funds intended to preserve open space, water and wildlife habitat in the eastern portion of the county. OSAC’s recommendations are not final decisions — county council makes the ultimate funding and purchase approvals.

Kirby outlined how the committee evaluates Notices of Intent (NOIs): landowners or their representatives submit an NOI through the county portal, present to the appropriate subregional OSAC group using published criteria (water resources, recreation, wildlife habitat and similar factors), and the committee then votes on whether to recommend the property for county funding. “That’s the role of the committee,” Kirby said. He told new members staff will send packet links and criteria so volunteers can be ready to review NOIs.

Outreach push and volunteer task: Kirby said the county manager encouraged an outreach effort to revive NOI submissions, and asked for volunteers to draft a one‑page outreach letter and to compile members’ top‑10 parcel lists. Dan Gillenwater and Jack Kellner volunteered to take first drafts; Kirby said staff will consolidate the lists and the committee will refine priorities — work that could include closed‑session mapping where appropriate to avoid prematurely disclosing private landowner interest. “We could send a letter and do some cold calling,” Kirby said, urging members to focus outreach on parcels where the committee can most effectively leverage funds.

Policy context and water messaging: staff recommended emphasizing water and streamflow protections in outreach and public messaging, noting pending state-level bills that could make it easier for farmers to dedicate water to streams or the Great Salt Lake. Kirby said those developments could affect the availability and cost of conservation arrangements.

Governance and schedule: members nominated and voted to appoint Bridgette Hayes as OSAC chair and Terry Disston as vice chair. The committee also adopted a 2026 schedule that will be posted to comply with Utah code: monthly meetings early in the year with planned skips in June, July, August and December, moving start time to 6:00 p.m., and rotating in‑person locations around the county. Members agreed to convene special meetings if an NOI requires a prompt decision.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of OSAC minutes (Oct. 1, 2024): motion moved and seconded; motion passed (recorded as ayes in the transcript). (Mover: Dorothy Adams; second: Zane Wollastonee; outcome: approved.) - Approval of OSAC minutes (June 3, 2025): motion moved and seconded; outcome approved (mover and second noted in meeting discussion; detailed roll‑call names not fully specified in the record). (Mover: Bridgette/Chair; second: Farris Giants; outcome: approved.) - Chair appointment — Bridgette Hayes: nominated and approved. (Nominator: Joan Card; seconder: Dorothy Adams; outcome: approved.) - Vice chair appointment — Terry Disston: volunteered and approved. (Seconder: Dan Gillenwater; outcome: approved.) - Adoption of 2026 meeting schedule (monthly with skips, 6:00 p.m. start, rotating locations): motion moved and seconded; outcome approved. - Adjournment: moved by Farris Giants and seconded; meeting adjourned at about 6:32 p.m.

What staff asked members to do next: staff will send orientation materials, links to the parcel map and NOI portal, and a meeting recap. Members were asked to compile parcel numbers for a top‑10 list ahead of the next meeting and to indicate availability for the newly adopted schedule. Kirby proposed a small volunteer team will draft the outreach letter and present it at the next OSAC meeting for approval before mailings or direct outreach.

Numbers and caveats: figures reported at the meeting were presented by staff as approximate. Kirby described “about $23 million” spent and “about 16,713 acres” protected; he noted interest earnings and transaction costs have affected net bond balances and that some figures are estimates while several closings are still in process.

Notable quotes: “We have protected 16,713 acres,” Jess Kirby, Summit County lands director, said. “We’ve spent about $23,000,000.”

The meeting concluded after housekeeping items and a brief discussion of communications and outreach priorities. Staff will follow up with new‑member materials and a packet of maps and links ahead of the next meeting.