UC3 pitches constitutional-focused services and warns counties about SB 337, executive order

Sarah Davenport Smith, founder and managing director of the Utah Coalition of Cities & Counties (UC3), told the Emery County Commission on June 3 that her new association offers constitutional analysis, policy training and advocacy aimed at local governments.

"We are an association that represents cities and counties statewide," Davenport Smith said, describing UC3’s focus on interpreting policy through state and federal constitutions. She warned that Senate Bill 337 "would have taken a lot of that authority away," saying the measure — and a recent executive order she cited — would have shifted planning and zoning levers away from local governments.

Davenport Smith told commissioners that a newly signed executive order (referred to in the presentation as Executive Order 2506) could steer incentives and funding in ways similar to SB 337, and that UC3 is preparing webinars and member training on planning, zoning and housing issues. She said UC3’s membership formula is based on a percentage of a jurisdiction’s general fund and that the group intends to offer an alternative viewpoint to existing associations.

Commissioners asked about staff background and membership costs; Davenport Smith described her prior municipal service and that UC3 can provide constitutional scholars and outside planning experts for training. She said UC3 will hold a public webinar in August focused on housing, planning and zoning and a members-only session in October.

Commissioners did not take action at the meeting; staff and commissioners said they would review the packet materials and consider the association’s services further.