Does Summit County approve or vote on the West Hills incorporation?
- Summit County is currently under option to purchase the Ure Ranch, which includes property within the proposed West Hills boundary. The County does not own the property at this time. Even if Summit County owned the Ure Ranch before the vote in November, it is not eligible to vote on the incorporation as a government entity or as a property owner. Only registered voters residing within the boundaries of the proposed town can vote on this item on their November 2024 ballot.
- Under Utah law, Summit County does not have legal jurisdiction to approve or deny the creation of a new municipality, nor does Summit County determine whether the Feasibility Study is accurate or appropriate. Summit County is prohibited from taking a formal position “for” or “against” the incorporation of the proposed town. Summit County can provide non-partisan factual information about the incorporation of the proposed town and the process.
- Summit County did make comments on the Feasibility Study to the Feasibility Consultant appointed by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. These comments revolved around some of the incorrect assumptions that the Feasibility Consultant used in the Feasibility Study.
Summit County is actively following the West Hills incorporation process. We are working to understand the concerns of residents and the potential impacts on County services.
What can residents do to voice support for or against the incorporation?
In addition to voting on this issue, the County Clerk will issue a Voter Information Pamphlet for the Incorporation Election in the Fall. Individuals desiring to provide “for” and “against” arguments are encouraged to contact the County Clerk for inclusion within this pamphlet.
Individual elected county officials, using their constitutionally protected free speech rights, are free to give their own opinions on the incorporation of the proposed town. These are their own opinions and do not constitute the opinion of Summit County.
How does municipal incorporation work in Utah?
https://ltgovernor.utah.gov/incorporations/
Currently, West Hills has held its first public hearing. Property owners have until March 13 to file an exclusion request from the incorporation. Any municipalities bordering West Hills can pass an ordinance annexing property from the proposed incorporation by this date as well. After the 13th of March, no other exclusions or adjustments can take place and a second public hearing will be scheduled.
