Hey everyone and welcome to another week of news here on Summit in Six! 

I’m Bridget and I’m Bailey and we work in the Summit County Communication and Public Engagement Department – the team that brings you Summit in Six every Friday! 

Today, we kick things off with the preliminary results of Tuesday’s Primary Election. Then, we’re gonna recap a conversation about establishing a Summit County Housing Authority.

We’ll also cover the Elektron Solar Ribbon Cutting Ceremony that happened earlier this week, and then we’ll wrap things up with a trail closure announcement and a reminder about next week’s Green Drinks hosted by our friends at Recycle Utah! 

Alright let’s get into the news! 

Topic 1: Primary Election Results 

The 2024 Primary Election happened this past Tuesday, June 25. We just wanted to take a quick moment to share the preliminary results as reported by the Summit County Clerk’s Office.

 As a reminder, there was a Republican Primary for: U.S. Senate, U.S. House District 1, U.S. House District 3, Governor and Lt. Governor, Attorney General and State Auditor. 

So far, in that order, John Curtis, Blake Moore, Mike Kennedy, Spencer Cox + Deidre Henderson, Derek Brown and Tina Cannon are all leading in Summit County in their respective races. 

There was also a Democratic Primary for State House District 23, for which Jeff Howell is leading in Summit County, and Summit County Council Seat C, for which Megan Mckenna garnered about 55% of the votes. 

And, finally, there was a Nonpartisan Primary for South Summit School Board Seat 2, for which Dan Eckert is leading. 

Official results will be posted after the Board of Canvassers meets and certifies the Election Results on July 9 at 4:00 at the Coalville Courthouse in Council Chambers.

If voters received letters in the mail asking them if they voted and questioning their signature, they should respond to those letters as soon as possible and no later than July 8 at 5:00 pm. 

As we look towards the General Elections, having a recent signature on file with the Clerk’s Office will help ensure that your November ballot will count and your signature on any petitions will count.

Have any questions? Email elections@summitcounty.org.

Topic 2: Summit County Housing Authority

The conversation around housing in Summit County continued this week during Wednesday’s County Council meeting when  Economic Development & Housing Director, Jeff Jones, presented the idea of a Summit County Housing Authority to the Council.

For some context, Housing Authorities are entities of state statute created by the Federal government. In Utah, housing authorities are registered as limited purpose entities, meaning they are established to serve a specific function or goal, rather than having broad or general powers. Housing authorities manage affordable housing programs, provide rental assistance, and develop and maintain housing projects to ensure low-income individuals and families have access to safe and affordable housing.

The Summit County Housing Authority is a new approach (adjusted from the 2023 concept of a Regional Housing Authority) that would: 

• 
  
• Develop a housing and economic development data dashboard to provide residents, community advocates, developers, business leaders, and elected officials with high quality data to drive decision making around housing. 
  
• Create an Employee Assisted Housing Program that would provide a channel through which employers can help their employees with the cost of owning or renting a home, typically in neighborhoods close to the workplace.
  
• And Facilitate a Utility Allowance Assessment/Study to help reduce the financial burden on low-income residents and allow them to spend more on other essentials. 
  

There are a ton of other things that this Housing Authority could do to help improve the affordable housing landscape here in Summit County.

Before an adoption resolution is brought to the table, Council members have asked the Economic Development & Housing Director, Jeff Jones, for a detailed plan and budget for establishing a housing authority in Summit County. Stay tuned for future updates on this matter. 

Topic 3: Elektron Solar Ribbon Cutting

Summit County staff attended the ribbon cutting for the Elektron Solar project on Monday, June 24 in Tooele. The project began construction in 2021 and officially came online this May. The energy harnessed by this new solar infrastructure will contribute to the County’s renewable energy goals. The Elektron Solar facility is expected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 19,700 homes each year, according to metrics provided by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Summit County, Basin Recreation, Mountain Regional Water SSD, Vail Resorts on behalf of Park City Mountain, Deer Valley Resort and City Government of Park City, Utah are the area partners who are involved in the project and attended the event. Other regional partners include UVU and Salt Lake City Government.

Topic 4: Rob’s Trail Closed July 1 

Parking at Rob’s Trail will be CLOSED and inaccessible Monday, July 1 due to Summit County roads work. Parking will not be impacted Saturday or Sunday.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation and encourage you to shift your hike or ride to another day or start from a different area along the trail system.

Topic 5: July 9 Green Drinks

Mark your calendars for Recycle Utah’s next “Green Drinks” on July 9 @ 6pm at 3 Springs Ranch in Oakley! What’s “Green Drinks”, you ask? Green Drinks is a Recycle Utah-sponsored event which originated in 2016. It aspires to educate adults about our environment including recycling, energy and water conservation, local food systems and more.

At the July 9th event, attendees will learn about numerous local farms and food-related businesses so we can all be better at buying local! Please carpool if possible. This family-friendly event is also “bring your own picnic”. Sign up TODAY at summitcounty.info/greendrinks.