Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! We have some exciting news to share this week: from the launch of a new countywide text messaging service to celebrating Council Chair Malena Stevens as she closes out her four years of service on the Summit County Council. All right, let’s get into the news.

TOPIC 1: TEXT MY GOV LAUNCH



This week, the county launched a new communication platform called “TextMyGov” for residents to connect with county services. This enables residents to receive important non-emergency notifications and find specific information or report issues through a simple text message.

A number of residents received a text message from Summit County initiating the service this week if they already had their number on file with the United States Postal Service. If you didn’t get this message, no worries. You can opt-in by texting the keyword “SUMMITCOUNTY” in all caps, with no spaces, to the number “91896”. Then reply “YES” to confirm you want to opt in.

There are text alerts already set up for specific topics. For county road construction, snow plowing, and other updates from Public Works, text “SCROADS”. For health advisories and other Health Department updates, text “SCHEALTH”. For information on Summit Bike Share, text “SCBIKE”.

It doesn’t stop there, though! Additional notification categories will be released next year. Beginning Spring 2025, residents will be able to receive on-demand information 24/7 by texting one or two keywords to Summit County’s TextMyGov number: 435-495-4090. You’ll be able to get quick information at your fingertips about county departments and elected offices, as well as report concerns.

TOPIC 2: MALENA STEVENS’ PROCLAMATION



At this week’s County Council meeting, Malena Stevens was recognized for her four years of service on the Summit County Council.

During her years serving, Malena focused her time and attention on bolstering law enforcement, enhancing emergency medical services, assisting families with childcare, and responding to public feedback provided through the county’s “Our Summit” community visioning project. She also prioritized addressing the county’s housing crisis and traffic congestion challenges, particularly by supporting the newly established rural transit district, High Valley Transit, as a board member.

Thank you to Council Member Stevens for your commitment to making Summit County an all-around better place for those who live and visit here!



TOPIC 3: MENTAL HEALTH CONTRACT 

This week, the council approved that the Behavioral Health Division of the Summit County Health Department enter into the Behavioral Health Medicaid Services Agreement with the University of Utah Health Plans. This agreement is effective January 1st, 2025 and will run through July 1st, 2030.

Here are some stats to illustrate how important this particular contract with U of U Health is:

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• Around 11,600 people benefitted from this Medicaid contract last calendar year.
  
• In November 2024 alone, 1,435 individuals received care thanks to this agreement.
  
  
  

As always, if you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of mental health resources, don’t hesitate, dial 988.



TOPIC 4: DAKOTA PACIFIC DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE

At last week’s county council meeting, the Summit County Council proposed changes to the Daktoa Pacific Development Agreement for their property in Kimball Junction. At this week’s council meeting Dakota Pacific respond with their counter-proposal. 

There was a lot of detail discussed regarding density, construction phasing timelines, and more.  We recommend watching the replay of this conversation via the Agenda & Meeting Minutes section on the County website homepage.

The County attorneys will continue to work on a draft of the amended development agreement, and that will be brought before council at next week’s meeting on December 18th at 4pm at the Richins building.



TOPIC 5: LAST CHANCE FOR SUMMIT BIKE SHARE END OF SEASON SURVEY

This is your LAST CALL to fill out the Summit Bike Share End-of-Season survey! What do YOU want to see from Summit Bike Share next season? Your feedback will help us create a service that best reflects our community’s needs & values. You can take the survey at summitcounty.info/season24 until THIS SUNDAY, December 15, 2024.