Mayor & Council Message
Resources From Community Action Services
Orem Memorial Day Program
Primary Election Information
Rental Licensing & Utility Changes - Effective July 2020
Convenience Fee for Utility Payments - Effective October 2020
Recreation Updates
Resources for Residents Affected by COVID-19
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Business Resources for those Affected by COVID-19
Orem Business Alliance Updates
Video and Tips on Curb Appeal
Property All-Star Program
Advice from Everyday Strong on Handling Pandemic Meltdowns
The City of Orem is Hiring
2020 Census
Calendar of Events
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A Prayer and a Pledge
Prior to starting each City Council meeting the City Council and I have a Prayer or Spiritual thought and then a Pledge.
The Prayer or Spiritual thought is provided by various members of the community that we ask to participate. They come from various faiths and religions representing those throughout our city. It is a great honor to have them come and ask for blessings on the Council and on our city residents. At this time of need within our community it is helpful to have someone pray for the city of Orem, the City staff, the City Council, and all residents that are in need in our City.
I know that the Coronavirus has put a lot of stress on so many in Orem. There are some that have had their health affected directly by the virus. Others have been affected by the loss of their jobs. Others have been affected by the loss of opportunities in many forms. Others have been affected by the forced closing of their businesses. Others have been affected by the stress of educating their children at home while at the same time having to provide a living for their family. Others have been affected by the amount of stress that they are dealing with in having to juggle so many financial problems at home.
I have seen where school food lunch programs have doubled in the amount of people coming in and picking up lunches and food for their families. I have seen where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints food storehouses are having a doubling of patrons coming in for food supplies.
I have spoken with business owners who have lost employees and customers and who are trying to hold it together. Many wonder how they will make up for all of the money that they have lost in having their businesses closed for so long. Many wonder how long that they can keep it together after having gone for so many weeks with bills piling up and little to no revenue coming in to their businesses.
About 70% of our economic activity in the United States is consumer spending. As such, to get restarted again in our community, we need a rebound as it were in consumer confidence and spending. We need to restart the economic engine that keeps it all running.
As a pledge each council meeting we say the Pledge of Allegiance to our great country. Part of it says: "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." I love that we acknowledge that our nation is guided by God. I love that we are all in this country together regardless of any differences. And I love that we salute our flag and stand together for liberty and justice for all. We truly are a great land bound together with brotherhood seeking the best for our families, our friends, and all those around us.
Just as the lilacs bloom purple each April and May, we will get through this pandemic together. I am thankful for those who pray for all of us. I am thankful for all of you and us who stand together and work and fight for liberty and justice for all.
The lilacs will bloom again next year as brilliant purple and sweet smelling as they have for many years in the past. The color of our city and our nation will come back to bloom again in beauty.
Mayor Brunst
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Message from Councilmember Debby Lauret
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A summer celebration after our spring pandemic will be a welcome summer highlight as we offer a shortened version of
Orem’s Summerfest
. The new dates will be August 10, 12, 14, 15.
On Monday evening, “Orem’s Got Talent” featuring our local home-grown talent will kick-off the Summerfest activities at the city center stage. Follow us on social media to sign up for your chance to show your talents and win prizes.
On Wednesday evening, we will have the “RevRoad Rally” car show with various restored hot rods, antiques, and show cars. The city and its sponsors will provide a free dinner for you and your family (as always, while supply lasts). Other family fun activities at the Scera Park include: “find Mero the Mammoth” scavenger hunt, train rides and a family chalk-the-block contest.
A refreshing pool party at the Scera Pool will highlight Friday evening. Splashing and water fun will abound in the pool and Dairy Queen will again provide the delicious DQ dilly bars.
Geezerfest
on the city stage will begin on Friday and continue Saturday.
Geezerfest
is an annual music festival featuring talented musicians from across Utah Valley. It is a two-day event featuring free community concerts on the city center’s stage--set in a casual, relaxed atmosphere with some good ol’ Rock ‘n Roll bands. Delicious food available for purchase at local food trucks and free balloons. We are also working on some fun activities for the kids.
The grand finale will be a 12-minute Fireworks show, where the rockets will red glare and the bombs bursting in air will fill the sky. A traditional and patriotic show to end the summer.
As we get closer to the event, keep an eye on the city’s website at
summerfest.orem.org
where we will be posting information about all of the festivities.
Debby Lauret
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Orem Memorial Day Program
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Due to COVID-19, this year's Orem Memorial Day Program was pre-recorded. Jennie Taylor, wife of Mayor/Major Brent Taylor who was killed in Afghanistan, was our featured speaker and delivered an incredible message. Her part begins around the 20:00 mark.
Special thanks and props to the Cemetery Team for their exquisite care of the cemetery and their help in making this program possible.
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Primary Election Information
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The Primary Election is June 30,
2020 and will look very different this year. Ballots will be mailed the week of June 15. See handout below for more information.
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Rental Licensing & Utility Changes - Effective July 2020
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In December 2019, the Orem City Council passed an ordinance requiring that the City of Orem utilities (water, sewer, street light, etc.) for all residential properties must be in the name of the property owner, even if said properties are being used as rentals (this does not impact your electric & gas utilities). In addition to the change for utilities, the City will begin requiring all residential properties being used as rentals to have a rental dwelling license. All property owners must be in compliance with these new policies by July 2020.
The cost of this license will be $50 per year, per property owner (it does not matter how many rental properties you own). At the end of July 2020, a bill for the rental dwelling license will be sent to the utility account holder, which should be the property owner. The bill will be due within 30 days of bill issuance. If the utilities are not in the name of the owner, they will be required to be put in the owner's name before a license will be issued.
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For more information and to see many of the frequently asked questions, visit:
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Convenience Fee for Utility Payments - Effective October 2020
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Effective October 1, 2020, the City of Orem will begin assessing a $3.95 convenience fee for the use of credit & debit card when paying your utility bill. We will also set a cap of $500 per transaction. There will not be fees assessed to other payment methods, such as direct bank withdrawal (ACH).
Making the change from auto debit/credit card to auto ACH is very simple and can be done through your online account.
Follow these simple steps:
1) Log into your account by clicking the button below. If you forgot your password, click "Recover Password"
2) Click "Edit Account" on the menu bar
3) Click "Edit" next to the account you would like to change
4) Click "Payment Info" on the menu bar in the middle of the page
5) If you currently do not use autopay, click "Set Me Up with Autopay"; if you currently use autopay with a credit or debit card, click "Take Me Off the AutoPay or Switch Payment Method"
6) Enter the routing number of your financial institution and your account number
7) Click the green button titled "Sign Me Up"
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Click
here
for more information about summer tennis & lacrosse.
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Resources for Residents Affected by COVID-19
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The City of Orem understands many area residents are struggling to pay for their housing and utilities and meet basic needs due to job loss and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We as a City want to make sure you have the needed information and resources to help you weather the current storm. Below is a link to some local resources that can assist you during this difficult time. Please reach out if you have questions, we are here to help.
Kena Jo Mathews
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Business Resources for those
Affected by COVID-19
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The most up-to-date information for Orem businesses can be found
here.
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The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
is a comprehensive Guide explaining everything you need to know about the economic relief available to you from the CARES Act. Please read through the Guide and pursue any resource that applies to you and your business. The Guide has links that will take you directly where you need to go to apply. Some highlights of the CARES Act are that there are funds available to businesses to help them pay their employees instead of laying them off. Check the document above for more information.
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The Utah Leads Together Small Business Bridge Loan program
uses approximately $8 million in repurposed state economic development funds. Additionally, the Utah Department of Workforce Services has contributed $500,000 to the program. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000 with 0% interest for up to a 60-month period. Loans cannot exceed three months of demonstrated operating expenses. Loan payments are deferred for 12 months, and GOED will use at least 25% of the program funds to support rural Utah businesses.
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There are many resources available to Orem businesses during these times of uncertainty. For those businesses looking for low-interest business loans to make it through these tough times, apply at
sba.gov
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Orem Business Alliance Updates
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The Orem Business Alliance gives small businesses the opportunity to network, build relationships with the City, and have access to resources. We will do this through webinars, luncheons, and meetings (when possible). Check out May's webinar where we talked with lenders about how to access current federal assistance. If you or someone you know runs a business in Orem, have them sign up below to join the email list for the Orem Business Alliance.
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Videos and Tips on Curb Appeal from Neighborhood Partnership Initiative
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Visit the Neighborhood Partnership Initiative web page for a new video on curb appeal, as well as more information on how to improve and better maintain your homes and properties.
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Property All-Star Program
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Has the appearance of your home and yard improved recently? Are you proud of the work you’ve done to turn it around? If so, you should apply for the PROPERTY ALL-STAR Program!
The Property All-Star award program was developed to show appreciation and to recognize those homeowners and landlords that have worked hard to improve their once blighted properties and have brought them up to a community standard or beyond.
Visit our website under the Property All-Star Program for more information!
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Advice from Everyday Strong on Handling Pandemic Family Meltdowns
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Are your children having more meltdowns since the pandemic started? Listen to some helpful advice from one of the clinical social workers at the Family Support and Treatment Center.
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It's all about the numbers, baby! The City of Orem is joining Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, Provo City, and West Valley in a friendly competition to help increase the 2020 Census response in our areas. Each jurisdiction is working to increase its Census completion numbers by five percent. Help Orem “count” and win the competition!
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The City of Orem is Hiring
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We are hiring for multiple full-time and part-time positions. To view a list of available job openings and to submit an application, follow the link below.
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In the City of Orem, there are always plenty of events to keep you and your family busy! Keep up with all Orem City events by following the link below.
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