UAC Newsletter - A Note From Our CEO, Annual Convention Early Bird Pricing + More!

A Note From Our CEO

Greetings UAC Members and Partners,

Summer has been anything but quiet at the Utah Association of Counties. Our team has spent the past several weeks working alongside county leaders and state partners on initiatives that will have a lasting impact on Utah's communities.

One highlight was bringing together county officials, industry representatives, and state agencies for our Data Center Summit to discuss the opportunities and challenges surrounding this rapidly growing industry. We also hosted our annual Justice Summit, where county leaders, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and state partners collaborated on innovative approaches to strengthening Utah's justice system.

We've been on the road as well. In Emery County, UAC is helping develop a down payment assistance program funded through CRA housing set-aside dollars generated by solar development in the county - an exciting example of local investment creating long-term housing opportunities. In Juab County, we've been assisting with the development of an Inland Port project area and a Regionally Significant Development Zone (RSDZ), helping position the county for responsible economic growth. We also had the opportunity to visit Grand County to discuss tax increment financing tools and the economic development options available under Utah law, helping local leaders better understand the resources available as they plan for future growth.

Our thoughts remain with the counties that continue to battle significant wildfires this summer. We are grateful to the firefighters, emergency managers, law enforcement officers, elected officials, and countless volunteers working tirelessly to protect lives, property, and our natural resources. Thank you for your dedication, resilience, and service. As always, UAC stands ready to support our counties in any way we can.

I hope to see many of you in New Orleans later this week as we gather for the National Association of Counties Annual Conference. Thank you for representing Utah on NACo's policy steering committees and ensuring our counties have a strong voice in shaping national policy.

All my best,

Brandy

Registration Available for 2026 UAC Annual Convention - Early Bird Pricing!

The UAC Annual Convention in the fall is the largest meeting of county elected and appointed officials in the state of Utah. Participants from all counties are invited to come together to shape UAC's policy agenda, share proven practices and strengthen knowledge networks to help improve residents' lives and efficiency of county government. Register today to get the early bird discount. Convention will be held at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, September 8-10. Click the link below for more information.

New Utah Government Owned Parcels Website Now Available

The Utah Association of Counties is pleased to announce the availability of the new Utah Government Owned Parcels website, a collaborative effort between UAC, the Utah Geospatial Resource Center, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, and other state and local partners.

Developed with grant funding UAC received through SB174, Local Land Use and Development Revisions (L. Fillmore), passed during the 2023 Utah Legislative Session, this new resource supports statewide efforts to identify practical, locally driven solutions to Utah’s housing challenges. The website provides community leaders, county officials, planners, and other public-sector partners with access to data that can help identify government-owned properties that may be suitable for potential housing development or other community needs.

By making this information more accessible, the Utah Government Owned Parcels website gives local decision-makers a valuable tool to evaluate public assets, consider development opportunities, and make informed, data-driven decisions that support responsible growth, housing availability, and long-term community planning.

Explore the New Website

From Our Partners at UCIP

Liability Arising From Wildfires: Is the County Responsible for Injury or Damage to Property from Wildfires?

With Utah experiencing a historic year for wildland fires, UCIP has received several inquiries regarding property owners asking if the county will pay for damage to their property arising from wildfires.

While each case will be considered on its own merits, counties (and Fire Districts) should be aware that state statute provides significant immunity from claims arising from fires, and that generally a county or district are not liable for these claims. The Governmental Immunity Act (GIA) provides immunity for government entities, officials, employees and volunteers for claims arising from fires including:

UCA 63G-7-201(1) provides immunity for any “governmental function”, including an entity’s failure to act;
UCA 63G-7-201(2)(iii) provides immunity from claims arising from responding to a national, state or local emergency;
UCA 63G-7-201(4)(s) provides immunity for the activity of (i)fighting fire, and (iii) emergency evacuation;
UCA 63G-7-201(5) provides various immunities related to wildland urban interface property activities: and
UCA 63G-7-202(5) clarifies that a general duty a governmental entity owes to the public (like firefighting) does not create a specific duty to an individual member of the public.

If a person believes the county is responsible for injury or property damage arising from fire, they must provide a written Notice of Claim in compliance with the GIA. Forward that claim to UCIP for review. Any such claim will likely be defended using one or more of the immunities outlined above.

Email Johnnie Miller

Justice Summit Summary

Thanks for attending our 5th Annual UAC Justice Summit! Senator Cullimore gave us insights into the Legislature's process for funding Criminal Justice as well as the intersections between Economic Development and Recidivism. Mr. Tom Ross with the newly formed Department of Criminal Justice (formerly CCJJ) informed us of the structure his department will take after the reorganization is complete and what that will mean for Counties. We had group discussions led by Stephen Hunter & Eric Clarke that took a deep dive into Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils, programs being run in counties, and Correctional Capacity Data.

In the afternoon we were able to play the Board of Pardons & Parole's "Boardwalk" game, in which attendees became a board member and made decisions for parolees based on real life scenarios! Members were able to understand what it means to consider someone for parole and the consequences for those decisions. To finish out the day we heard from Nick Coleman with the Office of Homeless Services, Matt Barraza with the Indigent Defense Commission, Brandon Hatch with Davis Behavioral Health, and Katherine Rhodes with UAC for an update on how counties are spending their Opioid Settlement Funds.

PLATINUM PARTNER

Syringa Networks

Syringa Networks provides internet, transport, and technology solutions that drive customer success.

More Information Here

GOLD PARTNER

Intermountain Health

Intermountain Health is a non-profit healthcare system based in Utah, focused on creating healthier communities and helping patients thrive. They operate 25 hospitals, 225 clinics, and have a large medical group with over 2,600 employed physicians and advanced practice clinicians. They also own a health insurance company called SelectHealth and offer various other health services. Intermountain Health is committed to providing high-quality, affordable care and is a leader in transforming healthcare.

More Information Here

SILVER PARTNER

NextEra Energy

NextEra Energy is committed to meeting America’s increasing energy demand with an all forms of energy approach. The company’s investments are growing the economy, keeping bills as low as possible for American customers and supporting communities across the country.

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AFFINITY/ASSOCIATE PARTNER

Public Surplus

UAC has partnered with the Public Surplus group to provide large discounts for our county members. Once registered, counties will receive massive savings on any online sale that is done through the Public Surplus auction platform.

Public Surplus has grown to become the largest Government Auction service in the United States. Their experience and innovative online portal help streamline the tax sale process that counties are obligated to perform. Register now to begin receiving your discounts.

Public Surplus was founded in 2001 by Derek McFarland in Provo, Utah. Over 6,000 total government entities use Public Surplus every year. Over 7 million citizens attend a Public Surplus Auction every day. Public Surplus is proud to partner with UAC and to help innovate the government auction sector.

More Information Here