Federal grant money, a September market, and the new budget

Happy Thursday, Eagle Mountain. Colten here.

It sure cooled off this week. Such a nice change of pace from one of the hottest Julys on record. And I hope that everyone’s basements survived the crazy rain last Tuesday.

This week’s newsletter is lighter than usual. So enjoy the quick read!

CIVIC HIGHLIGHTSCopy a link to this section#

Every year, Eagle Mountain gets a slice of federal money called a Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG. This year's allocation is $246,979, plus about $220,000 carried over from prior years, for a total of $466,979 to work with. City Council approved how that money gets split up on August 10, voting 5-0.

Here's where it's going:

• $200,000 toward housing help, aimed at adding one new homeowner unit and assisting two homebuyer households.

• $180,879 toward public facilities and infrastructure, things like streets, playgrounds, or utilities, meant to reach about 1,000 residents.

• Another $36,900 goes to public services aimed at 200 residents.

• The remaining $49,200 covers the cost of running the program itself.

The plan doesn't name specific streets, homes, or organizations yet; those get worked out as the money actually gets put to use. The city received no public comments during the official comment period. The deadline to submit this plan to the federal government is August 14.

Also coming up: City Council takes its final vote on the 2026-2027 budget on August 18 at 7 PM, folding in the amended property tax rate from earlier this month. I know that the property tax subject is still a significant concern among Eagle Mountain residents. Feel free to check out this website to review the numbers behind the tax increase. I highly recommend that you reach out to the council members or city staff directly if you have concerns, or simply just want to understand better.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHTCopy a link to this section#

Mark your calendar: ShopFest Utah is September 12 at Cory B. Wride Park, and I'll be there as a vendor this year. It's grown into one of the largest small-business markets in the state, more than 250 vendors from over 30 Utah cities, with local artisans, food trucks, live music, and even hot-air balloons. It started small back in 2016 as a reimagined version of the old Eagle Mountain Street Fair, with about 100 businesses that first year, and it's put on by the Valley Crossroads Chamber of Commerce.

I also want to give a public thank you to Kat Ashby, a local realtor with RootQuest Realty, who sponsored my booth this year. Stop by and say hi if you're there, or if you or someone you know is buying or selling a home in the area, you can find her at ashbyrealtor.com.

THIS WEEK'S EVENTSCopy a link to this section#

• Thu 8/13 — Arts, Crafts & Lunch, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, Eagle Mountain Senior Center

• Thu 8/13 — Senior Exercise Class, 11:00–11:45 AM, Eagle Mountain Senior Center

• Thu 8/13 — Food Truck Rally, 6:00–9:00 PM, Cory B. Wride Park

• Thu 8/13 — Back-To-School Clothing Drive, 6:00 PM Cory B. Wride Park

  

• Thu 8/13 — Adult Book Club, 6:45 PM–7:40 PM, Eagle Mountain Library

• Sat 8/15 — Farmers Market, 9 AM–1 PM, Cory B. Wride Memorial Park

• Sat 8/15 — Ties & Tiaras Dance, Overland Barn (registration is full; email [email protected] to get on the waitlist)

WORTH THE DRIVECopy a link to this section#

• Ongoing through August 22 — Imaginaria Kids Summer Fest, daily 9:00 AM–9:00 PM, Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, ticketed

• Friday, August 14 — Lehi Movie Night, 7:00–11:00 PM, Wines Park, Lehi, free

• Friday and Saturday, August 14 and 15 — Super STEM Saturdays: The Science of Magic, Friday 3–8 PM and Saturday 10 AM–6 PM, Museum of Natural Curiosity, Thanksgiving Point, ticketed

• Fridays and Saturdays — Lehi Farmers Market, Fridays 3–8 PM and Saturdays 10 AM–5 PM

• Saturday, August 15 — Grass Roots Shakespeare: The Tempest, 1:00–2:00 PM, Lehi City Library, free

• Sunday, August 16 — Lehi Arts in the Park Concert Series, 7:30 PM, Wines Park, Lehi, free

• Monday, August 17 — Farmer's Market & Food Trucks, 5:00–9:00 PM, Neptune Park, Saratoga Springs, free

LOOK AHEADCopy a link to this section#

• Monday, August 17 — UTA On Demand launches its North Utah County microtransit zone, including parts of Eagle Mountain

• Tuesday, August 18, 7 PM — City Council's final budget vote

• Wednesday, August 19 — Bookmark Bunch, Eagle Mountain Library, 4–5 PM, ages 8–12

• Wednesday, August 19 — First day of school (Alpine School District)

• Thursday, August 20 — Storytime @ the Food Truck Rally, Cory B. Wride Park, two sessions (6:30 PM and 7:30 PM)

• Thursday, August 20 — BINGO, Eagle Mountain Senior Center, 5–6 PM

• Friday, August 21 — Movie in the Park: Top Gun, Silver Lake Amphitheater, 9–11 PM, free

• Tuesday and Wednesday, August 25 and 26, 11 AM–7:30 PM — Produce Swap, Eagle Mountain Library

• October 10 — I Believe In You x RUN Cedar Valley, a new half marathon (plus 10K, 5K, and Kids Run) starting at the Cedar Fort Rodeo Grounds and ending at Sage Canyon Middle School, put on in partnership with the Eagle Mountain VIPS program, Cedar Valley Fire Department, and the "I Believe In You" movement.

  

Stay cool, Eagle Mountain.

See you around,

— Colten