Parade Is Saturday, Carnival Tips For Families, and a City Hall Update

Hello Neighbor! Colten here.

I hope that I’ll bump into you this week. So, keep an eye out for a tall, skinny, long-haired and bearded fellow with glasses. It’d be so fun to meet you.

Let’s jump into what’s going for the rest of the week.

UTILITY BOXCopy a link to this section#

☀️ WeatherCopy a link to this section#

⚠️ Parade note: Morning showers are possible Saturday (33% chance). So be prepared accordingly for the Grand Parade starting at 10 AM.

🚧 Road workCopy a link to this section#

• Pony Express Pkwy (Eagle Mountain) — Lane closure updates were last published Tuesday. Check here for details.

• Crack seal maintenance — Still active citywide. Check status

• Pony Express Pkwy (Saratoga Springs) — Construction ongoing. Details

🗑️ Free landfill passesCopy a link to this section#

Eagle Mountain residents can pick up free landfill passes at City Hall (1650 E. Stagecoach Run), Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Bring a valid ID. Passes do not expire.

PONY EXPRESS DAYSCopy a link to this section#

The carnival is in full swing starting today and the biggest events are still to come. Here is everything left on the schedule.

This week:Copy a link to this section#

• Thu May 28 (tonight) — Carnival: Buddy Night, 4-10 PM, Cory B. Wride Memorial Park

• Fri May 29 — Full Carnival Day, Noon-11 PM, Cory B. Wride Memorial Park

• Sat May 30 — Grand Parade, 10 AM, Pony Express Pkwy → Aviator Ave → Eagle Mountain Blvd

• Sat May 30 — Full Carnival Day, Noon-11 PM, Cory B. Wride Memorial Park

• Sat May 30 — Car Show, 4-7 PM, Midvalley Fields

• Sat May 30 — Firework Show, 10 PM, Cory B. Wride Memorial Park

Coming in June:Copy a link to this section#

• Sat Jun 6 — Motivational Mile, 1-4 PM, Cory B. Wride Memorial Park

• Sat Jun 6 — Demolition Derby, 7 PM, Pony Express Memorial Arena

• Thu-Sat Jun 11-13 — PRCA Rodeo, 7 PM nightly, Pony Express Memorial Arena

Full schedule here.

CARNIVAL SAFETY TIPSCopy a link to this section#

I lost my 6 year old son at Nolan Park yesterday. Yeah, I was kind of freaking out. But luckily for me, I had the brilliant idea to tell my kids where to go if we every got separated. And it worked! I know I’m not the only parent who’s been in this scary situation, so I wanted to share some thoughts on how you can prepare for heading to the busy carnival this weekend.

(By the way, my wife doesn’t even know about this story yet. So this will be the first time she learns about this. If you don’t get Monday’s Valueletter, then you know I’m 6 feet under.)

If a child gets separated:

• Pick a visible meeting spot before you go in — somewhere fixed and easy to find

• Eagle Mountain City has a Lost Child sign set up near their booth — scout it out when you arrive and show your kids where it is

• Write your cell number on young kids' wrists in permanent marker before you go in

• Take a photo of each child at the start of the event showing exactly what they are wearing — it helps law enforcement immediately if needed

Sun, heat, and comfort:

• Apply sunscreen before you leave home

• Bring water bottles — the city is expected to have complimentary water at their booth

• Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes — the grounds are uneven

If you are staying for fireworks at 10 PM:

• Temperatures drop by late evening — bring jackets and blankets to cuddle in

• Charge your phone fully before leaving home

• Plan your exit route before the show ends — traffic will be heavy

AT CITY HALLCopy a link to this section#

Planning Commission — variance denied for Pony Express Business ParkCopy a link to this section#

The Planning Commission voted Tuesday to deny a variance request for a proposed commercial development near Burt Brothers on Pony Express Pkwy, just south of Ridley’s.

The developer had asked for three exceptions to city code to build a fast food drive-thru and a retail space on a tight lot next to the wash. The commission found the lot still has enough buildable area for commercial use without the exceptions, and that following city standards on wash setbacks and retaining walls is in the public interest.

The project is not necessarily dead. The developer can still pursue a development agreement with the city — a separate process that could allow the same exceptions to move forward.

Property tax update — why June 16 mattersCopy a link to this section#

The City Council held its budget work session Tuesday, formally opening the Truth in Taxation process.

June 16 is the date you need to prepare for. The council is required to go on record with their official recommended property tax increase by that date, which is also the date for the Interim Budget Public Hearing taking place at 7 PM. This is the first formal opportunity for you to share your opinions on the tax increase before the council commits to a number.

Council members indicated they want to hear from residents before anything gets set in stone. June 16 is where that begins. The public comment form is on the city's Truth in Taxation page.

A few other items from Tuesday's budget discussionCopy a link to this section#

Speed tables near schools — Multiple council members raised concerns about vehicle speeds near elementary schools. Speed tables are being explored as a possible solution. Residents can submit thoughts through the city's public comment form.

Observatory at Walden Park — Eagle Mountain has a public observatory in development at Walden Park (4322 N Frontier Street). The project is a partnership between the city, Utah Valley University, and Facebook/Meta, which committed $250,000 toward the structure. Once complete, it is planned for public star parties, monthly astronomy classes, and K-12 education programs. The Utah Valley Astronomy Club will assist with programming. The project has been in the works since 2021 — its appearance in Tuesday's budget discussion suggests the city is actively working to move it forward. More details here.

COMING UP IN JUNECopy a link to this section#

Guns and Hoses Pickleball Tournament — Sunday, June 1Copy a link to this section#

Eagle Mountain's firefighters and law enforcement officers face off on the pickleball court this Sunday. The city has not yet published a time or location. Check the city events page for updates.

Food Truck Rally — Thursday, June 4Copy a link to this section#

The city's summer food truck series kicks off its first Thursday rally on June 4. Details at the city events page.

Saturday, June 6 — one week awayCopy a link to this section#

• Eagle Mountain Farmers Market
  9 AM-1 PM | Cory B. Wride Memorial Park | Details here

• Granite Credit Union Grand Opening Celebration
  10 AM-2 PM | 3569 E Maverik Lane | Details here

• Pony Express Days Demolition Derby
  7 PM | Pony Express Memorial Arena | Details here

WORTH THE DRIVECopy a link to this section#

Imaginaria opens Monday at Thanksgiving PointCopy a link to this section#

Thanksgiving Point opens a brand new experience called Imaginaria this Monday, June 1. It runs Monday through Saturday through August 22, from 9 AM to 9 PM, at Ashton Gardens in Lehi. Details here.

Splash Days — Saratoga Springs, June 10-13Copy a link to this section#

Saratoga Springs hosts its annual Splash Days water event June 10-13. Just a short drive away. Full details here.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHTCopy a link to this section#

Kyle Dickson — Two22 DesignCopy a link to this section#

If you have been to the Eagle Mountain Value website recently, you may have noticed a fresh new look. The logo was redesigned by Kyle Dickson, a UX strategy and design professional I have worked with on multiple projects. Kyle does clean, thoughtful work and is genuinely easy to work with. If you or your business could use help with design or UX strategy, I would not hesitate to recommend him. You can see his work and reach out at two22design.com.

That’s it for today’s Valueletter. Looking forward to seeing you at the carnival, parade, and derby.

See you around,

— Colten