Fall Update: Giving Back and Protecting What Makes Utah Home

Hello neighbors,

Fall is a wonderful time of year in Wasatch County, and as the leaves change, I want to share some highlights from our community and discuss important work happening at the County Council.

Community Highlights and Giving Back

As the weather cools, our community really shines through in acts of service. I want to draw your attention to a couple of fantastic local events:

• Winter Coat Drive: The Heber Valley Rotary and Wasatch High Interact Club are holding their annual Winter Coat Drive. They are collecting new or gently used coats, gloves, hats, and winter boots for both kids and adults right here in our valley. Every donation makes a real difference for a neighbor in need this winter. (Please refer to the image below for drop-off locations!)

• Community Thanksgiving Dinner: Mark your calendars! The Wasatch Community Foundation is hosting its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Saturday, November 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Timpanogos Middle School. This is always one of my favorite events of the year—it’s family-friendly and a powerful reminder of the generous spirit of the people in our county.

Important Election Reminder

A quick but crucial reminder: Election Day for cities across the county is Tuesday, November 4. To ensure your vote counts, please remember to drop your ballot off in person. Ballots must be received by Election Day, not just postmarked.

Addressing the Cost of Living and Property Taxes

Every year, I hear firsthand accounts from residents who are feeling the financial pinch when it comes to property taxes and the overall cost of living here.

Recently, I've been looking closely at the numbers, and it’s clear why people are feeling the pressure. The state’s basic education tax levy has automatically increased for five straight years while home prices have soared. It’s been a perfect storm, making it harder for long-time residents to afford the very communities they helped build.

I strongly encourage you to read this article explaining what's been happening and why we urgently need reform at the state level:

News Article

While we’ve made real progress locally with our senior property tax abatement program, the state must be part of the solution so people aren’t taxed out of their homes. Utah has long been known as a place where you could raise a family affordably with a high quality of life, and I believe that’s worth fighting for.

County Budget Season Focus: Fiscal Responsibility

This brings me to my current focus. We are now deep into budget season on the County Council, and my primary focus is on the basics: public safety, roads, and the long-term infrastructure and investments that keep our county running in a financially sound way.

We are reviewing every part of the budget closely to identify necessary cuts and ensure our spending remains responsible and transparent. Furthermore, I am pushing for better public access to our new budget tools so taxpayers can easily see exactly how these funds are being

used to serve you.

Thank you for your engagement and for everything you do to make Wasatch County great.

Sincerely,

Luke Searle 

Wasatch County Council