As a community member who formerly served on the Park City Council, I’m deeply concerned. We’re seeing effects of a concentrated political power grab, strengthened by the mayor’s tiebreaker council appointment of a campaign donor. Voter preference and qualified applications were dismissed. These emboldened politicians are now advancing their own interests over the community’s.  Here are some results: Unfair Utility Hikes: Water bills are jumping with double-digit increases for lots over 0.25 acres. Penalty pricing kicks in sooner compared to water needs. Meaning the same gallon of water costs you more. Park City already has Utah’s highest water rates, far above national averages. Smaller lots, multifamily and commercial properties are largely spared this year, closely resembling the new council and mayor’s interests, be them living in/managing multifamily properties, a commercial kitchen, and/or living on just under 0.25-acre. The city is also signing you up for higher electric bills. Taxed Twice (or more): County property taxes have more than doubled in recent years. We already pay Utah’s highest sales tax. Yet Park City is spending tens of millions on services the County already taxes us for and is responsible to deliver. Projects like widening 224 to 7-lanes for dedicated (often empty) bus lanes. Negative resident impacts aside, it’s fiscally improper. Peer cities in the County stand up for their taxpayers, ours’ masks a lopsided tax burden as regional collaboration. Despite record taxes and utility bills, the 2026-2027 Park City budget: More than doubles elected official pay, setting a new record for Utah. 20% cut to environmental sustainability after our driest winter ever. Core services are held below inflation (Streets, Police, Parks, Library, Open Space, etc.). Eliminates snow removal and emergency contingency funds. Park Record Editor Don Rogers recently wished the massive raise was “at all thoughtful.” Don, the truth is worse: Increased compensation was already funded in a 27-page council budget document weeks earlier. May 21 was simply procedural theater. Final budget adoption is scheduled for June 11. Things can still change. Selling it as a nothing-to-see-here, balanced budget is insulting, as is quietly shifting our form of government away from community-based. If you’re concerned for our greater good, please speak up. It matters. Email all officials and city manager: [email protected] Official’s phone numbers and meeting info: parkcity.gov/government/city_council This isn’t about personalities. It’s about policy, accountability, and (oh no!) an informed public. Jeremy Rubell Park City The post Priorities off appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less