Utah County commissioners moved Tuesday to rejoin the Mountainland Association of Governments, more than two years after county leaders decided to withdraw from the organization.

Commissioners voted unanimously to re-enter MAG, which means the county will have a vote in the association's business. County leaders kept participating in MAG business during the hiatus.

The association is governed by elected officials at the city and county levels in Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties.

"The main thing is we're back in and we're at the table," said Commissioner Gary Anderson. "It's silly for Utah County, who's the biggest player in the association, not to be at a table."

Commissioners voted 2-1 to leave MAG in February 2005, complaining about a lack of oversight, administrative costs that were too high and inadequate funding for Utah County projects.

The county also sought to take over administration of the aging services programs run by MAG, but were rebuffed at the state and federal levels.

MAG Executive Director Darrell Cook said the association is "delighted" to have Utah County back.

MAG is charged with distributing federal funds in Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties in the form of community development block grants, social services block grants and other funds that are used for public works projects and to provide social services, such as Meals on Wheels.

Commissioner Steve White said he voted to renew membership because of changes in the way funding is distributed.

Wasatch and Summit counties had been receiving more money together than Utah County had. White said that was unfair because Utah County has 80 percent of the population, but was only receiving 45 percent of the money.

Cook said funding will now come in three-year cycles. Next year, Utah County will receive all of the funding, with Summit and Wasatch receiving all funds the following year. Then the money goes back to Utah County for the third year.

That way, Utah County ends up with two-thirds of the money.

MAG spent about $6.6 million on aging services and regional planning in 2006, according to an annual audit.

Those changes settled White's concerns.

"I figure that's close enough," White said.

Other MAG members must vote to accept the new member. Cook anticipates there will be no problems at the June 28 meeting.

Brittani Lusk can be reached at 344-2549 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it