Early results show Alpine School District poised to split; other races, measures take shape
- Voters wait to cast their ballots inside the Provo Health and Justice Building on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
- A whiteboard directs voters to exit the polling room after casting their ballots inside the Provo Health and Justice Building on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
- Voters wait in line with their ballots inside the Provo Health and Justice Building on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
It was a busy Election Day across Utah County with important races and measures resulting in a massive shakeup in the state’s educational system.
Not only were voters choosing the next president of the United States and weighing in on whether or not to keep Utah Gov. Spencer Cox in office, residents of 10 cities also were deciding on proposals to split up Alpine School District.
A Utah County Commission seat, a question about adding members to the Vineyard City Council, twin measures to impose a RAP tax in Saratoga Springs and Mapleton, among other items appeared on local ballots.
By the time the polls closed at 8 p.m. the county’s website reported nearly 199,000 ballots had been received with just under 148,000 of those processed.
Preliminary results for local races started trickling more than two hours later at around 10:30.
Numbers for Utah County were not updated as of late Wednesday afternoon.
Alpine School District’s fate
Arguably the most talked about items on the ballot across Utah County revolved around breaking up the largest school district in Utah.
Earlier this year, city councils in 10 northern Utah County cities voted to put two propositions on the ballot that would splinter schools in those cities away to form two new districts.
- Proposition 11: Unofficial numbers for the measure to remove schools in the cities of Lehi, American Fork, Alpine, Highland, Cedar Hills and a portion of Draper show 57% in favor at last count. The move could create a Central School District, to be operational within the next two years. The district name may be subject to change.
- Proposition 14: Early results for the similar measure to siphon off schools in the cities of Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Fairfield and Cedar Fort also indicate voters approve by a 61% mark. This move would form the West School District, also to be operational by 2027. That name also could change.
Utah County Commissioner
In the race for County Commission seat C, Republican Skyler Beltran, selected earlier this year to fill in for the departed Tom Sakievich in a temporary role, looks likely to retain the position. Unofficial results show him outpacing Alan Wessman of United Utah Party 77% to 22%.
Beltran was sworn in to fill the seat in September after Sakievich resigned.
Spring Lake … City?
Residents in the small community of Spring Lake, which sits in between Payson and Santaquin, looks poised to become part of their own new city. Early results indicate voters approved Proposition 9, 65.53% to 34.47%.
A study was conducted last November for the proposed incorporation of the unincorporated area to become its own city.
Petitions were signed earlier this year in efforts to get the question on the ballot.
Council expansion
The Vineyard City Council looks likely to gain another member. Proposition 10 asked voters if they wanted to change the city’s form of government to a six-member council. Currently, five members sit on the council, which also includes Mayor Julie Fullmer.
Unofficial results show residents voted yes on the option 74.83%-25.17%.
Recreation, arts, and parks taxes
A close race occurred in Saratoga Springs, where residents voted on Proposition 13, regarding the collection of a recreation, arts and parks, or RAP, tax. It could add a 0.1% sales tax added to the regular tax and would be used to fund help generate monies for the arts, as well as recreation and parks projects.
Early results show votes in favor the measure at 58.32% — though, as of Tuesday night, nearly 42% of residents oppose the tax.
Residents in Mapleton saw a similar measure on their ballot, Proposition 5.
In another tight race, early results indicate 52.31% of voters approve of the RAP tax, while about 48% are against it.
Local school board races
- Alpine Board of Education District 3: Unofficial numbers show board member Stacy Bateman at 63% to contender Brian Bird’s 36%.
- Alpine Board of Education District 5: Mark Clement looks poised to stay in the seat, with 64% of the early votes, followed by challenger John Gadd at 35%.
- Alpine Board of Education District 6: Sara Hacken was trailing behind contender Emily Peterson, with unofficial totals showing Peterson in the lead with 57% and Hacken at 42%.
As of late Tuesday night, results were still being counted.
Certified results should be posted on the county’s website in the coming days.