Summit County cedes 9 acres to Morgan County in boundary shift

Matt Meier’s cabin lot north of Glenwild straddled Summit and Morgan counties, and that split kept him from building where he wanted. Summit County and Morgan County approved a 9-acre boundary adjustment on July 7 after a joint public hearing in Morgan County, moving the line off a ridgeline and onto lot lines in The Preserve, Pine Meadow Ranch and Stagecoach Estates.

County recorder Greg Wolbach and his staff found that lots in the remote neighborhoods were split between the two counties. The change affects two parcels of private land and was requested by the owners, who were caught in a boundary that ran through existing lots. Summit County Councilmember Tonja Hanson said the acreage shift and the property-tax impact are negligible.

The adjustment was meant to improve real-property tax assessment and bring county record keeping into uniform alignment. Summit County and Morgan County mailed notice to affected property owners and held two public hearings before approving the change.

A similar boundary adjustment was certified on Aug. 19, 2015, and the counties are still negotiating over Summit County’s 8,600-acre 910 Cattle Ranch, 1,700 acres of which extend into Morgan County. Utah’s HB445 took effect May 6 and requires counties to pay annual property taxes on land they own outside their borders unless another agreement is reached. Summit County officials said the tax bill on the 910 Ranch could begin as early as 2029. Morgan County Commissioner Blaine Fackrell said Morgan County is excited that Summit County bought the ranch because it preserves open space and some public recreation.