Snyderville Attorney Christie Babalis Enters Summit County Council Race

Christie Babalis, a longtime Snyderville Basin resident and attorney with a career tied to the ski industry, formally entered the race for Summit County Council District 4 on December 26. Babalis framed her campaign around managing growth, reducing congestion in the SR 224 and Kimball Junction corridor, protecting open space and advancing infrastructure projects before the 2034 Winter Olympics. The filing window for county offices will open January 2, 2026.

Babalis brings legal experience from serving as in house counsel within the ski industry and a record of service on local nonprofit boards. She positions herself as a solutions oriented, community focused candidate who seeks to apply private sector and nonprofit experience to public decision making. That background will inform debates about land use rules, transportation planning and county budget priorities should she win the seat.

The District 4 contest centers on issues that touch daily life for many Summit County residents. Traffic through Kimball Junction remains a recurring complaint among commuters and local business owners, and proposals to mitigate congestion will require coordination between the county, state transportation agencies and regional planners. Preservation of open space is likely to surface in land use and zoning discussions, where the County Council helps set policy and approve projects that determine the pace and pattern of development.

Infrastructure planning ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics adds urgency to council deliberations. The council will be asked to weigh investments in roads, utilities and public safety capacity, and to coordinate with state and event planners to minimize disruptions while maximizing legacy benefits. Fiscal trade offs will be central, as funding choices for transportation and open space programs compete with other budget priorities.

With the filing period opening early next month, residents in District 4 can expect an active campaign season. Voters should track candidate filings, attend council meetings and candidate forums, and evaluate proposals for growth, mobility and conservation ahead of next year s local elections. The District 4 race will shape how Summit County balances development pressures and quality of life in the lead up to a major global event and beyond.