Road Closure Heads-up for the Utah Valley Marathon!

This Saturday, June 1st, our city will proudly host the Utah Valley Marathon, an event that showcases the beauty of our landscapes while fostering community spirit and promoting fitness. As your mayor, I am thrilled to welcome participants and spectators alike to this fantastic gathering. However, with such a large event, there come necessary adjustments to our usual traffic patterns. Here’s everything you need to know to navigate around Provo smoothly this weekend.

Marathon Route and Road Closures

The marathon will wind through Provo Canyon, down University Avenue, and conclude at Center Street in downtown Provo. These locations will be focal points of activity and, as such, will experience road closures.

• Center Street from 100 West to 100 East will be closed from Friday at 4:00 PM until Saturday at 2:00 PM.

• University Avenue from 300 South to 100 North will also be closed from Friday at 4:00 PM until Saturday at 2:00 PM.

• University Avenue from 4800 North to the Flyover at 800 North in Orem will be closed on Saturday from 6:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
  

Detours to Follow to Avoid Long Wait Times

• Northbound traffic on University Avenue is advised to detour west at 4800 North, proceed to State Street, and then north up to 800 North in Orem to access Provo Canyon.

• Southbound and southwest traffic exiting Provo Canyon should detour west at 800 North Orem, as there will be no access to University Avenue.

• Crossing University Avenue traffic should use the 300 South detour. 300 S is highly suggested for Eastbound and Westbound traffic to avoid long waits at main intersections. You may cross University Avenue at main intersections between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM. However, expect long wait times. Officers will assist with crossing when possible.
  

Plan for extra travel time if you need to be in or near the affected areas.

Let’s Enjoy the Marathon Together

While the marathon may cause temporary disruptions, it also brings excitement and community pride. I encourage everyone to support our runners, whether by cheering them on along the route or volunteering at event stations. Let’s show the world the warmth and hospitality that Provo is known for. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we host this wonderful event. Together, we can make it a safe and successful day for everyone involved.

Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025

As your Mayor, it is both a privilege and a duty to ensure that our city thrives through careful planning and thoughtful budgeting. I am pleased to share that I have presented the proposed Provo City budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025 to the Provo City Municipal Council. This budget reflects hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of hard work and dedication of many individuals within our city's departments. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our finance team, including John Borget, Kelsey Zarbock, and Andrea Wright, who have been in my office on a regular basis for months, exploring options and chasing down answers for me.

My goal has always been to deliver a budget that meets the needs and priorities of our community while maintaining fiscal responsibility. I am proud to say that this proposed budget accomplishes several key priorities without initiating any tax increases or utility fee hikes. Here are the main highlights:

1. Additional Police Officers: We are funding two additional police officer positions to enhance the safety and security of our community.

2. Parking Enforcement: An additional parking enforcement officer position will be funded to improve parking management throughout the city.

3. Zoning Update: We will fund a comprehensive update to our zoning regulations to support smart growth and development.

4. Employee Retention: Appropriate adjustments will be made to retain our talented and dedicated city employees.

5. Maintaining Services and Projects: We will continue to deliver the efficient and valued services, projects, and programs that our residents rely on.

My reasons for putting forward a budget with no utility-fee increases include the following:

First, my Chief Administrative Officer advises that utility fee adjustments generally be handled separately from the budget process going forward. This will allow the administration and council to focus during budget season on current funding—rather than requiring us to anticipate dozens of alternative scenarios. Second, and of great importance to me, is that this is such a tough financial season for so many of our residents. You have been hit by increases on many fronts, including most significantly, the large property tax increases implemented by other taxing entities. For some time, we have looked forward to giving our residents a reprieve from increases. I believe that day has arrived.

Pulling this budget together was certainly not easy. I had to say no to things I would have loved to include. We had to tighten our belts. And the hunt for more efficient operations has not ended.

I look forward to the City Council's consideration of this balanced budget and am grateful for their collaboration and dedication. Together, as "One Provo," we will continue to refine our processes and strive for excellence in serving our community.

Provo Is the Leading Mid-Sized City for ENERGY STAR Certified Buildings!

It is with great pride that I announce Provo’s remarkable accomplishment in the realm of energy efficiency. This year, Provo has earned the distinction of being ranked #1 among mid-sized cities in America for the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings. Additionally, we have achieved an impressive 20th place overall in the national rankings.

In 2022, Provo ranked #2 for mid-sized cities and #21 overall. Although we experienced a slight dip in 2023, falling to #3 for mid-sized cities and out of the top 25 overall, we have made a triumphant return in 2024, reclaiming the top spot for mid-sized cities and improving our overall ranking. This achievement is not just a win for Provo, but for the entire Provo-Orem Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah County. Our community's dedication to energy efficiency is evident in landmarks such as our very own City Hall, which stands as a model of sustainable design.

Commercial buildings are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 16% of the nation’s total and spending over $190 billion annually on energy. In many urban areas, buildings account for 30% to more than 70% of total emissions. ENERGY STAR certified buildings, on the other hand, use an average of 35% less energy and generate 35% less carbon dioxide than typical buildings. This makes our ranking even more meaningful, highlighting our proactive steps in reducing environmental impact and promoting energy conservation.

Provo’s success is a collective effort. Our business leaders, building owners, and managers have embraced the technical guidance, best practices, and training necessary to make their buildings more energy efficient. By earning ENERGY STAR certification, these buildings demonstrate superior energy performance, outperforming 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide.

In 2023, a significant number of buildings in the Provo area earned the ENERGY STAR, contributing to our top ranking. This achievement reflects our community’s commitment to improving energy efficiency, saving money, and reducing carbon emissions.

We are proud to be a national leader in energy efficiency and to serve as an example for other cities striving to create more sustainable communities. Provo's ranking showcases our dedication to environmental stewardship and the economic and environmental benefits of reducing energy use.

For more information about ENERGY STAR and to see the full rankings, visit www.energystar.gov/topcities. Let's keep up the great work, Provo!