Cook said he doesn't foresee a direct impact on the programs offered by MAG, which has a total yearly budget of $6.9 million. The association will lose about $30,000 annually in funding contributed by Utah County government.

"The big bit isn't from a financial point of view," he said. "The big issue is the loss of their voice at the table."

It's less clear how the withdrawal will affect the county. Because MAG is the designated area agency for services for the elderly, those services will continue even in unincorporated areas of the county.

But the county's future role in transportation planning is a bit muddy because MAG is the governor-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for Utah County. MPOs are responsible for transportation planning in urban areas throughout the United States.

Cook said he wasn't sure of the legal ramifications but said the complete withdrawal from MAG could include a withdrawal from the MPO as well.

"When you withdraw from the host, it's arguable, at least, that you've withdrawn from all," he said. "I don't know that that's their interest or desire, and I don't know if there's a way around that."

Grover pointed out that entities like the Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Transit Authority, which are not part of MAG, serve on the MPO, and he believes Utah County will be in a similar situation.

Even if the county cannot sit on the MPO board, Grover said it will not impact Utah County cities, which have representatives on the board.

Grover said he has suggested in the past that Utah County instead be included in the Wasatch Front Regional Council, which serves as the MPO for the Salt Lake and Ogden areas.

"There's certainly a good argument that the transportation issues in Utah County are a lot more related to what's going on in southern Salt Lake County than in Summit County," he said.

Cook said he's hopeful the relationship between MAG and the county can be revived but is unsure if that's possible.

"I don't know if it's salvageable," he said. "I hope so, but I don't know. I think everyone ought to be, needs to be, and would benefit from being at the table. We'll just do whatever we can to try to keep the dialogue going."

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E-mail: mdecker@desnews.com