AMERICAN FORK — For the third year in a row, American Fork is waiving city utility fees for residents who are active-duty military personnel.

And many other Utah County city and towns are following suit.

According to the Utah National Guard's family support division, Alpine, Highland, Lehi, Lindon, Orem, Pleasant Grove, Provo, Salem, Santaquin, Spanish Fork and Springville have similar programs to lighten the burden for their citizens in uniform. Lehi, Santaquin, Spanish Fork and Springville will waive up to $100 a month in city utility fees, including electricity.

In all, 39 cities and two independent utility companies in Utah provide some type of break for families who have a member serving abroad, according to the Utah National Guard.

The American Fork City Council voted unanimously Dec. 13 to extend the program for a third year.

Richard Colburn, American Fork's city recorder, said a minimum monthly utility bill — including sewer, water and garbage — is approximately $42.25, or more than $500 over a year.

About 25 to 30 residents have participated in the program, he said.

American Fork Councilman Jimmie Cates said residents using the benefit have expressed appreciation for the city's gesture to help them make ends meet while their loved one is away.

"Monetarily it's not that much, but you've got to realize a lot of them are being taken out of good paying jobs," Cates said. "We're asking those families to make a real sacrifice, and it doesn't hurt us to assist them."

American Fork mayor Ted Barratt said he doesn't ask who is using the waivers, but he is happy to know that the program is helping so many residents.

"I'm grateful that our city does this and I'm grateful for these people who put their lives in harm's way for us," he said.

Abuse of the program, he said, has not been a problem.

Maj. Hank McIntire, a spokesman for the Utah National Guard and Orem resident, knows firsthand what a help the waivers can be.

McIntire was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom from May 2004 to April 2005 and took advantage of the city's program

"That is an incredible benefit," he said. "It's 100 bucks a month we didn't have to worry about."

But the real benefit, he said, is the emotional support that such gestures give to a family.

"Any time the community rallies around a soldier or airman who is deployed, it gives them a boost," he said. "It's a real morale boost, even if it's just $50, because the community is supporting the family. It may seem like a small thing for the city to do that, but for the family, it's a big help."

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Contributing: Jeremy Twitchell, Deseret Morning News