Growth changing face of Utah County

"With the economy not doing as well (in other states), we're getting a lot of people transplanting here that aren't your typical (Utah County residents)," Eliot said.

He added: "You become more diversified with ethnic groups but also with religious groups and nonreligious groups."

No matter what the demographic, huge growth stresses both cities and the county in multiple ways. Sewer, water and power lines have to be installed to service the growing need.

Eagle Mountain, which had some of the highest growth percentages in the county, is trying to keep up with intense growth and dealing with infrastructure needs. So far the city has $13 million of construction projects to meet residents' needs. And, says Eagle Mountain Mayor Don Richardson, an additional school could be built, and it still would be overcrowded.

After a successful census challenge, Eagle Mountain's 2006 population now rests at 17,391. Ten years ago the city counted 250 people.

The county also feels the strain of extra bodies, especially in the young west-side towns. Eagle Mountain doesn't have a police force, and Saratoga Springs' police department began last year. The burden of patrolling lies with the Utah County Sheriff's Office, which officials say is already understaffed.

"Our poor sheriff's department is trying to be the police department," Anderson said. "They've been incredibly affected, as well as the road people — public works and engineers."

Anderson calls the west-side roads inadequate and small. He says a major problem the county faces is a small tax base.

"What's going to pay for those (schools, programs, etc.) is car dealerships and retail malls, and that's what we need," Anderson said.

He also said residents of Utah County need to buy in Utah County.

"We've got to do better in teaching our people to buy in Utah County and have the resources there they can buy," he said.

He added that the county is working on economic development as well as tourism to bring more funds into the county. Three large manufacturing companies are looking at coming into the county, which will provide more jobs and a larger tax base.

Anderson also said Thanksgiving Point and Sundance bring tourism and money into the county that helps support the population boom.

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Contributing: Deborah Bulkeley

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E-mail: csmith@desnews.com