Cedar Highlands, Utah

Cedar Highlands is a subdivision east of Cedar City in Iron County, Utah. It was incorporated as a town in 2018, but this was dissolved in 2020 following a vote of the residents.

Cedar Highlands, Utah
Unincorporated community
Coordinates: 37°38′13″N 113°02′33″W
CountryUnited States
StateUtah
CountyIron
Settled1981
IncorporatedJanuary 1, 2018
DisincorporatedOctober 10, 2020
Area
[1]
 • Total8.99 sq mi (23.28 km2)
 • Land8.99 sq mi (23.28 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
8,000 ft (2,438 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total368
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
68
 • Density7.57/sq mi (2.92/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
84720
Area code435
FIPS code49-11435 [3]
GNIS feature ID2791541[4]
Websitewww.cedarhighlands.org

History

The community, established in 1981, was originally a private development, consisting of cabins managed by a HOA. It stayed at that political level, with various calls for incorporation over the years until the formal process began in 2015, with a vote for incorporation happening in November 2016 (79-44 for incorporation).[5] The formal certificate of incorporation from the State of Utah was issued on December 7, 2017.

Even though it wasn't universally agreed that incorporation was the best option, the need for incorporation arose due to concerns about how property taxes were being used (at the county level rather than being held locally) as well as issues with fire management and road grade that appeared to be outside the HOA's purview. Additionally, incorporation made it possible to apply for regional and national grants.

After incorporation, the foundational swearing in of leaders took place on January 5, 2018. The first inaugurated government consisted of Mayor Steven C. Swann, with town council members Susan Allman, Beth Gaines, Linda Stetzenbach, and Paul Starks. The ceremony took place on the campus of Southern Utah University, as no government buildings currently exist in the community.[6]

Cedar Highlands was the first town incorporated after the 2016 Utah State Legislature changed the process of incorporation to be overseen by the office of the Lieutenant Governor’s rather than by local county governments.[7]

On May 14, 2020, the town voted 73-12 in favor of disbanding and reverting to unincorporated status.[8] The Certificate of Dissolution from the State of Utah was issued by the Lieutenant Governor on October 10, 2020.

Government

An audit[9] by the State Auditor in April 2019, found that the town had violations related to accounting, records, etc. The resulting administrative changes in government caused a significant rift between Mayor Swann and his council, resulting in his resignation on June 28, 2019.[10] While the news was well received by some, it was a surprise to members of the town council, who claimed that the impasse was a matter of differing visions, while the Mayor claimed the town was taking on additional liabilities.[11]

After notice was posted for the position of mayor,[12] Jim Byler was chosen amongst candidates for the mayoral appointment. He was known locally for being openly critical of the previous Mayor Swann, running an online site[13] that discussed management issues in the community. On July 17, He was sworn in, alongside a new treasurer (Beth Gaines) and town clerk (Jeanne Shelton). Byler promised additional transparency with the finances of the council, citing a difficult transition between the office with Swann.

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. May 18, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  5. "Cedar Highlands approved as Utah's newest municipality". KUTV. Associated Press. November 26, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  6. "A town is born: Cedar Highlands poised to become Utah's newest municipality". St. George News. December 20, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  7. Scott, Haven (November 25, 2016). "Iron County sees first incorporation in four decades". The Spectrum & Daily News. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  8. "The end of a town: Cedar Highlands residents vote to disband". Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  9. Oveson, Seth (April 9, 2019). "State Audit Report Dated April 4th, 2019. Signed Seth Oveson, CPA. Also, response from Mayor Swann". Reporting.Auditor.Utah.Gov. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  10. "Cedar Highlands mayor suddenly resigns, cites 'foolish' town council as reason for leaving". www.ksl.com. July 12, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  11. "Cedar Highlands mayor resigns, citing 'rogue' town council". The Salt Lake Tribune. July 9, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  12. "Following abrupt resignation, Cedar Highlands officials accepting applications for new mayor". St. George News. July 3, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  13. "Our Cedar Highlands". ourcedarhighlands.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
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