Those signs are not yet posted on the perimeter of Utah's newest town, but they soon could be.

On Monday, Garfield County commissioners unanimously approved the incorporation of Ruby's Inn at the gateway to southern Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park.

The change is expected to become official within a matter of days when the lieutenant governor signs off on the articles of incorporation.

When he does, the 2,300-acre landmass will become the state's newest town. One of the inn's owners - not surprisingly - will become Utah's newest mayor. And Garfield County will lose one of its largest cash cows.

"The commissioners were reluctant, which I anticipated," said newly named Mayor Rod Syrett, whose grand- father launched Ruby's Inn in 1916. "I don't blame them. But at the same time I'm elated. We were well-prepared so there was nothing they could do about it."

Bound by recent changes in state law, the three commissioners had no choice but to approve the incorporation of Utah's 244th city/town.

"None of us are in favor of it," Garfield Commissioner Maloy Dodds said. "But after much discussion, we decided we'd have to bite the bullet."

Up to three-quarters of the county's $400,000 in annual sales taxes come from Ruby's Inn. Once townhood kicks in, those dollars will flow to Bryce Canyon City instead of the county.

That means higher taxes for everyone else in the county. In his 13th year as commissioner, Dodds said this will be the first time he has had to raise property taxes. He anticipates a $50 bump on a $130,000 home.

"It's a good deal for the Syretts," Dodds said of the open door HB466 gave them.

The new law, which sailed through the 2007 legislative session without opposition, removed the commission's ability to block incorporation if the petitioner met certain criteria.

"We had nothing to do with the new law," Syrett said. "I wish we could take credit for it . . . the old law put too much authority in the hands of the County Commission."

Ruby's efforts to incorporate had been under way for several years, said Syrett, noting that the inn already provides most of its services.

During the summer and early fall, the 600-room inn and adjacent campgrounds welcome thousands of tourists every day. Reinvesting tax dollars into the town's infrastructure - sidewalks and such - will improve the area for everyone, Syrett said.

Besides appointing the town's first mayor, commissioners also named its five-member Town Council: Shauna Anderson, Ginger Brown, Andy Monroe, Mike Stevens and David Tebbs.

Those officials will serve until the next municipal election in 2009 because this year's filing deadline has passed.

"We're small," Syrett said, "but we're going to grow."

cmckitrick@sltrib.com