What issues matter most to southern Utahns

You came to meet your neighbors. To learn about your community. To discuss the problems and solutions of growth.

The Southern Utah Tribune held our first Community Conversation last month at Utah Tech University and we are so grateful to those who came!

We heard from longterm residents, retirees, students, parents, outdoor enthusiasts, educators, renters, homeowners and even candidates for Utah House and Senate.

During the 2 1/2-hour event, you shared your thoughts on the economy, water use, transportation plans, housing affordability and education.

“I just wanted to be a part of the change, and to learn and educate myself,” said attendee Valerie Jones, when asked why she joined the event.

Jackie Lipe, a retiree who moved to St. George five years ago, said she was struck while listening to her neighbors talk about how young people can’t make enough money to live in southern Utah.

“That’s a problem. Even though I’m retired and it’s not an issue personally, I have kids and grandkids, and they don’t live here. But it’s not a whole lot different where they live,” Lipe said after the event. “And I just want us to find a way to make that a better world for the people coming up behind us.”

Our goal: To listen to what matters to you when it comes to growth so that we can do our best to tell stories that reflect your experiences. As a nonprofit, The Southern Utah Tribune is committed to benefiting the community.

We have a list of stories to pursue from this event — and we will let you know when what we learned from this and future Community Conversations leads to a story. You can find more about what we learned below.

Our aim was also to explain who we are and how we do our job. The Southern Utah Tribune launched in October with a free monthly, printed newspaper and a free, weekly newsletter called Red Rock Roundup. You can also find reporting at southernutahtribune.org.

Traditionally, reporters are the ones who ask questions. On this night, we put our reporters Mark Eddington and Brooke Larsen, who both live in Washington County, on stage. They were interviewed by their editor Colton Lochhead, who asked them about their reporting experiences and the stories they’ve written.

The audience also asked questions, including about challenges they’ve faced with gathering information.

Community members take the lead

The heart of the event was a World Cafe-style activity: Community members discussed different growth themes with each other. Butcher paper lined the tables so they could take notes on their discussions, which were guided by questions like:

The energy was palpable, as participants dug into thorny issues of growth. Volunteers shared what they discussed with the whole audience.

“They built another water park on the way to Hurricane — Jellystone. It’s like, ‘Come on folks, this is a desert,’” said Marcia Burchstead, a Washington County resident and member of The American Association of University Women. She’s concerned there is a misperception that Washington County has unlimited water.

“I think they need to stop building all these residential developments,” Burchstead said. “We’ve expanded and expanded. When is it going to stop?”

In speaking about transportation problems, Lisa Rutherford reported: “They’re thinking that the Northern Corridor is going to solve our transportation problems? No, it won’t.”

She said it’ll take people off Interstate-15, but anyone who wants to go shopping downtown will still have to travel in busy areas.

We analyzed the comments from participants and here are our findings:

Water

The fear around water is not only about if there is enough to sustain growth and future generations. Participants also wonder if current residents save water, will that be interpreted as a sign to continue developing? Some don’t want that.

Many said water prices need to increase to encourage more conservation. And they’ve got their eye on golf courses and water parks.

Many also want new building permits to be tied to proven water availability. Event attendees shared zero appetite for focusing on the short-term gain without weighing the long-term consequences.

Housing

Participants say housing costs too much and young people can’t afford to stay in southern Utah, while others can’t move out of their parents’ homes. Several lamented the number of vacation rentals and second or third homes. Those homes may be desirable for developers to build. But where are the affordable, beginner homes and apartments for the workforce?

There was strong support for a “mansion fee” on luxury sales, so the revenue can be put to affordable housing.

Transportation

Opposition to Northern Corridor Highway was voiced, because it goes through Red Cliffs National Conservation. A few attendees referenced it as a “joke” or a temporary fix.

Ideas to combat traffic included having a better public transportation system because bus options are limited and don’t cover all of St. George. Some liked the idea of using sales tax to fund free buses.

They want to see one-way streets, expanded bike lanes, and a city that is walkable. Some also questioned the value of large events that are held in Washington County and the traffic they bring.

Economy

Participants questioned if southern Utah is too reliant on tourism and how to increase wages to keep pace with the cost of living and to afford housing.

Many want to balance the mix of local businesses and chain stores. “[Chain stores] bring something to the table,” retiree Russ Hurlbut said, meaning bigger stores offer job opportunities for residents.

At the same time, local businesses keep money within the community.

“I think the key is balance and I honestly don’t know what balance is being struck here right now,” Judith Rognli said.

One resident talked about how his grown children came back to St. George years ago because there were job opportunities and they were educated. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, housing costs in the area nearly doubled, making it more difficult for them to stay. He said the economy needs to be more personal and not be so heavily focused on tourism and construction.

Education

Participants wondered how to use the natural wonders of southern Utah as an educational tool; if teachers and professors are being paid enough; and how to help educators buy homes. They like aligning student training with region-specific jobs and want to see more of it.

Be sure to sign up for Red Rock Roundup — at southernutahtribune.org — to participate in future Community Conversations.