The Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) is a voluntary association of local governments in Utah, Wasatch and Summit Counties. The association was formed in 1971 to address problems which extend beyond traditional jurisdictional boundaries and affect the entire tri-county region. MAG was also designed to eliminate duplication of effort and to provide a stronger role for local government officials in planning, coordinating, and administering state and federal programs at the local level.

As stated in the Articles of Association, "The Mountainland Association of Governments . . . shall be a voluntary organization of governments to facilitate inter-governmental cooperation and insure the orderly and harmonious coordination of federal, state, and local programs for the solution of mutual problems of the region."

The overall goal is "to serve as a multi-purpose organization, utilizing our combined total resources, to provide a more effective means for planning and development of the physical, economic, and human resources of the region."

MAG is not intended to become a new layer of government, but rather provide a share professional staff to local elected officials enabling them to better meet the needs of their constituents.

The Governing Board of the association consists of the nine county commissioners and the mayors of the cities located within the boundaries of Utah, Wasatch, and Summit Counties. The Board, known as the Executive Council, has full authority over the activities, budgets, and policies of the association.

The council is assisted by advisory committees consisting of both elected officials and private citizens who are appointed by the Executive Council. The committees' purposes entail developing proposals to operate programs authorized by the Executive Council and providing guidance in the administration of adopted programs.

The Executive Council is assisted by an Executive Director, who serves at the pleasure of the council and is responsible to the council for the administration of the association's policies and programs. The director administers the programs through a staff of 33 professionals, all selected because of expertise in their respective fields.

The association administers programs in the following areas: physical planning, community and economic planning, job and business development, administrative services, area agency on aging, Utah County Housing Authority, and Mountainland Community Action Agency. The objectives of the programs are given below.

Physical Planning
 

• Effectively administer the water quality program in order to meet the beneficial uses of water in the Mountainland area.
• Strengthen the local involvement of elected officials in the water quality process.
• Have a productive region in harmony with a quality environment
• Listen, anticipate, and respond to customer's needs.
• A transportation engineer was added to the staff and a consulting firm was retained to analyze and recommend the most effective carbon monoxide emissions mitigating transportation control measures for inclusion in the SIP.

Community Development
 

• Economic Development Planning
• Community Development Planning
• Diversify and build local economies through Recreation Planning
• Maintain a visible presence for the region in Utah promotional programs and increase the length of visitor stays and expenditures in the region.
• Preparation of an area wide Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy
• Drafting and graphic illustration of community parks, swimming pools, and county trails programs
• Production of Mountainland Travel Region Brochures and Group Tour Manuals
• Operation of the Echo Welcome Center on I-80.

Aging and Adult Services
 

• Successful implementation of the Medicaid Waiver for in-home services
• Statewide recognition of an implementation plan for Medicare counseling
• Outdoor activities for adults with disabilities
• Served meals and in-home services to the elderly.

Job and Business Development

Emphasize service to those most in need and have the most serious barriers to employment with a desired outcome of employment that provides economic self-sufficiency. Increase awareness and access to technology-based training.

• On-The-Job Training Programs
• Classroom Training and Education Services
• Summer Youth Employment Program
• Single Parent Economic Independence Development Program
• Procurement Assistance
• Provided services to job seekers.
• Area employers utilize the resources and expertise of the department to meet their needs for training employees.
• Local Coordination Council brings together all community resources for disadvantaged job seekers.

Utah County Housing Authority (UCHA) Contract
 

• The weatherization program serves over 250 homes annually.

Mountainland Community Action Agency (MCAA) Contract
 

• Provides transitional housing for homeless families
• Established the 501(c)(3) private non-profit agency.
• The Family Development Program provides case management and other services to homeless and at risk homeless families.