Giving Communities the Tools to Succeed

In addition to the programs that the Planning section of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget manage and administer, we are committed to empowering Utah's communities to succeed and meet the challenges the growth by providing tools for planning.

CRITICAL LANDS PLANNING TOOLKIT
Defining "Critical Lands"
The purpose of this toolkit is to aid communities in defining, identifying, inventorying, mapping, and prioritizing their critical lands in an effort to rebalance conservation and development.   The toolkit is comprised of a "Critical Lands Encyclopedia" that explains what critical lands are and why it is important they be preserved. It includes a section on implementation procedures and incentives that can be used to accomplish critical lands planning. Perhaps the most exciting part of the toolkit is the interactive critical lands mapping tool that will be hosted online. The mapping tool, which is a Geographic Information System (GIS) based program, will assist the communities in creating a map that not only identifies their critical lands, but prioritizes them as well.

MIPCOM
Saving Taxpayers Money Through Efficient Development
The Municipal Infrastructure Planning and Cost Model, or MIPCOM, is an easy-to-use computer spreadsheet that estimates a community's costs for providing basic infrastructure to new development.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT
Increasing State Government Productivity through Performance Measures
Government agencies are forced to make tough decisions about priorities. A greater consciousness of tax burdens and policy has resulted in a desire to not only prioritize services based on need and demand, but also to assure that the resources put into services are used to the best advantage. The public no longer judges state leaders simply by how much they spend on a problem. Rather, they want to know what results government gets for the money, so that they can improve services while holding the line on spending. Performance measures is one way to gauge what the public gets for its money.

BECOMING A CITY
Municipal Incorporation in Utah
There are a number of questions relative to incorporating a new town or city in Utah.  GOPB has prepared a summary of State Laws that can help those considering this process.

BUILDING MORATORIA
Moriatoria
Municipalities faced with unanticipated growth pressure may consider enacting a building moratorium. GOPB has prepared a summary of state law in relation to this practice.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS & ACCESS TO RECORDS
Open Public Meetings and GRAMA Procedures and 2006 Changes
Utah's Private Property Ombudsman has compiled information on open public meetings and access to public records.

CONTRACTING FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
RFP Procedures
GOPB has compiled a whitepaper on best practices regarding retention of planning consultants. The document includes things such as how to write an RFP, and how to select a contractor.

To facilitate responsible growth and increase the return on our investment, the GOPB looks to incorporate the following principles as a guide to planning:

Local Responsibility
State Leadership
Economic Development
Efficient Infrastructure Development
Housing Opportunity
Conservation Ethic