Duck Creek considers path toward incorporation

Residents and offi­cials met this month to consider whether Duck Creek Village should move from unincorpo­rated community to official town.

At an August 4 meet­ing at Hot Mamas Pizza, Kane County commissioners, con­sultants from the Five County Association of Governments and local chamber leaders out­lined the incorporation process and possible impacts. Roger Carter, of the Five County Association of Govern­ments, presented the steps required. Darin Bushman, also from the Five County As­sociation, highlighted funding opportunities available only to incor­porated towns.

Area of proposed incorporation study. Image via Duck Creek Village.

Concerns about prop­erty taxes were raised, but Carter and Kane County Commissioner Celeste Meyeres said increases are unlike­ly. They pointed to Duck Creek’s poten­tial designation as a resort community, which could generate added revenue. Kane County Treasurer Kei­ren Chatterley and local chamber board member Zach Hascall also reviewed property ownership data within the proposed town boundaries.

Supporters of incor­poration cited greater control of tax dollars, more authority over growth and planning, and eligibility for fund­ing tied to infrastruc­ture projects, disaster relief and community improvements. Critics questioned whether the area has enough full-time residents to fill required volunteer leadership positions.

The Duck Creek Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the incor­poration application. The group must collect about 250 signatures from property owners within the proposed boundaries to trigger a feasibility study by Kane County and the Utah Attorney Gen­eral’s Office.

Organizers empha­sized that signing does not mean supporting incorporation, only advancing the study. If the study finds in­corporation financially viable, the decision would be made by registered voters in the Cedar Mountain Pre­cinct during a future county election cycle.

Property owners may sign the petition at the Cedar Mountain Coun­try Store or Hot Mamas Pizza. Updates are posted at duckcreekvil­lage.com and the Duck Creek Facebook page.