Utah Transit Authority adopts new governance structure

Previously, the UTA was governed by a full-time board of trustees and a part-time local advisory council. Now, UTA is being overseen by a part-time, seven-member transit commission and a full-time executive director. The transition is intended to help strengthen accountability, coordinate investments and position UTA for long-term growth, authority officials said in a press release. The new transit commission is responsible for approving the annual budget, adopting the long-range transit plan, providing fiduciary accountability and advocating for rides. New Executive Director Jay Fox is responsible for setting UTA's strategic direction; he will also lead the agency's daily operations. SB197 amendments also established a dedicated state funding mechanism for transit. Beginning in fiscal-year 2029, 5% of the incremental new growth in state sales tax above a FY2028 baseline will be deposited into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund (TTIF). UTA anticipates TTIF revenue will grow from $109.2 million in FY2028 to nearly $200 million by FY2035 — without raising taxes or redirecting existing resources, UTA officials said. The UTA operates the TRAX light-rail system and FrontRunner commuter railroad.