July 2024

Mayor's Message | July 2024

In this month's message, Mayor Dave Young reports on the unprecedented citywide efficiency study that just wrapped up but has already delivered some great changes and improvements for Orem.

You can read the full message here.

City Council Message

from Councilmember LaNae Millett

I am thrilled to share some fantastic news with you! The City Council and I are excited to announce the launch of the My Hometown initiative, a new program designed to renew our neighborhoods and strengthen our community through service and education.

The My Hometown program, through a Community Resource Center, aims to provide residents with opportunities to learn English, master a musical instrument, acquire new marketable skills, and so much more. My Hometown also includes service days where residents can help each other clean up and beautify the neighborhood. Years ago I spent eighteen months in Southern California serving the Hispanic population, and the availability of English classes provided life-changing opportunities. The My Hometown initiative is one of the most highly anticipated developments in our city this year, and we are confident it will have an immediate positive impact on our community.

We are proud to pilot this program in the Geneva Heights neighborhood, with plans to expand to other neighborhoods in the future. The Community Resource Center will be a place where neighbors can gather to learn, establish friendships, and grow together. It will open in late August and we couldn’t be more excited. 

Other cities, such as Provo and West Valley, have already implemented similar programs with great success, and we are eager to see the same positive outcomes in our community.

We invite all residents in the Geneva Heights neighborhood to take part in this wonderful opportunity and look forward to working together to make our neighborhoods stronger and more vibrant. As your City Council, we are working diligently to welcome My Hometown, to build Family City USA, and to create an environment where families can thrive.

We are grateful My Hometown is coming to Orem! 

Councilmember LaNae Millett

Upcoming City Council Meetings

AUGUST 13 | AUGUST 27

You can join Orem City Council meetings in person or online. Just visit orem.org/meetings to see the agendas and start times for upcoming meetings.

Gold Star Family Monument Project

We're building Utah County's first Gold Star Family Monument to honor those local families that have lost a loved one in armed conflict and we're accepting 100% tax deductible donations to help make it happen.

Donors at the Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels will have their names engraved on a granite wall in the Freedom Plaza. Donations of all amounts are of course welcome as we want these families to know they are not forgotten.

Donations are 100% tax-deductible and can be made online.

Upcoming Events

Enjoy an evening at the Orem Farmers Market with live music at the Orem Art Council's Summer Concert Series. Each Wednesday night at 7pm, we have a different musical guest take the stage in City Center Park.

Check out the full line-up at orem.org/concerts.

We're partnering with Utah Live Concerts to bring you the Come Together Rock Festival on August 16th & 17th. It will be two full days of great live music, food, and so much more. This year we're adding a farmers market, a car show, a community breakfast, and fireworks. It's an event you don't want to miss!

Improvements to the Scera Shell

The Scera Shell is celebrating their 40th year and to mark the occasion we partnered with our friends at the Scera to add some new lighting and a decorative wall to this beloved community venue.

The Orem plastic film recycling pilot is still underway so keep putting stretchy plastics in the recycling bin. As part of an effort to measure the plastic film, we discovered that proper recycling of other items has increased as well! Keep up the good work! It's making a difference.

Water Tank Project Update

The 10 million gallon water tank at Heritage Park has made a lot of progress this Summer as the entire tank is now enclosed and currently undergoing leak testing. This is a project that will serve the water needs of generations of Orem residents.

Wolverines + Orem City

We held a landscape design contest with UVU students for some spots in Orem that could use a refresh. The students worked closely with city staff to learn about the challenges of each area and then worked in teams to come up with innovative ideas to solve problems.

Council member Jeff Lambson presented the awards to the winning teams and thanked all of the students and Professor Tara Bishop for their excellent work on behalf of the city.

Elements of the students' designs will be integrated into the final projects. It was a great partnership and we love working with our Wolverines to build a better Orem!

One of the best ways to stay informed on issues and discussions in the city is to subscribe to our public notices through the state's noticing website. Just visit utah.gov/pmn and follow the steps in this video.

Get ready for a brand new event coming to Orem this Fall that celebrates all the great food in our community! Taste of Orem will be September 14th and is an event you don't want to miss. More details coming soon.

Orem Gives you MORE!

Orem was named #6 in the nation for cultural experiences among cities of our size. The rankings were based on the number of establishments for art, culture, galleries, historical sites, libraries, museums, music venues, and performing arts theaters.

New Citizens Take the Oath in Orem

One of the most amazing things that happened over the 4th of July holiday weekend was 20 individuals from 15 countries took the oath and became official U.S. citizens at the Scera. The love that these new Americans have for the country is inspiring.

Orem Is For Artists

La Beene - Orem Arts Council

Nestled in the heart of Utah, Orem is more than just a city—it’s a canvas where art and community intersect. From outdoor concerts at the Scera to the Summer Concert Series at City Center Park, our little corner of the world offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences.

Our community’s commitment to the arts is unwavering. We allocate CARE tax dollars thoughtfully, ensuring enriching programming throughout the year. But there’s something magical about summer—the open-air events resonate with us on a deeper level by offering cultural enrichment surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

Next up, in partnership with the Orem Arts Council, World Folkfest is coming to town! For two unforgettable nights, dancers and musicians from around the world will grace our stages. Join us on Wednesday, July 31, at 5:00 PM in City Center Park, or on Thursday, August 1, at 7:00 PM in the Orem Library Hall. It’s free entertainment that transcends borders—a celebration of unity through art.

As the sun dips below the mountains, let’s celebrate our cultural and artistic heritage

together. Orem’s artistic soul thrives in these moments, and we invite you to be part of it.

Come, listen, and connect. Every Wednesday evening through August 14th you can catch the following artists at the Farmer’s Market in City Center Park:

July 17 Lindy and the Hops 

July 24 The Fundamentals 

July 31 Wasatch Show Band 

August 7 BD Howes Band 

August 14 The Tri-Chevys 

Want to get involved with the Orem Arts Council? We currently have an open

position. Volunteer to help foster community through the arts in our beautiful city.

Apply here.

In partnership with the Orem Arts Council, World Folkfest is coming to Orem for a two-night engagement that will be absolutely FREE for the public. The first performance will be at City Center Park on July 31st at 5pm. The second performance will be at Orem Library Hall at 7pm. We're so excited to have dancers and musicians from various countries come and share their culture with us. Hope to see you there!

AT THE OREM PUBLIC LIBRARY