About 30 Heber Valley, Utah, leaders gathered on April 13, 2026, to break ground on a new county government building, according to kpcw.org.
Project Manager Richard Breitenbeker said construction should take approximately 18 months. Okland Construction is the project contractor.
The building will cost approximately $47.5 million, according to kpcw.org. Approximately half of the project will be financed through a bond, with the remainder coming from savings and development fees that growth in the Jordanelle area generated.
The remainder of the bond will go to refinance renovations of the Wasatch County Justice Center, including new courtrooms and expanded staff spaces in the building south of downtown Heber City.
The site is the southwest corner of Southfield Road and State Route 113, according to kpcw.org.
The finished facility will be about 63,000 sq. ft. and sit on approximately 20 acres of land across from the rodeo grounds.
"Because that bond will largely be repaid with future revenues from the development also happening up near the Jordanelle, we're anticipating no property tax associated with the construction of this building, which is fantastic news," Breitenbeker said.
Most county services will be housed in the building, although public works, the health department and legal services will stay put, according to kpcw.org.
Breitenbeker said the new facility will allow county residents to more easily get help with taxes, driver's licenses and other services.
"We're bringing the county-run Department of Motor Vehicles into the building; we've also invited the state-run driver's license division to come as well," he said. "It's been a regular inconvenience for the community to have those in separate locations."
Wasatch County Councilmember Erik Rowland told kpcw.org that he was excited about the start of construction.
"We're excited that we'll probably get this built before the temple is done, which says a lot for our staff and how quick they are to get this completed," he said. "It's desperately needed." ♣
