By The Vineyard Observer Staff
“Fact Check: What Was Said, What Was True?”
A recurring feature that compares public statements vs. verified information, centered on Town Hall minutes, Facebook claims, or newsletter quotes.
Fact vs. Fiction: Unpacking the Vineyard Redevelopment Agency
VINEYARD, UT – The Vineyard Redevelopment Agency (RDA) has been a hot topic in our community, with a lot of discussion about its purpose, its funding, and its impact on our town.
To help our readers separate fact from fiction, The Vineyard Observer has compiled a breakdown of what the RDA is, what it does, and the recent controversies surrounding it.
What is the Vineyard RDA?
Fiction: The RDA is a separate entity that operates without any oversight.
Fact: The Vineyard Redevelopment Agency is permitted through state statute to help cities like ours revitalize and redevelop specific areas. In Vineyard’s case, the RDA was formed in 2009 to oversee the transformation of the former Geneva Steel Mill site. This area, which makes up nearly 70% of our city, was a “brownfield” site, meaning it was contaminated and in need of significant cleanup before it could be redeveloped. The RDA is overseen by a board made up of the Vineyard City Council, and the scope and project area of the RDA are set by Utah’s TEC (Taxing Entity Committee). State law requires oversight in the form of the RDA submitting a detailed annual report to the TEC, which Vineyard complies with. The RDA board will also be meeting this November with each member of the TEC, for additional oversight and collaboration.
What are the benefits of the RDA?
Fiction: The RDA doesn’t benefit Vineyard.
Fact: The RDA has played a crucial role in Vineyard’s growth. Without the RDA, the contaminated Geneva Steel site would have remained vacant and undeveloped. The RDA has made it possible to:
- Clean up environmental hazards.
- Build new roads, water, and sewer systems.
- Support affordable housing and public parks.
- Attract major employers like the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Utah Valley University, Top Golf, and Megaplex Theaters.
These developments have created thousands of jobs and brought in significant tax revenue. All of the development north of Center Street, including the aforementioned businesses, would not have been possible without the RDA.
How much additional sales tax revenue has the RDA created for Vineyard?
Fiction: The RDA has failed and doesn’t create additional revenue to help improve the infrastructure of Vineyard.
Fact: Since 2009, the RDA has helped turn the former Geneva Steel Mill into a thriving community with homes, parks, trails, schools, businesses, and world-class institutions like UVU and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. All of this has been made possible without raising tax rates on residents. Instead, the RDA uses a state-approved tool called Tax Increment Financing (TIF), which allows future tax growth–created by redevelopment–to fund roads, utilities, and public infrastructure.
Additionally, schools and other taxing entities have kept every dollar they were receiving before the RDA began. After the RDA sunsets, they’ll benefit from significantly higher property tax revenues generated through RDA investments.
It’s estimated that Vineyard has received approximately $100M in revenue stemming from RDA projects since its inception and that figure is expected to continue to grow each year.
Is the RDA Board Misappropriating Funds?
Fiction: The RDA board has used public funds to purchase property or buildings on behalf of developers.
Fact: All of the RDA applications that have been approved by the RDA board have followed the structure and form that the TEC and state statute require. These funds have gone towards long-term infrastructure projects that directly benefit the town such as roads, lighting, sewer system, parking garages downtown and more, as well as environmental clean up that has spurred more economic development.
How does the Alpine School District directly benefit from the RDA?
Fiction: The RDA is taking money from the school district.
Fact: The school district continues to receive its full share of taxes from the original property values, plus its share of 25% of the additional new tax base. This has substantially increased the district’s annual revenue from the area.
In 2011, the Alpine School District received just under $900,000 from the Geneva project area. By 2024, that number had surged to over $2.5 million per year.
Recent Controversies and State Audit Findings
Recently, the Office of the Utah State Auditor conducted a limited review of the Vineyard City and its RDA. What did they find?
Fiction: The state audit found evidence of misuse or mismanagement of public funds.
Fact: The audit did not find any evidence of misuse or mismanagement of public funds. Rather, the audit highlighted a systemic, technical reporting issue that impacted many municipalities across Utah including Vineyard, due to a recent reporting requirement change in state law. Vineyard City had proactively addressed the issue, updating its financial reports for 2023 and 2024 before the statewide alert from the auditor’s office was even issued. The core of the problem relates to accounting for “timing differences,” where invoices, bills, and receipts can span different reporting periods. To better reflect the actual flow of money, the city is transitioning to an annual reporting method.
Moving Forward
Vineyard City officials expressed their appreciation for the auditor’s recommendations and provided additional context on the findings, clarifying which actions they are taking to enhance transparency.
Regarding the Taxing Entity Committee (TEC), officials noted that while they have legally complied through an annual report and individual meetings with the entities, they will now hold a formal annual TEC meeting. They state this new meeting goes beyond state requirements and is intended to further improve transparency.
The Vineyard Observer is committed to keeping our community informed. As our town continues to grow, it is vital that residents have access to fact-based, accurate information. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
