Gov. Cox establishes council to help Utah plan for the future and protect quality of life

SALT LAKE CITY (May 28, 2025) — Today, Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order launching the BUILD Coordinating Council, a proactive step to ensure Utah’s future is as dynamic and strong as its past. The new council will bring state agencies together to streamline efforts, align long-range planning, and make the most of shared opportunities. By working collaboratively, Utah will be better positioned to meet growing demands for housing, transportation, water, energy, open space, recreation and air quality, while preserving the exceptional quality of life Utahns value.

“As Utah evolves, everything from water use to transportation is affected,” said Gov. Cox. “This council will help us combine efforts and make better decisions to maintain the quality of life that makes Utah exceptional.”

The BUILD Coordinating Council builds on the intent of HCR 11, passed by the Utah Legislature in 2024, which encourages state agencies to account for cross-issue growth impacts in funding, policy and program development. The council will convene quarterly to identify statewide goals, review demographic and economic trends, resolve planning conflicts and enhance coordination across agencies and regions.

Chaired by the State Planning Coordinator, the council will include senior advisors and executive directors from key state agencies such as transportation, natural resources, environmental quality, health and human services, agriculture and food and others. It will also invite participation from research institutions, regional associations of governments and community partners such as the Salt Lake Chamber and Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games.

Key responsibilities of the council include:

• Establishing a shared vision for Utah’s long-term future.
• Reviewing long-range plans and providing recommendations for alignment.
• Identifying opportunities to leverage state investments for greater impact.
• Supporting collaborative solutions to cross-agency growth challenges.
• Producing an annual report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Legislature.

The executive order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until otherwise modified, amended, rescinded or superseded.