St. George Word of Mouth

10/13/2026

There’s a new line on your St. George electric bill.

On September 3, the St. George City Council voted 5-0 to add a power cost adjustment (PCA) to every St. George Energy Services bill. It’s tied to what the city pays for wholesale power, so it can show up as a credit or as a charge.

Right now it’s working in your favor. The city’s look-back shows a credit every month for an average home. But it can flip to a charge without another council vote.

We break down what it is, how the math works, what it means for your bill, and the pros and cons.

If you’re a Dixie Power customer, this one doesn’t apply to you.

10/12/2026

Washington City voters will decide Prop 5 on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The measure would add a 0.67% sales tax for emergency services, on top of the 0.33% the City Council adopted in March. If it passes, the council has pledged to cut the city's share of property tax in half.

That's 67 cents on a $100 purchase; groceries, gas and prescriptions are exempt. The city says police and fire costs rose from $4.7 million to $12.7 million, and that about 85% of visits to Washington City businesses come from non-residents.

The property tax cut covers only the city's portion, not county or school district taxes. Ballots go out this week and must be received by 8 p.m. Nov. 3.

What questions do you have about Prop 5?

Washington City Prop 5 adds 0.67% to the emergency services sales tax (1% total) and pledges a 50% city property tax cut. Ballot text, numbers, Santa Clara Prop 3.

10/12/2026

The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is open again.

The National Park Service reopened SR-9 between Canyon Junction and Zion's East Entrance, including the tunnel, on Oct. 9, nine days after a Sept. 30 rockfall.

The park has laid temporary gravel on the switchbacks and plans to repave. Vehicles over 11 feet 4 inches tall or 7 feet 10 inches wide can't use the road.

Separately, Kolob Canyons Road is closed past South Fork Trailhead after another rockfall. The shuttle's last run moves to 5 p.m. starting Oct. 25.

Are you heading through the tunnel this fall?

SR-9 and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel reopened Oct. 9 after the Sept. 30 rockfall. Expect a gravel section on the switchbacks. Detours and fall shuttle hours.

10/12/2026

Mint Indian Bistro celebrates its St. George grand opening tomorrow.

The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce holds a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 918 N 2720 E near Red Cliffs Mall, followed by a free open-house dinner from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Seating is limited and reservations are required through the restaurant's Eventbrite page. It's the first Mint outside Las Vegas.

It's one of several 2026 openings, along with In-N-Out on Pioneer Road and Cafe Rio's second St. George store. Culver's is coming to Hurricane in November.

What restaurant do you want to see open next?

What opened in St. George and Hurricane in 2026: In-N-Out on Pioneer Road, a second Cafe Rio, Mint Indian Bistro, Canyon Eatery, Looped Bagels, and a Culver's coming in November.

10/09/2026

ST. GEORGE WORD OF MOUTH BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

Moving to St. George, or finally ready to get out? Either way, you want Splendor Sargent on the phone first.

Most of you already know Splendor. She has been a moderator in this group for a long time, answering questions, pointing people in the right direction, and keeping things civil when a thread gets heated. What a lot of you may not know is that she does the same thing for a living. Splendor is a licensed agent with Red Rock Real Estate downtown, and she has helped families relocate here from out of state, helped longtime locals cash out and move closer to kids and grandkids, and helped plenty of folks figure out whether now is even the right time to make a move.

She is not going to push you into anything. She is going to tell you what your house is actually worth, what the neighborhood you are looking at is actually like, and what she would do if she were in your shoes.

So here is the question for the group: if you moved here from somewhere else, what is the one thing you wish someone had told you about St. George before you came?

Splendor’s contact info is pinned in the comments.

10/08/2026

🧐🧐🧐

10/07/2026

Has Utah been given away to developers and data centers?

10/05/2026

Southern Utah, it's Monday and it's sunny with a high of 95. Four things to do today:

Huntsman World Senior Games opening day at the Dixie Convention Center, 8 AM to 5 PM

Expressions of the Soul art show at Red Cliff Gallery, 9 to 5

Fall festival at Staheli Family Farm, 5 to 9 PM

Finding Nemo at Tuacahn, 7:30 PM

Big thanks to today's sponsors: McMullin Injury Law, Cox Climate Control, Jonny Roxx, Splendor Sargent with Red Rock Real Estate, and Brain Health Center.

This week's Business of the Week is us. Find local businesses, events, and news across Southern Utah at sgwom.com.

10/05/2026

Are you still renting? Renting is like paying 100% interest.

Every year the rent goes up, and that house across the street feels further away. Don't let these excuses get in the way of your goals:

"I need 20% down." First-time buyer programs start at 3%.
"I don't have a down payment saved." There's down payment assistance.
"My credit isn't quite there." A parent can co-sign, without moving in.

Ryan Bolton at Patriot Home Mortgage, our St. George Word of Mouth Business of the Week, puts it simply: "Lenders aren't judges. They're financial mechanics." His job is to find the tool that fixes your situation, not to tell you no.

St. George renters: what's keeping you from buying? Drop it in the comments.

Ryan's info is pinned below. Equal Housing Lender NMLS # 299717

10/03/2026

Your CPA saved you thousands.

Then the bank used it against you.

You built a real business. Your accountant did a great job minimizing what you owe. Then a bank underwriter said your taxable income was too low for a home loan.

Ryan Bolton at Patriot Home Mortgage, this week's St. George Word of Mouth Business of the Week, funds these deals every week using CPA-prepared P&L statements, 12 to 24 months of bank deposits, or DSCR loans for landlords with no personal income check at all.

You should not be punished for being good at business.

Business owners: did anyone tell you these programs existed before you got a no? Be honest.

Contact info pinned in the comments.

Equal Housing Lender NMLS # 299717