These are the top 10 biggest risks facing Utah
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Utah faces a slate of escalating vulnerabilities — from shrinking water supplies to mounting cybersecurity threats — that could drain taxpayer dollars and erode residents' quality of life, according to a stark new state report.
Why it matters: The findings by the Legislative Auditor General offer state lawmakers a blueprint of where Utah is most exposed, flagging issues that could trigger costly failures or disrupt essential public services.
How it works: The "High-Risk List" identified the top 10 programs and government operations in Utah that are most susceptible to mismanagement, fraud, infrastructure failure or large-scale disruption, as well as those requiring major overhauls.
Zoom in: Utah's top two challenges are water-related, per the report.
- With the state's population expected to jump from 3.6 million to 5.6 million by 2065, the report warns that growth "will further strain Utah's water supply," underscoring the need for urgent planning.
Here are the top issues identified in the report:
- Meeting Utah's water needs
- Aging water infrastructure
- Education pathways to in-demand programs
- Insufficient behavioral health capacity
- Planning effective transportation
- Public workforce shortages
- Improving housing affordability
- Utah's energy policy
- Threats to cybersecurity and data privacy
- Federal revenue diversification
Between the lines: Other areas of unresolved concerns that didn't make the list include: child safety and child care shortages, seismic risks at public schools, air quality and contractor oversight, per the report.
Catch up quick: The state's Legislative Auditor General is required to produce the report under a 2023 law.
- It's modeled by a U.S. Government Accountability Office list published every other year.