Mayor Phil Rubin Discusses Hideout Annexation and Community Development Goals
By Utah News Staff · August 29, 2026 · 3 min read
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Phil Rubin serves as the Mayor of Hideout and is a resident of the town. In a letter released on December 16, 2020, he addressed the community regarding the town's pursuit of annexation. He noted that the town leadership explored annexation to gain a seat at the table regarding regional planning and cooperation. He characterized the annexation as a unique opportunity for Hideout, especially since the municipality holds land in both Wasatch and Summit Counties. According to his December 16, 2020, letter, being a municipality with land in both counties provides a voice that cannot be ignored, specifically regarding future land use around the Jordanelle. Rubin expressed his belief that the annexation is targeted at making life easier, safer, and more practical for Hideout and surrounding Jordanelle residents. He stated that the goal of the development includes addressing better connections to an integrated transportation network and reducing trips to Park City and Redstone for everyday needs like grocery shopping. He also noted that the development aims to address the long-distance challenge for public-school children and create an integrated community with trails and parks. Furthermore, Rubin mentioned the pursuit of housing that is more affordable to lead to a broader demographic mix and create space to serve the aging elements of the community. As a secondary consideration, he noted that the annexation and development would provide a revenue source to mitigate the need for continual tax increases. Regarding the annexation process, Rubin stated that he firmly believes the elected Council members followed the public process to the fullest extent of both the spirit and the letter of the law. He noted that a group of residents took the initiative to press for a referendum, which allows every registered voter in Hideout to vote on whether to continue or stop the annexation. In his December 2020 communication, Rubin described the year as difficult and divisive, citing the pandemic and a Presidential election as stressors. He also addressed local tensions, stating that town leadership's exploration of annexation was overshadowed by diatribe and vitriol. He remarked that there have been personal attacks on individuals and their character, including disparaging statements made without proof that the individuals are anything but upstanding citizens. He also commented on attempts to subvert the public process, noting that "Zoom bombing" is illegal and does not help the citizenry learn about the annexation. In other administrative matters, the Town of Hideout has commissioned two separate consulting firms, Zions Municipal Finance and Lewis & Young, to evaluate town matters. Additionally, the town has reviewed statements from Park City regarding remarks made by attorney Bruce Baird.
Key takeaways
Phil Rubin is the Mayor of Hideout and a resident.
He addressed annexation in a December 2020 letter.
He believes annexation provides a voice in regional planning.
The development aims to improve transportation, reduce trips to Park City/Redstone, and add trails/parks.
The annexation may provide revenue to mitigate tax increases.
Phil Rubin serves as the Mayor of Hideout and is a resident of the town. In an open letter released on December 16, 2020, he addressed the community regarding the town's pursuit of annexation. He noted that the town leadership explored annexation to gain a seat at the table regarding regional planning and cooperation. He characterized the annexation as a unique opportunity for Hideout, especially since the municipality holds land in both Wasatch and Summit Counties. According to his December 16, 2020, letter, being a municipality with land in both counties provides a voice that cannot be ignored, specifically regarding future land use around the Jordanelle. Rubin expressed his belief that the annexation is targeted at making life easier, safer, and more practical for Hideout and surrounding Jordanelle residents. He stated that the goal of the development includes addressing better connections to an integrated transportation network and reducing trips to Park City and Redstone for everyday needs like grocery shopping. He also noted that the development aims to address the long-distance challenge for public-school children and create an integrated community with trails and parks. Furthermore, Rubin mentioned the pursuit of housing that is more affordable to lead to a broader demographic mix and create space to serve the aging elements of the community. As a secondary consideration, he noted that the annexation and development would provide a revenue source to mitigate the need for continual tax increases. Regarding the annexation process, Rubin stated that he firmly believes the elected Council members followed the public process to the fullest extent of both the spirit and the letter of the law. He noted that a group of residents took the initiative to press for a referendum, which allows every registered voter in Hideout to vote on whether to continue or stop the annexation. In his December 2020 communication, Rubin described the year as difficult and divisive, citing the pandemic and a Presidential election as stressors. He also addressed local tensions, stating that town leadership's exploration of annexation was overshadowed by diatribe and vitriol. He remarked that there have been personal attacks on individuals and their character, including disparaging statements made without proof that the individuals are anything but upstanding citizens. He also commented on attempts to subvert the public process, noting that "Zoom bombing" is illegal and does not help the citizenry learn about the annexation. In other administrative matters, the Town of Hideout has commissioned two separate consulting firms, Zions Municipal Finance and Lewis & Young, to evaluate town matters. Additionally, the town has reviewed statements from Park City regarding remarks made by attorney Bruce Baird.
What this means for Hideout
Residents encounter the Mayor's leadership through official town communications and the public processes governing annexation. As the town manages its growth and regional influence, the Mayor's office focuses on infrastructure, community demographics, and fiscal stability through revenue sources like commercial/retail business taxes to help mitigate the need for continual tax increases.
