For senior citizens, driving to places like the grocery store, medical appointments or events can be difficult. Eagle Mountain is hoping to make those tasks a little easier for senior citizens in their city.

The city decided it will sponsor a request from a group of senior citizens for funding to purchase a 16-seat, wheelchair-modified transportation van. The city discussed the option with residents Tuesday at the first of two required public hearings on the issue at the city council meeting.

The city is hoping to use money from the Community Development Block Grant program to finance the bus. The primary purpose of grant money is to provide funds to benefit low to moderate income residents within local government jurisdictions, so the seniors would qualify. The van proposal will compete against others from within the Mountainland Association of Governments for the funding.

"Eagle Mountain is well known for its 14-year-olds and youth but there is a large active seniors group here too," said City Recorder Fionnuala Kofoed, who gave a presentation at the public hearing.

If they receive the funding, the city wants to buy a 16-seat 2009 Diamond Ford V10 passenger van with a wheelchair facility valued at approximately $62,000.

"We are hoping CDBG will listen to our plea. No action is required tonight but we are required to hold a public hearing," she said.

Carroll Johnson, chair of the Eagle Mountain senior advisory board spoke at the hearing.

"This is a big step for seniors. There are people in walkers. They have a hard time getting around and going places. I feel it's time," she said.

Johnson said a transportation van would open doors for the many seniors who live in Eagle Mountain with their children.

"We don't have a seniors center yet but we could meet in the bus," Johnson joked.