While development has been steadily accelerating, we need to detail a plan that allows for forward thinking. It should include information about current development, as well as an outlook of the next 30 years. This will give us a better idea of where we stand, where we’re headed, and any potential impact. It’s worth noting that the city is also working on a stormwater master plan as rural character remains a high priority item.

After decades of discussion on this topic, the Utah Department of Transportation is finally looking at the situation. In fact, officials are set to reveal some of the considered alternatives. My hope is for an efficient option that helps solve issues of congestion throughout Main Street. Some citizens have argued that traffic is not that bad and that we should simply be more patient. However, it’s important to plan for the future. How will transportation look when we could have upwards of 45,000 more people in Wasatch County? I believe we must explore different ways to alleviate some of the traffic down Main Street and across our county. While UDOT will ultimately make the bypass decision, I will voice concerns as they are taken into consideration during the process. These are not easy decisions. No matter the final resolution, I vow to work with everyone to mitigate any potential impact of the chosen route.

We must accept the reality of our current county tax assessment process. It is a mess that is costing some residents an exorbitant amount of money. I have spoken to some of those who have recently been assessed, while their neighbors’ haven't changed in years. That means these people are paying thousands more in property taxes than a similar house down the street. Unequal taxation is against the law, so how do we handle this? I received the most recent update from the County Assessor, and there are solutions we should work toward. For example, hiring an IT person to oversee the tax system software or temporary consultants to help get caught up. Fortunately, the State Tax Commission is assisting in cleaning up this mess. If I’m elected, I hope to work with the County Assessor's Office to reform our county property tax assessment process. This is the best way to ensure injustices like this do not continue.

The county plays an important role in maintaining growth when it comes to our schools and infrastructure. In fact, the impact should pay for itself as much as possible. I have the relationships necessary to share this message statewide. In the end, this will advance different avenues for growth to pay for things like school impact fees.

I have had wonderful experiences with local public servants who were willing to discuss impactful issues and listen to my concerns. This is the type of leader I promise to be. When our elected officials are good listeners, they are representative of what the people want. The end result is final decisions made with the greater good in mind. Community outreach will be critical as we continue to navigate the complex issues we have coming into our purview. I am open to any and all forms of communication to reach as many people as possible because public involvement is important to me. While this is typically easier said than done, it is a cause worth fighting for. Examples of ways to achieve this include: Structuring meetings in a way that promotes conversation Listing contact information for county council members on our website Newsletters and email updates Social media Rotary and Chamber of Commerce outreach

In your household if you needed more money for something, you’d cut back on other expenses and save, rather than have all your neighbors help pay for your wants by force. Keeping the size of the government under control is an issue at every level. This includes Federal, State, County, City, and even HOA influence. We must think out of the box. Cutting budgets, seeking federal grants, and levying impact fees on developers are all good alternatives to raising taxes. When it comes to red states, Utah already has one of the highest tax burdens. I am sensitive to how a tax increase can hurt the residents of our valley.

I am proud to be a lifelong member of the Republican Party. I was the president of UVU College Republicans and have adhered to conservative principles for as long as I can remember. While I'm always skeptical of the government "trying to help,” we do need leadership on issues like open space and zoning. We can and should negotiate with developers to create parks, trails, and open spaces that are available to the entire county. Plus, I’m a proponent of a master trail plan that our local entities can contribute to and get grants for. I'm always looking for creative solutions to problems that don't require the heavy hand of the government.

Water is the lifeblood of any flourishing community. With this in mind, we must ensure that development is held accountable when it comes to rights and distribution. It’s important to me to be an advocate for water conservation and wetland areas in order to maintain the quality of our water resources. It is critical that we pay close attention to areas where we are starting to see limited resources. We must do what is needed to protect this precious resource before it’s gone.

I plan to use all forms of communication available to me. This includes social media, Zoom meetings, and Town Halls. It’s incredibly important to me to know my fellow Wasatch County residents on a personal level. Likewise, I believe the small town way of doing things is often best. There is no need for name calling and out of touch governments we see in more populous areas. If elected, I will make sure we always have public comment periods in our meetings. I also hope to talk to citizens one-on-one about their concerns, both before and after the meeting. My job on the council is to represent everyone in the community. If I am granted this role, I will work for the residents of the county, and my time is theirs.

There is a huge influx of mansions, estates, and second homes that are pricing-out and hurting so many of our lifelong residents. This is disheartening and worrisome. One of the pillars of my campaign is a promise to maintain the character of our valley, which means making sure we aren't pricing out members of our own community. There used to be carve-outs and tax protections for fixed and low income families. I'd love to research, analyze, and explore whether we could bring those back. I'll work with our council, as well as the state legislature to be a leader on this issue. We also need to realize that organizations like Self-Help Homes are a great asset to our community, and work with them on future projects.

Staying on the pathway to success requires us to work together. In addition to the passage of bonds and voting “no” on rezoning the North Fields, there are other ways to ensure we maintain open space. This includes preservation fees for development that can help slow excessive building. We should also find adjoining trails when appropriate, making way for future generations to enjoy these open spaces.