Jared R Gray
Originally from Lehi, Jared Gray is the son of Phillip and Carol Gray. Jared worked as a farm hand for Cedar Valley Farms before the city was ever incorporated. For over 20 years, Jared and his wife, Heidi, have raised their family in Eagle Mountain.
Jared’s involvement in the city extends to various boards within Eagle Mountain; including the Cemetery Board, Parks and Recreation Board, Youth Council, Planning Commission, and the esteemed Pony Express Events Committee, where he currently serves as President. Within this capacity, Jared effectively coordinates high-profile events such as the annual PRCA Rodeo, the Demolition Derby, and the EnduroCross.
Contact Info:
Email: grayjar@gmail.com
www: https://jaredgray.godaddysites.com/
Questions and Answers
Why are you running for city council and what motivated you to get involved in local government?
After four years as a city council member, I have loved serving my community. My family and friends live here and I want Eagle Mountain to be a great place to call home.
What relevant experience or skills do you bring to the role of city council member?
My experience includes my previous years serving as a city council member. Prior to that, I was on the planning commission for two years, and I’ve served on almost every board in the city. I am a business owner. Service and being involved in the community are two things I am very passionate about.
What do you see as the most pressing issues facing our city, and how do you plan to address them?
Traffic congestion and road access is the most pressing issue. We are working to involve all stakeholders to resolve this problem. Balancing property rights with development is also a issue that takes both experience and good planning to accomplish the city we all can be proud to live in.
How do you plan to engage and involve the community in decision-making processes?
Our city council meetings are announced on the city website and broadcast. All residents can participate in improving the community by paying attention to these bi-monthly meetings. I invite you all to get more involved! Please watch the broadcast of city council meetings at https://eaglemountaincity.com/city-recorder/city-meetings-portal/.
Then email me at grayjar@gmail.com or talk to any of us before and after the meetings in the city building located at 1650 E. Stagecoach Run in the city center.
What is your stance on fiscal responsibility and budget management? How do you plan to balance the city’s financial needs with the expectations of residents?
There is a lot of work that goes into balancing the needs and wants of all stakeholders when it comes to fiscal responsibility and budget management. If you want to have a say in how your tax dollars are being spent in the city, please speak up, attend city council meetings and participate in making Eagle Mountain better for everyone. The previous budget passed can be found at https://eaglemountaincity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/FY-2022-Budget-Book-Combined_FinalWeb_Optimized_Corrected.pdf.
What is your position on sustainable and environmentally-friendly initiatives, such as renewable energy, waste management, or green spaces?
I understand the concern for better waste management, and preserving open space. As I continue working with residents, I will carefully consider different sustainable initiatives, making sure that any actions taken are fair and have the best interests of our community as a whole. I also am currently exploring and helping to try and implement a green waste disposal where we can process green waste into mulch. This will also help our efforts in water conservation.
How do you plan to address affordable housing challenges in our city? Are there specific policies or initiatives you would advocate for?
According to the US Census Bureau in 2022, Eagle Mountain joined the list of large cities (those with populations of 50,000 or greater) that made the list of 25 fastest growing large cities. People are moving to Eagle Mountain in large part because the housing is affordable. The city has been working on this issue and the statistics are the results of all stakeholders efforts. I believe we can have a balanced approach in our development to help all residents with their housing needs and desires.
What is your stance on economic development and attracting businesses to our city? How do you plan to promote local entrepreneurship and job growth?
As a business owner myself, I encourage supporting businesses. The city has been working hard on economic development and there are already new businesses in city center as well as the proposed Walmart to be built. It is also very important that the priority for fiscal responsibility ensure that residents are not overtaxed to benefit corporations. We need greater public input to keep a positive balance between taxation, budgets and incentives for businesses.
How do you prioritize public safety and community well-being? What ideas or strategies do you have for enhancing public safety and building stronger neighborhoods?
Public safety is an important issue I have actively been working to improve. We successfully employed three additional officers to assist in public safety this year and last year. I am the council member who led the charge in making these increases in personnel possible, and keeping Eagle Mountain a safe place to be. I also believe that we will soon have a police force of our own in Eagle Mountain, and have been leading the charge to make that happen.
How do you plan to collaborate and work with other council members and community stakeholders to achieve your goals?
I have been actively working and collaborating with other council members and stakeholders for the past four years. I have loved my association with those who I serve with. I learned and I quote, “You can disagree without being disagreeable.” This has been very important to me. While I have been able to agree on multiple issues, it’s not always the case. I have been able to talk to all the council members and work out better solutions on items where we haven’t agreed by using that Moto. By being approachable and willing to work out the hard things we are presented with, together we have had greater outcomes.
Can you provide examples of situations where you have successfully built consensus or resolved conflicts in a diverse and potentially divided community?
When I first started working with the Pony Express Rodeo Committee, there was a lot of opposition. The committee and I had to overcome a lot of hurdles to get to where the rodeo is today. This year the rodeo was sold out and we hope to keep this Eagle Mountain tradition growing in the future.
What is your vision for our city in the next five to ten years? How do you plan to involve residents in shaping that vision?
My vision is tied to what the citizens want Eagle Mountain to be. We need all citizens to be more involved and vocal. We need your help! Please get more involved. One of the biggest reasons the Pony Express Rodeo is such a success is because of the dozens of residents who volunteer to help make it great!