#EM2019 – CC Question – Exceptionally Well

I feel that the city has done a good job at keeping taxes low, something I intend to continue. There will be a lot of temptation for city government to increase taxes, and I hope to be there to make sure that only necessary and appropriate things are budgeted and that we are stretching tax dollars to the absolute maximum. I hate taxes, and I want them kept to a minimum.

Growing and maintaining a strong sense of community.

The city is doing a great job expanding and repairing existing roads. This is a major priority for me and I will continue working to expand and improve our roads and infrastructure.

Budget and proper role of government – Eagle Mountain City runs an extremely lean operation. It is a philosophy our Mayor, Council, and City Administrator all have adopted. We have worked at all getting on the same page, and it has been a successful endeavor. We focus on the needs of the community first, and consider the wants and desires secondarily to those needs. As a result, EM has some of the lowest taxes in the county and in the state. In addition, each year I have made it one of my budget priorities to maintain the highest rainy-day balance allowed by state law (up to 25% of general fund balance). We have been at or near that every year I have been on the council. Infrastructure – I state this with a caveat: no matter how much money is spent on roads and other infrastructure, there will never be enough. For example, the Pony Express expansion we worked with the Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) on cost ~9 million dollars, and for comparison our entire General Fund budget at the time was ~12 million. Infrastructure is expensive, and it takes not just prioritizing it, but making conscious decisions to find ways to fund it…because without funding, any promise to improve roads is hollow. Here’s what I’ve been involved in doing to improve the infrastructure situation: 5 new stoplights funded this previous budget year alone. FB and Tyson both include significant water and road infrastructure improvements that will improve life for residents (yes, I know the interim is a bit rough, but we will all get through). I worked first to remove government barriers to large tax providers and job-creators (as well as small businesses), and then to secure, negotiate, and vote to bring them to our city. This budget year, I supported and voted to team up with Saratoga Springs to hire a lobbyist to work on getting Pony Express upgraded to a state road, which opens up additional funding sources. Supported, voted for, and encouraged our city’s road maintenance program, which aims to improve every road at least every five years. It’s a lofty goal and takes financial investment (which I have backed), but is one of the most important basic needs our government must be providing.

My favorite things about Eagle Mountain are the parks and trails. They encourage individuals and families to get outside and that can foster a sense of community as neighbors meet each other. I currently have an unfenced yard with a walking trail and green space directly behind my house. I was concerned about the lack of privacy this would give me but instead I have enjoyed visiting with my neighbors as they walk by. I have seen families that come to use the green space be joined by others and create an impromptu neighborhood activity. With the trend towards ever decreasing lot sizes, this extra recreation space becomes increasingly important.

I think the city does exceptionally well in organizing/promoting community programs and events. These offer the public at large a place to come together and gain a sense of community. Some of these programs are designed to benefit the community in some way or another. Examples of this are the holiday events such as Easter/Halloween, Pony Express Days, and movies in the park. These seem like small things, but they make a difference to those that attend. I think the city has ultimately been listening to the day to day concerns through social media. An example is the light being out where Cory B. Wride Memorial Highway intersects with Eagle Mountain Boulevard. While it was not an easy fix the city posted updates about where that was in along the process as more people asked for it to be fixed.

I think we have done a lot the last two years to improve the way we are planning the development of the city. When I was part of the UTA, UDOT and MAG transit conference in the spring of 2018, we were able to participate in the conceptual design of infrastructure in Northern Utah County. When the results of those efforts seem to snub Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs infrastructure needs, it was me and Melissa Clark that spoke out about their failure to address our needs in the 2040 plan. I also think that our city has done well with road expansion with the very limited funds we have available. The sad truth is that the funds are gone almost as soon as they are allocated because of the tireless work of staff to get grants from UDOT, MAG and the state to take care of the roads we have. The expansion of Pony Express Parkway is one of those collaborative efforts that the staff and council should be commended for.

This is a great question, that could go on for pages. Do I think there is room for improvement? Always. But do I think we’re doing great in some areas? Of course. I think both the elected officials and staff are very good at listening and honoring the will of the people. I think we have lots of opportunity, and public places to visit in order to offer a great environment and lifestyle to the residents. (Like Cory Wride park, or the wide variety of parks with different interests, skate parks, bike parks, zip line etc.) There is something for everyone. I’m also very pleased with the direction the city is going with development. Are we done, or is it perfect? No. But it’s the ship heading in the right direction? Yes! We won’t see a lot of this for years to come given a lot of development is already vested. But with our recent, newly proposed development code, and zoning changes, in conjunction with new future use maps, we now have a great plan.