On May 30th, Mayor Pengra announced that he will not be running for a second term. This announcement follows the announcement by Adam Bradley, during a recent City Council Meeting, that he would also not be running for another term. Pengra states in the letter written to the “City Council, City Staff, and Residents of Eagle Mountain” that his plans were initially to run for another term. “Up until several days ago, my intention had been to run again as a part time mayor, and to look for a job leading up to the election to compensate for lost income.”
“When I ran for mayor, I did so having first sought the Lord through much prayer. Running for mayor was for me, an act of the obedience to the Lord and an act of service to the residents of Eagle Mountain. It was not something I could have done, had it not been for the clear prompting of the Holy Spirit, and the Lord orchestrating circumstances and opening doors. At the time I ran, I had confidence that I was in the center of the Lord’s will and that is exactly where I intend to remain.”
In his letter, he lists that main reason why he is not running for a second term, “That decision to run was missing one critical element however, and that was the Lord. I had not committed the necessary time to pray through the decision and to seek counsel from the Holy Spirit. Having now spent several days doing just that, it is clear to me that I am called to return to the private sector and to invest my time and my efforts in my amazing wife and my two young daughters.”
He continues to thank his wife for her support. “As my wife and children know, there are times that this duty does not respect boundaries between personal life and civic responsibilities. Through all of that, they have supported me and stood by my side with grace, often sacrificing personal comfort in the process. I can’t begin to express how much I love my wife and my children and how much I appreciate their sacrifices.”
During the rest of his term, he plans to “keep my foot on the gas pedal and finish strong.” Pengra has seen the city change over his course as Mayor, and I expect we will still see some good changes during the rest of his office. He has tackled hard issues including city infrastructure, the Ranches HOA issues, and explosive city growth. He has also been a very strong proponent of the Eagle Mountain Kestrel Project.
“In closing, I want residents, council members and city staff to know that I have been blessed beyond measure to serve each of you to the absolute best of my ability. I tried to serve with integrity and in a manner that was above reproach. I hope it will be said of me that I did the right things, for the right reasons, no matter how difficult it may have been. I am exceedingly proud of what we have accomplished together, I am proud of this community, I am proud of the part that I was blessed enough to have played in our successes.”
I am sure that we will hear more from the Mayor as the election cycle starts, and will continue see his positive influence in the City for years to come. You can always join him atRedemptionhill Church that he helped organize this year, where he currently an Elder and Executive Pastor for administration and vision.
If you wish to run for Mayor, or for one of the two opening City Council positions, you can file at City Hall from June 1st, to June 7th at 5:00 pm. You can find details on the Election/Voter Information page on the Eagle Mountain City website.
You can read the full announcement letter below.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.