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Davis County Commissioner Seat B

In Davis County, the governing body currently functions as a County Commission, though similar duties apply to a county council structure. Members serve four-year terms, often staggered. Their role is both legislative and executive, meaning they adopt ordinances, set county policy, approve budgets, and oversee county services and departments. They also act as the Board of Equalization for property taxes and ensure county operations comply with laws and regulations.

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  • Candidate picture

    Lorene Kamalu
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Susan Lee
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

What professional and personal experience do you have that qualifies you to be the best candidate for Davis County Commission?

How effective has the Davis County Commission been in addressing the decline in the Great Salt Lake water level and other top pressing environmental issues facing the county? What other actions would you propose to address these challenges?

As a Davis County official, what will you do to ensure that the county has a greater voice on issues that are largely controlled by the State Legislature? What tools do you think are currently available to promote the county's interests and what additional tools are needed?

What is your stance on ensuring affordable housing for low- and medium-income residents in the county and what strategies would you propose to address the challenges residents encounter when seeking affordable housing?

What other issues would you want to address if you are elected, and what specific policy recommendations or actions would you initiate?

Campaign Phone 8013900070
Email Address kamaluforcommissioner@gmail.com
Telephone 8013900070
-B.S. Business/HR BYU 1989 -PR for a Fortune 500 company in St. Louis -Active Duty Air Force family 1993-2000 Scott AFB and Hill AFB -Small business owner 1994-2014, earning regional and national awards, doing some training for the home office as well -Led a sales and service team of over 300 consultants across the nation in my business -4 1/2 years serving as a planning commissioner, aiding citizens and city leaders with planning, zoning, updating the Kaysville General plan (2014-2018) -Master of Public Administration, 4.0 GPA University of Utah, (2016-2018) -Over 7 1/2 years working hard, full-time, with devotion to all residents as a Davis County Commissioner (2019- ) -We have had turnover in some of the County leadership positions. Lorene is a respected, steady, wise, and honest leader to get the County through difficult times.

(An addition to 2nd question: Davis' Facilities Director Lane Rose put in a water-saving irrigation many years ago and new landscapes are conserving.)
The Davis County Health Department has responsibility to monitor and aid challenges of air pollution; prevent potential contamination to groundwater and GSL if there was a concentration of septic tanks failing in the unincorporated County; the Sheriff's Office has responsibility as the County agency for Emergency Management responding to disasters of all kinds - real risks that exist in our county environment.

Lorene Kamalu serves on the Board of Health. Air monitors have been set up throughout the County; she volunteered to have one on her property. Emissions requirements and incentives exist for individuals to trade in old equipment for newer equipment which is better for the air.

The Health Department and CED got Commission's approval for a temporary moratorium on development until the septic tank study could be done. The study supported the moratorium.

Commission used ARPA funds to build lift stations so the sewer system could expand.

Lorene has studied UT water issues deeply.
I will continue to know the State legislators who serve jurisdictions in Davis County and to have trusted relationships with them.

Comms. Stevenson and Kamalu are very active with the Utah Association of Counties which supports and opposes bills intensely every legislative session. Kamalu is part of the Social Services and the criminal justice policy steering committees. With all these efforts and the work of a couple experienced lobbyists for Davis County, we get some wins and there are still bad bills that pass and many unfunded mandates.

The Davis elected Clerk, Sheriff, Assessor, Controller, Treasurer, Recorder, Attorney, and Managing Legal Defender are all very active with UAC, watching over their respective Davis County interests at the State.

Kamalu has been chosen to represent Davis County, all Utah counties, and residents with the State's Indigent Defense Commission, 2nd District Court Judicial Nominating Commission, Wasatch Front Regional Council. She started the CJCC.
Clearly, there is a shortage of housing in Utah which has become one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation. The median sales price of a single-family home in UT has risen from $142K in 2000 to $558K in 2025. The average price in Davis currently is about $600K. This is the biggest issue our state and county has, and water right next to that.

We need a diverse array of housing which must include home ownership opportunities. It should be well planned. It is very possibility to plan for low-moderate income housing.

In Davis County, cities have that responsibility. There is less than 25 miles of unincorporated County left. As property owners choose to sell their land for development, it MUST be annexed into a city. All 15 cities have annexation plans, and some cities are built out already.

Of all Utah's 29 counties, Davis is the smallest in square miles with the third largest population. We will be filled in first. It's a very desirable place with scarce, expensive land.
-Work with the State to address property tax law problems, including the unintended shift from commercial to residential burden due to residential values increasing faster in recent years -I like Truth in Taxation, but it's a big problem that nothing in UT property tax law adjusts for inflation -Counties and cities are struggling with unfunded mandates from the State. Every new bill that has a fiscal note should have legislators asking themselves "Is this important enough to raise property taxes on county residents?" -There are access to justice issues here in Davis County until the legislature chooses to fund the #1 capital priority of the Administrative Office of the Courts - a courthouse which brings together all 3 justice courts and allows space for Monday through Friday first appearance calendars (for district court judges) -Finish the remodeling of the library and the DCAC facility -KEEP THE QUALITY OF LIFE SO IMPORTANT TO DAVIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, essential services with low taxes
Campaign Phone 8017256803
Email Address slee737@me.com
Telephone 8017256803
I believe my professional experience, educational background, community involvement, and commitment to public service have prepared me to serve effectively as a Davis County Commissioner.

My degree is in accounting, and I understand the importance of responsible budgeting, financial oversight, and wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars. County government must provide essential services while respecting the financial pressures families, seniors, and businesses face every day.

I believe one of the most important qualities in leadership is the ability to listen. I have spent time speaking directly with residents across Davis County and understanding their concerns about taxes, affordability, public safety, growth, and transparency.

I care deeply about protecting Davis County’s quality of life and ensuring county government remains accountable, transparent, and responsive to residents.
The Great Salt Lake is critically important to Davis County’s air quality, economy, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and overall quality of life. I believe county leaders have become more engaged on this issue in recent years, but there is still more work to do.

This challenge requires long term planning, cooperation, and science based decision making. Davis County cannot solve the issue alone, but the county should continue working closely with surrounding counties, cities, farmers, state agencies, and the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner.

I support efforts to improve water conservation, preserve wetlands, modernize water infrastructure, and promote responsible water use while balancing environmental, agricultural, and community needs.

These issues directly affect public health, future generations, and the quality of life in Davis County.
Davis County Commissioners should be strong advocates for the residents they represent. Many important issues affecting Davis County, including transportation, water, air quality, public safety, housing, and taxation, involve decisions made at the state level. That is why maintaining strong working relationships with the Utah Legislature and state agencies is very important.

I believe county leaders must actively communicate the concerns and priorities of Davis County residents to state leaders while also ensuring residents are informed and involved in those discussions.

Important tools already exist, including partnerships with the Utah Association of Counties, direct communication with legislators, cooperation with neighboring counties and cities, and public engagement during the legislative process.

I also believe counties need stronger collaboration, earlier involvement in major state decisions affecting local communities, and better transparency so residents understand how stat
Housing affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing Davis County families, seniors, and young adults. I believe county government should support responsible housing opportunities while protecting quality of life, neighborhoods, infrastructure, and property rights.

There is no single simple solution. Addressing affordability requires cooperation between cities, counties, the private sector, transportation agencies, and the state.

I support reducing unnecessary barriers, encouraging thoughtful and well planned growth, improving transportation options, and promoting economic conditions that help families succeed financially.

At the same time, growth must be balanced carefully with traffic, water, public safety, schools, open space, and community character.

I believe residents deserve a strong voice in growth decisions affecting their communities.
If elected, I would focus on responsible budgeting, transparency, public safety, emergency preparedness, and protecting Davis County’s quality of life.

I believe county government should continually review spending priorities, improve efficiency, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. I also support stronger public communication and more opportunities for residents to be involved before major decisions are made.

Emergency preparedness is another important priority. Davis County faces risks related to earthquakes, severe weather, wildfire smoke, and infrastructure disruptions. I believe the county should continue strengthening planning, coordination, and public readiness efforts.

I also support transportation improvements, air quality efforts, water conservation, and thoughtful planning as growth continues across northern Utah.

Most importantly, county leaders must listen to residents and remain accountable, transparent, and responsive to the public.