Council Members serve 4-year staggered terms. The County Council is the legislative branch of Summit County government. It sets overall policy and direction for the county, including adopting ordinances and approving the annual budget. Councilmembers also coordinate county agencies, create programs for public services, and appoint members to boards and committees. Their decisions affect land use, public services, and long-term planning for the county.
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The top issue facing Snyderville Basin residents is growth. Millions of square feet of already-entitled development can proceed throughout the County without additional approvals, and many residents are unaware of the scale of what is coming.
Where possible, I would work to shape these projects to address community needs while mitigating their impacts. I strongly oppose transformational growth and believe development should occur cautiously and incrementally. Our priority must be protecting community character, quality of life, and the natural environment that make the Snyderville Basin a special place to live.
We have opportunities to incentivize existing entitlements and redevelopment projects that involve zoning, financing, and public-private subsidies. We should look at these opportunities and take action where the benefits are effective and the impacts are minimal. During my six years on the Planning Commission, I worked on projects that created more affordable housing, with minimal adverse impacts. At the same time, we simply cannot build our way out of an affordability crisis that is affecting communities across the country. There are many urban environments, and very few mountain-towns. We must strike a careful balance to provide attainable housing, while protecting what makes our community such a desirable place to live and visit.
Self-governance is critical to preserving our values and shaping our future. I would work to build strong relationships with state legislators while clearly articulating Summit County's vision and priorities. When conflicts arise, we must consider all tools to protect local decision-making. This includes collaborating with the League of Cities and Towns, engaging in effective advocacy, mobilizing public involvement, and carefully evaluating all legal options.
Families and businesses are under immense financial pressure, while at the same time we are facing infrastructure strain due to growth. I believe fiscal responsibility must guide the Council in setting clear priorities and improving County efficiency. Asking taxpayers for more should be a last resort. Planned development must address the impacts on infrastructure and pay for their own way. We also have an opportunity to address infrastructure challenges with the 2034 Olympics. This should be a major focus for the Council over the next four years.
Natural beauty, wildlife, and access to outdoor recreation are the primary reasons that residents and visitors want to be in our community. Protecting the environment is essential to both our quality of life and the economic vitality of the Wasatch Back. We must ensure that we protect and prioritize the natural environment, which is our most valuable resource. Environmental and water concerns should be priority in all land-use and community planning decisions. Now more than ever, we must protect water quality and availability through sustainable practices and conservation.
