First, and most exciting on the list for me, Provo City has a new chief administrative officer, Scott Henderson, who has proven himself as a leader in our organization over the last 22 years. Scott has a rare knack for leadership, leading the Provo Parks and Recreation Department to be named best in the nation, together with other accolades, such as Best in State and national accreditation. Scott has also proven himself outside his department, including by serving as the project manager for our City Hall and public safety building, and our new Fire Station 2. Scott has the energy, vision and skills to help me take the Provo City organization to even higher levels of achievement, all with the goal of providing exceptional care for an exceptional community, which is Provo City’s mission statement.

Second, elections are this month, including for four seats on the Provo City Council. As you likely are aware, the election this year is being held during the same week as Thanksgiving. This change stems from the desire to quickly fill Utah’s empty seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, the one vacated by Chris Stewart. I applaud each candidate on the ballot this year for having the courage to throw their hat in the ring, and I look forward to working with whoever is successful in the Provo City election. I also encourage everyone reading this to vote. What a privilege to live in communities where we can choose our own leaders!

Third, the Utah Lake Authority is working on hiring a new executive director, since the current one has accepted another position. I’m a member of the board of directors for the Utah Lake Authority and serve as vice chair for the organization. As a board, we are currently working to identify those things we desire most in a new executive director and the process we will use to select one. We are grateful for the diligent work of outgoing Executive Director Eric Ellis who worked for the Utah Lake Authority and its predecessor entity the Utah Lake Commission for about nine years.

As a city bordering the lake, Provo will always have a vested interest in the health and vibrancy of Utah Lake. There is no question in my mind that working together we can help improve the quality of the lake both as a natural wonder and a source of pride for our community.

Fourth, I’ve been appointed to our county’s Winter Response Task Force and we are rolling up our sleeves to meet our obligations. By way of background, through a law enacted this year, the state Legislature has required Utah County and similarly situated counties to form this type of task force. By August 2024, the task force is required to prepare a plan that will show how each person experiencing homelessness in the county can have accommodations available to them on code blue nights, which basically means nights with a predicted temperature of 15 degrees Fahrenheit or below. There is no requirement that a homeless shelter be built. Rather, there is flexibility to use existing facilities, such as churches or nonprofit service providers, to take in those needing shelter on Utah’s coldest nights. In the coming months, our task force will be looking for the best ways to accomplish that countywide. I appreciate all those who will be working with us on this, including our fabulous nonprofits in Utah County who have impressive track records of making a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged individuals.

And fifth, my colleagues and I in local government are gearing up for another legislative session. This year, I was elected by fellow mayors and other local elected leaders as president of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. This position will put me at the state Capitol more than ever. I welcome the challenge, partly because the connections I make will help when Provo has needs from the state.

Within a couple of hours after being voted in, I was off to meet with Utah Senate President Stuart Adams. While there, Speaker of the Utah House Brad Wilson learned I was in the building and tracked me down for a visit. I have since met with House Majority Leader Mike Schultz as well. I had great discussions with each of these leaders about the priorities that cities have for this upcoming legislative session and about the great things that we are doing in Provo and beyond.

You may know that one of the hottest topics at the state Capitol is affordable housing. Some groups up there have fostered a narrative that it is cities that are preventing the building of affordable housing. Such a view is incomplete at best. I am excited to be able to provide the Legislature with perspectives and data on how cities are working hard to plan for housing, including by investing in infrastructure, parks and open space, and public safety, so that as Utah grows, our communities and quality of life are strengthened. For example, in Provo we have invested heavily in wastewater infrastructure so that we are able to approve more housing, including on our beautiful west side.

When various legislative proposals are put forward, cities seek to help the discussion. For example, when a new housing law is proposed, we ask: “Will the proposal result in more housing units that are directly affordable to the buyer or renter?” At the end of the day, we want to ensure more opportunities for affordable homeownership across Utah.

Well, there you have it: a quick sampling of some of the interesting things I’ve been working on lately! Thanks for reading till the end!