First and foremost, we defined our purpose as the mayor and city council: to make Orem the best place in America to raise a family. This vision is supported by our core values of God, Family and Country. We recently adopted our national motto, “In God We Trust,” and it will soon be on display in city facilities. Orem is known as “Family City USA,” but that is so much more than a slogan. It is the benchmark that all city council decisions are measured against. We are also building Utah County’s first Gold Star Family monument, which will honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

On the legislative front, one of my first initiatives was to restore representation to the people of Orem by re-establishing the legislative authority of the city council. This restructuring transformed the mayor and city council’s roles from primarily ceremonial to an actual legislative body shaping the city’s direction.

City employees are excited about the changes and new opportunities. We recently surveyed our employees, with 95% participating. Overwhelmingly, they are happy, with 80% stating they believe the city is headed in the right direction. Ninety-two percent said city leaders lead with integrity. Eighty percent are motivated to do their job at the start of each day. Ninety-three percent say they have the right tools and resources to execute their jobs.

We are at a point where we must stop allowing every last inch of land to be developed in our city. We have one of the highest densities in the state. To protect Orem residents, we passed far-reaching legislation to protect and preserve all school building land, public parks and publicly owned property throughout Orem. This ordinance protects our green space and school properties from being sold or developed for purposes other than their original intent.

As part of addressing concerns about high-density rentals, we repealed the State Street Master plan, preventing the construction of 10,000 high-density apartments. This move aimed to maintain the integrity of family neighborhoods, reduce traffic and lower crime. Since taking office, we have not approved any additional high-density rental apartments.

Recognizing the importance of water conservation, we initiated a $20 million project to reduce Orem’s water consumption by 10%, an amount equivalent to the usage of 10,000 people. Through successful grant applications, we secured $13 million for the project, and it will be completed with no new taxes.

As an investment in community infrastructure, we developed Heritage Park, a $32 million project that improved water infrastructure and incorporated a 950-foot well and a 10-million-gallon water tank that will secure the water needs of Orem residents for generations to come. This project was accomplished without imposing new taxes.

The new Orem City Center, a long-discussed project, is now underway at a cost of $30 million. It will enhance working conditions, safety and service delivery. Importantly, this endeavor is being funded without resorting to bonds or tax increases. Many cities will tell you this is not possible. In Orem, it is possible.

Hillcrest Park, a $12 million investment in the Orem parks system, will become one of the county’s premier parks with amenities like a splash pad, 12 pickleball courts, three playgrounds and so much more, all achieved without increasing taxes.

Lakeview Park received significant upgrades, including lighting and turf improvements, transforming it into a tournament destination for youth and adult sports without imposing new taxes.

Remarkably, despite the numerous projects and improvements, we have not increased taxes over the past 22 months. In fact, with our new management structure, we’ve reduced costs by over $2 million while maintaining and expanding services. Orem continues to offer a high level of services at a minimal cost to its residents.

The list of things we’ve accomplished these last two years is long, but it all stems back to our commitment to creating an environment where families can thrive. For a comprehensive list of new projects and initiatives, please visit orem.org/citizenreport.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!