Last week, at Orem’s annual State of the City event, we reflected on our community’s progress over the past year and set our sights on big goals for the future. This year’s theme was “The Hunt for Excellence.”

Throughout my life, I’ve spent over 1,000 nights in the backcountry and learned many lessons from these adventures and misadventures. Hunting has taught me essential principles that I’ve found also apply to running a prosperous city. I want to share just three of them with you.

Adventure: Embracing change & taking bold steps

Hunting is about exploration — leaving the familiar behind, adapting to challenges and pushing beyond your comfort zone. In Orem, we’ve embraced this spirit of adventure, tackling ambitious projects and stretching ourselves to do more for our residents.

Over the past year, we’ve completed Hillcrest Park and Community Center, conducted the in-depth citywide efficiency study, and we’re just a few weeks away from finishing the new City Hall building. We did this without raising taxes or taking on debt.

This year, the adventure continues with these new projects aimed at elevating our city:

• Beautifying State Street to enhance our main corridor.
• Launching the Heart of Orem project, creating an Arts District at the center of our city.
• Revolutionizing support for local businesses, ensuring they have the tools to thrive.
• Delivering more value for tax dollars and maximizing efficiency while maintaining the high-quality services our residents deserve.

We refuse to stay stagnant. We are always moving forward, seeking new ways to improve and make Orem an even better place to call home.

Preparation: Securing Orem’s future

A wise hunter never ventures into the wild unprepared. Success requires preparation, and Orem is taking proactive steps to ensure we are ready for anything the future may bring.

This year, we are strengthening our city’s preparedness in several key ways:

• Enhancing emergency readiness with the Orem City Drill and the state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center housed in the new City Hall.
• Providing more training and certifications for city employees so they can serve our residents even better.
• Revitalizing neighborhoods through service, connection and learning initiatives.
• Building economic resilience to ensure long-term prosperity.
• Reinvesting in our award-winning water system to maintain Orem’s status as the best in the state.
• Expanding amenities to provide more opportunities for both residents and visitors to enjoy our city.

Preparation isn’t just about addressing today’s needs — it’s about anticipating tomorrow’s challenges and ensuring that Orem remains strong, safe and ready for what’s next.

Vision: Keeping families at the heart of Orem

Every great hunt requires vision — knowing where you’re going and understanding the long-term goal. For Orem, our vision is clear: create an environment where families can thrive.

Orem’s slogan, “Family City USA,” is more than just words — it’s our guiding principle. It influences every decision we make, every policy we enact and every project we pursue. When we invest in parks, public safety and economic development, we do so with families in mind. It’s at the heart of who we are and what we do.

The hunt for excellence never ends

In the wild, every hunt has an end. But the hunt for excellence never stops. It is a continuous pursuit — one that our elected officials, city staff and dedicated volunteers embark on daily. We are committed to making Orem the best city in the state, and we won’t rest until we achieve that goal.

The path ahead is filled with challenges but also with incredible opportunities. It will be a great adventure as we continue to work together to build a better Orem.