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Mayor Julie Fullmer, her husband Curtis Fullmer and children Colin and Brixton.

Courtesy Julie Fullmer

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Then-Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox talks with kids as he visits a service project Friday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Vineyard. The project aims to create a library with donated books, as well as a cafe for the community.

Natalie Behring, Special for the Daily Herald

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Mayor Julie Fullmer, center with hat, is joined by Rep. Val Peterson and UTA trustee Jeff Acerson and other UTA and UDOT dignitaries to turn the first shovels of dirt for the new Vineyard FrontRunner Station on May 13, 2021.

Craig Conover, Special to the Daily Herald

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Part of the Walkara Way boardwalk and lake front trail into Vineyard as presented Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. 

Courtesy Utah Lake Commission

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The story of Vineyard reads almost like a modern day fairytale.

For several decades, Vineyard had been a small almost-village of sorts that sustained 140 people, mostly members of three founding families. Its biggest neighbor was United States Steel Geneva Works plant. The plant was about the city’s only sales tax revenue source and its greatest property tax source.

Then, like the wave of a magic wand, things began to change. Vineyard incorporated 25 years ago with its first mayor, Rulon Gammon.

Over the last six years, Vineyard has welcomed the majority of its residents, reshaping the city and Utah Valley.

In 2014, the Kem Gardner Institute projected the growth for Utah Valley, and included Vineyard in its study, stating that the city, in 2025, would be home to nearly 25,000 people.

Julie Fullmer, Vineyard’s first female mayor and third overall, moved there when it was still just over 140 people. As a twenty-something she won a seat on the city council. Four years ago, she became mayor.

It hasn’t been completely easy for Fullmer, whose blonde hair and early-thirty’s age has had some assume she was an assistant or secretary to the mayor rather than being the mayor. But in the past four years her millennial approach to growth and business has brought her many accolades from the highest state levels.

“This budding new city is emerging, growing 10,000%, following the Kem Gardner projected trends with roughly 20,000 people calling Vineyard home,” Fullmer said. She added she is excited to be helping them transition into the city.

Fullmer shared Vineyards motto which she said is to “Stay Connected;” whether by car, trails, business, education, technology or neighbors reaching out to neighbors.

Fullmer has taken an active listening approach and responds to residents, which keeps the community connected, invested and tied into the way Vineyard is growing and taking shape.

Recently, Fullmer did an Instagram takeover where she walked residents through the day-to-day moments of her life as she served the community; sharing breakfast with her two young boys and husband, school drop off, resident interactions, meetings at the capitol, waterfront designs, and even employee transitions in the city.

“Staying connected to family is key,” Fullmer said. “Community connection begins in the home. Connection to the residents of Vineyard has also been important.”

The people know their mayor, and according to Utah County voting records, they wanted to see her back in office.

Josh Daniels county clerk/auditor said, “Despite Vineyard being a newly burgeoning city within the last five years, the voter turnout percentages held in line for average based on demographics capturing 22% of their registered voters.”

Vineyard utilized ranked choice voting this year, however, Fullmer took the highest election percentage in the county by far in the first round with 86.6% of the vote in her favor of a race marked with two opposing candidates, according to Daniels.

Fullmer also noted that the new city council has more women than men and they are ready to wisely grow the city with transportation plans, housing, trails and more.

Stephen Whiting, a resident of Vineyard, congratulated Fullmer, stating that is wasn’t a referendum on the other candidates — all who were fine options — but an appreciation of the excellent service Fullmer had provided.

In 2022, Fullmer intends to continue her trajectory with building infrastructure for the new downtown area, working with the legislature to help fund Vineyard’s projects, and building economic development for the city.

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