Kelcie Hartley, Daily Herald file photo

Editor’s Note: As 2022 comes to an end, Utah County cities and officials are looking back on the year. The Daily Herald is conducting a review of 2022 with different mayors discussing their accomplishments and goals for 2023 — along with their holiday traditions and celebrations.

Springville Mayor Matt Packard and his staff have been busy this year working for the residents of “Art City.”

In addition to the historic art museum, new city library and a burgeoning west side, Springville, has been growing with new businesses and housing units.

Packard shared what he feels are the top five most important accomplishments of 2022.

• Springville City was named Utah Valley’s Best City to Live in for 2022. The city has been ranked in 9 of the last 10 years and has now been chosen best city to live in six times. That made the top of Packard’s list.
• Springville City has made the protection of its water system, along with conservation, a priority. “The City is just completing a 3 million gallon water tank and replaced the golf course irrigation system which will save millions of gallons of water over its life span,” Packard said. “In addition to the $5 million being spent on the water tank an additional $5 million of capital projects are budgeted to improve the water system.”
• Springville City now has Fire/EMS personnel on site and ready to respond 24 hours per day for the first time in its history — they currently average nine calls each day. “The city has been working through a decade long plan to convert from a volunteer Fire and Ambulance Department to a full-time, professional service,” Packard said. “The city completed living quarters at its main Fire Station and has staffing full time positioned there.”
• Google Fiber has started construction to provide city-wide, high speed, fiber internet to the home services. “This project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2023 and will provide new service to citizens,” Packard said. “Google Fiber is paying for costs associated with cutting the city’s roads and they will be paying a fee to the City for operating within the right-of-way.”
• Springville operates on a balanced budget. “While this may be boring, it is important to note that Springville lives within its means,” Packard noted. “The City Council carefully weighs service requests with its ability to provide the service. The council has also been careful to analyze those requests and save dollars necessary to continue the service into the future.”

While Springville is moving in the right direction, one of its major goals did not come to fruition in 2022.

Courtesy Photo

“Springville is excited to see a new interchange constructed to I-15. The City had hoped that UDOT would have this interchange under construction before the end of 2022. This has not quite happened,” Packard said. “Still, we are excited to see this project begin construction in early 2023 with an expected completion date in late 2024.

Looking ahead to 2023, Packard said the focus will still be on providing outstanding services to citizens at an affordable price. “Surveying has shown a large improvement in the perception of city services while our taxes and fees have become among the lowest in the county,” Packard said.

There are two new parks under construction that Packard hopes to complete in 2023. The city is planning a “new bicycle-focused park with trails into the mountains and a new park in the fast-growing, west side of the city,” he said.

Springville has undertaken a host of planning projects. The city is in the process of reimagining Main Street, putting a station area plan in place for a future Frontrunner station, examining the 1600 South corridor and starting a complete update to the city’s General Plan.

“Getting citizen input and getting the future of Springville in functioning plans is a priority for 2023,” Packard said.

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While Packard was out of town for a short stint ahead of the holidays, his staff told the Daily Herald what makes the mayor happy during the Christmas holiday.

“Mayor Packard has loved participating in Springville’s new holiday festival,” one staff member said. “Thousands of people have enjoyed gathering at the Civic Center Park to welcome Santa to town. In addition to visiting Santa, people could cook s’mores, sip hot chocolate, shop with local vendors and buy food from food trucks for the weekend. Santa confirmed to the Mayor that Springville has the best kids around.”

Additionally, the mayor has become known to city employees and residents alike for his love of chocolate, always keeping Lindt Lindor truffles available to share. Whether they’re enjoying city services, eating chocolate or just relaxing at home, Packard hopes people are enjoying the spirit of the season — at least before focusing on New Year’s resolutions.