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Jim Miller, mayor of Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy photo

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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members of the local Utah area and Ben McAdams, U.S. Representative for Utah's 4th Congressional District, participate in the one of several groundbreaking ceremonies following the devotional for the Saratoga Springs Temple held Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019.

Johnny Morris, Special to the Daily Herald

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A rendering of the temple soon to be constructed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve Inc.

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Emma Thurgood, 14, of Saratoga Springs, tries to avoid the foam during the Splash Bash Water Party as part of Saratoga Springs' Splash Days on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at Sunrise Meadow Park in Saratoga Springs.

Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo

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Erin Wells, left, past president of the Utah City/County Management Association, poses for a photo with Saratoga Springs Assistant City Manager Owen Jackson and Mayor Jim Miller on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

Courtesy Erin Wells

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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.

Once known as just a fabulous swimming resort, Saratoga Springs has changed the look of the west side of Utah Lake.

In his year in review, Mayor Jim Miller shares the excitement that growth is bringing to his city and surrounding area.

“The city used the Saratoga Springs 25 Anniversary Celebration as an opportunity to grow existing events while adding a few additional events to help our residents build memories and unify us as a community,” Miller said, recounting some of his top accomplishments for the year.

The City Council also was able to continue moving forward with one of its goals which is to provide a city cemetery for our residents. “This year we were able to close on the last piece of land needed to complete this amenity to our community,” he added.

“With the drought conditions in the western United States, we were grateful to have tools such as metered irrigation water, the irrigations calculator and the My Water Use Portal,” Miller said. “These tools put information in the residents’ hands to give them the ability to manage their outdoor water use and make smart decisions in regards to water conservation.”

Miller also highlighted the procurement of $16 million needed to fund the Foothill expansion project that will provide an additional north-south transportation corridor in the city. The project’s first phase began this past spring and is estimated to be completed by next fall.

Also of significance was Miller’s work with Rep. Jeff Moss and others to secure over $300 million in funding for roads in northern Utah County.

On a side note, the long-awaited announcement on the dedication of the new Saratoga Springs Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was released. While that will happen in 2023, the five-year wait since it was announced is almost over.

When asked what he was hoping to accomplish this year that didn’t get quite done, Miller said, “We are pleased to make progress on all council goals this past year.”

The mayor has set some goals for the new year, including:

1. Working with developers to get the access needed and other work done to make the city cemetery available for resident use.

2. The opening of the first phase of the Foothill expansion, extending Foothill Boulevard to Lariat Drive.

3. Working with the planning department and consultants to design and encourage the development of a true downtown space to provide additional retail, dining and gathering spaces for residents.

While many residents are still celebrating the holidays through the New Year’s Eve festivities, Miller said he has some traditions that he enjoys this time of year. “I enjoy listening to Alabama’s Christmas album and decorating our home for the holidays.”

“Although I am not sure this is considered a Christmas treat for everyone, my favorite Christmas treats are Peanut Butter Blossoms,” he added.

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