American Fork City Mayor Brad Frost gave the 2022 State of the City Address on Friday, which focused on public safety, the city’s growth and businesses, and water conservation.

Frost began the address by summarizing American Fork’s modern history, which began when the area was settled by pioneers with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1850.

“Though our city today may look different than it did in 1853, the thing that has remained constant is the determination of our residents to come together for the good of our community just as our founders did,” Frost said. “The actions taken in this city in the last year alone have all been an echo of our founding fathers’ commitment to improve this place for the benefit of those who live here.”

According to Frost, public safety has been one of the primary areas of improvement that the city has addressed within the past year.

“Whether it’s to give a ticket, a hug, an IV or a hand, they are there for us 24/7,” Frost said of the city’s emergency personnel.

Frost commended the work of the American Fork City Police Department over the past year, stating that they have responded to about 80 calls per day on average, as well as the American Fork Fire Department Station 51, which has held the title of the busiest fire station in Utah County for multiple years.

Frost stated that American Fork will build two more fire stations to meet the needs of the growing community. He announced that the properties for both additional stations have been secured since the beginning of 2022 and that the design for the second fire station, Station 52, which will be located off of Utah County Boulevard, has been completed.

According to Frost, American Fork City issued 1,180 building permits in 2021. He stated that this expansion should not be viewed in a negative light, but rather seen as an indication of the city’s upward trajectory.

“I share that number with you as a point of pride, and no despair,” Frost said. “That is because growth can be a good thing. Growth allows more businesses into our city, growth gives our children places to live. Growth means we are honoring and respecting property rights. We can have growth and still preserve the identity of our beautiful city.”

Frost stated that he and the American Fork City Council are working to ensure that the city is equipped to meet this growth by making sure residents have enough water, improving and maintaining roads, and creating and maintaining parks and open spaces, as well as looking into ways to manage traffic.

“We are currently working with regional partners on a $43 million project to widen State Street from American Fork into Pleasant Grove,” Frost said. “We are making sure we have a variety of housing types in our community to accommodate people in every stage of their life.”

Frost stated that American Fork added over 200 businesses to its community in 2021, while larger businesses like Built Bar, Domo and Doug Smith Autoplex all expanded their operations while choosing to remain in American Fork.

“We are grateful for our businesses who donate time, talent and resources to support our community events, like Steel Days,” Frost said. “I’m also grateful to our chamber of commerce who support our businesses.”

Frost congratulated the citizens and businesses of American Fork for managing to save over almost a billion gallons of water last year by delaying watering until May 1 and continuing to water sparingly throughout the rest of the year.

“Moving forward, American Fork will take several water conservation steps such as installing pressurized irrigation metering, landscaping conservation and drafting policy that addresses drought,” Frost said. “The city has also approved smart sprinklers at all our parks to help reduce water waste and labor costs.”

Finally, Frost announced the city’s acquisition of 30 acres of land south of Interstate 15, which will be used as park space as well as the location for the third fire station. This land was paid for using park impact fees.

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