It is hard for me to believe that it was back in 2013 that I first ran for city council in Orem. At that time, there were budget concerns confronting the city and we were emerging from a national recession. I believed the city could use my experience as a businessperson and CPA to help ensure that proper budget practices were in place to strengthen the financial security of our city.

I am happy to report that because of the sound business practices followed by the council and our staff for over a decade, as well as improvements in the local and national economy, Orem now boasts its highest bond rating ever. We recently completed a new city building without incurring debt, enjoyed economic growth, created the new Hillcrest Park and improved many other parks. We have a state-of-the-art fitness center for citizens to enjoy, and the list of improvements goes on and on.

Several citizens of our community have thanked me for assisting in bringing about these results and have asked me if I would be willing to run again. After hearing their encouragement, I reminded myself of something that people involved in politics often seem to forget — that an overwhelming majority of adults support term limits.

I asked myself a series of questions along this line, including:

• Is there more that I could do to better Orem? Yes.
• Have other great council members that I have served with and admire (Margaret Black, Mark Seastrand and Brent Sumner) voluntarily stepped down before a fourth term? Yes.
• Can long service create entrenchment and hold the city back? Yes.
• Would the city benefit from fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, like we received when Jenn Gale and Chris Killpack were elected? Yes.

Last month while I was in our nation’s capital, I had the opportunity to see the “Two Georges” exhibition at the Library of Congress, which explores the parallel lives of King George III and George Washington. The former served as long as he could, and the latter voluntarily gave up his office.

Returning from D.C., I asked myself again: Do I really believe in term limits? Yes, I do — and so I have decided not to run again.

Perhaps my critics are happy to hear this. To my many supporters, there are other capable people who will bring fresh perspectives to our city. I will cast my votes for those who will bring a diplomatic and uncontentious style, to take their turn in helping Orem be one of the best hometowns in America.

Please join me in exercising your constitutional right and vote this year for those who will lead Orem in a positive direction.

Tom Macdonald is a member of the Orem City Council.