Priorities

One of the most common concerns I hear from residents—across every neighborhood in Farr West—is road safety. Speeding, aggressive or inattentive driving, and blind intersections are all issues that affect our day-to-day peace of mind. Even in neighborhoods, my own kids and others in our community have to be extra cautious, despite living in areas that should feel safe. Beyond driving, long-term roadside parking and the lack of safe walking and biking paths are also part of the challenge.

As our city grows, we can address much of this through better planning in new developments. But we also need realistic, data-driven solutions for existing roads. That's one reason I'm working to launch a new committee—focused entirely on traffic safety and efficiency. With help from the City Council and other residents, we're beginning the research and discussions needed to improve road safety long term. From there, we can develop stronger standards for future developments and make smart updates where they're needed most. My hope is that this work will lead to safer streets, better infrastructure, and a more walkable, connected community.

Farr West is growing, and we can't afford to treat that growth passively. Responsible growth means planning infrastructure ahead of new development, ensuring that everything we build fits within the city's General Plan and serves our long-term goals. This is especially important when you consider the major traffic corridor through our city—2700 North. This UDOT-managed road that connects multiple cities and is already overburdened. With more development in the works both inside and outside Farr West, we need to work closely with UDOT and our neighboring cities to plan real, scalable solutions—not just band-aid fixes.

Through my time on the Planning Commission, I've learned that cities like ours are also affected by state requirements around housing types, especially the need to allow higher-density options. While I personally prefer larger lots and lower density, members of the Planning Commission and I have worked with developers to ensure that what's built here fits well, adds value, and doesn't compromise neighborhood safety or quality. I understand the concerns residents have—especially those who worry about losing the rural-suburban feel that makes Farr West special—but we can't just shut the gates behind us. Growth is coming, whether we lead it or not. I'd rather be proactive—working with landowners, developers, surrounding cities, and the county to make sure what's built here reflects our values and works for the long-term future of northern Weber County.

A core value of mine is that if you own land, you should have the right to use it as you see fit, so long as it does not cause harm to your neighbors. I strongly support private property rights and believe that landowners should be able to develop or use their land within the zoning and ordinances established by the city—without excessive interference.

That said, land use decisions often come with broader community concerns, especially when it comes to larger developments. Even when a proposal fits existing zoning, residents may worry about traffic impacts, infrastructure strain, or changes to neighborhood character. In these cases, the city has a responsibility to weigh all sides carefully and work toward outcomes that respect property rights while also preserving the quality and integrity of our community.

My experience on the Planning Commission has helped me navigate this balance. I've been involved in reviewing proposals that stirred public concern, and I've seen firsthand the importance of listening to all parties and ensuring decisions are fair, legal, and aligned with our city's long-term goals.

As Farr West grows, so do the financial demands on our city. I believe in maintaining a balanced budget, planning ahead for future infrastructure and service needs, and giving residents full visibility into how city funds are spent. Transparency and foresight go hand in hand—we should always know not just where our money is going, but why.

Our city has already done a great job stretching its budget by leveraging volunteer efforts, applying for grants, and collaborating with regional partners. These are smart, cost-effective strategies that we can continue to build on as we face new challenges. The lessons we've learned can be applied to other areas to help maintain high-quality services without putting unnecessary strain on taxpayers.

We're also seeing increased revenue from online sales tax, which has become a growing and important part of the city's income. And while sales-tax-generating businesses often get attention, service-based businesses—despite not collecting sales tax—still provide meaningful value and contribute to our local economy.

I don't have specific concerns with the city's current financial practices, and I believe our leaders have done a good job so far. My goal is to make sure we continue that trend. As we grow, we need to stay ahead of the curve so that we're not left reacting to challenges after the fact. I believe that keeping financial responsibility a priority will help ensure our city remains strong for years to come.