Important Issues Facing the City of Orem
What is the most important issue In Orem??
This is the most important issue, so it needs to be first
Development
I am very much in support of development in Orem. Development is important to our future. The issue we have with development is that Orem is already 95% developed, so we must be very careful how we develop the remaining 5%. I have used a very judicious approach to development in my time on the City Council. Please click “Learn More” to read about developments I have and have not approved.
Housing
I support all types of housing. It is important for a city to have a mixture of housing. Orem already has 45% rental housing. That is much more than many of the other cities in Utah County. I believe that Orem does not need any more rental housing. I am especially against Orem having any additional High Density housing. (see State Street Master Plan for more details.)
Prop 2
I supported Prop 2 for 3 main reasons. 1) Orem schools were seismically unsafe, and were being systematically closed. 2) Orem citizens' property taxes were being spent in other areas, not in Orem. 3) Alpine School District was planning to add $600 million in new debt. My belief was that Orem citizens should have the right to vote on these 3 critical issues regarding their schools.
First Responders and Public Works Employees
Orem’s First Responders and Public Works employees are critical to the safety and well being of Orem’s citizens, especially Police and Fire. I have worked closely with these key departments in Orem to make sure they have the resources they need, and to make sure Orem is able to recruit and retain the best employees in these critical areas.
Fiscal Responsibility
I am very fiscally conservative and responsible. Thankfully, so is Orem. Orem operates its financial matters in a way that we all should. Orem avoids debt and lives within its budget. As a City Councilwoman, I take part in multiple budget review meetings throughout the year, where I give my input and direction, and where I approve the final budget for each year.
State Street Master Plan
We reversed parts of the State Street Master Plan that would have allowed 10,000 new apartments on State Street and that were preventing new businesses from locating on State Street and existing businesses from REMODELING. We added added SOMETHING that encouraged businesses to beautify State Street.
What else…
SCERA
I consider the SCERA to be the “Jewel of Orem”. I am a devoted supporter of SCERA because I see all the good it does for Orem. It provides education, entertainment, and community in a way that supports our Family City USA values. It provides unique opportunities for Orem residents to learn, to grow, and to be inspired. Orem’s partnership with the SCERA is critical, and I will always work to improve that partnership.