Heber City Mayor Heidi Franco is running for reelection this year. Instead of running to reoccupy his seat on the council, Heber City Councilor Scott Phillips will run against Franco.
“I’m running because I feel like the Heber residents need a second choice,” Phillips said. “I really feel like it’s important for us to work together. We’re a small community.”
Phillips was elected to his City Council seat in 2021. His assignments have included serving on the Historic Preservation Board, the Airport Advisory Board and for Heber Valley Tourism & Economic Development. Phillips said his experience serving the community for 20 years on boards and volunteering makes him an experienced candidate.
Part of his decision to run, he said, was spurred by issues like Heber City’s recent decision to forgo ranked choice voting. He called it “the most divisive issue we’ve had in four years on the council.”
“There’s been some damaging discussions. … Trust has been strained on the council,” Phillips said. “I believe that my fellow council members all have the good of the community at heart, I really do.”
Recently, Phillips has been the focal point of attacks regarding his stance on city issues and his character in person during City Council meetings and online. The hits, he said, have been “very personal.” Despite that, Phillips said he will do everything he can to bring the Heber community together and trust city officials for the most accurate information.
“I see the mayor as the leader of the city, but one that has no vote and therefore has to bring people together to get anything done that they’d like to see done,” Phillips said, later adding, “I trust our city professionals who are working day in and day out. I trust our city attorney to give us proper information. … I trust our city manager to be working in the best interest of the city.”
Franco, who is running for reelection after narrowly securing a win against incumbent Kelleen Potter with 51% of the votes in the 2021 election, said she is “thankful and honored to serve the people of Heber City for the last 11 years.”
Franco has served as chair of the Heber Light & Power board, the Heber Valley Special Service District and the Wasatch Open Lands board. She has also served as a board member on the North Village Special Service District and as a representative for Wasatch County with the state’s Olympic committee. Most notably, Franco has been a stalwart advocate for open space lands preservation.
“I will run for mayor again this year and promise a civil and respectful campaign on the important issues and future of our city,” Franco said. “I’ve worked very hard to listen to the citizens, resolve complaints and collaborate consistently and effectively.”
Both Franco and Phillips said they will be making official announcements in the coming weeks. They also emphasized their intent to serve Heber City’s community.
“I will continue to stand for transparency and accountability to citizens and protecting the quality of life within our city,” Franco said.