The third and final round of Heber City campaign financial disclosures has been released.
Most notable is a $2,109 contribution from Michael Bradshaw, the president of Momentum Development Group — the company behind the development of the Jordanelle Ridge community — to mayoral candidate Scott Phillips.
Stewardship of Jordanelle Ridge’s 5,000-plus acres of open space has been hotly debated in recent weeks. A recently proposed conservation easement places responsibility in the hands of Wasatch County, Heber City and the homeowner’s association.
Opponents of the proposed agreement include incumbent Mayor Heidi Franco, who Phillips is challenging, and the Summit Land Conservancy. They argue that placing power in the hands of the homeowner’s association does not ensure permanent conservation protections and believe the easement should be held by a third-party land trust.
The Wasatch County Council will revisit the proposal on Nov. 19.
Bradshaw explained he donated to Phillips’ campaign because the candidate is “willing to communicate and collaborate.” The developer also said he doesn’t have a relationship with Franco.
“I can tell you that, in the four years that Mayor Franco has been mayor — and I’m the largest developer in the city — has never once reached out and talked to me or called me or cared to communicate to me,” Bradshaw said.
When asked about Bradshaw’s contribution, Phillips responded, “I have had roughly 60 donors, including myself, give to my campaign, and I really appreciate all of their willingness to show support.”
Bradshaw’s donation is the only contribution to Phillips’ campaign worth more than $1,500. Phillips has spent more than $36,000 on his campaign as of the latest filing.
Franco has spent nearly $16,000. Her largest contribution this reporting period was $2,500 of her own money on Oct. 27.
Her largest contributors throughout her campaign have been individuals Kim and Gordon Grange, who each gave $1,000. She received two in-kind contributions for graphic design from Arisha Franco, each worth $1,000.
Franco received a $500 contribution from Friends of Heber Valley, an environmental nonprofit, in July.
Phillips’ largest expense in his campaign has been $6,000 to Outcry Digital, which provides website and campaign management and digital marketing. Franco’s was $1,933 on campaign signs by SignRocket.
Of the four City Council candidates, Morgan Murdock spent the most on his campaign, nearly $12,500. Corey Noyes spent about $2,500, Yvonne Barney spent about $2,300, and Nick López spent about $2,000.
Murdock’s largest contributors were George and Mimi Murdock, who gave $7,300 total throughout his campaign as individuals and through the Murdock Family Trust.
Noyes’ largest contributor was Susan McKeever, who gave $500.
López’s largest contribution was $1,000 from Jim and Laurie Gagan. He also received $549 in in-kind contributions from Franco.
Like Franco, Barney received $500 from Friends of Heber Valley in July. Outside of in-kind contributions from Franco for mailers and fliers, it’s the largest contribution of her campaign.