As Tuesday’s unofficial primary election results roll in, two key races in Summit County are all but decided.

Only Democratic candidates entered the race for Summit County Council districts 4 and 5 — the Snyderville Basin, and Jeremy Ranch and Pinebrook areas, respectively — with no Republican or unaffiliated candidates. While the deadline to file as a write-in candidate is in August, the top vote-getters in the primary will likely be heavily favored during the general election and are expected to secure a spot on the council.

Snyderville Basin attorney Christie Babalis  appeared to have the most votes for District 4 as of 11:45 a.m. on Thursday morning, according to preliminary election results. She recieved 427 votes, or 53% of the vote. Former Snyderville Basin Planning Commissioner Chair John Kucera received 378 votes, or around 47% of the vote.

Longtime County Councilor Chris Robinson currently occupies the District 4 seat and announced late last year that he would not seek reelection.

Incumbent County Councilor Canice Harte had a lead over challenger Meredith Reed, the president of the Park City Board of Education, for District 5, according to Tuesday’s preliminary election results.

Harte collected 357 votes, or 51%. Reed earned 343 votes, or 49%.

This was the first election using the newly drawn County Council districts rather than at-large seats.

Republican voters also had primary elections for U.S. House District 3 and state House District 59, which includes Summit and Wasatch counties.

U.S. Rep. Celeste Maloy earned more votes than Phil Lyman for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District, according to unofficial results as of Thursday morning. Maloy had 2,284 votes, or about 62%, while Lyman had 1,384 votes, or 38%. The winner will go up against Democratic candidate Kent Udell in the general election.

In House District 59, Jeffrey Pierce received 508 votes, or 67%, compared to Luke Searle with 252 votes, or 33%.

Total voter turnout in Summit County was 36%, specifically Republican turnout was 29.5% and Democrat turnout was almost 34%.

The Summit County Clerk’s Office will continue processing ballots throughout the week, updating the vote count.

Official results will be certified on July 7, two weeks after the primary. The general election takes place on Nov. 3.

According to state law, a recount can be requested if the difference between the number of votes cast for a winning candidate in the race and the losing candidate is equal to or less than .25%. 

The post Summit County Council District 4, 5 races all but decided as unofficial primary results roll in (updated) appeared first on Park Record.

Two new facilities with lap and recreation pools, indoor courts and turf fields, top rope and bouldering walls, and fitness and weight rooms could be built in the Snyderville Basin — if voters are willing to pay for them.

The Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District announced its intent to pursue a general obligation bond to fund the construction of two new facilities, located in Silver Creek Village and Jeremy Ranch, on the November ballot. 

The Silver Creek Village project would be larger and aquatics-focused, while the East Canyon complex on the Cline Dahle parcel would be courts and climbing-centered. District leaders said the goal is to alleviate crowding at the existing Fieldhouse, prepare for population growth and expand fitness offerings to provide a full-package experience.

Basin Recreation had considered a bond to build another facility for a decade but never formally pursued one because residents might not back it. However, Executive Director Robert Parrish told the Summit County Council on Wednesday that feedback collected earlier this year shows there could finally be enough support for voters to approve the funding. 

Parrish wasn’t ready to disclose how much the bond would be worth or how much it would increase residents’ property taxes, though he anticipated those numbers would be ready next month. Parrish said district officials are looking at structuring its current bond debt so the impact of the new bond would not go on top of the existing debt.

He noted the key question for voters will be how much more they are willing to spend for what they’re gaining in return. 

“We asked (survey takers) about whether they would see … a $75 to $150 a year increase as reasonable, or $150 to $200 to $300,” Parrish said. “There were quite a few respondents that say that there was value if we could do both these facilities. There’s value in that higher, higher range.”

In May, Basin Recreation conducted open houses and an online survey, which garnered about 1,400 responses, indicating there’s “suppressed demand” with the existing Fieldhouse. 

About 61% of respondents said they avoid The Fieldhouse due to crowding, and 51% of people who have never actually been said they avoid it for the same reason. The survey also found 29% of people use the facility less often than they want, with 25% choosing somewhere else because of The Fieldhouse’s capacity.

Parrish said an upcoming impact fee facility plan also shows the building will reach capacity next year, while residents already feel it’s packed in practice. He noted the number of new housing developments, including those at Cline Dahle and near Silver Creek, and said the demand for recreation will outpace Basin Recreation’s current capacity unless new facilities are built.

Public input appears to have inspired Basin Recreation to expand its plans for the facilities.

The Silver Creek Village recreation center was initially proposed at 76,000 square feet — smaller than the 84,000 square foot Fieldhouse — but residents said that was too small. Parrish said the building would be increased to 120,000 square feet.

Silver Creek was also the favored site for aquatic activities. Community feedback favored a family recreation pool with slides, similar to the South Summit Aquatic & Fitness Center, and noted more than four lanes would be needed for a lap pool.

“The community shows … don’t go small,” Parrish said. “Don’t make it too small from the beginning. Go the right size.”

Other amenities could include an indoor turf, larger than the current field and sized for 9-v-9 soccer, as well as the ability to divide the field so two teams can practice. Parrish said the intent is to relieve pressure on indoor and outdoor fields and allow earlier-season practices. There would also be a track and more space for strength, cardio and fitness training, as well as specialized practices like yoga and Pilates.

The East Canyon complex in Jeremy Ranch was also too small for residents at 42,000 square feet. Parrish said the working plan is to expand the building to 64,000 square feet, which will still fit on the property despite wetland constraints.

The larger complex will allow Basin Recreation to implement a “full spec” climbing facility, which was a strong desire among residents. Parrish envisioned 40-foot climbing walls for top rope and space for bouldering, something to serve as a replacement for The Mine, which was a former bouldering gym in Kimball Junction. There would be three additional indoor courts for basketball, volleyball, racket sports and multi-use programming, too. 

Parrish said public feedback also favored a wellness identity at the East Canyon location. This could include a sauna and cold plunge, essentially pairing fitness and recovery spaces to create a “total wellness” experience.

The ultimate goal is for the two new facilities to be differentiated but complementary to The Fieldhouse. Basin Recreation also wants to target niche fitness communities such as climbers or pickleballers, who would travel to use the facilities.

Parrish said the three facilities would be spread across key neighborhoods in the Snyderville Basin, providing residents with diverse fitness options closer to home and allowing them to avoid overcrowding. One Basin Recreation membership would provide access to all three facilities. 

The district also plans to present a new fee structure before the next budget cycle, which will clearly state what a Snyderville Basin resident pays versus a nonresident. 

“I think that’ll go a long way to showing our residents that … we’re charging them appropriately, but the nonresidents that are coming in, they’re going to be charged completely different rate, and it’ll be visible and viable,” Parrish said. “Then those fees come right back into the programs and help support the facilities.”

He added that property taxes may also trend down as more people move into the district and contribute to paying off the bond.

Parrish said the bond is passable, but there’s a trust that must be built. Around 58% of people surveyed in 2023 said the district does a good job, but less than 24% said the district uses tax money wisely. Initial support for the bond three years ago was just under 49%, which was below the passage threshold.

“We know we have some gaps to overcome,” Parrish said.

Public outreach and messaging will be key for Basin Recreation over the next few months. A second round of public sessions is planned for July 8 and Parrish will return to the County Council on July 15 with another update, including the proposed bond structure and refined costs.

County councilors were largely in support of the two-facility strategy rather than a phased approach separated by years because of construction costs. They advised Basin Recreation to develop clear, simple messaging about why the facilities are being built, why they’re needed now and how property tax bills will be affected.

The post Basin Recreation prepares for November bond measure appeared first on Park Record.

Wasatch County Clerk-Auditor Joey Granger is proud of what she has accomplished over the past five years. It’s why she is running for another term as clerk-auditor — to continue making changes in her office that benefit the community. 

Granger, a Republican, is facing Park City Recorder Michelle Kellogg for the Wasatch County clerk-auditor position. The two Republicans will be on the primary election ballot on June 23. 

The Clerk-Auditor’s Office maintains all countywide elections, prepares agendas, takes minutes during Wasatch County Council meetings and keeps all approved county ordinances and resolutions on file. The office is also responsible for the county’s financial functions, conducting reviews and internal audits and issuing financial statements and reports. 

As the current clerk-auditor, Granger is in the unique position of campaigning for her own seat while conducting countywide elections. 

“I feel like it may be a little different for me than other candidates because I am focused on the election,” Granger said. “I am in the job, and that is my priority right now.”

But Granger said she is hopeful that she will be able to serve in the clerk-auditor role again. 

“I’ve put a lot of work, a lot of effort, into making some positive changes in my office,” Granger said. “I’m still just focused on that and continuing what I’m doing.”

Over the past five years, Granger said she has “touched every process” there is in the Clerk-Auditor’s Office. She has updated and digitized more clerical processes like countywide applications and forms. Then, she has worked toward giving the public “information that they need.”

“I think I’m the most proud of that,” Granger said, adding that communication has been crucial for her and her office. “I feel like that’s what we have tried really hard to do, is be available for the public and (be) giving them multiple options on getting what they need.”

Granger said she has observed messaging about communication issues with her office during the campaign process. While she said there is always room for improvement, Granger said communication is something she has been working diligently on with her office. 

If elected, Granger said there are changes she plans to make off the bat. 

“Right now, it’s constant change,” Granger said. “I’m part of a lot of different groups where we’re continually working on updating processes. … It’s my responsibility to make sure we’re providing the best service with the resources that we have.”

At the end of the day, Granger said her main goal is streamlining her staff’s roles, ensuring tax dollars are being used appropriately and promoting better communication. 

She said the job is not just taking council minutes; it’s also keeping taxpayers informed on processes, opportunities and newsworthy initiatives taking place at the county level. 

“Letting taxpayers know what they can do, how they can be involved in the process, what the budget is,” Granger said. 

Granger said she hopes to see citizens becoming more involved. Calling and emailing the Clerk-Auditor’s Office are two ways for the community to learn more, but Granger also recommends visiting the office in-person to see how clerk-auditor operations are run. 

“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished,” Granger said. “I know that there’s a lot more to do … I feel like I have pushed the envelope for the ability of a governmental agency to be able to make changes. I’ve surpassed what is the standard.”

Granger and Kellogg will both appear on the June 23 primary election ballot because the two Republican candidates both chose the signature-gathering process.

Republicans Rachel Kahler and William (Brett) Vance will appear on the primary ballot as contenders for Wasatch County Council Seat A, and Republicans Jeremy Hales and incumbent Sheriff Jared Rigby will appear on the primary ballot as candidates for Wasatch County sheriff. 

The post Joey Granger is hopeful for another term as Wasatch County clerk-auditor appeared first on Park Record.

Michelle Kellogg wants to make crucial changes in the Wasatch County Clerk-Auditor’s Office. As a candidate vying for the position, Kellogg said she will put communication with citizens first. 

Kellogg, a Republican, is facing incumbent clerk-auditor Joey Granger in the primary election, which will be held on June 23. Though Kellogg was the top vote-getter at the Wasatch County Republican Party nominating convention in April, the two candidates chose the signature-gathering process, which triggers a primary election. 

A Heber City resident who worked for the city for nearly eight years before her 10-year tenure as Park City’s recorder, Kellogg said she is looking to use her experience and skills to benefit the Wasatch County community as clerk-auditor. 

The Clerk-Auditor’s Office maintains countywide elections and prepares agendas, takes minutes during County Council meetings and keeps approved county ordinances and resolutions on file. The office is also responsible for financial functions in the county, conducting reviews and internal audits while also issuing financial reports and statements. 

Kellogg said her experience is specifically suited for the clerk-auditor position. 

“It is common for candidates to have experience for one of the roles, but it is rare that they have experience in both roles,” Kellogg said.

Kellogg said she is “uniquely qualified” for this position since she has administered elections for Heber City and Park City municipalities for the past 18 years. The Park City recorder also has accounting experience and said she is confident about her ability to audit financials for the county. 

Specifically, Kellogg said she wants to be proactive and “do more than the minimum requirements” when implementing state election laws. She said any updates will come immediately instead of waiting for the deadline. 

Such updates include identification verification changes that have already started to change in counties like Salt Lake County. Voters will have to include the last four digits of their driver’s license, state identification or social security number on their ballot starting next year. Granger said the adjustment will start in Wasatch County this year, but Kellogg said getting ahead of such changes is a priority.

“I think it’s really important to communicate the new laws on ID verification so that people will become accustomed to it before that law becomes enacted,” Kellogg said. 

Certifying the tax rate and applying it to property valuations is something Kellogg also called out as a major responsibility of the clerk-auditor. She said she would like to add a letter to the property valuation and proposed property tax notice sent in July that explains the processes and factors going into property value increases or decreases. 

“This is a real concern for many in the county that needs to be addressed and clarified,” Kellogg said. “I promise to take an active interest in all the responsibilities of the office and enhance customer service.”

Kellogg said the job of clerk-auditor is one of the most important offices in county government because the office has regular interaction with the community due to its wide-ranging responsibilities. 

“We need an excellent county Clerk-Auditor’s Office,” Kellogg said. “I have the knowledge, skills, experience and energy to elevate the office to how it should be run.”

Granger and Kellogg will both appear on the June 23 primary election ballot because the two Republican candidates both chose the signature-gathering process. Republicans Rachel Kahler and William (Brett) Vance will appear on the primary ballot as contenders for Wasatch County Council Seat A, and Republicans Jeremy Hales and incumbent Sheriff Jared Rigby will appear on the primary ballot as candidates for Wasatch County sheriff. 

The post Michelle Kellogg is ready to make changes in the Wasatch County Clerk-Auditor’s Office appeared first on Park Record.

Summit County Sheriff’s Office detective Eric Mainord has ended his campaign for Wasatch County sheriff. 

Mainord, who was set to participate in a sheriff’s candidate forum Wednesday evening, announced his withdrawal the same day as the event.

Though Mainord firmly asserted that he is the best candidate for the job, he said his further participation in the race would “take votes away” from who he assumes to be the frontrunners — Wasatch County’s Emergency Management Director Jeremy Hales and Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby.

“I’ve never aspired for title and position. I legitimately entered this race to be a change agent, and I haven’t taken this lightly,” Mainord said. “I do believe that a real change is needed (at the Sheriff’s Office) and that, unfortunately, if both Jeremy and I stay in it, then we’re going to split the vote.”

Mainord said that he is not fully endorsing Hales — yet. He said that, despite his qualms with goings-on at the Sheriff’s Office, Hales will still have to work to get Mainord’s official stamp of approval. 

His main focus, Mainord said, is public safety. 

“The things that have gone on … they can’t keep happening,” Mainord said. “I care about public safety. I care about, first of all, preventing crime where possible but, more importantly, justice for victims.”

Mainord said he has not made it a secret that a “galvanizing event” for him was the 2024 road rage shooting at Ross Creek, which left Hideout resident Patrick Hayes shot and killed by Greg Kyle DeBoer. 

DeBoer is currently facing one count of obstruction of justice for burying the gun he used to shoot Hayes. 

“There needs to be some real cultural change at the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office, and I feel like I understand what that looks like,” Mainord said. “Summit County is a high-functioning, fair and impartial agency and law enforcement, above any other kind of thing out there, has to be truth seekers.” 

Mainord’s assertion that he would “split the vote” is not entirely unexpected.

At the Wasatch County Republican Party nominating convention in April, more than 250 party members gathered to select their chosen nominees. The nearly 90% quorum found Rigby as the top vote-getter after two delegate voting processes. 

The two processes were necessary because no candidate secured 60% vote in favor of after the first round of voting. Rigby earned 115 ballots during the second vote, and Hales earned 104. Mainord was removed from consideration after the first round, though he still qualified for the primary election ballot. 

After announcing his withdrawal from the race, Mainord said he is not sure what the future holds.

“This is my first kind of dabble in politics, and I’ve learned a lot of lessons,” Mainord said. “I’m going to focus on doing the best job I can do at Summit County and see what opportunities present themselves here in Wasatch, to be a person that helps change things for the better.”

Both Rigby and Hales are campaigning for Wasatch County sheriff.

The two candidates are set to participate in a candidate forum on Wednesday evening to answer questions about their platforms, how they would operate as sheriff and about public safety in Wasatch County. 

The Wasatch Record and KPCW reporters will moderate the forum. Candidates will answer questions from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wasatch County Senior Center.

Hales and Rigby will both appear on the primary election ballot on June 23. Ballots will be mailed to registered Republican voters on June 2. The primary election winner will face unaffiliated sheriff’s candidate Paul Moore in the general election this November. 

The post Eric Mainord withdraws from Wasatch County sheriff’s race appeared first on Park Record.

Zane Woolstenhulme didn’t expect to start a political campaign so soon after he failed to secure a second term as Oakley’s mayor. But after some reflection, he realized he isn’t ready to hang up his “chaps and spurs.”

After losing the mayoral election last fall, Woolstenhulme was asked by the former head of the Summit County Democratic Party if he would ever run for the state Legislature. Woolstenhulme was initially hesitant, joking that he was beaten badly — earning about 33% of the vote compared to now-Mayor Steve Wilmoth’s more than 67% — and that he wouldn’t be the right candidate. 

But Woolstenhulme changed his mind after speaking with residents in Morgan, Rich and portions of Summit counties — the areas that make up Utah House of Representatives District 4, where he’s filed to run as a Democratic candidate.

“I have a little sign in my office above a picture of a workhorse in a mine who’s just got his head down, pulling. The sign was given to me years ago by some colleagues at the South Summit School District, and it says, ‘The soul is awakened through service,’” Woolstenhulme said. “I guess I’m not ready to sleep yet. The more I thought about it, I thought maybe I’ve got a shot.”

Though this is Woolstenhulme’s first run for state office, he has deep roots in public service.

Woolstenhulme grew up in Oakley helping out on the family farm or in his father’s store, Ken’s Kash, when he wasn’t at school. After graduating from high school in 1977, he served a mission in Toulouse, France. Then, Woolstenhulme earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

In 1988, he was hired as a business administrator for the South Summit School District and held the role until about 2008. Woolstenhulme then worked in the Logan City School District for several years before accepting a position with the Ogden City School District in 2014, where he works today.

Woolstenhulme also served on the Oakley Planning Commission from 1989 to 2008, the same year he left eastern Summit County. He was appointed chairman of the Planning Commission in 2019 when he returned to Oakley. Then, Woolstenhulme served as mayor from January 2022 to December 2025. 

He said his experience in local government and education, paired with his longstanding commitment to public service, make him a strong candidate for House District 4. Woolstenhulme added that he offers a perspective that’s not well represented in the state Legislature, which lacks the relevant experience to address schools and local issues such as zoning, planning, housing and land use. 

Morgan and Rich counties also experience similar issues to what Woolstenhulme is familiar with, having lived and worked in Summit County. Morgan County has rural characteristics, but is experiencing rapid growth. Rich County is an agricultural community reliant on second homeowners for a tax base. 

Managing growth, preventing the gentrification of communities and the volume of bills processed by the Legislature during the general session are Woolstenhulme’s top concerns. He’s also interested in topics like education, funding, policy, sustainable land use, water and energy. 

Woolstenhulme acknowledged that House District 4 tends to lean Republican, but he said the best solutions require bipartisan cooperation and representation from all voices, regardless of political party. A key motivation for Woolstenhulme’s campaign is a frustration with excessive partisanship and a feeling that important issues are not being addressed through collaborative, pragmatic approaches.

“I think the problems we face … require the best heads at the table, and that may mean that we need to play in the sandbox with people that may not think ideologically the way we do on every issue. I believe it takes everybody to solve those problems,” he said. 

Woolstenhulme said the biggest takeaway from his 2025 mayoral campaign is that you don’t always win, but that you do what you can, knowing you did your best. He said there’s more to do now than ever, and plans to “take the wins” where he can.

So, his first goal is simply to earn the Utah Democratic Party’s nomination to represent House District 4.

Delegates will select either Woolstenhulme or fellow Oakley resident Zeppelin Zeerip as the party’s nominee during an upcoming convention, though a primary election could be triggered and take place on June 23. 

Incumbent Rep. Tiara Auxier, Silver Creek Village resident Kris Campbell and Snyderville Basin resident Brandi Connolly are seeking the GOP nomination.

The Democratic and Republican nominees will face off in the November general election.

The post Former Oakley mayor launches Democratic bid for state House District 4 appeared first on Park Record.

Silver Creek Village resident Kris Campbell is once again campaigning to represent District 4 in the Utah House of Representatives. But this time, he’s running as a Republican. 

Campbell earned the Utah Democratic Party’s nomination for the District 4 seat, which encompasses Morgan, Rich and most of Summit counties, in 2022 and in 2024, failing to defeat former GOP Rep. Kera Birkeland at the general election each time. Campbell later registered as a Republican in hopes of securing the state GOP’s nomination after Birkeland resigned weeks after the 2024 election, though he did not earn enough support.

Now, Campbell is sticking with the party to advocate for fair representation in Utah’s political landscape amidst an ongoing redistricting debacle and he is motivated by a desire to create a more open dialogue between political parties.

“I continue to want to find ways to continue the conversation across the political spectrum, to improve the conversation between constituents and elected officials,” Campbell said. “I think we get our best solutions when we’re combining our perspectives and sharing and continuing to work together to improve communication.”

Campbell grew up in Wyoming and earned a bachelor’s degree in math before moving to New York for his master’s degree in applied math. He spent some time living in central Pennsylvania before the mountains came calling. Campbell then moved to Utah, where he earned a doctorate in computing, and eventually relocated to Summit County in 2009.

Campbell’s career has largely been focused in the technology and communications industries, and he considers himself skilled in problem-solving. In the fall, he founded consulting business Raven Insights to help businesses and individuals “catalyze” their work.

For more than 15 years, Campbell has been involved with nonprofits and community organizations, including Summit Pride, Park City Rotary, American Civil Liberties Union of Utah and BootUp PD, an organization dedicated to helping elementary school students learn coding skills. Campbell also describes himself as a “transgender man of faith.”

Campbell said he’s been inspired to run for public office because community — and community service — is important to him. In 2020, Campbell started gathering signatures as an unaffiliated candidate before the coronavirus pandemic discouraged him from knocking on doors.

In 2022, Birkeland hosted a town hall in Morgan County that Campbell attended and later encouraged him to run for office. The then-Democrat saw a campaign as an opportunity to start conversations about what the candidates have in common and discuss what good policy means. That’s the philosophy he carried into the 2024 campaign, and now 2026.

“One of the issues that’s been really important to me over time is fair representation,” Campbell said. “I’m really interested in how we can improve our electoral process to make sure people feel represented in the state of Utah, because of the way districts have been gerrymandered, Democrats and Independents do not feel represented at the state level. Just like in Summit County, Republicans did not feel represented at the county-level.”

Campbell said he believes in personal freedom without infringements from the government and considers himself more fiscally conservative. He’s always identified as independent and feels party politics are unhealthy. Campbell said his focus is on unity, not the initial next to his name.

If elected to state House District 4, Campbell hopes to build constructive cross-party collaboration and civic involvement. He is committed to transparency and improving the legislative process, including increasing public participation, fair representation and accessibility. 

Campbell sees the major issues as fair representation, fair process and fair taxes. He also wants to address other areas affecting voters in Summit, Morgan and Rich counties, such as affordable housing, second-home ownership, environmental protections and personal privacy.  

He’s also committed to improving local control and preventing state overreach. Campbell specifically mentioned how Summit County was “micromanaged” by the Legislature during the Dakota Pacific Real Estate development process, and ultimately passed a law requiring officials to approve the project. 

Campbell is challenging incumbent Rep. Tiara Auxier to win the Republican nomination for District 4. Snyderville Basin resident Brandi Connolly is also campaigning for the seat. The state GOP will choose its nominee during an upcoming convention, though a primary election could take place on June 23.

The Republican nominee will face either Zane Woolstenhulme or Zeppelin Zeerip, both Democrats, during the general election on Nov. 3.

The post Kris Campbell seeks Utah House District 4 seat as a Republican appeared first on Park Record.

Park City Recorder Michelle Kellogg is challenging incumbent Joey Granger for the Wasatch County clerk-auditor position. Granger is running to work another full term as Wasatch County’s clerk-auditor. Both women are registered Republicans.

Kellogg, a Heber City resident, worked for Heber City for nearly eight years before her 10-year tenure as Park City’s recorder, which is a position appointed by the city manager. Now, she’s looking to use her experience and skills to benefit the Wasatch County community, if she’s elected to the clerk-auditor role.

Meanwhile, Granger said she’s running for another term because she’s “just getting started.” She’s served five years in the role overall, having won election in 2023 after being appointed to the clerk-auditor position for a half-term.

Though elections are a major part of the job, Kellogg said that’s not the only aspect she’s familiar with. As Park City recorder, Kellogg oversees approximately 500 Government Records Access Management Act (GRAMA) requests per year. She also manages city council meetings, putting together material packets and updating municipal code as new ordinances are passed. 

The Clerk-Auditor’s Office maintains all countywide elections, prepares agendas, takes minutes during Wasatch County Council meetings and keeps all approved county ordinances and resolutions on file. The office is also responsible for the county’s financial functions, conducting reviews and internal audits and issuing financial statements and reports. 

Kellogg filed candidacy for the position on Jan. 2, the day the filing period opened. If elected, Kellogg said she wants to put an emphasis on communication with the public and increase voter turnout countywide. Communication, she said, is something Park City has focused on in her time as city recorder. 

Kellogg pointed out that there will be identification verification changes coming in the next few years that have already started to change in counties like Salt Lake County. There, voters will have to include the last four digits of their driver’s license, state identification or social security number on their ballot starting next year. Granger said the adjustment will start in Wasatch County this year, but Kellogg said it’s important to get ahead of the change. 

“I would hate just to wait till the last minute and then implement the new changes, and then have to reject a lot of ballots because people didn’t understand the changes,” Kellogg said. “I think it’s really important to communicate the new laws on ID verification so that people will become accustomed to it before that law becomes enacted.”

The job of clerk-auditor, she said, is one of the most important offices in county government. 

“At some point, just about everybody comes into the County Clerk’s Office, whether it’s for passports or marriage licenses, to register to vote or to make GRAMA requests. There are so many things that the office does,” Kellogg said. “I think it’s a good office now, but I want to bring it from being a good office to being an excellent office.”

Meanwhile, Granger said she does not feel that she has finished updating services or improving the Clerk-Auditor’s Office overall. 

“Modernizing” the office is something Granger said she is proud to have done in the past five years. That involves reorganizing positions and staff to be more efficient and effective in their roles. Granger said she has also worked hard to “clean up the financials” to focus on fiduciary responsibility for Wasatch County taxpayers. 

“I want to continue to implement new processes or improve existing services that will serve the public’s needs,” Granger said. 

The most rewarding part of her job, Granger said, has been working with the public. Working with the community is the reason Granger started her role in the first place. 

“Being able to help people navigate new or challenging situations has been so rewarding,” Granger said. 

In turn, Granger said the biggest challenge over her two-and-a-half terms has been the idea that she has not been able to fix problems for everyone. 

“What is challenging is not being able to fix things that are out of my control. I feel like sometimes the public expects me to be able to just make any change I see fit, but my role is defined by code and has little room for interpretation,” Granger said. 

But Granger said she is dedicated to providing the public with “hometown” personable service. She said she wants to do so while still accommodating the rapid growth of Wasatch County. When it comes to Granger’s top priority if she is elected to the clerk-auditor role again, Granger said she wants to focus on communication. Conveying what programs and services the county is able to help with, she said, is no easy task. 

“My top priority for the next term is to provide more information effectively to the public. I want information to be more readily available and easier to understand. With the groundwork I have accomplished this far, it has provided me with the room to be able to focus on more communications going forward,” Granger said. 

The Wasatch County Republican Party will host a convention in the spring where delegates will select either Granger or Kellogg as the party’s nominee. A primary election will be held if neither candidate can secure 60% of the vote. However, Granger and Kellogg could also trigger a primary election through signature gathering.

Three County Council seats, the county attorney, the sheriff and two Wasatch County School District board seats are also up for election this year. On the state level, four contenders are vying for Utah House of Representatives District 59, which oversees Wasatch and Summit counties.

The post Park City recorder challenges incumbent Wasatch County clerk-auditor for the seat appeared first on Park Record.

Suni Woolstenhulme, a 20-year Summit County resident, business owner, and former South Summit School Board president, on New Year’s Day announced her candidacy for Summit County clerk.

She said she is running on a platform of high-quality administrative service for all residents, transparency and election integrity.

Woolstenhulme said she brings a dual perspective to the race, bridging the geographic and economic diversity of the county. While she lives on in Oakley, she has owned and operated her small business, Park City Gift & Gourmet, in Kimball Junction for the past nine years.

After five years away from public service to focus on her business, Woolstenhulme
said public service is where her heart remains.

“The County Clerk’s Office is the administrative backbone of our community that affects the daily lives of every resident,” she said. “Whether you are starting a business, getting married, or casting a ballot, the Clerk’s Office is where government meets the people.”

She said her platform focuses on three pillars:

• Streamlined services: Improving the experience for residents and business owners
  seeking licenses and essential county documents.
• Operational transparency: Enhancing public access to government records, council minutes, and legislative actions.
• Election integrity: Maintaining the security and accuracy of the electoral process to ensure every resident has confidence in their vote.

Woolstenhulme served for eight years on the South Summit School Board, serving as president her final two years. During her tenure, she was responsible for overseeing complex budgets and ensuring accountability to taxpayers.

She said her time on the school board taught her the importance of listening to constituents and managing public resources with integrity.

She said she is committed to ensuring elections remain secure and that access to government information remains open and transparent for everyone.

She is married to Jay Woolstenhulme, a lifelong Summit County resident, and they have six children.

The post Suni Woolstenhulme announces candidacy for Summit County clerk appeared first on Park Record.

John Kucera, former chair of the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission, announced his candidacy for Summit County Council District 4 on New Year’s Day, pledging to bring thoughtful planning, public service experience, and financial decision-making skills to the council.

Kucera served for six years on the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission, where he said he obtained a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding growth and development in Summit County.

“My track record on the Planning Commission is clear,” Kucera said. “I opposed the Dakota Pacific and Highland Flats projects because I believed they represented irresponsible growth based on their scale and impacts to the community.”

He stressed managing development responsibly.

“We have millions of square feet of entitled land in the county that will eventually be built,” Kucera said. “When we cannot say ‘no,’ we must incentivize intelligent growth. Traffic mitigation, affordability, mixed-use development, and preservation of open space must be carefully addressed as we update our general plans and development codes.”

But the council’s responsibilities extend beyond land use and development, he said, noting that the council oversees a $100 million operating budget and provides direction on community infrastructure, law enforcement, taxation and public health.

“Growth, traffic, and open space are primary issues. However, they represent only part of the council’s responsibilities,” Kucera said. “I believe my combination of professional experience and public service will help me contribute to the full scope of council decision-making.”

Kucera is the managing partner of a small, Utah-based real estate investment partnership. He oversees all financial aspects of the business in addition to acquisitions, lease negotiations, and tenant relationships. Before moving to Summit County, he lived and worked in New York City, holding fixed-income and equity analyst positions at institutional investment firms.

Kucera pointed to his time working in New York City during the financial crisis.

“During that period, I was working with strong personalities in very challenging circumstances,” Kucera said. “It taught me the importance of active listening, finding
common ground, and working toward solutions that create win-win outcomes. Those are skills that translate directly to effective council leadership.”

Kucera is a Utah native who has lived in the Silver Springs neighborhood for over 10 years with his wife and two school-aged children. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Utah, is a chartered financial analyst, and participated in the Park City Citizens’ Police Academy and Leadership Park City, Class 23.

He said he enjoys skiing, mountain biking, trail running, hot yoga, or playing pickleball and tennis.

For more information: www.john4council.com

The post John Kucera announces candidacy for Summit Council Council appeared first on Park Record.