Midvale voter guide 2023

City Council candidates

District 1

Ranked choice voting. Voters will rank up to three candidates

Bonnie Billings

Occupation: Outreach program manager, Girl Scouts of Utah.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

To address the issue of affordable housing in Midvale, I am committed to an approach that involves collaborative efforts, strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. Recognizing that state policies limit our ability to require affording housing units in developments, I will engage with legislators and developers to advocate for better housing policies.

I believe in fostering partnerships like the one with Housing Connect, which is building a supportive housing community with 89 affordable units. Such initiatives showcase the potential to meet the diverse housing needs in Midvale.

As Midvale is one of the most densely populated cities in the state, we must be innovative in our approach to multifamily dwellings. To minimize disruptions to established neighborhoods, I am committed to exploring and implementing mixed-use projects in areas that are suited for such development. By working with all stakeholders, we can make meaningful strides toward a more affordable housing landscape for Midvale.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

Addressing homelessness demands immediate compassion and safe, sustainable solutions. Having worked in the shelter diversion program at The Road Home, I’ve seen the role of compassion in urgent situations. I’m proud that Midvale hosts the family shelter, and that our leaders collaborate with a coalition of service providers to coordinate resources from the city, county, state and private sector. I’m committed to advocating for this approach and sharing my experience to develop solutions.

It’s crucial to ensure enough beds during extreme weather, recognizing that emergency and overflow shelters should be strategically located where transportation and resources are better accessible.

Looking forward, Midvale must maintain its collaboration with state, county and private entities to secure funding for the family shelter. It is appropriate, and needed, to encourage more communities to share these solutions. I’d love to see Midvale serve as a resource for other communities seeking to contribute to this issue.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

Our most pressing challenge is the Unified Police Department reorganization. This reorganization, forced by the state Legislature, puts more pressure on Midvale to manage the associated rising costs. UPD’s budget already stands as our largest expenditure in Midvale, and facilitating this transition presents a funding issue. I am committed to ensuring responsible management of funds and exploring avenues to boost Midvale’s revenue to sustain this crucial service.

This reorganization also presents us with an opportunity to reprioritize and realign our law enforcement needs in Midvale. We must actively collaborate with the Midvale precinct to identify and address immediate and long-term needs, focusing on the safety and well-being of our residents. During this reorganization, I will work with all stakeholders to prioritize the efficient allocation of resources, taking proactive steps to guarantee their effective use. My approach will be intentional and creative, ensuring we navigate this complex transition successfully.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

I was almost named “Bunny.” However, Bonnie, a close substitute, was chosen in case I ever ran for City Council.

Dustin Snow

Occupation: Residential construction and land development.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

Affordable housing is a tough one. I believe there is a time and a place for everything. I am in residential construction, and there is no such thing as “affordable” right now. It is difficult for most residents to justify buying a home right now. Housing has a lot of things making it impossible; land is a big one, but it is no longer the biggest problem builders are dealing with. The cost of materials is ridiculous right now. Just as we figure one shortage problem out, another three pop up. The last huge problem is mortgage rates. Even if we could build a semi-affordable home, the rates and new programs hurt most potential buyers. I don’t think higher density is the solution.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

Midvale is pulling its own weight by having the women’s shelter in Midvale along with The Road Home. I think we do a good job offering hope to the ones who want help. The city could do more to offer jobs or some kind of incentive to work in our parks and recreation or city cemetery or any other areas that need help. The city has areas where they can’t justify hiring a full-time position for certain jobs. If we could train people and give them skills, it would be a win-win for both. I also think crime, drugs and homelessness come hand in hand. If we can get on top of one or two of these problems, it will help with a long-term fix for all.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

Midvale has a couple of big challenges and hurdles that will need to be figured out in the very near future. In my opinion, the most important one is our police. We have some choices and decisions to make that will affect us long term. We have a great Police Department right now. Midvale officers have to witness it all, from the homelessness and drugs and more serious crimes, to being involved in the good this community has to offer. They have a very difficult job and they need to know that no matter the direction the city and Unified Police Department takes, Midvale has their best interest in mind at all times. Again there is no easy answer to how I would solve this problem. I am a firm believer in community involvement. Getting police into schools and becoming friends with the youth and the Midvale residents. We could do a Get to Know Your Local Law Enforcement Day once a month and get the community involved. It would help more than just the law enforcement.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

I had a mullet in high school and, 30 years later, I am rocking another mullet. I tell my wife, “I gotta rock it while I can still grow it”.

Ben Umeadi

No response.

District 2

Paul Glover

Unopposed.

District 3

Ranked choice voting. Voters will rank up to four candidates

Bart Benson

Occupation: Retired. Previously worked as a regional operations manager for a major department store chain and spent years as a troubled-youth counselor.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

Midvale has its share of high-density housing. As with anything, it is supply and demand. I would fully support single-family subdivisions that residents could purchase as starter homes.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

I feel it is more of a state issue. Cities can’t take homeless on by themselves. Midvale has a homeless shelter. Some homeless simply don’t want to change. Focusing on the ones who truly want to change their situation would be key and finding appropriate help for others who are chronically homeless.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

As I see it, crime is on the rise with burglaries and vehicle break-ins. Police need to be visible and patrol the neighborhoods.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

I played drums in a classic rock band touring most of the Western states.

Evan Feinberg

Occupation: Teacher.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

The Midvale City Council can play a supportive role in ensuring equal access to affordable, multifamily housing for residents earning at or below the area median income. While I believe that high-density housing should not be built in already established neighborhoods without the careful consideration and input of current residents, the City Council has a role in promoting and making sure that these affordable multifamily houses are constructed in a thoughtful way and possibly near public transit options.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

Unfortunately, homelessness and mobility issues often fly under the radar, and it can be difficult to cultivate empathy with people who have never remotely been close to encountering that type of uncertainty in their lives. I believe that the Midvale City Council could collaborate with more nonprofit organizations to provide outreach services to ensure that the homeless population has access to shelter, clothing and food. Lastly, the City Council could create more awareness to the general public of the charities and nonprofit organizations that help support this population.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

As a public school teacher, I’m dedicated to the long-term goal of enhancing collaboration between the Canyons Board of Education and Midvale City Council. Over the past few years, I have noticed a troubling trend of chronic absenteeism where many of my students are missing school on a regular basis. According to attendance data, 25% of my students missed 10% or more of school last year, and this has become a well-documented national phenomenon that has affected local communities across the country. I can’t do my job if students aren’t there. I am dedicated to finding reasonable solutions to address chronic absenteeism by providing greater support to stakeholders as well as patterning with school boards to ensure that all students receive a quality education.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

I am an avid world traveler and snowboarder. The past couple of summers, I have gone on backpacking trips to Turkey.

Tammy J. Garcia

No response.

Heidi Robinson

Occupation: Enterprise risk management.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

Midvale has been proactively working on this issue since I took office. We are incentivizing developments in certain areas to get better offerings of affordable housing units. We are also rolling out down payment assistance funding and home improvement funding for Midvale residents who meet certain criteria. I am hoping we can continue to expand these and other programs for our Midvale residents.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

Midvale has a long-standing history of supporting those experiencing homelessness, as we are a host city to The Road Home Family Shelter. I would like us to have better connections with supporting groups to provide resources and opportunities for those looking for help to find permanent shelter and pathways out of homelessness.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

Balancing the needs of growth and preserving our historic charm and culture. We are focused on changing zoning requirements to better identify opportunity areas for a higher-density housing and mixed-use development that can support our community and provide a vibrant and active social structure.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

I enjoy managing and playing for an adult outdoor soccer club.