Wasatch County Council candidates for at-large Seat A and Seat C, covering much of Heber City and unincorporated Wasatch County, debated top issues at a forum hosted by KPCW and the Heber Leadership Academy on Thursday.  The five candidates discussed growth and development, property taxes, open space preservation and state versus local control.  Seat A candidates Republican Rachel Kahler, Democrat Robert McNeill and conservative write-in Shawn Taylor showed up at the Wasatch County Fire District on Thursday. Seat C candidates incumbent Republican Erik Rowland and write-in Alex Folmer, a Republican who said she plans to re-register as unaffiliated, also appeared at the forum. Candidates for Utah House District 59 and Wasatch County Council seats A and C answer questions at a debate organized by KPCW and the Heber Leadership Academy on Thursday at Wasatch Fire District Station 51. Credit: Christopher Reeves/For The Park Record Event organizers KPCW and the Heber Leadership Academy invited every candidate, though several did not attend. Seat A write-in candidate Jami Hewlett was not in person but weighed in with more than 40 comments on the Facebook livestream. Seat F candidates Democrat Joe Tugaw and Republican Michael Murphy were not present either. Seat A Former Heber City Councilor Kahler said she is running for at-large Seat A because she believes in “thoughtful stewardship” of Wasatch County.  “As our county grows, how we guide growth matters,” Kahler said, citing her work in historic community building and public service. “During my time on the Heber City Council, I advocated for reduced heights and reduced density, but I believe in clear, long-term transportation planning that improves public safety, reduces congestion and connects communities without dividing them.” Republican Rachel Kahler, a former Heber City councilor, says she is for historic preservation. She is campaigning for at-large Seat A on the Wasatch County Council. Credit: Christopher Reeves/For The Park Record McNeill said he is not a politician, having made a career in television as an actor, director and producer. He is running for the at-large seat because he believes “every voice matters.” “I’m willing to learn, and I’m most willing to listen,” McNeill said. “I promise to listen to everybody, no matter what their political affiliation.” Taylor, a registered Republican, said he is a family man who believes there should be more emphasis on top issues.  “I put in to run to get more people involved and aware of the issues and to encourage transparency and accountability in our local government,” Taylor said.  Speaking about protecting the county’s rural character, McNeill said development is negatively impacting the community.  “Developers have been deciding what they’re going to do, and then we’ve been reacting, and I think the people that live here and that the community needs to decide where it makes sense for us and keep the character of this community,” McNeill said.  Taylor said the newly revised General Plan with Wasatch County outlines clear guidelines for development.  “I feel like that General Plan is on the right direction and that we do need to focus any kind of density closer to Heber City,” Taylor said.  Kahler agreed that the General Plan should be the county’s guiding document. The county, and all its municipalities, have plans for growth, she said.  “As a representative, I’m going to use that plan to make decisions. Oftentimes, though, you do have developers that come and ask for deviations of that plan, and I think it’s important that we stay to these general plans,” Kahler said.  For the Utah Department of Transportation Heber Valley bypass route, Taylor said he feels strongly that the bypass should stay as close to existing traffic corridors as possible.  “I think that it’s important that we work with our elected representatives on the state level because those are the ones who actually control the purse strings and can apply more pressure on UDOT,” Taylor said.  Kahler said it’s important to recognize how many vehicles, citing 42,000 cars daily, are on Main Street.  “We are at a failure point,” Kahler said, adding that there have been recent fatalities due to traffic concerns. “We cannot be losing citizens on our streets because we’re driving too fast or because we haven’t adequately planned for the transportation in our community.” McNeill said it’s no good to wait until UDOT’s final decision in spring 2027.  Robert McNeill, right, is a Democrat running for at-large Seat A on the Wasatch County Council. He comes from a career in television. Credit: Christopher Reeves/For The Park Record “We need to be a part of it. The community needs to be a part of that,” McNeill said. “The study needs to be redone. We need a new plan that deals with safety, that deals with protecting the rural quality of this community and the wishes of our neighbors.”  On the Military Installation Development Authority’s relationship with the county, Kahler said it’s important to work with MIDA to determine its commitment to the community.  “Deer Valley East Village is coming, so how do we, as a community, work to make sure that we are getting benefits from the opening or coming tax dollars?” Kahler said. McNeill said MIDA has “far exceeded” its original mandate and intention.  “There’s not much we can do with the things that have already been, and so we need to make a good relationship with them. We need to push for transparency about the tax sharing that goes on and transparency about their budget and about how the money is being used and spent,” McNeill said.  Taylor said the Grand Hyatt is “bougie with a capital B” and unaffordable for the military families it was intended for.  “It’s absurd that they use our tax dollars to fund something like that, and I understand that there may be a contract in place, but from my experience with having government contracts … contracts can be nullified,” Taylor said.  Shawn Taylor, a Republican and write-in candidate for at-large Seat A, said he wants to encourage locals to better understand issues in the area. Credit: Christopher Reeves/For The Park Record When it comes to affordability, Kahler said it’s important to note that attainable housing in the area is considered around $650,000.  “There’s not even a program that can help assist with that. It’s a challenge for first-time buyers,” Kahler said. “We need to look at programs that are going to assist people to purchase and get that interest rate down or get assistance with mortgage payment plans.” McNeill said there are plenty of opportunities for affordable housing with new development.  “Finding a way to get (developers) to take some responsibility for helping … I think that we have to think creatively and outside of the box,” McNeill said. “I think we need to get the developers involved in supporting, subsidizing, participating with us.” Taylor said the county has only so much control over affordable housing.  “We have to be realists and understand that affordable housing is kind of a myth,” Taylor said.  In concluding statements, McNeill said he hopes to protect the character and personality of Wasatch County.  “It’s the sense of community. It’s open spaces. It’s support for our seniors. It’s the schools,” McNeill said. “It’s planned and thoughtful development rather than having the state or big corporate developers coming in and creating the kind of community they want.” Taylor reiterated that he hopes to get locals more involved.  “I don’t believe that government is a career path. I believe that what’s most important to be able to serve in these roles is integrity and honesty and transparency,” Taylor said.  And Kahler emphasized her belief in historic preservation and open space.  “I have the experience, and I can hit the ground running,” Kahler said.  Seat C Folmer said she believes she brings significant discipline to the table that will help her fight “big issues” across Wasatch County.  “I want to bring that same scrutiny to every council decision,” Folmer said.  Rowland is running for reelection.  Wasatch County Council Seat C candidate Erik Rowland, the incumbent, answers questions during a candidate forum hosted by KPCW on Thursday. Credit: Christopher Reeves/For The Park Record “In the last four years, I just feel like I’ve gotten my feet wet. I’ve seen massive change in the county and the city,” Rowland said. “I’m excited to run again and excited to represent you because there is a lot of things happening, and I feel like, with my involvement, you can create meaningful and long-lasting generational change that will affect this county for the good.” On preserving rural character against development, Rowland said the county should remain rural.  “If there is development that should happen in this valley, it should happen within city limits, not within the county,” Rowland said. “If there is development pressure that happens in the county, then we hold firm to our zoning laws.” Folmer said Wasatch County is in “stasis” with migration in and out of the county.  “The pressures that are coming are from mega-resorts like the Mayflower,” Folmer said.  She referenced the growing need for workforce housing in the Deer Valley East Village and added that there is a need to push back.  “If they created a problem, they should be solving the problem,” Folmer said.  When it comes to development around the bypass, Folmer said building the bypass will inherently open up development in the North Fields.  “I do believe that we haven’t looked enough at common sense transportation solutions on landscape to help with the 3-foot issue that we’re seeing, as well as pedestrian safety,” Folmer said.  Rowland said the county is not “in any way” in favor of what UDOT has proposed.  “I’m personally of the mindset that the (environmental impact) study needs to be completely restarted from scratch. It fundamentally ignores what we want as a county from the south end of the valley to the north, and not just the North Fields,” Rowland said.  Speaking about MIDA, for which Rowland is the liaison with the county as County Council chair, Rowland said he has a “unique perspective” as to what the MIDA board does.  “I can tell you right now that it has grown far outside what it was originally scoped to do. It should not be involved with development like it is now,” Rowland said. “It’s grown far too big, unchecked for far too many years. It needs to be significantly gone back, if not just eliminated altogether.” Folmer said MIDA is a “thorn in Utah’s side.” “I believe very strongly in partnering with our state Legislature. I think there’s enough movement going on right now to really start pushing back on the MIDA influence in our communities, and I would really encourage any type of legal challenges to the authority,” Folmer said.  Alex Folmer, a write-in candidate for Seat C on the Wasatch County Council, says she has the decisive nature needed to be a council member. Credit: Christopher Reeves/For The Park Record Folmer, speaking on affordability, said she has a three-part plan that does not involve increasing taxes. It does involve capping short-term rentals, creating affordability deadlines with developers and defining the scope of affordable housing.  Rowland said it’s hard to define affordability and how it impacts the average family.  “Right now, we are looking at some programs that we’re calling the missing middle. There’s a group of families whose demographic that just don’t have any solutions,” Rowland said.  During closing statements, Rowland said he hopes to understand the “pain points” of the community to try and find solutions and work with local officials.  “I am particularly frustrated with how much control we’ve lost from the state,” Rowland said. “I am very excited to be able to continue to be your voice, to be able to stand up to developers, to be able to protect the North Fields, to be able to find solutions that allow us to keep the heritage and culture that we’ve worked so hard to maintain in this valley.” Folmer said she jumped in the race because she believes the county is missing a level of independence, accountability and transparency.  “I believe that I come with a different perspective to be able to look at our issues that are affecting this county from a different lens,” Folmer said. “I do plan on being the change in this county. I plan on being a big thorn to the state.” Election Day The voter registration deadline is Oct. 23, though same-day registration is available on Election Day, Nov. 3. Regular general election ballots were mailed Tuesday, and all ballots must be in the Wasatch County Clerk-Auditor’s Office by 8 p.m. on election night.  Ballot drop box locations are Charleston Town Hall, Hideout Town Hall, the Wasatch County Administration Building and Wasatch County Library, Midway City Hall and Wallsburg Town Hall.  The post Wasatch County Council candidates debate growth, taxes and preservation appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less