At a Mapleton candidate forum, incumbent mayor Dallas and City Council member Theron debated how to raise revenue for the city and how aggressively to pursue developer-negotiated public improvements and municipal utilities.

The question of new revenue dominated the exchange. Dallas said, “what we need to do through all these studies that we've done the last 6 to 7 years is that we need to generate more revenue for our city.” He described negotiating development agreements that he said produced “17 and a half million dollars of value” to the city and secured parkland and trail amenities. Dallas also urged completing fiber and pursuing municipal power, saying “It's vital that the next 18 to 24 months go well” for the fiber program and that bringing municipal power in “generates a lot of revenue.”

Theron agreed that commercial growth and creative revenue are important but said the city should be cautious about the timing and fiscal exposure of large projects. He argued the city should “let things settle for a bit, see where we're at financially” and not rush into large enterprises while indebted from prior bonding, saying the city should “watch our spending and not going after big huge enterprises” until it is financially secure.

Both candidates discussed water and infrastructure. Dallas said he secured an agreement with the Mapleton Irrigation Company that added “an additional thousand acre feet of water,” and cited that as part of revenue and resilience planning. Theron focused on measured steps for facilities — for example, a south-side fire station — saying the land was negotiated previously and that the city should explore grants and staffing options before bonding for a building.

The candidates framed the disagreement around risk and pace: Dallas emphasized leveraging relationships to obtain developer-provided amenities and using bonds and revenue tools to avoid future tax increases; Theron emphasized fiscal caution and staging investments so they do not force tax hikes. Both sought voter support: Theron urged residents to vote and said he would “greatly appreciate your vote this next November,” and Dallas asked voters for “4 more years” to finish projects.

The forum included exchanges about project specifics, financing and timing but no formal city actions were taken at the event.