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Clarkston candidates stress transparency, rural character and budget limits at forum
Summary
At a meet-the-candidates forum in Clarkston, mayoral and council candidates discussed priorities including transparency, preserving the town's rural character, wildlife nuisance management, town services funding and developer-paid infrastructure.
At a candidates forum in Clarkston, mayoral and council candidates answered citizen-submitted questions on town priorities, ordinances, wildlife, town services and developer responsibilities.
The forum centered on three recurring themes: transparency in town government, preserving Clarkston’s rural character and the town’s limited fiscal resources. Candidates repeatedly urged residents to attend meetings and support or oppose measures in public sessions rather than rely on social media.
The candidates framed transparency as a top priority. Russell Davis, a candidate for a four-year council seat, said his chief priority would be “transparency” so residents are “informed of everything that’s going on, so there’s no surprises.” Incumbent Mayor Craig Hidalgo said the town’s recent tax increase yielded revenue that largely went to employee compensation and that the municipal government is “continually looking for ways to keep our employees.” Several council candidates said they would work to keep citizens informed about how state rules affect local ordinances.
Candidates emphasized protecting Clarkston’s rural identity while acknowledging limits set by state law. Multiple candidates said Clarkston remains a country town and that ordinances can be adapted locally but must conform to state code. Craig Hidalgo and others noted state building and wildlife regulations constrain what the town can change; the mayor described how state rules affect building-shed square footage and engineering requirements.
Wildlife and nuisance animals — chiefly deer and wild turkeys — drew audience concern. Candidates said the town has limited direct authority: options raised included private landowner permission for archery hunting under state Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) rules, working with the DWR or Utah Fish and Game, using fencing and home-scale repellents, and public education (for example through Utah State University Extension) on individual mitigation. Candidates emphasized the town is “handcuffed” by state wildlife management rules and recommended residents pursue DWR channels if they want organized population control.
On town services and finances, candidates agreed Clarkston has a small revenue base. The mayor told the forum that property tax accounts for a minority of town revenue (he cited 19% for the town’s tax-derived revenue in the last presentation) and that most of a recent tax increase was used to raise employee pay (he said about 85% of that increase went toward employees). Candidates said the town relies heavily on part-time staff and grants for amenities (the pickleball courts, for example, were built with a grant). Several candidates opposed raising property taxes except as a last resort and said developers should pay for on-site infrastructure such as roads and water lines rather than shifting those capital costs to taxpayers.
Nuisance-yard enforcement and community upkeep prompted debate about enforcement versus neighbor-to-neighbor assistance. Candidates described the town’s nuisance ordinance but said enforcement typically depends on neighbors filing complaints; multiple candidates encouraged community-based solutions and volunteer assistance for neighbors who cannot maintain yards due to age or mobility.
No formal motions or votes occurred during the forum; candidates gave opening and closing remarks and answered questions from the moderator and attendees. The forum was moderated by Mylan Fawcett and timekeeping was managed by Deputy Clerk Holly; each candidate had one minute to answer questions.
The forum highlighted areas where Clarkston’s local authority intersects with state rules (building codes, wildlife and engineering requirements) and where citizen engagement will influence near-term outcomes: attendance at public meetings, participation in advisory committees, and responses to future development proposals. Several candidates urged greater turnout at council meetings and at the ballot, saying citizen engagement is the primary check on rapid change.
The panel concluded with one-minute closing statements and a post-forum meet-and-greet for attendees and candidates.
