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Mona mayoral candidates debate how to manage growth, water and transparency at forum
Summary
A candidate forum in Mona saw incumbent Mayor Randy Christiansen and challengers emphasize different priorities — planned growth and infrastructure, water availability, sewer costs and greater transparency — as residents pressed for solutions to rising bills and strained services.
Mona mayoral candidates debated growth, water and sewer capacity and government transparency at a public forum where residents pressed officials about rising utility costs and the city’s ability to provide services.
The discussion matters because Mona is expanding rapidly: candidates cited a 126% population increase from 2000 to 2020 and what one called a current 3% growth rate, placing pressure on water, sewer and road infrastructure and on local tax burdens.
“I love Mona. I love the people in Mona. I love our lifestyle,” said incumbent Mayor Randy Christiansen, outlining his record on water and sewer projects and arguing the city should “make it better before we make it bigger.” Christiansen credited the current administration with securing and completing a water-tank grant and said the sewer system had been restored after a recent problem.
Challenger Josh Bridal Davis said the mayor should lead by ensuring residents are informed and protected from sudden tax or utility increases. “We need more transparency in our city government,” Bridal Davis said, urging plain-language summaries and multiple communication channels so residents can follow issues and participate.
Troy Painter, another challenger, framed his campaign around infrastructure familiarity, citing personal experience with the town’s roads, irrigation and sewer work. “More than anything, my big thing is infrastructure and the street,” Painter said, noting several streets he believes were paved inadequately after sewer work and are now deteriorating.
Candidates agreed growth is already occurring and said the city must plan it through ordinances, zoning and infrastructure upgrades rather than trying to block it. They differed on emphasis: Christiansen stressed completing recent projects and planning for future sewer costs; Bridal Davis prioritized transparency and using communication tools; Painter emphasized hands-on infrastructure knowledge.
The forum moderator, Shane Morrison of RSX Regional Council, framed the event as an opportunity for candidates to answer questions directly from residents and to move beyond prepared statements.
The forum moved next to public questions, where residents sought more detail on specific service problems and long-term financing. Candidates repeatedly urged residents to attend regular Tuesday council meetings and to raise specific proposals for the council to consider.
