Orem council candidate Quinn Meacom emphasizes citizen engagement, preserving neighborhoods

Quinn Meacom, a candidate for Orem City Council, outlined priorities for the city including expanded citizen engagement, preserving neighborhoods and agricultural land, and investments in parks and recreation in a roughly 10-minute public statement.

Meacom said citizen participation should guide local decisions and proposed more representative citizen councils, including an Orem Seniors Council and continued support for the Orem Youth Council. "Good leaders listen. They elevate the people around them," Meacom said, describing citizen councils as a primary method for gathering community input.

Meacom framed those proposals as part of a broader push to strengthen community ties and quality of life. He said he has served six years on the Orem Natural Resources Advisory Commission, including as chair, has been involved in youth sports and the Utah County Good Governance Advisory Board, and previously served on a school board before moving to Orem. "We need everyone from all parts of Orem involved in setting our direction," he said.

On housing and land use, Meacom said Orem is largely built out and faces choices about growth. He said preserving orchards and remaining agricultural land is important while also creating more starter homes and allowing accessory dwelling units such as mother-in-law apartments to help keep young people in the city. "We have a big challenge of figuring out how to keep our kids here," he said.

Meacom said retaining and attracting city staff and first responders is a priority; he noted a personal connection, saying, "My daughter is a first responder." He called for investments that help city employees "thrive" and for partnerships to boost the local economy and cultural life. He identified Utah Valley University as an "indispensable partner" for retaining talent and said the city needs a positive working relationship with a new school district that is being established.

He listed specific quality-of-life goals: improved parks, youth recreation, library programming, trails, arts, farmers market and community events, saying Orem can aim to have the "best parks in Utah County" and the "best youth recreation." Meacom said he wants to attract new businesses and restaurants and preserve the city's identity as a residential community—what he referred to as "Family City USA."

Meacom framed his candidacy as a way to give back to the community and pledged to prioritize transparency and fiscal responsibility. "I'm committed to a future in Orem that brings the best opportunities for people, to have a high quality of life and to love where they live," he said.

No formal votes or council actions were recorded in the transcript of these remarks.