Bountiful council discusses naming snowplows; staff to involve drivers and public in process

Bountiful City Councilors used the Feb. 11 work session to discuss a nonpolicy proposal: whether to allow community naming of municipal snowplows as a public‑engagement and appreciation measure.

Charles (Public Works) told the council drivers “like to be behind the scenes. They don't wanna be in the spotlight. They don't want any attention,” and that drivers expressed a mixture of views. He said about half of drivers are open to a naming program if they are included and can veto names that make them uncomfortable. Charles also reported the city operates 24 active snow‑plow routes with a small number of reserve trucks.

Council members who spoke praised the plow crews and emphasized that any naming program should protect drivers from unwanted attention or ridicule. Several members proposed a staged approach: staff would convene a small advisory group (including Public Works staff), draft objective criteria (no derogatory or embarrassing names, no hidden messages), solicit name suggestions from the public, and then allow drivers to vet or veto names before any paint or decal is applied. Members also suggested piloting names on a handful of trucks before wider rollout.

Council members said they had surveyed neighboring cities (Sandy and Logan) and found generally positive results from those programs; staff will follow up with details. The council asked staff to return with an implementation plan that includes outreach, suggested criteria, a pilot plan and a timeline.

What happens next: Staff will convene Public Works staff and potential council or staff representatives to define criteria and a public process. The next step is to solicit driver and resident input and present a pilot plan to the council. No final decision was made at the work session.

Quoted from the record: Public Works staff said of drivers and publicity, “They just wanna come in and do their job and do it well and go home.”