Bluffdale candidates debate taxes, parks and public-safety funding at Lions Club forum

Bluffdale mayor and city council candidates presented competing visions for the city’s finances, growth and services at a Lions Club Meet-the-Candidates forum. Mayor Natalie Hall urged continued advocacy and partnership beyond city hall, while council hopefuls debated how to fund police, fire and infrastructure without eroding affordability.

The mayor framed her role as an external advocate: "As you know, the mayor does not vote. ... The true purpose of the mayor is to be an advocate for the city outside of the city," Mayor Natalie Hall said, listing work with federal, state and county representatives to secure funding.

Several candidates prioritized public safety funding. One central debate focused on a separate police and fire fund created to track property-tax allocations. Proponents argued the fund protects those dollars from being repurposed. "The reason for having a separate public safety fund is to ensure that those funds are only used for public safety needs," candidate Mackie Smith said, adding that a dedicated fund preserves transparency. Wendy (candidate) echoed the view, saying the fund "makes it so that fund can't be politicized" and that it ensures residents can see where property taxes go.

Skeptical voices questioned whether separate fees and funds are the right approach. Jeff Steele, who framed taxes and fees as his primary issue, said the separate funds can limit budget flexibility and warned about the long-term tax implication: "Utah has the highest tax burden of any Republican-led state in the country," he said, arguing the city should be cautious about increasing the tax burden on residents.

Candidates also addressed parks, code enforcement and zoning. Most said they value Bluffdale’s parks and programs and would maintain or improve them while balancing staffing and budget pressures. On code enforcement, candidates prioritized clearer, more consistent communication about violations so residents perceive fairness. When asked about zoning changes (adding half- or third-acre options), candidates stressed that any change should account for neighborhood preferences and infrastructure capacity; several said the planning commission’s study is a necessary first step.

Some candidates raised specific concerns beyond local services. Albert Allen Larson said he ran in part because of what he described as a broader regional issue: "I don't know if any of you have heard about this, but the uranium enrichment on Camp Williams," he told the audience, saying it was among the topics that motivated his candidacy.

On budgeting and long-term funding, candidates proposed diverse approaches: encouraging business growth to broaden the tax base, seeking grants and county/state funds, and performing performance audits to improve departmental efficiency. Several candidates noted recent local referendums and multiple tax or fee votes in recent years and pledged varying degrees of fiscal restraint.

The forum concluded with closing statements and reminders about election dates. The moderator announced the primary on Tuesday, August 12, and the general election on Tuesday, November 4. Candidates invited attendees to speak afterward at booths in the back of the room.

What’s next: The primary will narrow the field. Candidates said they will continue door‑to‑door outreach, hold office hours and push for more resident engagement on budget and zoning issues.