Lehi City Council members voted unanimously on Dec. 22 to appoint Emily Lockhart to fill a vacant council seat, approving Resolution 2025-103 under Section 28-1-5.10 of the Utah Code. The council held a special meeting to interview roughly 17 candidates for the seat and then moved to a formal vote after the question-and-answer rotation.

Mayor Johnson opened the meeting by saying the purpose was to fill the vacancy and explained the interview format. After a round of two-minute presentations and a structured question rotation, council members asked follow-up questions of finalists and discussed priorities before moving the appointment resolution. Council member Chris moved to adopt the resolution; Paul seconded. A roll-call vote recorded yes from Council members Michelle, Chris, Heather, Paul and Paige, and the resolution passed. The mayor then announced that the swearing-in would take place immediately.

The interviews revealed recurring themes among applicants, including concerns about growth and housing affordability, downtown revitalization, transportation and infrastructure, water supply and conservation, and public safety. Savannah Echols Johnston, one applicant, summarized a common theme in the field when she said she wanted to "prevent Lehi from becoming Los Angeles," urging more walkable, mixed-use development and investment in transit. Several applicants also questioned the transparency of recent development incentives; one candidate noted difficulty finding documentation about a tax-increment subsidy and asked what the city would receive in return for an $8,000,000 tax-increment commitment.

Emily Lockhart, who has served on Lehi's planning commission, told the council she would bring her planning experience and relationships with state legislators to the role; the resolution states that Lockhart will serve until January 2028. Mayor Johnson concluded the meeting by thanking all applicants for their service and noting the council would administer the oath of office to the appointee that night.

Procedural context: the appointment was carried by resolution (No. 2025-103) taken under Utah Code §28-1-5.10. Council members voiced appreciation for the large and qualified applicant pool and encouraged unsuccessful applicants to remain engaged in civic life.

The council adjourned immediately after the vote to proceed with the swearing-in of the new member.