Having been a former eighth grade history and English teacher, Kaysville resident Linda Francis is no stranger to children. After retiring from teaching at Fairfield and North Layton Junior High Schools, she was approached about serving as the Youth City Council Advisor. She learned that she would be replacing a former City Councilmember who simply did not have the time to devote to the valuable program.

Francis accepted and quickly learned this was a learn-as-you-go position, there was no set program, and no budget. The current City Council liaison with the Youth City Council is Councilmember John Adams. Francis said the program is very appreciative of Adams and his extensive government knowledge and experience. 

Students ranging from ninth to 12th grades can apply each year and the goal is to have a Youth City Council comprised of at least one student from all Davis and Farmington High Schools, Centennial, and Kaysville Junior Highs. Francis said getting information out about the program really happens by word of mouth and how well children share in their classrooms. She said the group does have a small social media presence. She said there were 20 students serving on the Kaysville Youth City Council this year, but typical years range between 10-12 students.

Francis said the program is building, and advisors from Fruit Heights and Layton and Kaysville all work together. When asked about the application process, Francis said students apply and then they are subject to an informal interview. Students are selected based on their experience in leadership, community, and extracurricular activities, and how they can overall contribute to the Youth City Council program. The City Council then appoints the new Youth City Council group in April or May for the following school year.

When what the Youth City Council does, is always changing or increasing, said Francis. She said main projects include community service participation in the July 4 parade and various service projects such as the Scarecrow Walk (in conjunction with the University of Utah Botanical Gardens), Kaysville Gives and the Fill the Firetruck event, the Easter Egg Hunt, etc.

Other items of focus for the youth are getting to know the city; job-shadowing departments, debate events, attending City Council meetings and conducting mock City Council meetings or mock elections, and most importantly, learning about government. Francis said, “the annual highlight for the group is attending a day at the Legislature each January.” Last year, the children had an opportunity to personally speak with Gov. Spencer Cox. The overall theory and focus of the group are to get children interested in government. Francis said, “the children learn about commonly shared community interests such as a new recreation center, traffic statistics and dangers, land use and affordable housing in their area.” 

The Youth City Council finds community or service projects by the children either identifying projects at their schools or they create or sponsor their own events (such as a blood drive). She said the 2020-2021 pandemic really slowed down the progress and forward movement of the Youth City Council, but the various groups afterward continue to build the program and build momentum. The group welcomes ideas from its community for service projects.

Francis said the group welcomes all and any types of students, including student government, band, track, tennis, and all types of different perspectives. When asked about progress in 2022-23, Francis said the group designed their own logo, volunteered for multiple community events, and shared interests in all kinds of community issues. The Youth Council has also adopted their own bylaws, highlighting its purpose, mission, meeting attendance, membership, etc.

The new Youth City Council representatives for the 2023-2024 school year will be sworn in at the Oct. 5, 2023, City Council Meeting. λ