BOUNTIFUL—A lot has happened since Kendalyn Harris was sworn into office as Bountiful City Mayor in January of 2022. After completing her first year Harris is excited about what has taken place in Bountiful.

“We do have a great city,” she said. “Our city manager, council members, department heads, streets department are all so good. They go above and beyond. That makes such a difference to know they’re always going to be there whenever needed.”

Prior to being mayor, Harris served on the city council but said there were more duties as mayor.

“There are more meetings as mayor,” she said. “Such as Wasatch Front Regional and COG, more regional. It’s nice getting to know other mayors. It’s not just Bountiful’s interests but it all works together. What we’re doing doesn’t just stop at our city. There’s a ripple effect that has more impact on our residents.”

South Davis Metro Fire Department and the Sewer Department serve all of the residents in the county, said Harris. “If there’s an emergency we help each other as needed. I’m glad to be representing Bountiful’s interests and looking out for the residents.”

At the beginning of 2022 the city increased police pay, she said. “Our intention is to show our appreciation of law enforcement.”

Harris is also excited about the city’s general plan update. “It will guide us in determining what Bountiful will look like in 20 years,” she said. “For example, we can adopt changes to zoning so that as Bountiful evolves we’ll redevelop with a clear idea where apartments should go or not go. It’s an international plan.”

The city and planning commission kicked off the process in July. “We want to give the public a chance to weigh in on what should be preserved and what changes are necessary for growth.” 

Streets and Sanitation Director Charles Benson came up with a way for the city to save money on recycling delivery, said Harris. “The city would pick up recycling from homes and take it to the plant themselves instead of paying a third party to do it. The city would purchase the cans and instead of citizens paying the hauler the city would collect the fees from citizens.”

Another thing the city has been working on is a city-owned fiber network, Harris said. “We put out an RFP for infrastructure throughout the city. It will most likely be UTOPIA.”

They will install, operate and manage the fiber, she said. “We will own it so the city will have control over things like rates so we’re not at the mercy of something like Google Fiber that can raise rates. We’ll also use fiber for city needs like access to traffic light signals and irrigation. We’ll be in control instead of paying someone else. Within the next few months we should be able to move forward.”

There is a lot of trail development too, said Harris. “It’s exciting. There has been more progress than we’ve ever made on trails in Bountiful. The city has bid out for 21 miles of trails for construction in 2023.” 

Construction is underway on the new park where Washington Elementary was, she said. “It’s being built after the public voted in favor of a Bond. The playground is ordered, a skate park is designed and pickleball courts will be added.”

Harris said what she loves about being mayor is the people she gets to interact with. “It’s kids, businesses, other mayors that I’ve gotten to know and the connections I’ve made have been so fun. There have been some curve balls thrown my way but I think I’ve got a good grasp on it. Thanks to good people, when they come we’ll be able to handle it.”