The Kaysville Mayor and City Council presented resident Chris Snell with a “Key to the City” at its July 18, 2024 City Council meeting. Mayor Tamara Tran said that when she first became Mayor, she learned about opportunities for these types of special awards as well as a list of additional duties such as oversight of the long-standing Patriotic Devotional (an approximate 48 year tradition). She said every year, Kaysville City kicks off the 4th of July Celebration with this event that takes a great deal of planning and coordination. The program is a community favorite with music provided by the community choir, Davis High drum line, and a patriotic guest speaker.

Former Kaysville Mayor and City Council member Steve Hiatt, spoke in favor of the award. He said he had known Snell as a neighbor since 2002 and immediately knew he was a great influencer and individual. He said in 2007, he decided to run for the open City Council seat vacated by Snell and was provided with great insight and advice from him (even though Snell had incorrectly informed him about the amount of time public service would actually require). Hiatt went on to become Kaysville’s 38th Mayor in 2010 (at the time being the youngest Mayor in the State of Utah) and served two terms. Before his mayoral service, he served two years as a Kaysville City Council Member. After serving the citizens of Kaysville for more than 10 years, Hiatt did not seek a third term, concluding his municipal service on Jan. 1, 2018.

Hiatt said during his term as Mayor, Snell had retired from public service and was willing to take on the Patriotic Devotional. He said Snell had a genuine and sincere willingness to offer his time and honest heartfelt advice on what is best for the community. He thanked Snell for his many years of service to the Kaysville community.

Snell previously served two terms on the City Council from 2000 to 2008. In 2015, Snell was appointed to a Council vacancy and served out the remaining two years of former member Jared Taylor’s term. Taylor had stepped down because he moved out of Kaysville.

Mayor Tran thanked Snell for his efforts and presented him the “Key to the City” award on behalf of Kaysville City. “This is a very special award not given often for people who put in extra work and make a huge difference to the Kaysville community,” she said.