An event that brought several attendees into a city council meeting, West Bountiful inaugurated their new youth city council on Aug. 20. 

“I am looking forward to filling a leadership role,” said Drew Farley, the Youth City Council’s new mayor. “I’m looking forward to lots of learning, and learning how to work with people.”

A senior in high school, Farley was joined by his mayor pro tem Bo Bartholemew, 12 other students and two advisors for a swearing in process. The inauguration not only established who will be on the council, but marked the start of their efforts for the year.

An organization overseen by West Bountiful’s city council, youth involved in the group primarily contribute to community events. Though most of their projects are carried out once school begins, they start each year by joining West Bountiful’s Independence Day celebration – where they oversee certain operations during the city’s carnival and ride a float through the parade. 

After classes start, the council meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 5 p.m.

“My favorite part is watching them plan and execute and do all that they do for the community events,” said Melissa Morley, an advisor for the youth city council. “I don’t think the community knows quite how much they’re involved.”

Some of the events that the group contributes to include a Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, a community Easter egg scramble and Christmas on Onion Street – which features Santa Claus riding a fire truck through the area.

“I’m most excited for Christmas on Onion Street,” said Bartholemew. “That’s my favorite event. For all of the events in general, but this one especially, it’s heavily involved with everybody in the community, and seeing the smiles – it’s magical.”

Youth become involved in the council by filling out an application, and start as a general member. The office of mayor is typically held by a senior while mayor pro tem is held by a junior. This allows the council to make seamless leadership transitions at the end of the school year.

Those on the council typically join to make new friends, engage with the community and better understand the roles of government.

“I’d say this is one of the easier ways to learn about government because you’re making new friends, hanging out with new people and having a fun time,” said Owen Farley, a new general member on the council. “Before I knew that Drew [Farley] was doing youth city council, I thought it was just, like, our government doing all of these things. I didn’t really know there was a city council.”

While carrying out their operations, the youth city council uses guidance from West Bountiful’s leaders. City Councilmember Jenn Nielsen acts as a liaison for the group – both instructing members and connecting them with individuals who can advise their processes.

“They’re a really great group to look up to,” said Drew Farley about West Bountiful’s city council. “They’re obviously very friendly and they love what they do and I think that’s something we should really look up to and try to emulate.”

West Bountiful’s next youth city council meeting will take place on Sept. 12 at the city offices, and is open to the public.