The ball dropped at midnight on Dec. 31, ringing in 2025. The new year is full of possibilities, a time to look at the past and decide what the future will look like. Whether it’s personal or professional or both – setting goals for 2025 might just give you the shot in the arm you need to meet them and change for the better. We asked some Davis County officials to share their resolutions for 2025. λ

Troy Wood, Chief Executive Officer Lakeview Hospital

Professionally, I’m focused on expanding the hospital’s presence in the community by attending and hosting more community events. Lakeview Hospital has long benefited from incredible community support, and our employees are deeply committed to giving back through volunteerism and service. Strengthening these connections is a priority.

 In addition, we remain dedicated to delivering nationally recognized quality care. Being named one of Pinc AI’s Top 100 Hospitals for eight of the last nine years is a testament to the exceptional work of our team, and we are determined to achieve that honor again in 2025. We also aim to maintain our 5-star CMS rating and elevate our ICU, which has ranked among the top three in Utah, to the #1 position this year.

 On a personal note, I’m looking forward to mountain biking on the newly developed trails in Mueller Park. With my wife and I recently becoming empty nesters, we’re excited to explore new destinations and enjoy traveling together whenever time permits.

 Here’s to a year of growth, service, and achievement for our hospital and our community!

Lorene Kamalu, Davis County Commissioner 

• Jan. 6, 10 a.m. in room 131 of the Administration Building, newly elected Davis County officials will be sworn into office. We are grateful for the many years of service by individuals in these offices and welcome new individuals for a four year term:  Commissioner, Recorder, Treasurer

• Some commissioners want to start periodic town halls for residents. Watch for that opportunity to begin.

• Tourism tax funded project of the "Western Sports Park" will open in 2025. There will be a soft opening in the summer and more news by fall.

• The new Animal Services facility is close to groundbreaking, anticipated in the spring. The county's capital fund will pay for construction. Current building and staffing is insufficient for the size of Davis' human and animal population, and a feasibility study did not recommend a remodel of the 1980s building.

• The first branch library of Davis' system was in Bountiful. The structure has likewise fulfilled its useful life. Hopefully construction will commence before the end of 2025.

• To subscribe to the free monthly Davis County digital newsletter for news that is important, helpful, and also fun, please use this link:  https://mailchi.mp/daviscountyutah/newsletter-signup

South Davis Metro Fire Chief Greg Stewart

For personal resolutions, you’ve given me a lot to think about. Like many people, I always try to make time for better health and fitness in the new year. And also like most people with the same resolution I probably only make it a few weeks into January. This year I think I am going to try to focus on practicing deliberate gratitude. This doesn’t mean that I am not a gracious or thankful person, but I think for me if I put gratitude first, other issues will fall into place. Maybe there will be less room for excuses or procrastination. if I’m practicing gratitude for the beautiful place we live, maybe I’ll get outside more often. Maybe by practicing deliberate gratitude I will be more optimistic, look for the good in everyone and foster relationships. If I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, maybe that will help me with a higher education goal. 

For professional growth or goals in the new year, I will be looking inside and outside my industry to see what information, skills, and processes we can bring to the fire department to make us better. I think there are a lot of questions and uncertainty about where AI is taking us, but I want to look at ways AI could help us be more efficient and effective for the good of the community we serve. So, I will be looking for education opportunities to stay on top of emerging technologies. 

Brigit Gerrard, Vice President, Davis School District Board of Education

Utah was recently ranked #2 in Education by US. News and World Report. My goal for 2025 is to continue to offer the highest quality public education and excellent choices for the students in Davis School District!

Another goal is to offer a Community Night for parents. This community night will feature a keynote speaker on a current, relevant topic important to all of us. This event will also provide helpful information on resources for families offered by Davis School District, including curriculum, scholarships, athletics, good physical, mental and emotional health, technical education, career paths and other areas of interest for the Davis School District community. School Board members will be available to speak with parents they represent in their district.

I would like to hold a “Kindness Summit” with our students in Davis School District. All students, parents, educators and community members deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and kindness.

An important goal is to seek more input and feedback from our students as we make policies that affect them and their families.

Lastly, my goal for 2025 is to continue to work to ensure that ALL students in Davis School District feel welcome, needed and loved in our schools!

Dan Linford, Davis School District Superintendent 

In 2025, I am committed to building upon a culture of belonging and inclusion and high expectations, using a high reliability schools framework. 

My goal is to empower every student and employee to recognize and embrace their unique strengths and perspectives, ensuring that each individual feels valued, supported, and inspired to succeed. I will prioritize advancing educational programs that respond to our community’s evolving needs while upholding the highest standards of excellence. I want to foster an environment where collaboration, growth, and opportunity thrive, solidifying our district as a leader in transformative and compassionate education.

On a personal level, I hope to be a peacemaker and an example of character and integrity.

Melissa Ballard, Utah House District 20

In 2025 I’ll be serving in the Utah Legislature as Vice Chair of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee, and its associated Standing Committee. 

There’s a few principles I want to continue to work on in prison reform: 

• Prepare them for re-entering into our communities. 
• Give them skills to be contributing citizens. 
• Increase educational opportunities applicable for workforce needs. Provide practical financial literacy re-evaluate MAT medication benefits and distribution. 
• Give value to personal dignity. 

It’s been a privilege to work with the new Director of the Dept. of Corrections, Brian Redd and his staff, as their willingness to make changes and reforms has already changed the culture for the inmates. I’m looking forward to 2025!

Paul Cutler, Utah House District 18

Top 10 Goals for 2025:

• Be fiscally conservative with taxpayer funds

• Notice, remember, and protect the vulnerable

• Invest in education, families, and children

• Zealously guard religious liberty and freedom

• Support proactive planning to manage our growth

• Delegate decisions to local control whenever feasible

• Treat those who disagree with me with respect

• Spend less time on Twitter

• More salad, less sugar

• Smile more

Ray Ward, Utah House District 19

In 2025 my Legislative New Year’s resolution is to work toward improving housing affordability in Utah. 

I will work to try and make it more broadly available for homeowners to add small accessory dwelling units on their property.I will also work to make it easier to build smaller homes on smaller properties so that we will have more housing that is more affordable. Being a homeowner is one of the most reliable ways to build wealth over a lifetime and we need to increase the number of lower cost homes that are available so first time homebuyers can have a chance. 

My personal New Year’s resolution for 2025 is to play more tabletop board games with friends and play more pickleball with friends than I did in 2024.

Todd Weiler, Utah Senate District 8

As we welcome the New Year, I resolve to serve the people of Utah with renewed dedication, integrity, and transparency. 

My focus will be on fostering economic growth, supporting strong education systems, safeguarding our natural resources, and upholding the values that make our state exceptional. 

I will strive to listen more, collaborate effectively across all communities, and prioritize practical solutions to the challenges we face. Together, we can build a brighter, more prosperous future for all Utahns. 

This year, I commit to working tirelessly to ensure every voice is heard and every opportunity is explored for the betterment of our state.

Kendalyn Harris, Bountiful Mayor

I am excited to focus on economic development this year including bringing a new restaurant to Main Street in Bountiful. 

I made a video with each of the department heads last year highlighting the work they do. I'm so proud of each department and the services they provide to residents at such a little cost.