BOUNTIFUL—In an effort to keep residents healthy both physically and mentally, Bountiful City has adopted policies and programs to support good health. Bountiful recently earned the Healthy Utah Community designation for implementing health strategies in the city over a period of three years. The designation is presented by Get Healthy Utah and the Utah League of Cities and Towns.

“We’d seen lots of surrounding communities get the designation,” said Mayor Kendalyn Harris. “The council decided they wanted to do it so I asked Councilmember Cecilee Price-Huish if she was willing to spearhead that.”

She took that on and invited people to be on the committee, she said. “There are youth council members, the food bank and other stakeholders. The committee brainstormed ideas to be compliant. Most things we were already doing to promote healthy habits.”

Trail development promotes healthy exercise, Harris said. “We also had the Day of Service and collected food to donate to the pantry so that people would have access to food.”

“The designation really does represent the strong and ongoing commitment that Bountiful City has to advancing and supporting the health and well-being of every resident in our city,” said Price-Huish. “The entire time I’ve been on the council we’ve talked about Bountiful aspiring to get the designation and recognizing the existence of what we already have here to advocate health programs within the city.”

Healthy Utah Community designation is a three-year commitment by the city to continue its focus on the very important goal of improving community wellness, she said. “The city has to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to a healthy lifestyle.”

There are three pillars that had to be met for the designation, said Price-Huish. “Mental health, access to healthy food, physical fitness and active living.” 

One of the new programs is a community garden, she said. “It’s so cool. It’s completely initiated by residents. It’s on city property and run by the group Gardens Growing Good. I’m excited about it. We want to make sure people have the ability to garden if they want. There will even be someone to educate people on how to garden.”

The city plans for even more mental health resources, Price-Huish said. “Mindfulness and mental health resilience classes are currently available to the community through the South Davis Recreation District, a key Bountiful City partner.” 

Mental health is really top of mind, said Price-Huish. “We want to make sure we think about mental health and wellness at all city meetings and build mental health awareness. We’re committed to that on a city level.

Price-Huish said the city doesn’t need to start from scratch. “We already have great things in the city. The city implemented the trail program on the Master Plan focusing on accessibility and what we need going forward.”

There is the Farmers Market where the city can get healthy food into people’s hands, she said. “People are going to be able to use SNAP benefits there.”

Bountiful City has a robust mental health program for employees, said Price-Huish. “We want to make sure we’re supporting the people who work for the city.”

“Our employees can participate in a wellness program that promotes a healthy lifestyle,” said City Manager Gary Hill. “That’s been in place for a dozen plus years. It’s a great way for us to lower insurance costs and help employees live healthy lifestyles and be productive. Those who participate in the voluntary program have found it not only benefits them at work but also at home.”

“I’m retiring as mayor and Cecilee is not seeking reelection,” said Harris. “She will be remembered for getting it (designation) over the finish line and for her efforts to get a community garden in Bountiful. On the council level we wanted to make that happen.”

North Salt Lake was redesignated as a Healthy Utah Community for demonstrating a continued dedication to building a healthy community.