Katie’s Priorities

I've dedicated my career to data-driven decision-making, where every conclusion is rooted in evidence and analysis. Rather than accepting the status quo, I meticulously evaluate potential solutions from all angles, running the numbers, and letting the data speak for itself. Tough questions and reevaluation are essential, and I refuse to settle for “that's the way we've always done it.”

My commitment is to align policy and spending with our values, considering the long-term costs, effectiveness, and trade-offs transparently. As your county council member, I promise my policy proposals will be coupled with thorough evaluation and dialogue with those impacted. My votes will be backed by data, logic, and the voices of constituents. I will always prioritize data over daydreams and division.

Honesty is the basis for trust. Trust is something we could use a whole lot more of in our government, and elected officials should earn that trust through honesty and true representation. I believe in providing clear, factual information to our residents and letting them make informed choices about their future. In a world where misinformation is rampant, I will be an advocate for truth, ensuring that our county government operates with respect and transparency. With a dedication to truth-telling and open communication, I will serve with integrity and uphold the values of trust and honesty in every aspect of my role as your council representative.

I firmly believe that compassion is one of the most important and most overlooked attributes of good leadership. My approach to governance is grounded in empathy and understanding, ensuring that the voices of all residents are heard and respected. You can depend on me advocating for practical, middle-of-the-road solutions to everyday challenges. My goal is to create a community where everyone feels valued and supported, restoring the positive meaning of “compromise.” With your support, I will work diligently to foster a culture of compassion in Salt Lake County, making our neighborhoods stronger and more united.

I’m obsessed with budgeting. It’s how I’ve helped my own family prosper and thrive on a public servant salary—even in the hardest times. I will bring that same needs-based mentality to the Salt Lake County Council. Utah has a booming economy compared to national numbers, making this the ideal time to invest in the things we value most, including safe infrastructure and strong education.

Even the best budgeter is in a fight against inflation, which is why each expense of hard-earned tax dollars must be justified with a clear outcome. Likewise, tax cuts should be meaningful and targeted, not knee-jerk reactions. I will advocate for a balanced budget with a complete cost analysis that accounts for the full picture, not just the short-term, and can always answer how this aligns with our values and furthers the well-being of Utahns.

Utah’s natural beauty and resources are unparalleled. Stewardship over our open space is a deeply held belief for me and one I take seriously. As your County Council rep, I will vote for smart, data-driven solutions to water quantity and quality issues. Similarly, we need to work together to solve one of Utah’s most pressing economic and health concerns: our air quality. Utah needs bold leadership now to work with industry and our citizens to ensure clearer and cleaner air. To attract and retain businesses and families, we need air that is always safe for our children and our most vulnerable to breathe. I will prioritize policies that offer evidence-based solutions to this critical and growing problem.

Nothing is more important to me than my family. It’s also become clear to me that it takes a community to take care of people. From extended family to kind neighbors, my little family is better because of the connections we’ve made. And I know that I share these beliefs with many Utahns. As your County Council rep, I will vote to protect families and provide them with the support they need to grow and thrive in Utah. It’s critical that we more broadly provide services to strengthen caregivers as they raise the next generation. Research shows that offering robust maternal services, including counseling, financial support, and quality health care, as well as mental health services for parents, is good for children and for communities. We need strong responses to domestic violence threats in our communities and clear support for anyone trying to leave abusive situations. I want Utah to be filled with safe, supportive neighborhoods where kids play together and there’s a place for parents and those without children to feel loved and connected.

It’s no secret here in the South Valley: east-west traffic is strained. We can’t widen I-15 forever, but we can recognize our growth and start to plan around population centers. Mountain View Corridor will need to be safer sooner, as we reckon with planned growth to the west. Multi-modal transportation must be part of our plan. We can’t afford to get caught up in shiny sales pitches with a high price tag. Rather, we must stay focused on the simple, straightforward solutions: I’m talking bus rapid transit and strengthening each local area so residents can live, work, and play without needing to drive far.

Utah is in the midst of a housing crisis, and we in the South Valley know too well that the biggest cost of that crisis is being borne by Utah families. Too many Utah families, especially the young and the vulnerable, are underhoused and under stress, forced to choose between having either livable commutes or enough money to meet their families’ other needs. I will promote solutions for increasing affordable housing. I will work for cost-effective and humane services for the homeless and unhoused, following the best practice of housing-first solutions. And I will vote for policies that will increase the volume of middle housing in Utah, so we can better serve our hard-working families.

My life has been touched by suicide too many times. The struggles I’ve witnessed in friends, neighbors, and family members due to mental health issues are forever written on my heart. We can do more to support research, access, and affordability for mental health treatments. Utah can become a beacon of hope for tackling these issues with sensitivity, compassion, and true love.