Nothing matters more than feeling safe in your own city.
Whether it’s picking up your kids from school, opening your business in the morning, or enjoying a quiet evening walk, peace of mind is something we all value. And lately, I’ve heard more people talking about it. Residents want to feel reassured. They want to know public safety is a top priority, and they deserve to know how we’re responding.
That’s why we are proposing the creation of a dedicated Public Safety Fund, a smarter, more transparent way to support the services that protect Midvale every single day.
Why Now?
The way we’ve traditionally funded public safety, through the general city budget, has worked. But it’s not built for long-term stability. Costs increase, service demands shift, and our ability to plan ahead becomes more challenging.
By creating a dedicated fund, we ensure essential services like police, animal services, and emergency management are protected from year-to-year budget pressures. This fund locks in funding for public safety, period.
What It Means for You
To make this work, we’re proposing a small property tax increase. For the average Midvale homeowner, it amounts to about $5.62 a month, less than what most of us spend on streaming services.
The good news? 94% of the Public Safety Fund will be covered by money we already spend. The proposed increase simply lls the remaining gap so we can keep services strong and responsive.
This isn’t about growing government. It’s about sustaining the core services we all depend on.
Transparency You Can See
This summer, when you receive your Property Valuation Notice from Salt Lake County, you’ll see a new line called “Midvale City Public Safety.” That’s the dedicated fund in action. That’s us being clear and upfront about where your money is going.
You’ll always know how much is going into public safety, and where it’s being spent.
Join the Conversation
We’ll host a Truth in Taxation public hearing on Tuesday, August 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Midvale City Hall. I encourage you to come, ask questions, and learn more about how this proposal impacts you and your neighborhood. Can’t attend in person? You can watch online and submit comments virtually.
Why I Support This
Midvale is a strong, proud city, and our approach to public safety should re ect that. This is our chance to invest in peace of mind, without surprises or uncertainty.
Stagg Street Overhaul Set to Boost Safety, Access and Growth
Main Street is not the only one getting a makeover.
I didn’t run for mayor to play it safe. I ran to make smart, sustainable investments that re ect Midvale’s values. I’ve always said that safety belongs to everyone. Every neighborhood. Every family. Every individual.
Midvale deserves a public safety system that keeps pace with our community. This new fund ensures we have the tools, people, and planning in place to meet today’s needs, and tomorrow’s.
The Quick Facts
• Estimated cost to the average homeowner: $67.38/year
• Average business impact: $122.50/year
• New revenue generated: $940,561—all used exclusively for public safety
• Dedicated Fund = Greater Accountability + Long-Term Stability
Just west of Main are Stagg, Depot and Smelter. As Main and the shops and apartments grow in popularity and population, we need better roads, sidewalks and upgraded utilities.
• Upgrades and expansions to the water and sewer lines
• Installation of improved storm water drainage
• Improvements to power poles and lines
• Installation of new asphalt, curb, gutter and sidewalk
• Construction will begin at the north end of Stagg and crews will work their way toward the south end.
• Once nished, you will be able to enjoy:
• More entrance points to Main Street and parking
• Easier walkability along Stagg, Depot and Smelter
The upgraded water and sewer lines won’t have a noticeable impact but will allow for further growth as Main Street improves.
(Note: Parking spaces will remain the same for businesses and residents along these streets once construction is complete.)
“There might be some interruptions day to day,” Kate Andrus, Midvale’s Redevelopment Agency Program Manager, said. “But we’re going to try to make it as painless as possible.”
City and construction liaisons will reach out to residents and businesses in the a ected areas. We plan to make the process as seamless as possible, and that no one will ever go without power or water.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at Midvale City: 801-567-7200 or rda@midvaleut.gov.
In The Middle of Everything
Meet the Midvale Main Art House Artists: Adrianne Freeman
Adrianne Freeman joins Ash Amos and Telli Sommers at the Midvale Main Art House on Main Street. Freeman’s path to full-time artist wasn’t a straight one, but it was bordered with creativity.
“My goal was always to do art full-time,” Freeman said. But life always got in the way.
Freeman, like many artists, grew up crafting with her mother and took all the high school courses in art she could. After graduation, she found herself with her mother and four siblings in a two-bedroom apartment—her father had burned the house down. As the oldest, that threw her into adulthood immediately.
“Right after that, my brother was diagnosed with leukemia,” Freeman reflected. “A few months after that my sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was a lot.”
She spent most of her time in hospitals, getting her siblings to school and making sure everyone had something to eat. “I got really good at taking care of myself,” she said. That self-care was feeding and nurturing creativity.
After her siblings healed, she worked her way through life, as a nanny and a life coach, as a dental hygienist to a laboratory manager. All these experiences grew her skills in different ways, preparing her for life as an artist. As a nanny, she explored handson crafting with the kids; as a hygienist, she
shaped temporary crowns for patients. Early this year, she found herself with enough put by to immerse herself in art entirely.
Now she is able to cultivate and share her creations. You can find her on Main Street, working on Pysanky Ukrainian egg dyeing, painting with watercolors and acrylics, or making cardboard or toilet paper pulp into miniature elements to add texture and depth to her pieces.
Soon, she hopes to invite others to join her in quiet reflection and creative play—to meditate, craft their own collage boards, and support one another in reaching their goals.
“I want people to feel like their dreams are possible,” Freeman said thoughtfully, “Even if it’s just fantasy land, it does exist somewhere. There is a lot of magic on this planet. I like to capture it with a thought or on paper.”
Freeman’s journey is a testament to resilience, imagination, and the long, winding path creativity often takes. At the Midvale Main Art House, she not only brings her own vision to life but opens the door for others to do the same.
You can find Adrienne on Instagram @ adriannefreeman or stop by the Midvale Main Art House, 7697 S Main Street. She’s there Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Meet Katie Thorne — Community Development Executive Assistant
Business safety, home construction, or the future growth of the city all pass by Katie Thorne’s desk at Midvale City. As Executive Assistant in the Community Development Department, Thorne supports everything from business licensing and code compliance to economic development and city planning.
Thorne has worked her way up through the City since 2020, starting as a Water Operator I in Public Works. She then served in several key administrative roles in Community Development, first in business licensing, then building permits, before stepping into her current position as Community Development Executive Assistant in June 2025. Her path through the ranks gives her a well-rounded understanding of how different parts of the City work together to serve residents.
It takes many employees and departments to make the City run smoothly, and Thorne is often the one making sure the details don’t get left behind.
“I make sure our licensing and building permit processes are going as smoothly and effectively as possible,” Thorne said. This includes all resident questions when it comes to code, safety, business permits, or construction.
“I am the person that people go to when they have questions about the work that’s happening in the city,” Thorne said.
Thorne is the one who…
• Coordinates with inspectors to keep business licenses up to date.
• Reimburses mural festival artists for their paint.
• Supports safety and code enforcement.
“Katie is an incredible resource to the department,” Adam Olsen, Community Development Director said. “Whether it is an evening or weekend, she can be counted on to help address immediate issues.”
Why does the city need to inspect your space?
“We want to make sure your new electrical isn’t going to catch your house on fire,” Thorne explained.
What about fees? Why does the city need you to pay for licensing and inspection? “We’re not making millions off fees,” Thorne chuckles. “It pays for time and labor.”
The office phone is always open for questions. She encourages residents to “call us” if you “have concerns about the work that’s being done to your home”.
“We’re not the bad guys,” she reiterates. “We are here to be the residents’ biggest resource for assistance.”
AUGUST 2025 CITY NEWSLETTER
MIDVALE. UTAH. GOV
Lost & Found Pets: Where to Begin
If your pet escapes from your yard, bolts out the front door, or goes missing while you’re on vacation, here’s where to start looking and posting.
What to do if your pet is lost: Visit Shelters: Visit your local shelter and surrounding shelters within 24 hours and keep returning. All lost pets that come into Salt Lake County Animal Services are listed at www.adoptutahpets.org. Call Dispatch to report your missing pet at 801-840-4000.
Use social media and yers: Post your pet’s photo on social media platforms like the Next Door App, KSL, and Utah’s Lost & Found Pet Facebook page.
Search Actively: Look for your pet during the day and at night. Call for your pet and stay in one place long enough for them to respond. Organize a search party and go door to door with lost pet yers in the neighborhood where your pet went missing. Place your lost pet yers on public bulletin boards. DON’T GIVE UP!
Steps to take if you nd a lost pet: Report the Pet: Lost pets must be reported to local animal control within 24 hours. It’s the
law, and a shelter is the FIRST place most pet owners look for their missing pet.
Take the Pet to a Shelter: If you nd the pet in Salt Lake County Animal Services jurisdiction, take it directly to the shelter at 511 W. 3900 S. during business hours (10 AM – 6 PM, Tues-Sat). If it’s outside of business hours, call animal control dispatch at 801-840-4000. Salt Lake County Animal Control operates 24/7.
Post Online: Take a picture of the pet and post it on social media (e.g., Facebook, Next Door App, KSL) with details of where you found the animal and that you took it to Salt Lake County Animal Services.
Consider Fostering: Inquire about our Dog & Cat Foster Finder Program.
Prepare yourself before your pet gets lost: ID Tags and Microchips: Ensure your pets have current ID tags and their microchip information is up to date. All pets in Salt Lake County can receive a free microchip at Salt Lake County Animal Services at 511 W 3900 S. For questions, email animal@saltlakecounty.gov.
