See Inside... Sourdough
How a world champion powerlifter and special education advocate found his strength.
WestJordan High teacher Sheldon Russell is fueled by grit, redemption and purpose.
The man who holds more than 80 state, national and world powerlifting records — and once deadlifted 700 pounds at age 47 to become the oldest Utahn ever to do it — was once told he’d never even graduate high school.
“My second-grade teacher told my parents I wouldn’t graduate,” Russell said, who holds a doctorate degree. “I nearly died at age 16 in what was an attempt; my heart rate got down to 15.”
From his lowest point to the top of the lifting platform, Russell’s journey is powered by the same force that drives him today — not the weight on the bar, but the weight he helps lift from others’ shoulders.
“I grew up in a very dysfunctional home,” he said. “I dropped out of school and I went and got LSD at Sugar House Park when I was 16 years old.”
When he returned to school, administrators told him he couldn’t come back without meeting strict requirements. But one man, his high school counselor, Dean Collett, stepped in.
“He said, ‘No, give him a chance.’ He was like a dad to me. He was even the best man at my wedding,” Russell said.
That second chance, combined with a new love for the weight room, sparked a new way of thinking.
“I took weightlifting when I was in the ninth grade at Highland High,” he said. “I had five Fs and two As. The As were in basketball and weightlifting. I broke a record, deadlifting 530 pounds at 17, at a buck 80 (180 pounds). When I realized that, I thought, ‘If I can do this, why can’t I be a straight A student?”
That realization of grit and drive became his driving force.
“I suddenly made this connection in my
West Jordan
Strength beyond the bar
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
mind — if I can lift this heavy weight up with hard work and determination, I could do that to succeed in school and life,” he said. “So, I stuck with that. I carried that mentality all the way to a doctorate degree in educational leadership.”
Married, working odd jobs and scraping through college — earning $4.90 an hour as an apartment maintenance worker — Russell stumbled into what would become his life’s calling.
“We teach them skills to become independent adults, to learn social skills, job skills and transportation skills.”
Sheldon Russell
“Jordan Valley School needed a 17hour (part-time) assistant,” he says. “I was going to major in criminal justice, be a police officer. It just didn’t feel right. Special ed is my passion.”
For 31 years, Russell has been a force in public education. He served in administration, but he chose to return to teaching special education and coaching unified sports at West Jordan High. His class focuses on life skills, helping students with intellectual disabilities learn to live independently.
“We teach them skills to become independent adults, to learn social skills, job skills and transportation skills,” he said, adding he takes his students out into the community every week. “We do a lot of community-based training with shopping and managing a budget. I’m proud of that, because I’m the one who got that ball rolling. Now all the high schools are doing it.”
Russell also coaches the school’s unified sports team which brings together students with and without disabilities to play side by
side. One of his four soccer teams was runner-up at the state championship.
“This team has made monumental progress from their first game to now; they pass better and they’re more aggressive,” he said.
“They’ve honed in on some drills, that’s
helped a lot. They’ve understood the game more, which has helped them to get to this ability. Anytime they can improve is celebratory, for sure. It’s a win.”
Continued page 4
Sheldon Russell, a West Jordan High special education teacher, has more than 80 state, national and world powerlifting records. (Photo courtesy Sheldon Russell)
Jordan Education Foundation Executive Director Mike Haynes has seen Russell on the sidelines, teaching and motivating his team, from tying a shoe to directing a play.
“He’s good with them and his kids love him. He’s about changing their lives,” Haynes said.
When Russell isn’t at school, he often can be found at his home gym or with a tight crew of powerlifters who push and support each other like family. Haynes is one of them.
“We both won the American Powerlifting Federation national championships in the summer of 2023,” Russell said. “I bulked up to the 308-pound class and did full power and won my division. Mike did bench and won his division at 165.”
Their friendship is built with the bar and bench.
“There’s nothing better than the bond
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you create,” Russell said. “I’ve known Mike through social media, but we’ve only really known each other for three years. Mike’s one of my best friends now. There’s something about the physical struggle and encouraging each other through it that creates an incredible bond.”
That bond extends to Scott Mecham, who he lifts with on Tuesdays along with Haynes, as well as his Saturday crew.
To Russell, powerlifting isn’t about numbers; it’s about community.
“This group is close, it’s more intimate. Whether you’re lifting 50 pounds or 700 pounds, they’re going to cheer for you because the competition is against yourself. It’s a very cool group,” he said.
His own records — 80 across federations, including the 700-pound deadlift — speak volumes, but he shrugs them off.
“Records are cool, yeah, but they’re secondary. I’m more concerned with going
in and at 50 years young, outlifting or lifting as much as the young guys, which I do on a regular basis,” he said.
Behind the strength, though, lies a quieter fight.
“I struggle and battle with depression, and I have for years,” he said. “I can hide it pretty well, I can go to work and function and everything, but I get really depressed. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been down in the dumps and been in a weight room and hit some insane weight. It’s my medicine for mental health. If you can do hard things in a weight room, you can do hard things anywhere.”
Russell doesn’t do anything halfway –not weights, not reading, not collecting action figures.
“I once set a goal to do 10,000 bench press reps in one year and I hit 20,000. I’ve read over 23,000 pages so far this year; I probably read at least a couple hundred
books a year. I probably have more action figures than everyone in South Jordan combined. I set weird goals, but when I’m into something, I am all in,” he laughs.
From the smallest kid in his second-grade class to one of the strongest Utahns in his sport, Russell’s story is living proof of resilience.
“As a troubled child, I thought I had no talent at all,” he said. “When I got in the weight room, I realized talent didn’t matter. It was how hard you worked and how determined you were.”
That’s the lesson he passes on to his students every day.
“If you can convince yourself you can do hard things, that carries over,” he said. “That’s the interesting thing about powerlifting, it teaches you about struggle, about doing hard things – that grind and the endorphin rush and the excitement of doing something you’re good at and then celebrating that.” l
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West Jordan High special education teacher Sheldon Russell coaches his unified soccer team at the state championships. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Jordan Education Foundation Executive Director Mike Haynes, who regularly trains with Sheldon Russell, has become a close powerlifting buddy. (Photo courtesy Sheldon Russell)
Local baker turns sourdough making into small business
Lisa Sharp opened her bakery this year, after her mother-in-law convinced her to bake sourdough bread in 2022.
By Linda Steele l.steele@mycityjournals.com
Lisa Sharp is a talented baker that works out of her home. She opened her bakery in February. Sharp’s mother-in-law convinced her to try baking sourdough bread in January of 2022. She has been making sourdough ever since. Working with her motherin-law had a great influence on her and it was her starting point. She has done extremely well in three years.
Rough Stone Bakery is the name of her business. When she and her husband moved to their home in 2017, they were on a good amount of property and they had a little urban farm and called it Rough Stone Urban Farm. Rough Stone is from a quote by Joseph Smith where he said he’s like a rough stone rolling down the mountain and things get knocked off of him as you go through life. Sharp connected with that because things come at you and life can wear you down, but it can smooth you out and make something beautiful from the rough things that happen in our lives.
“I’m a rough baker because I don’t know all the things, that is how I connect with my bakery, and it’s OK because it’s a little rough around the edges, but it is a beautiful thing,” Sharp said.
Sharp started making two loaves of sourdough at a time for a year, then she changed that. “Sourdough is hard, there is a knack to it, like you have to spend a lot of time doing it. It dawned on me that I’m never going to get good at this unless I start making more,” she said.
She started making it for the women in
her local congregation and started giving it out as part of her personal ministering, giving out a loaf of bread to the women she visited, which was about 150 loaves of bread. She was making four loaves of sourdough bread at a time. Sharp said it was a great learning experience for her and built her confidence.
“So often I want to go and talk to people, but sometimes you just want something in your hand to give them,” she said. She would score a heart on the bread and it was a little love loaf of bread. She wanted to get experience, and she felt like she would get better at baking if she made more bread. She branched out and began making a lot of bread.
“I love the beauty of it, it’s this tiny little starter that can create so much bread. It grows when you care for it,” Sharp said.
Sharp is a stay at home mom and has seven children. It was important to Sharp and her husband, Dan Sharp, that she be there
Annual Festival of Trees runs
Dec. 3-6
Be sure to try the homemade fudge.
The annual Festival of Trees to benefit Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital will be held Dec. 3-6 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. This traditional holiday event, now in its 55th year, has raised millions of dollars throughout its history in support of the hospital, one of the nation’s top children’s medical facilities.
As always, festival-goers can enjoy scones, live music and dance performances, visits with Santa and lots of tasty treats. Perhaps best known is the Festival’s fudge, made and donated by volunteers. Over 5,000 pounds of fudge have been sold in the event’s history.
The highlight of the festival is decorated trees, nearly 550 last year adorned with half a million lights. Many trees are decorated with themes—perhaps tributes to a loved one or to another Utah tradition, and many are in honor of a former patient at Primary. The trees are also donated, sold at an invitation-only silent auction, and then proceeds go to the hospital. Last year, the Festival of Trees raised over $3.4 million.
In addition to the trees, the Festival features wreaths, nativities, gingerbread houses, quilts and other holiday decorations.
More information is available online at FestivalofTreesUtah.org. l
for their children. She decided she could do something on the side to help out. Then she decided she could bake her bread at home and make it happen.
She first started making just a plain loaf bread, then added focaccia and cinnamon rolls. It has been rewarding for her to learn how to bake bread and make it work. Doing her business has been one of the hardest things she’s done, but it has really built her confidence in her abilities to figure things out.
“The only thing I have to do is not quit,” Sharp said. She has persevered and it has been a great blessing to see her bread making goal bear rewards. Sharp saw a lot of value in bread baking. It has been a blessing to her family and friends.
She has two baking days a week. In the summer she bakes 64 loaves a week, dropping down to 54 a week in the fall. Her av-
erage will be about 60 a week. Nine months ago she baked only eight loaves a week. She also bakes 48 cinnamon rolls a week and eight focaccia.
She has one dough day, Wednesdays are her dough days, which is about 12 hours of prepping all the doughs. Bake day is on Thursday and it starts at 5 a.m. until noon. Then from noon to 5 p.m. is packaging.
“It is a labor of love and enjoyment,” Sharp said. She likes the sensory experience of making the bread, like mixing the dough, smelling the bread.
Sharp loves her neighbors who buy the bread. People will stop by her house and buy bread or cinnamon rolls. She feels God has blessed her and she is so grateful. Her family is 100% her support and her biggest cheerleaders. Her husband is very supportive, she wouldn’t be where she is today without his belief in her. l
Lisa Sharp owns and runs the Rough Stone Bakery out of her home. (Photo courtesy Dan Sharp)
Lisa Sharp produces artisan sourdough loaves, cinnamon rolls and focaccia out of her home kitchen. (Photo courtesy Dan Sharp)
Volunteers put the finishing touches on a tree before last year’s Festival, which features holiday decorations and treats as a fundraiser for Intermountain Primary Ch ildren’s Hospital. (Photo courtesy of the Festival of Trees)
Mamma Bears hold annual ornament exchange luncheon for charity
Mamma Bears Charity & Service, a women’s organization that raises funds for charity, will hold their annual fundraiser, the Ornament Exchange Luncheon, on Dec. 7.
By Katherine Weinstein k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
Agroup of friends who used to meet up for bunco nights in West Jordan years ago has evolved into an organization dedicated to raising funds for charity and performing service projects. Mamma Bears Charity & Service is in the process of becoming an official charitable nonprofit. They are hosting their 15th Annual Ornament Exchange Luncheon, a charity fundraiser for Blessings in a Backpack, on Dec. 7 at All-Star Bowling & Entertainment in Draper.
The luncheon, which is a ticketed event open to the public, includes a brunch buffet, a talk given by Heather Madsen representing the Utah chapter of Blessings in a Backpack, a Christmas tree ornament exchange and a silent auction. Attendees are invited to bring an ornament in the five dollar price range to exchange and nonperishable food items to donate to Blessings in a Backpack.
As Mamma Bears founder Terri Taylor explained, the holiday luncheon is the main fundraising project for the group which is largely made up of women in their 50s and 60s. “We’ve all raised our families and we’re at a point in our lives where we want to give back to the community,” she said. “We want to do something new each year.”
Mamma Bears board member Joni Jensen, who lives in Sandy, said, “It warms out hearts to do just a little something to help. We
want to see what we can do to make an impact in the community.”
Each year, the board members vote on a different local charity to support. In recent years, the Mamma Bears have raised funds for Utah Foster Care, People Helping People, Ronald McDonald House Charities and The Road Home. Going beyond just writing a check, the Mamma Bears have collected food and supplies and mentored individuals in need.
Taylor mentioned the year that the Mamma Bears supported People Helping People, a nonprofit that fights poverty by helping underprivileged women to enter the workforce. “Members of our group mentored women to help them write resumés and get back into the work place,” she explained.
Jensen added that one member was inspired to become a mentor with People Helping People and now volunteers there on a weekly basis. “We’re spreading awareness about needs in the community,” she said.
This year’s luncheon will benefit the Utah chapter of Blessings in a Backpack. The national organization provides weekend food assistance to elementary school-aged children who receive free breakfasts and lunches at school on weekdays. Jensen explained that they are seeking donations of lightweight foods that children can easily carry home with them such as granola bars, fruit and applesauce cups, individual-sized boxes of cereal, mac and cheese cups and juice boxes.
“We’ve received some really positive feedback from our charities,” Taylor said. The Mamma Bears partner with other organizations and businesses to match the funds raised at the luncheon. The group raises thousands of dollars each year.
Jensen, who has been actively involved with the Mamma Bears for eight years, said, “It’s been so neat to watch it grow and evolve, so great to get the ladies together for a good
cause. We just want to give back.”
“Last year was our biggest event,” Taylor said. “We had 78 ladies attend the luncheon.”
The silent auction is a big part of the festivities. Some of the local businesses and arts organizations who have donated items for this year’s auction include Hale Centre Theater, Morgan Jewelers, the Natural History Museum
of Utah, Tin Roof Grill, Beauty Spas and more.
The Mamma Bears are hoping to fill 100 seats for this year’s Ornament Exchange Luncheon which begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 at All-Star Bowling & Entertainment, 12101 State St. in Draper. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased on the Mamma Bears website at www.mammabearscharity.com/home. l
Attendees of last year’s Mamma Bears Ornament Exchange Luncheon posed for a photo. (Photo courtesy of Mamma Bears Charity & Service)
‘Poison Spider Circle’ denied by council as possible street name
Petitioned by a few members of the cul-de-sac to change due to addressing errors, the council denial cited a lack of agreement among neighbors and not meeting the criteria for city code.
By Travis Barton travis.b@thecityjournals.com
PoisonSpider is a popular 16-mile trail in Moab often used for off-roading vehicles. In October, a few residents requested to rename their cul-de-sac after that trail.
Three of the houses in the circle are off roaders so applicant Tyler Patrick said they decided to go with that one. Off-Road Circle was already denied by the county.
Poison Spider Circle was denied by the West Jordan City Council though in an almost unanimous vote 6-1. Though many councilmembers said they weren’t against the cul-de-sac being renamed, but felt the process for the proposed name was flawed and did not meet necessary requirements.
Part of city code for a street name to be changed requires a high level of community support and to hold some significance to West Jordan, neither of which applied here said several councilmembers.
Rob Bennett, a former councilmember
name would have on property values.
“Who would want to buy a house in a neighborhood that lives on Poison Spider Circle without knowing what that signifies,” he told the council.
Of the five homes in the circle, three were in favor while the other two voiced opposition to the change.
Patrick said they’ve had delivery issues with mail and trouble for an ambulance finding a home noting many houses in the city are numbered the same.
Ron Cossure, a neighbor in the circle, were in opposition identifying the “overwhelming inconvenient and expense to change their address” with the county, state and their family trust.
Another neighbor, Josh Standfield, also highlighted the financial burden to change passports and drivers licenses.
“Seems like a logistical nightmare,” he said, adding the name doesn’t have anything to do with the area.
A sign was placed on the corner by the city recently, he said, and felt that was a good middle ground.
Councilmember Chad Lamb pointed to his street, Highland Hollow Drive, having nothing to do with West Jordan and felt the neighbors could find a name to agree on. Lamb was the lone dissenting vote because
of the decision.
Several other councilmembers said they didn’t like the idea of this decision pitting neighbor against neighbor.
“If it’s going to be something, I’d like to see more cohesiveness from the five,” Councilmember Bob Bedore said, not liking the exclusionary nature of the process.
Councilmember Pamela Bloom said it would be helpful to define a threshold for “high level of community support.”
“I do appreciate the pride in the neighborhood’s identity, that’s exactly what we want in our neighborhoods,” she said prior to the vote. “But I want to ensure our process is clear and that all neighbors feel represented. It’s not just about a name, it’s how we define our community character. So, if we don’t pass this today, it’s not a no, but maybe finding something more of an identity for your neighborhood. Just want to make sure we’re doing this properly and bringing the community together and not splitting them apart.”
Two previous street name changes in the city were to commemorate a victim of drunk drive and to remove “Bingham” from the road name in front of Copper Hills High School.
“I want a little kumbaya if we’re going to name a street,” Councilmember Kelvin Green said. l
Three residents requested a name change to their cul-de-sac in October to change from a numbered circle to the name “Poison Spider Circle” in honor of their off-roading interest. (Travis Barton/ City Journals)
Jordan School District’s unified tournament builds belonging
More than 250 students from 10 middle schools played in the unified soccer tournament, where the focus was more on connection than a championship.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Cheers echoed across the fields at Zions Bank Stadium as students from nine middle schools in Jordan School District — and Timberline Middle from Alpine District — took part in this fall’s unified soccer tournament. With 28 teams and more than 250 athletes and partners, the day was about much more than scoring goals.
Unified Sports, a program through Special Olympics Utah, brings together students with and without disabilities to compete side by side. Jordan District Director of Athletics and Activities Bryan Veazie said the tournament represents “a meaningful, enjoyable and memorable experience” that builds school culture and lifelong friendships.
“This is my third year in this position,” Veazie said. “When Superintendent (Anthony) Godfrey and I initially talked about unified sports, he said he wanted every school to be actively involved. Now, every middle school that has a self-contained classroom is participating. It’s rewarding to see how much it’s grown.”
three teams as they boarded the bus for the tournament.
“Since school started, they’ve been excited to play,” coach Karlee English said. “They love it and every peer tutor wants to come play with our athletes. We had to draw names for those to be on the field. Unified sports sparked our school to be more inclusive, and it has just spread throughout the school community.”
Students echoed that excitement.
Fort Herriman eighth-grader Brayden Walker said his team shares the ball and passes it to him.
“I like kicking the ball and hitting goals,” he said.
South Hills eighth-grader Lucas Smallwood enjoys the inclusivity as well as the thrill of playing well.
kelsen is a fan of unified sports.
“It’s a cool opportunity to play and I’ve been able to play in a couple tournaments in soccer, basketball, bocce and golf with them,” he said. “We learn teamwork and cheer for each other.”
Godfrey called unified sports “one of the most important things we do to help all students have a connection to their school and their peers.”
He said Jordan Board of Education has prioritized funding to ensure every student who wants to participate can do so by providing buses, venues and field trip support.
That growth was visible on the field and in the smiles of the students.
Elk Ridge Middle School coach Amanda Mair, who was overseeing two teams, also brought students who got the official role as cheerleaders for their games; they made and waved posters for the teams.
“We’re really excited we have peer tutors helping build relationships; I think this helps promote acceptance and helps to just foster friendships,” she said.
At Mountain Creek Middle, students lined the hallways to cheer on its
“I like passing the ball to everyone best so everyone can play; my teammates are nice and help me on the field,” he said. “When I score a goal, my heart is pumping and I feel adrenaline as fast as loud music.”
West Jordan eighth-grade student Nivek Cruz said the day was “great.”
“I like to kick the ball and playing soccer is good exercise for my body,” he said. “I scored three goals today. It felt good. The best part is having fun and cheering for my team.”
South Hills seventh-grader Connor Petersen is also a fan of unified soccer because “it’s fun to play with friends.”
Fort Herriman ninth-grader Rhett Mik-
“The Board has dedicated funding to support this to be sure that it is sustainable and that it grows,” Godfrey said. “We are finding that the interest outstrips the opportunity and we’re looking for more and more ways to give all students a chance to be part of it.”
Jordan District’s unified program continues to expand. Every middle and high school with a support classroom now fields teams, and elementary schools participate in unified sports days. Two elementaries — Daybreak and Monte Vista — will be recognized this year as National Unified Champion Schools. For Veazie, the true success isn’t measured by wins or ribbons.
“You can’t come to a unified event and not feel joy,” he said. “It’s about inclusion, relationships and making sure every student feels they belong.” l
Jordan School District middle schoolers play at the unified soccer tournament, held at Zions Bank Stadium. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Local author participates in Readers Fest library event
Lyn Worthen started as a reader, then started writing the books she wanted to read.
By Linda Steele l.steele@mycityjournals.com
Lyn Worthen is author of many genres of books, and the managing editor of Camden Park Press. She puts together anthologies and she writes books under different pen names. Worthen was in attendance at the Readers Fest at the West Jordan Library along with other writers.
Worthen has always read since she was a young girl starting in kindergarten. As time went on she couldn’t find the kind of stories she wanted to read, so she started writing books. She has been writing since the mid ‘80s.
The organizer of the event, Anna Marasco, reached out to the local author community, many of whom are members of the League of Utah Writers as well as smaller writing organizations across the valley. “There’s a pretty big network of writers in the area,” Worthen said.
Marasco has been working with the West Jordan Arts programs. She had the vision for the writers and reached out to them to help make the event happen.
“Many of the readers participate in book selling events and reader events, they are happy to do it because many of them sit in a room and make stuff up and there’s nobody else around. It’s always nice to be able to get out and connect with people that want to read what they have written,” Worthen said.
As part of editing at Camden Park Press Worthen is part of the anthologies they do. As of this holiday season there are up to two dozen anthologies. She scopes out the stories and solicits them. She chooses and edits the stories. She has a copy editor that does a final pass through to make sure anything that she has missed or the authors have missed is caught. She assembles and publishes the books. She wears multiple hats and it depends on which part of the publishing world
she is part of. As an author she responds to other solicitations for stories, as a novelist she writes books and publishes them. “The words are toys to me and I like seeing what ways I can put them together,” Worthen said.
She connects through Substack which is a platform people use for blogging and email newsletters. It is how she connects to her readers. She can reach out directly to people who are already following her. Newsletter marketing is staying connected with your readers. It is very important to her because she wants to hear what the readers have to say and let them know when they are working on something fun.
Worthen has different pen names she uses for different genres, such as Lauryn Christopher for the mystery genre. Michele Dean is the pen name she uses for the romance genre. Lee Saunders is her pen name for writing science fiction and fantasy. Worthen interviews with Jana S. Brown, her copy editor. Brown copy edits her anthologies. “Jana keeps my eyes from going cross eyed,” Worthen said.
Worthen enjoys writing and what in-
trigues her is she likes to see how people react in different situations. Because she can play in different genres she can put people in situations that she wouldn’t put a friend in. “I can create a fanciable world and see how they interact with the fantasy characters, and put them on an alien planet with far future technology and see how the culture of the people in that situation go together,” Worthen said. It all depends on what hat she puts on and decides what author she is writing as. She likes the flexibility she has of being able to switch in and out of different genres. It makes sense to Worthen depending on what mood she is in, she can write a light and fluffy story, or a murder mystery. She can market stories so that people are going to find the books they are wanting to read. Many authors write under different names because they can get their books published faster, it is a common practice. The authors have more freedom and do what they want without some of the restrictions of the publishers. Without the restrictions the authors can be artisans and play in the world they want to play in and be creative.
Writing is what Worthen has always done. In 2008 is when she really came into writing in a big way and started novels again. She has done writing before and then she went on a hiatus, writing occasional short stories She is up to two dozen anthologies as of this holiday season. All in all she has written 10 novels, two more in progress and 80 short stories. Worthen also creates her own covers on her books.
She has done reader events at the Viridian Center. You can find Worthen’s books at “Forget-Me-Not Finds” at Gardner Village. “Cooking Up Death” is her 22nd multi-author anthology just released Nov. 4. “It’s a deliciously lethal collection of cozy mysteries,” Worthen said. It includes recipes at books2read.com/CookingUpDeath
Go to www.camdenparkpress.com for more information about Lyn Worthen’s books. l
The 22nd multi-author anthology “Cooking Up Death.” Lyn Worthen created her own cover. (Photo courtesy https://book2read.com/CookingUpDeath)
Lyn Worthen at the Readers Fest held at the Viridian Center. (Photo courtesy Lyn Worthen)
Energage partners with City Journals on new home for Utah Top Workplaces
Nominations open for 2026 employer recognition award honoring Utah companies.
Energage, the HR technology company powering the Top Workplaces employer recognition program, recently announced a partnership with the publisher of the Salt Lake Business Journal to create a new home for Utah Top Workplaces in 2026.
The partnership with Top Workplaces marks a shift in Utah; the awards had been published since 2014 by The Salt Lake Tribune. Now, City Journals, the publisher of Salt Lake Business Journal and 13 community newspapers, offers employers statewide the opportunity to earn trusted, credible recognition for companies that prioritize people-first cultures and the workplace experience. Nominations for the 2026 Utah Top Workplaces award will be accepted through May, and the winners will be announced in the fall of 2026.
“We are excited to offer the Utah Top Workplaces award in partnership with Energage,” said Bryan Scott, publisher of City Journals. “We’re committed to serving our community, and this initiative gives us a powerful way to celebrate the organizations making Utah a fantastic place to work and do business. By shining a light on companies that prioritize their employees, we’re not only providing valuable insights for job seekers but also strengthening the business community.”
All organizations with 35 or more employees in Utah are eligible to participate, including public, private, nonprofit and government employers. There is no cost to nominate, participate or win the award.
Top Workplaces winners are determined by employee feedback collected through the confidential, science-backed Energage Workplace survey. This trusted survey measures key culture drivers proven to predict organizational success and employee engagement, and it has been refined by insights from millions of em-
ployees across more than 70,000 organizations over the past two decades.
“We’re thrilled to partner with City Journals to spotlight companies where employees feel truly seen, heard and valued,” said Dan Kessler, president of Energage.
“This partnership ensures that deserving employers across Utah receive the visibility and credibility they’ve earned, helping them stand out to both top talent and customers.”
In addition to statewide recognition, participating companies may also be eligible for national Top Workplaces awards across culture excellence and industry categories — all based on the same single survey.
To nominate your organization for the 2026 Utah Top Workplaces award, visit www.topworkplaces.com/nominate/saltlake. l
Jordan Education Foundation director lifts more than weights; he lifts kids, teachers and community
For Mike Haynes, lifting isn’t just about weights; it’s about people, programs and possibilities.
By Julie Slama
j.slama@mycityjournals.com
ForJordan Education Foundation Executive
Director Mike Haynes, strength comes in many forms. It’s not only the weights or the dollars raised for students; it’s the determination to lift others, whether that means a struggling student, a teacher in need of support or a barbell that’s loaded with plates.
Mike didn’t initially set out to run a nonprofit, but his natural charisma, deep community ties and relentless work ethic made him a textbook choice to lead the Jordan Education Foundation, his peers said.
“Mike is amazing,” said foundation board member Corey Fairholm. “He’s doing great things. He started as a board member, and when (former executive director) Steve Hall retired, Mike said, ‘I’m going to apply for this job.’ And we said, ‘You’re the perfect person.’”
With experience serving on the Utah State Board of Education, the Uplift Families education advisory committee and the Junior Achievement of Utah board as well as being an entrepreneur, Mike has both business leadership and a commitment to service.
“He’s outgoing; he’s got community partners and he does such a great job developing those relationships and looking for opportunities to bring money into the Foundation to help these kids,” Corey said.
Under Mike’s leadership, Jordan Education Foundation has grown in both recognition and impact. From teacher grants and outstand-
ing educator awards to stocking principals’ pantries and supporting unified sports for students with disabilities, the Foundation impacts nearly everyone in Jordan School District.
“Public education is a really cool industry,” Mike said. “I love to help kids; there are so many great kids.”
In the last five years, he has built hundreds of partnerships — from the Utah Jazz, Utah Mammoth, Utah Stars and Salt Lake Bees to local businesses providing food, bedding, clothing and school supplies.
“As fast as donations come in, they’re going out,” he said. “One occasion, I had five high school students helping me with loading and unloading some food and I got asked where the food was going. After I explained, one student asked if he could take some as he was from a family of six kids and was told to find dinner at a friend’s house. He was a good kid; he hadn’t missed a day of school and was wanting to step up and help.”
Later, two other students in that group asked for food as well.
Mike said one in four students in Jordan School District faces food insecurity. Through community donations, the Foundation helps with meals and essentials — and stretches every dollar to support more students.
“In the last couple years, we’ve given out 750 beds for students who have been sleeping on the floor in homes. It’s heartbreaking to see, but we’re grateful to help,” he said.
Mike and his team also ensure teachers have what they need to thrive.
“Every one of Jordan School District’s 3,600 licensed teachers can put in an annual request of $500 each,” he said. “That would mean $1.8 million; we don’t have that much. So, we need to do all we can to bring in more and more. I’m telling teachers, every nickel,
no matter what it is, if you need it, ask. I don’t want money to be a reason you don’t do something that’s best for kids.”
Those who know Mike best say his drive to lift others is as strong as his will to lift weights.
“Mike’s amazing,” said Sheldon Russell, a West Jordan High School special education teacher. “He will meet students and will remember their name, their stories and everything about them.”
Mike began powerlifting in 1999 at age 32 when his neighbor, Carl Rogers, moved in and installed a gym in his basement.
“I’m very competitive,” Mike recalled. “So I thought, if I’m going to lift, I want to compete, so I asked, ‘how do we do this?’”
That curiosity led him to his first meet in Idaho in 2000. Since then, he’s been hooked.
“There are rules, and it’s more technical than I thought. But that keeps the integrity in every lift,” he said. “On the other hand, powerlifting is a whole lot of fun. The people are close; they’ll be cheering for you. It’s a very cool group.”
Six years after he started, Mike remembers a defining moment.
“I remember taking the stage at Vegas, at a big hotel, walking out and seeing all those people out there. I was sitting on the edge of the bench thinking ‘there’s nothing else going on, I’m the only act on stage,’” he said.
He benched 330 pounds in the 148-pound weight class.
“When you get your lift and the crowd goes nuts for you, that’s really cool,” he said. “And when you’re there with the right people, training guys, celebrating, it’s so much fun.”
Sheldon is one of those training partners, along with Scott Mecham. The three train together weekly; it’s become a sacred routine.
“Everyone knows on Tuesdays, don’t call Mike. He’s not going to answer,” Sheldon said. “There’s nothing better than the bond you create. Mike’s one of my best friends. The bond happens near the iron. There’s something about the physical struggle and encouraging each other through it.”
After recovering from a hamstring injury, Mike plans to return soon to four days of training per week.
Through the years, he has competed across multiple federations and states, earning several national and state titles — and also been honored as the best lifter. He served as the state chair for the World Association of Benchers and Dead Lifters.
But what Mike values most isn’t the medals — it’s the mindset.
“There’s something about lifting when you keep beating your previous best,” he said. “It’s so contagious, you just want more of it. It’s so much more than lifting; it’s the mentality.”
For Mike, both his powerlifting and mission in education come down to perseverance.
“There’s something about when you’re stuck in a lift, when you’re deadlifting and fighting to get that up, and people are yelling for you and you’re like, ‘I am not going to fail.’ And when you get it, there’s not a feeling like that in the world,” he said. “I’ve closed mega big deals — $100 million deals — and it’s more fun to get a PR in the gym.”
Just like in the gym, Mike sees every victory in education as an accomplishment worth celebrating and is grateful for the support.
“Our mission is to engage the community to help provide resources that fuel success in the district,” he said. “Without community partners, a lot of what we do could never be possible.”l
For years, Jordan Education Foundation Executive Director Mike Haynes has worked out with his training buddies, Scott Mecham and Sheldon Russell. (Photo courtesy Mike Haynes)
Mike Haynes, Jordan Education Foundation and hundreds of community members come together for the annual Christmas for Kids, where volunteers are matched with Jordan School District students to shop and provide them with needed and wanted items. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Attendance matters: Kids respond well to attendance incentives
Heartland students want to go to school and their decreasing absentee rates are proof.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Heartland Elementary School has reduced their rate of chronic absences by incentivizing attendance and rewarding students for coming to school.
“We teach the kids from K-6, ‘If we’re not here, it means that we’re really sick at home,’ and ‘The best place for you to be is at Heartland,’” Assistant Principal Kimberlee Hill said. “So we really push that.”
Each class has set a goal to have a 90% average attendance rate for the year. Classes receive rewards for each day and each week they achieve 90% or higher attendance. They earn Fun Friday activities such as extra Specials (P.E., art or STEM classes) and free time in class to play games. Hill said all but a few classes usually achieve 90% average for the week.
There are always at least a few of the 21 classrooms in the school that have 100% of their students present on any given day.
“On our good days we get at least five to six, and then on our slower days, two to three,” Hill said.
Classes who have 100% attendance for the day get a treat-- a candy or fun eraser-and are entered into a drawing for a class popcorn party.
Second grade teacher Alexandra Theuer said her class gets very excited when they have 100% attendance for the day. “We get a shout-out on the intercom for announcements and sometimes also they’ll get a little treat with it, or something like that to help celebrate that the whole class was there,” she said.
Prizes for reaching daily and weekly attendance goals are earned as a class, not individually, and absences due to chronic illness, surgery or a family vacation aren’t factored into the daily percentage. Students know they can still qualify for a prize if a student or two is missing, and no one is ever blamed for not being there, Hill said.
“It’s really fun to see when a kid is late or something and they walk into the classroom, everyone cheers for them, ‘Yay, you’re here!’ and so it makes them excited to keep track of who’s here,” Hill said. “So it just brings awareness that it’s important to be at school.”
The student-incentive strategy, which was introduced last year and expanded this year, has been measurably successful. Last year, 37% of students fit the definition of chronically absent, down from 42% during the 2022-23 school year.
“Our goal this year is to be at 33%,” Hill said. “We had a 4% decrease last year, so we wanted another 4% decrease this year.”
Behind all the fun rewards and prizes is a targeted effort by staff members to support students who are struggling the most. Students with chronic absence patterns have an individualized plan and are each assigned a champion.
“[A champion] is just someone who has a good relationship with them at school that can cheer them on and make them feel even more welcome,” Hill said. “They just try to build that relationship with them even farther so they feel good when they’re here, and that people in the building actually truly care about them being here.”
The staff members’ efforts are part of the school theme of ‘Belonging.’
Theuer said often students just need to be reminded why they want to come to school. At the end of each school day, she hypes-up the next day’s activities.
“I just get them excited and talk about ‘This is what we’re going to do tomorrow,’ and ‘You did such a good job on this,’ ‘We’ll keep working on that,’” she said. “We also talk about which Specials we have, and what they’re looking forward to for the next day, and then also just focus on what went well that day, so that they know they had a good day at school.” l
Corbin, a sixth grade student creates a poster about the importance of school attendance, to be hung in the front hall of Heartland Elementary.
(Photo courtesy Kimberlee Hill)
Dancing with the Stars highlights Copper Hills talent
Experienced dancers paired with nondancers impress audiences (and themselves) at a ballroom team fundraiser event.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Cana high school ballroom dancer teach the girls tennis team captain or a member of student government to dance? This year’s Dancing with the Stars event proved it is possible. Just like its namesake TV show, members of Copper Hills High School’s ballroom dance team were paired with students from various school teams and clubs who had little to no dance experience. Partners had a few weeks to learn the student choreographer’s routine before performing for an audience of peers and family members, who voted for their favorite couple.
Junior Class President Diego Valdez, who has almost no dance experience, learned both salsa and samba steps and gained an appreciation for how hard ballroom dancers work. He exceeded the expectations of his dance partner Jade Meza and his choreographer Gabriel Brown.
“We taught him some basic choreography and steps, and we began realizing that he picks up choreography super well,” Brown said. “So
we were able to kind of shift our original, really basic choreography to something a little more advanced, because we feel like he can handle it. He’s shown us over and over that he can do these cool things that we’re throwing at him, so we’ve just been giving him a couple more to make the performance just a little bit better.”
Parson Duncan, representing the boys lacrosse team, said being a part of the competition was an eye-opening experience. “I thought I was really bad at dancing before, so I’m just surprised that I can do any of it,” he said.
Brooklyn Potter felt pressure to represent the girls tennis team well. “I want to do my tennis team proud,” she said. “I want to show them that their captain can do a lot.” Her choreographer, sophomore Zoey Hoyal, who is also on the tennis team, utilized Potter’s strengths in the routine she created. “I did a lot of fast foot work, because in tennis we do a lot of foot drills, so it was a lot easier for her to do like, a Jive or a swing, because it’s pretty quick on your feet,” Hoyal said.
Dancing With the Stars also gave students an opportunity to make connections in different social circles. “Its just a really nice way to introduce people to dance and then to become friends with someone from a completely different thing than what you’re used to,” ballroom dancer/choreographer Kaydence Maneotis said. “Because I would probably just make friends with dancers, but now I’m mak-
ing friends with an SBO, so that’s pretty cool.” Participants said the event is unifying for the student body because it brings together people from all different teams and clubs to support each other and gain appreciation for each other’s skills. They also get an opportunity to compete against dancers from other area high schools, such as Mountain Ridge High School, who hold similar events. The top couples will per-
form Dec. 18 at Copper Hills High School. Dancing with the Stars is a favorite CHHS school tradition and successful fundraiser for the ballroom dance team. But it can also change lives. A student who learned to dance as a star in last year’s competition enjoyed the experience so much, he joined the ballroom team this year. l
Dancing with the Stars contestants show off their dance moves. (Photo courtesy Anna Bay)
A student choreographer works with a ballroom team member and a student representing a school team or club to create an impressive routine. (Photo courtesy Anna Bay)
It’s charity drive season!
Community members are invited to participate in festive fundraising activities for both Copper Hills and West Jordan High Schools.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
‘Tis the season of the Muffin Man, Odd Jobs and buying pies to throw at friends, signalling that the month of festive fundraising has begun at Copper Hills and West Jordan High Schools.
Paws 4 A Cause is the name of Copper Hills High School’s charity drive in which students raise money to benefit local families. CHHS SBO President Ashlynn Simpson said the various fundraising activities held throughout December get everyone involved.
“My favorite thing is just getting to see that us, as students, as 15-18 year olds, can raise so much money we can truly change people’s lives,” she said. “With the money that we raise, being able to pay off people’s debts of hospital bills when they feel like they’re drowning, and it’s just so cool to know that we can give them a little bit of hope and a little bit of love, and show them that their community does see them, and that we do care about them and we want to help them when they are struggling.”
When students buy a muffin from the Muffin Man cart each morning, or purchase holiday items made by a school club, they are contributing to the fundraiser. Students can also buy whipped cream pies to throw in peoples’ faces or pay to watch a teacher get duct taped to the wall. CHHS SBO Hayden Beames said Paws 4 ACause is something students look forward to because there are so many fun activities to do with friends.
“At the start, I noticed how it’s really fun and outgoing, and I’m just there kind
of for the experience, getting to be a part of this Christmas season, having the joy of going and doing all these fun things,” he said. “But then as we get closer to the actual holiday and the end of our Paws, I noticed that I’m really feeling more in the giving spirit and what Christmas is all about.”
West Jordan High School’s December charity is called M.A.D. Jags and they have similar traditional fundraising activities for their student body including Ashtray Tuesday, when they collect change from peoples’ cars, caroling for donations at stores and malls, and collecting money from audience members during performing arts’ winter concerts and school sports events.
The annual Mr. MadJags is a pageant for male students competing for the most votes (and the most money) from the audience.
Details about Paws 4 A Cause events will be posted regularly on Instagram @chpride. Events for M.A.D. Jags events will be posted @WJ_pride.
“It’s just super cool, even though it’s not a ton of money compared to other schools, but it’s like, this is our family, and we all came together to raise this money.”
Students from both schools will be going out into West Jordan neighborhoods every evening Monday through Saturday during the month of December for Odd Jobs, which is an opportunity for residents to make a direct donation to their charity. Groups of students will be knocking on doors and offering to do chores or simple service in exchange for money for their charity. In the past, students have wrapped gifts, taken out trash, sung Christmas carols, put up holiday decorations, washed dishes, swept floors, raked leaves and shoveled snow in exchange for a donation.
WJHS SBO
Charlie Dulgarian
“It’s probably the most popular with our student body because they like watching guys make a fool of themselves,” WJHS SBO Camryn Ridley said.
West Jordan community members are invited to support both of the high school charity drives in various ways. Both schools will have restaurant Spirit Nights when a percentage of the night’s proceeds is donated to the school. Residents are invited to purchase a ticket for the Grizzlies Got Talent show at CHHS or make an online donation directly at copperhillshigh. org. Community members are also invited to community night at WJHS, to participate in fundraising activities such as buying pies to throw at student government officers.
President Carter Walker said spending his nights doing Odd Jobs is his favorite part of M.A.D. Jags. “The most fun I ever have is at Odd Jobs, just being with my friends and doing service in exchange for donations,” he said. “I think it’s really fun, and it’s a really impactful way to raise money for the charity.”
Fundraising activities at both schools happen daily and despite how busy they become, students love participating.
“It’s definitely worth it,” WJHS SBO Charlie Dulgarian said. “It totally brings the school together and the community together, which is one of the biggest, most important things about charity season.”
Just before students leave for Christmas break, both schools hold assemblies to
reveal how much money they have raised. Dulgarian said everyone is always very excited when they see the thousands of dollars they helped raise.
“It’s just super cool, even though it’s not a ton of money compared to other schools, but it’s like, this is our family, and we all came together to raise this money,” Dulgarian said.
The beneficiary for WJHS’s fundraising efforts is Indy’s Ohana which was started by a couple who are West Jordan High School alumni. They help fund family trips and lasting memories for children with cancer.
CHHS’s money stays within the local community. Student leaders deliver checks to pay off residents’ debts. They also shop for and deliver Christmas gifts to families who need the help. Those students who get to deliver the money and gifts are touched by being able to help families, who are often moved to tears with gratitude.
CHHS SBO Franciso Diaz said it feels good to be a part of Paws 4 A Cause and to help make someone else happy.
“I think it’s just about spreading the joy,” he said. “And the amount of smiles, the amount of happy tears-- it’s all worthwhile.” l
West Jordan High School student leaders raise funds for Paws 4 A Cause charity fundraiser in 2024. (Photo courtesy Angela Beatty)
West Jordan High School teacher gets pied in the face for charity during M.A.D. Jags 2024. (Photo by AJ Brannan)
West Jordan High School students perform odd jobs for community members in exchange for donations to their 2024 charity drive. (Photo by Boston Hardman)
Copper Hills High School student leaders reveal how much their charity drive earned in 2024. (Photo courtesy Angela Beatty)
Students get a tasty science lesson when their lettuce is ready to harvest.
By Jet Burnham j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
After more than two months of watching their lettuce plants grow, students were thrilled when it was finally ‘Let us eat Lettuce Day’ at Majestic Elementary Arts Academy.
“I’ve been here for four years, and the lettuce here is always good,” one student said.
STEM teacher Meredith Llewellyn plants about three crops of lettuce each year, starting with seedlings. She said plants can go from ready-to-eat to going-to-seed in a week, so she tries to plan the planting schedule around school breaks.
For this first crop of the year, the seeds were planted in August. When students left for Fall Break in October, the lettuce sprouts were still just an inch tall, but when the kids came back a week later, the plants were about five inches taller.
“It does go from ‘There’s not enough for 20 kids’ to ‘We need to eat it today,’” Llewellyn said. “They really do double in a week. Once they go beyond the seedling size, they double in height.”
When the plants were ready to eat the first week of November, many students ate it plain but they had the option of adding ranch dressing or lemon juice and salt. Some enjoyed it so much, they went back for a second helping.
Let us eat lettuce
“If there was, like, 100 of lettuce like these, they would all be gone,” a third grader said. “If I could, I’d have thirds. It’s super good and I love it. I’ve been in school for five years, and it’s been amazing eating this lettuce.”
One third grader said lettuce is one of his favorite vegetables and that the lettuce grown at the school is softer and “much fresher” than lettuce he eats at home.
Some students sing or read to the lettuce growing in their classroom to help it grow. Older students remember how that helped revive plants a few years ago when there was a power outage at the school over Christmas break.
“We came back and everything was dead,” Llewellyn said. “And the kids sang to them, and our plants came back, and the kids were so excited it worked.” She said it probably also helped that the lights and watering systems started functioning again.
Each classroom at Majestic Elementary Arts Academy has its own tabletop hydroponic growing system so students can observe the plants growing.
“I don’t know that any of them have gardens at home,” Llewellyn said.
She uses the lettuce and other plants, which she grows in a large hydroponic garden, to teach science concepts.
Lessons involving plants coincide with each grade’s curriculum in some way. Younger students learn about the parts and life cycle of a plant.
“We grow kohlrabi for science purposes because it shows the root and the stem and it really demonstrates the plant so well so we can have that conversation as the plants grow and change,” Llewellyn said.
Older students learn about the value of volcanic rock,
which is what their hydroponic seedlings are planted in.
“With fifth-graders, we talk about how volcanoes are important for our food production because they replenish the nutrients in the soil, and I let them hold the little fluffy pieces of spun volcanic rock which is compressed into a little brick, and that’s what the seeds are grown in,” Llewellyn said.
Llewellyn hopes to grow (and the students hope to eat) at least two more crops of lettuce this school year. l
Students eat the lettuce from their classroom hydroponic garden. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
Inclusion takes the field as West Jordan plays in unified soccer final
More than 2,000 student-athletes participated in the largest-ever unified soccer tournament in Utah, showing teamwork and inclusion are the true goals of the game.
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Morethan 2,000 student-athletes from 73 schools comprising of 170 teams took to the field this fall for high school unified soccer, a record-setting number for a program that continues to grow at an incredible pace.
Only a few years ago, unified soccer had about 24 teams competing statewide. This year, 24 teams alone advanced to the finals, held at America First Field in Sandy.
For the first year, unified soccer, which is promoted by both the Utah High School Activities Association and Special Olympics Utah, provided an avenue for 48 $500 scholarships — two per team — for continued education, awarded by America First Charitable Foundation.
While several area teams won state titles –Bingham, Herriman, Hunter blue, Murray, Skyline — or were runners-up Highland, Hunter gray, Jordan, West Jordan — most participants agree unified soccer is about much more than winning. It’s about inclusion, friendship and giving every student the chance to be part of a team.
Alexis Brown understands that mission, both as a former partner and as a coach of three teams at Riverton High.
“The bigger that it grows, the more it shows that students with disabilities are just as capable of doing things as everyone else,” Brown said. “It gets the gen ed population more involved and less scared of what’s stigmatized about disabilities; they start to see that they’re just normal people having a good time.”
Riverton’s unified club, Wolf Buddies, is central to that effort. “We go to football games, school plays, dances; the goal is to get our students as involved in the high school experience as possible,” Brown said. “High school is fun, and they deserve to be included.”
Senior Kevin Perez said his Riverton team has bonded on and off the field.
“We’re a good team and we prepared,” he said. “We play two times per week. I like scoring goals and kicking the ball. I like my team too; we’re great together.”
Riverton senior Mac Wall, who once played varsity volleyball, said unified sports have meant even more.
“The fun I have in unified sports is way more exciting than anything I found in varsity programs,” Wall said. “The connection between people is completely unmatched. Everyone’s kind; there’s no drama. We’re a tight-knit group.”
Across the field, Bingham sophomore Eliza Millet shared similar feelings.
“I like to play together with my team; they’re special to me,” she said. “I like kicking the ball, running with the team and celebrating.”
Ryann Jensen, another Bingham sophomore and president of Bingham Buddies, added, “It brings everyone together. Sometimes people get overlooked so this kind of brings awareness to them. We’re all here to have a fun time.”
Mountain Ridge High sophomore Justin Quick was a torch bearer at the regional tournament; he participates in unified soccer, track and basketball.
“I’m excited to play with my friends – and I hope to score 10 goals,” he said.
Carrying the torch alongside him was his teammate, senior Caden Anderson, who said unified sports is a bonding experience.
“Peer tutors, athletes — we all come together. It really brings our school together,” he said.
“It’s about being part of something,” Murray junior Landyn Timms said. “They all have heart to play the game — they’re all very skilled too. It just smoothens my heart to see how happy they are when they get to play.”
His teammate, Pit Soe, was excited about the team’s state championship.
“I’s pretty cool; now we get to eat and celebrate,” he said. “It’s a fun team to play on. We
help each other playing and at other times.”
West Jordan High coach Sheldon Russell said his team’s second-place finish was more than just a result.
“They’re a tight-knit group because these guys are together a lot of the day,” Russell said.
“Many have been in the same class since elementary school. Playing together and playing in the championship I count as a win, especially since our kids don’t get very many wins to begin with. The inclusion and spirit of unified sports really redefine high school sports.” l
Copper Hills marches in during the parade of athletes at the regional unified high school tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
A $7-a-month question: Should Salt Lake County raise property taxes?
Salt Lake County’s proposed 2026 budget includes a 19.6% property tax adjustment—about $7 a month for the average homeowner—to maintain essential services and fund public safety.
By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson says the County’s first tax adjustment since 2019 is needed to keep up with inflation and rising service demands. Voters will get their say Dec. 9 at a Truth-inTaxation hearing.
According to Mayor Wilson, Salt Lake County’s property-tax rate has effectively declined for 15 years due to Utah’s Truth-in-Taxation law, which automatically reduces the certified rate as property values rise—keeping overall County revenue roughly flat unless leaders formally vote for an increase. While this prevents hidden tax hikes, it also means County revenues haven’t kept pace with inflation, population growth, or the rising costs of public safety and health services. Over that same 15-year period, inflation has eroded nearly 30% of the County’s purchasing power, even as average home values have soared from roughly $250,000 in 2010 to about $638,000 today.
The mayor’s proposed 19.63% adjustment would restore part of that lost ground, adding about $7.28 per month—or roughly $90 per year—for the average homeowner. Importantly, the increase affects only the County’s portion of the total property-tax bill—about 17%—with the remainder going to cities, school districts and service districts such as fire, water and sewer. In practical terms, the proposal adjusts just the County’s “slice” of the tax pie, not the full amount residents pay each year.
“Salt Lake County is a community that addresses vital needs, invests in parks and open spaces, enriches our lives through arts and culture, and protects public safety,” Wilson said in her October newsletter.
“After years of tightening budgets and absorbing inflation, this adjustment is needed to sustain essential services and maintain a balanced budget.”
Where the money would go
Wilson emphasized that public safety consumes about 74% of the County’s general fund, supporting the sheriff’s office, the County Jail, the District Attorney and indigent defense. The increase, she said, would also preserve regional programs such as flood control, Meals on Wheels and public health initiatives.
The proposed budget also expands evidence-based alternatives to incarceration, such as mental-health treatment, early-intervention programs and community supervision—efforts the mayor says “make communities safer and stronger.”
Public input and the road to approval
The Salt Lake County Council is now reviewing Wilson’s proposal through a series of public meetings. The Council will vote on a preliminary budget Nov. 25, followed by a Truth-in-Taxation hearing on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 S. State St. in Salt Lake City.
Residents can attend in person or submit comments online before the Council votes on the final budget later that evening. Utah’s Truth-in-Taxation law requires local governments to hold such a public hearing whenever they propose collecting more property-tax revenue than the previous year.
Public safety remains the flash point
The proposal comes one year after Salt Lake County voters rejected a $507-million public-safety bond that would have raised property taxes to expand jail capacity and build a new justice center. Roughly 52% of voters opposed the bond, citing confusion about its scope and overall costs. After the defeat, the County shifted to a smaller 0.2% sales-tax increase earlier this year to fund limited jail-expansion efforts.
That rejection still looms large in the background of this year’s debate. Coun-
ty officials argue that while voters turned down the bond, the need for additional funding to maintain core public-safety operations remains.
Part of a statewide trend
Salt Lake County isn’t alone in revisiting property taxes. Across Utah, 59 cities, school districts and local entities have held or scheduled Truth-in-Taxation hearings this year—many citing inflation and unfunded state mandates. Neighboring counties such as Davis and Utah counties have also warned that they may consider rate adjustments next year to offset rising costs.
At the same time, the Utah State Tax Commission recently denied 35 requests for property-tax increases statewide, amounting to nearly $50 million in rejected revenue proposals—underscoring both the legal and political hurdles facing local governments seeking more funds.
Supporters of Wilson’s plan argue that the County’s budget has reached a breaking point. “Public safety, public health and regional services simply can’t keep running on 2019 dollars,” one budget analyst said. Critics counter that government should “tighten its belt” before asking residents for more, particularly as homeowners already face higher housing costs and assessments.
Residents who want to weigh in can find full budget details and a comment link at slco.to/rate. l
Graphic on proposed tax increase on the impact on a
$638,000 home. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)
Council works to provide taxpayers best value during budget process resulting in tough cuts
In the 12 years I’ve been on the Salt Lake County Council, this was the most intense budget season I’ve ever encountered. It began when Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson proposed a 19.6% property tax increase. As we see the economy softening, some of us on the council vowed to dig in, realign the county spending with top priorities, and find ways to be more efficient and effective with your tax dollars so we could lower that property tax ask. I’ve since learned that while it may feel good to give people government perks, it is sure painful when it’s time to take them away.
I’ll start with daycare. It’s a big issue throughout the state and while there are fewer daycare waiting lists in Salt Lake County, it’s still unaffordable for many families. Somehow Salt Lake County has been subsidizing four daycares to the tune of $6000-$10,000 per child. That means that property taxpayers, like you, are paying half the tuition for about 271 kids.
I had many people contact me and say they were fine with their tax dollars to go to low-income families, but this program had no income qualifications. We certainly had many families who were making more than
Aimee Winder Newton
Salt Lake County Councilmember
District 3
the median household income, yet they were being subsidized by those on low or fixed incomes. We made the decision to get out of the daycare business.
Another tough decision was related to a senior center. We voted to close a senior center on 10th East in SLC that is currently vacant and only 1.8 miles away from another senior center. Not every city has a senior center, so to have two so close did not make sense. It saves taxpayers $6-7 million in one-time costs and $400,000 in ongoing costs each year. The empty building was in the process of being renovated and the $3 million funds spent thus far to remove asbestos would’ve needed to happen
regardless of the use.
We hope those who love the 10th East Senior Center will be able to continue attending activities at the Liberty Senior Center, as I’m a big believer in the value of the human connection that seniors can get by interacting with others. We love all of our seniors, and this decision was made recognizing that we have many on fixed incomes who feel that the more we rein in government spending, the better. Our taxpayers have made it clear that they are stretched to the limit and the county needs to focus on core services.
Budgets are tricky and Salt Lake County has one of the most complicated budgets. While the overall budget is $2 billion, $500 million of that is just pass-through taxes that go from the state to cities or UTA. Another $1 billion make up restricted funds, enterprise funds, and tourism taxes – which can only fund certain things or those that are tourist-related. Have you ever wondered why we justify spending money on arts, culture, parks, golf, recreation, and convention centers? Those entire budgets either generate their own revenue sources or they use tour-
ism taxes from hotels, car rentals and restaurants. They do not use any property tax.
About $500 million of the budget is the General Fund. That is where we have total flexibility to use the funds however we please. This is where your property taxes go -- $220 million from residential property taxes. Currently 74% of our General Fund expenditures are public safety related – jail, prosecution, criminal justice services, etc. The rest covers things like elections, audits, etc. Because we capture the same amount of money as the previous year (minus new construction), the county does tax increases every few years just to keep up with inflation. To read my FAQs about the budget, visit tinyurl.com/SLCObudget
During this year’s budget I’ve tried hard to look at programs that are out of the county’s scope (daycare) or items that seem duplicative or unnecessary (two senior centers within 2 miles of each other). We’ve also cut positions that aren’t fulfilling the county’s overall mission or that we don’t believe are necessary. Rest assured that we are going to bat for you so you can keep more of your hard-earned money.
Life & Laughter - A Christmas Carol: Corporate Edition
Ebeneezer Scrooge sits on the edge of his vast four-poster bed, wondering what the heck just happened. Three ghosts have shown him his greedy behavior and how, because of his miserly ways, he’ll die hated and alone.
“Oh, well,” he says, as he jumps off the bed and heads to his vault, where he swims through stacks of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck. “It’s not my fault there are poor people.”
Jacob Marley’s ghost hovers nearby, rattling his heavy chains. “Remorse is a heavy burden,” he cries. Scrooge tells him to get lost and skips downstairs to count his money.
The jolly Ghost of Christmas Present jumps out from behind the couch, reminding Scrooge of the two ghastly children hidden in his robes, representing poverty and ignorance. “You have so much,” the ghost says. “You could help so many.”
“They should get jobs,” Scrooge replies. “It’s not my problem.”
The spirit starts to disagree, but Scrooge calls in officers from Interstellar Creature Enforcement to haul the ghost away. Christmas Present mutters something about corporate greed as he gets zip-tied.
Scrooge runs to the window and sees a young boy on the street below. “Hello, fine
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
fellow! Run to the Cratchit house and tell Bob to come to work. I gave him the day off, but there are debts to collect!”
“But it’s Christmas,” the boy responds.
“Humbug! Christmas is just an excuse for sloth. Remind him that although I didn’t give him a raise or bonus this year, I put a ping-pong table in the break room and, because it’s Christmas, he can use the Keurig one time today. He should be grateful.”
The Ghost of Christmas Past taps Scrooge on the shoulder. “Old Fezziwig shared his wealth with employees and friends. He was greatly mourned.”
“Well, Fezziwig is dead,” Scrooge says. “Where did compassion get him?”
He dismisses the spirit, then calls his maid to bring him weak tea (“I’m not wasting money on sugar!”), plain, toasted bread (“Jam is a luxury!”) and a hard-boiled egg (because it is Christmas, after all).
Scrooge slurps his tea, the sound echoing through the cavernous room as the grandfather clock ticks away the final moments of his miserly life.
Meanwhile, across the city, Bob Cratchit and his family wake up to a vast display of gifts and food. Knowing exactly how stingy Scrooge would be, friends and neighbors quietly pooled their money to create the perfect Christmas morning for the family.
The Cratchit children are awed by the generosity. Peter eagerly opens the latest Dickens novel, Martha admires her fashionable scarf and the baby toddles around with a new doll.
Neighbors even started a GoFundMe for Tiny Tim so he could see a doctor and the town carpenter made him a new crutch. The home is filled with laughter and friendship as everyone roasts Ebeneezer Scrooge with Victorian cocktails. Even the dog gets tipsy.
While Scrooge and Cratchit live just miles apart, their life experiences are vastly different. Although poor, the Cratchits love each other and are cared for by the people around them. Communities take care of each other.
It’s something Scrooge will never understand. All his wealth won’t save him.
He sees the Ghost of Christmas Yet to
Come dramatically using his bony finger to beckon Scrooge to follow. Time’s up.
“Fine,” Scrooge says, “but I’m taking my egg. Eggs are expensive, you know.”
Marley moans from the hall, “Mankind was your business.”
“Gold was my business!” Scrooge yells as he stomps after the ghost, wishing he could roll around in his money just one more time.
