District 3 Council Member Kay Hoogland

Council Corner: It’s Really About Us

By District 3 Council Member Kay Hoogland - 28 February 2026

It’s hard to believe it’s only been seven weeks since we became a city. In that short time, I’ve heard many reflections about the vote to incorporate — excitement, questions, and yes, some understandable worries.

One of our first actions as a council was passing the Municipal Energy Tax. It wasn’t easy, and it certainly wasn’t something we had planned on doing in week one. But it was necessary to secure the startup funding that every new city needs to begin operating. We are all walking together through unfamiliar territory, while seeking the best for our new city and its residents.

Finances remain front and center. We’re keeping our belts tight while we wait for revenue that won’t arrive until mid‑year — sales tax, state road funds, and other state‑distributed sources. Property tax revenue won’t come until late 2026.

But despite these concerns, over these past few weeks I’ve been struck by something deeper — something that has nothing to do with spreadsheets or revenue timelines. I’ve realized that incorporation is really about us: our community, our connection to one another, and our shared love of this valley.

Let me explain.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
During our first big snowfall, several residents called me because their roads hadn’t been plowed. Weber County still plows our roads under an interlocal agreement, so in theory nothing should have changed. But something had changed.

I drove through the neighborhoods, knocked on doors, and checked in with friends in other areas. Some roads had been plowed multiple times; others, including mine, hadn’t been touched.

So, I made a call. The county roads manager — who himself had been plowing since 2 a.m. — picked up immediately. Within minutes, after some friendly chat and a thank you for his work, plows were on their way.

Would the roads have been cleared eventually? Of course. But this time, residents had someone local to call — someone who knew their neighborhoods, understood their concerns, and could help get attention where it was needed. That’s the value of local representation. It’s not about faster plows; it’s about being heard.

Seeing People, Not Just Policies
We’ve seen the same thing with the temporary land‑use moratorium. It was a necessary step as we transition from county land-use regulations to our own, and while the outcome will be positive, it has caused real frustration among residents who had projects in process that didn’t get county approval before incorporation.

One couple stands out. They had spent months trying to secure a modest land‑use approval from the county, without success. They were exhausted and discouraged. Sitting with them, hearing what this meant for their family, and trying to find ways to ease their concern all gave me a deeper perspective. Yes, they felt relief knowing that local officials were listening and ready to help once the moratorium lifts. But the bigger impact was on me and others — the council and the planning commission — who have seen firsthand how our decisions affect real people.

That experience strengthened our resolve to move through the moratorium quickly and thoughtfully. Whether it’s a retired entrepreneur hoping to expand a garage or a first‑time homeowner racing a construction‑loan deadline, seeing these situations up close reminds us why local government matters.

Filling the Potholes
In another community, one of our HOA presidents reached out to the city to complain about a pothole at the intersection where residents entered Powder Mountain Road. It had been a constant annoyance but now had become a hazard to both wheel alignment and safety.

A call to Council Member Hickman, followed by a visit from the City Engineer Nate Smith, and the pothole was filled by the County road crew in a few short days. Same road crew workers, but a different result given the local access to help.

What’s in a Name?
And then there’s the name of our new city. As Shakespeare wrote:
“What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

Maybe so — but names still matter, at least here.

Watching volunteers pour their energy into exploring new names has been inspiring. It’s a sign of how deeply people care about this place. The name represents our identity, our spirit, and our sense of home. Maybe it also represents a new beginning. I hope we’ll all stay open‑minded as the advisory committee works with the council to bring forward names that reflect the beauty and spirit of this valley and further unify us as a community.

What These First Weeks Have Shown
So, what has incorporation done in just seven weeks?

It has shown that we are a community that can turn to neighbors — and be heard. It has shown that our residents’ needs matter and deserve thoughtful, timely responses and solutions. It has shown that we are committed to one another, whether we’re navigating snowstorms, land‑use questions, or the name of the place we call home.

Finances are important, and we will continue to manage them carefully. But incorporation is about more than budgets. It’s about us — converging as a community, finding our voice, listening to neighbors, and moving forward together.
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For more information email [email protected].