Eye on Engineering: Engineering Team Is Ready for Today, Planning for Tomorrow
Nate Smith, P.E. of J‑U‑B Engineers, Inc
26 January 2026
Why it matters: Ogden Valley is standing up a city while managing complex roads, utilities, and growth pressures. Getting the right engineering expertise in place now—not an oversized department, but a smart, scalable team—will shape how the Valley grows, protects its character, and stays ahead of future challenges.
Ogden Valley spans more than 63 square miles and maintains over 100 miles of roadway—roads shaped by winter storms, seasonal utility work, and the steady pressures of growth. Caring for this infrastructure, and planning for what the Valley will need decades from now, requires thoughtful, well‑matched engineering expertise. Ogden Valley City has assembled exactly that: a right‑sized network of professionals ready to support residents today and guide the Valley’s future.
Coordinated Expertise for a Growing City
As the new city takes shape, it must adopt construction and land‑use standards, review building permits, guide development applications, and plan responsibly for long‑term infrastructure. These responsibilities are essential to protecting the Valley’s rural character, natural beauty, and outdoor‑centered way of life.
To meet these needs in a startup environment, Ogden Valley City has built a practical network of engineering and public works support. Through interlocal agreements with Weber County and service agreements with two local engineering firms, the city gains strong, reliable expertise without creating a large in‑house department before it is needed.
By partnering with several engineering teams instead of hiring a small full‑time staff, Ogden Valley benefits from a deeper bench, quicker response times, and access to specialists when they’re needed. It’s a smart, flexible approach—scaling up for busy periods and dialing back when things are quiet, all while keeping costs in check.
City Engineer at the Helm, Supported by Elected Engineering Expertise
At the center of this coordinated system is Nate Smith, P.E., of J‑U‑B Engineers, Inc., who serves as Ogden Valley’s City Engineer. Nate oversees engineering for city administration, municipal services, and development projects. Supporting him is Matthew Crump, P.E., also with J‑U‑B, who serves as Deputy City Engineer.
J‑U‑B is a full‑service engineering firm with more than 500 employees across 23 offices, offering engineering, planning, grant support, and related services. Their depth of experience gives Ogden Valley access to specialized skills as needed—without overcommitting resources to a traditional staffing model. This flexible structure also allows the city to draw on Weber County’s established engineering team.
“I’ve been working in Ogden Valley since 2010, and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to serve as the first City Engineer for Ogden Valley City,” said Nate Smith. “This community is unique, and I look forward to helping build the infrastructure and systems that will support the city’s future and preserve the character that makes it special.”
Engineering oversight on behalf of the City Council is provided by District 5 Councilman Don Hickman, a retired Air Force Colonel and Bioenvironmental Engineer with nearly 40 years of civil and environmental engineering experience. Don will also seek advice from Chad Boshell, P.E., Farmington’s City Engineer and Deputy City Manager, who brings both engineering and municipal‑management insight.
“I am thrilled with the team we’ve built for Ogden Valley,” said Councilmember Hickman. “We face many challenges as we stand up the city and plan for what we want our Valley to become over the next 5–10 years. Ogden Valley has lined up stellar engineering capabilities to help it through the startup phase while preparing for the future.”
A Network Designed for Readiness, Not Excess
Ogden Valley is positioned to use a practical, cost‑effective mix of engineering resources. Weber County Engineering provides core services through an interlocal agreement, while J‑U‑B Engineers and Jones & Associates offer added capacity and specialized expertise when needed.
“Getting strong engineering competence up front is a top priority for starting the city off right,” Councilmember Hickman noted. “We are now prepared to respond to both emergency needs and the long‑term planning that will be critical to Ogden Valley’s future. This team will meet the challenge.”
The Valley also benefits from exceptional local volunteers. Among them, Fred Blickle, P.E., has devoted significant time and expertise to help establish the city’s engineering and public‑works operations. He will continue to support the community as a volunteer advisor and will serve on the newly formed Planning Commission.
Contacts
Why it matters: Ogden Valley is standing up a city while managing complex roads, utilities, and growth pressures. Getting the right engineering expertise in place now—not an oversized department, but a smart, scalable team—will shape how the Valley grows, protects its character, and stays ahead of future challenges.
Ogden Valley spans more than 63 square miles and maintains over 100 miles of roadway—roads shaped by winter storms, seasonal utility work, and the steady pressures of growth. Caring for this infrastructure, and planning for what the Valley will need decades from now, requires thoughtful, well‑matched engineering expertise. Ogden Valley City has assembled exactly that: a right‑sized network of professionals ready to support residents today and guide the Valley’s future.
Coordinated Expertise for a Growing City
As the new city takes shape, it must adopt construction and land‑use standards, review building permits, guide development applications, and plan responsibly for long‑term infrastructure. These responsibilities are essential to protecting the Valley’s rural character, natural beauty, and outdoor‑centered way of life.
To meet these needs in a startup environment, Ogden Valley City has built a practical network of engineering and public works support. Through interlocal agreements with Weber County and service agreements with two local engineering firms, the city gains strong, reliable expertise without creating a large in‑house department before it is needed.
By partnering with several engineering teams instead of hiring a small full‑time staff, Ogden Valley benefits from a deeper bench, quicker response times, and access to specialists when they’re needed. It’s a smart, flexible approach—scaling up for busy periods and dialing back when things are quiet, all while keeping costs in check.
City Engineer at the Helm, Supported by Elected Engineering Expertise
At the center of this coordinated system is Nate Smith, P.E., of J‑U‑B Engineers, Inc., who serves as Ogden Valley’s City Engineer. Nate oversees engineering for city administration, municipal services, and development projects. Supporting him is Matthew Crump, P.E., also with J‑U‑B, who serves as Deputy City Engineer.
J‑U‑B is a full‑service engineering firm with more than 500 employees across 23 offices, offering engineering, planning, grant support, and related services. Their depth of experience gives Ogden Valley access to specialized skills as needed—without overcommitting resources to a traditional staffing model. This flexible structure also allows the city to draw on Weber County’s established engineering team.
“I’ve been working in Ogden Valley since 2010, and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to serve as the first City Engineer for Ogden Valley City,” said Nate Smith. “This community is unique, and I look forward to helping build the infrastructure and systems that will support the city’s future and preserve the character that makes it special.”
Engineering oversight on behalf of the City Council is provided by District 5 Councilman Don Hickman, a retired Air Force Colonel and Bioenvironmental Engineer with nearly 40 years of civil and environmental engineering experience. Don will also seek advice from Chad Boshell, P.E., Farmington’s City Engineer and Deputy City Manager, who brings both engineering and municipal‑management insight.
“I am thrilled with the team we’ve built for Ogden Valley,” said Councilmember Hickman. “We face many challenges as we stand up the city and plan for what we want our Valley to become over the next 5–10 years. Ogden Valley has lined up stellar engineering capabilities to help it through the startup phase while preparing for the future.”
A Network Designed for Readiness, Not Excess
Ogden Valley is positioned to use a practical, cost‑effective mix of engineering resources. Weber County Engineering provides core services through an interlocal agreement, while J‑U‑B Engineers and Jones & Associates offer added capacity and specialized expertise when needed.
“Getting strong engineering competence up front is a top priority for starting the city off right,” Councilmember Hickman noted. “We are now prepared to respond to both emergency needs and the long‑term planning that will be critical to Ogden Valley’s future. This team will meet the challenge.”
The Valley also benefits from exceptional local volunteers. Among them, Fred Blickle, P.E., has devoted significant time and expertise to help establish the city’s engineering and public‑works operations. He will continue to support the community as a volunteer advisor and will serve on the newly formed Planning Commission.
Contacts
- General engineering questions: Nate Smith and the engineering team — [email protected]
- City engineering oversight: Councilmember Don Hickman — [email protected]
