Tag: Provo City Council

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Provo City News

Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins Delivers State of the City Address

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By McKinsleigh Smith

Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins and Provo City Council Chair Katrice MacKay have outlined key priorities for the city as Provo prepares for 2026, emphasizing collaboration, housing affordability, economic growth, and community safety. This vision was shared as part of their State of the City address on February 2, 2026.

Mayor Judkins highlighted Provo’s strong sense of community and the role residents play in shaping the city. She laid out her four-point vision for her first year as mayor:

  1. Paving the way for home ownership and affordable living for every resident.
  2. Creating an economic vision for Provo’s future.
  3. Cultivating a safe and connected community.
  4. Fostering a culture of respect.

In support of this, MacKay emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors. “Provo works best when we collaborate – statewide, regionally, and locally with businesses, residents, and institutions,” she said.

Housing affordability and homeownership remains the top priority for the Mayor’s Office and City Council. City leaders said they will work to remove unnecessary barriers to housing, protect local zoning authority, and pursue sustainable solutions through partnerships. As new development proposals come before the City Council, the city will prioritize owner-occupied housing to help residents at all stages of life establish long-term roots in Provo.

The city will also ensure zoning officers have the tools needed to address issues such as illegal rentals, over-occupancy, and unsafe living conditions. Leaders said consistent enforcement is essential to maintaining neighborhood stability.

As such, public safety and community connectivity were also emphasized. City leaders expressed appreciation for local law enforcement officers and first responders and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting public safety efforts. The city will continue investing in neighborhood programs, community events, and infrastructure improvements to strengthen connections across Provo.

Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins

Economic development was another central focus. City leaders recognize Provo as a source of startups and entrepreneurial ideas that reach far beyond city limits, and they are working with staff to develop a strategic plan to guide future investment. The plan will focus on strengthening neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, encouraging innovation, and creating a clear economic identity for Provo.

Finally, the Mayor’s Office and City Council reaffirmed their commitment to respectful governance and transparent communication. Residents are encouraged to contact city officials with questions or concerns.

More information about the Mayor’s Office and city priorities is available at provo.gov/mayor. You can contact the mayor directly at marsha@provo.gov.

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Provo City News

Provo, Utah Election Results 2023

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By Mike Romero

While everything is still being tallied and confirmed on the county level, Utah County has released the unofficial election results for the local elections that took place this week. Among them are the results for the Provo City Council race. Election results have taken longer to come in due to the switch to ranked choice voting for many cities across the county.

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For Provo, the City Council seats up for grabs were Citywide 2, Provo districts 1 and 3, and District 4. Travis Hoban was uncontested in District 4 and won by default. He will retain his position for the next four years.

Gary Garrett had the majority of votes for Citywide 2, Craig Christensen had the majority of votes for District 1, and Becky Bogdin had the majority of votes for District 3.

Here are the unofficial numbers:

Provo City Council Citywide 2

  • Gary Garrett: 4,628 (52.6%)
  • McKay R. Jensen: 4,164 (47.3%)

Provo City Council District 1

  • Craig Christensen: 1,857 (60.6%)
  • Stan Jensen: 1,203 (39.3%)

Provo City Council District 3

  • Becky Bogdin: 1,082 (61.48%)
  • David Lewis: 678 (38.52%)

Provo City Council District 4

  • Travis Hoban: 1,298 (100.00%)

The winners of the race will replace David Shipley (Citywide 2), Bill Filmore (District 1), and Shannon Ellsworth (District 3). As stated previously, Travis Hoban is retaining his position.

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Provo City News

It’s Election Day

Photo courtesy Provo City.
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By Zach Collier

Today, November 21, is the last chance to make your voice heard in Provo’s General Election. Ballots have already been sent out to all registered voters in Provo, and mail-in voting ended yesterday.

If you forgot to place your ballot in your mailbox, drop boxes are available at several different places around Provo, Utah. All drop boxes are open until 8 PM this evening. Drop boxes are at the following locations:

  • Provo City Library at 550 N University Ave (Available 24/7 on the North side by the book return)
  • Utah County Administration Building at 100 E Center Street (On the south side next to the USPS mailboxes)
  • Provo Towne Centre at 1200 Towne Centre Blvd (On the north side of the parking lot)

As a voter in Utah County, you can return your ballot to any drop box within the county limits. For a complete list of locations, visit utahcounty.vote. If you haven’t received a ballot, get in touch with the Utah County Clerk at 801-851-8128 or via email at elections@utahcounty.gov.

Utah news is brought to you in part by Spengler Industries.
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Provo City News

Provo City Council Primaries are in Full Swing

Photo courtesy of Provo City.
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By Mike Romero

Over the last week, we’ve been spotlighting candidates running for Provo City Council. In Provo, our community is divided up into neighborhoods and districts. Members of the City Council represent districts. For districts with a large number of candidates, these candidates must undergo the Primary Election process.

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This year, only candidates for the Citywide II Seat are listed on the ballot for the primaries. The purpose of the Primary Election is to narrow down the number of candidates for the general election. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the general ballot. District 1, District 3, and District 4 already have a narrow number of candidates, so they bypass the Primary Election process.

The candidates for the Citywide II primaries are:

While the Primary Election is Tuesday, September 5, mail-in ballots have already been sent out to Provo residents who are active, registered voters, and voting is already underway. A postage paid envelope should have been provided for convenience, but to save taxpayer dollars, Utah County has provided several drop box locations. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked before election day.

Alternatively, you can drop your ballot off at an early voting location or an Election Day voting location. You can find a location near you here. While the deadline to register to vote in the Citywide II primaries has passed, voters may register to vote at an early voting location or at a polling location on Election Day. You’ll need to bring at least two forms of identification to the polling location to prove your citizenship and residency. The deadline to register to vote online is November 10.

The Primary Election is September 5, 2023. The General Election is November 21, 2023. Ballots will not be accepted after 8 PM on these days.

If you did not receive your ballot or need a replacement ballot, call Utah County at 801-851-8128. 

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Provo City News

Meet the Candidates for Provo City Council: McKay R. Jensen

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A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is McKay R. Jensen?

Inspired by his father’s 40 years as a town clerk, McKay Jensen grew up witnessing the importance of public service. Following in his father’s footsteps, he has been trying to make Provo better for 25 years.

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With nearly a decade of experience on the Provo School Board, as well as leadership roles as President of the Provo Board of Education and Chair of the MTech Board of Trustees, McKay has made contributions to local education. He also served on the Governor’s Commission on Excellence in Education, gaining a front-row seat to the legislative processes and procedures that bring more funding to Provo.

As Provo experiences rapid growth, McKay recognizes the need for cautious expansion through experienced leadership. His campaign platform emphasizes the importance of addressing “critical needs” rather than prioritizing “frivolous wants.”

He is an outspoken advocate for responsible budgeting practices. This includes investing in essential services like public safety, infrastructure, and sidewalks. With a focus on transparency, McKay wants to help residents understand how their tax dollars are being spent.

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Provo City News

Meet the Candidates for Provo City Council: Gary Garrett

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A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is Gary Garrett?

Gary Garrett is running for the Provo City Council Citywide Seat. He and his wife, Jana, chose to raise their five children in Provo because of they appreciated the quality of life the city provides.

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Garrett is an experienced business and civic leader, having worked and served in downtown Provo for over 30 years. This experience, combined with studies pursuant to his master’s degree in public administration, has helped him understand and bridge important relationships between private enterprise and government.

Through his work with the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Provo Downtown Alliance, and his participation on at least a dozen civic and community service boards, he has working knowledge of what helps Provo business thrive.

“With my previous Provo City Council experience,” says Garrett. “I have a proven track record for bringing people together and getting things done, such as helping facilitate the timely resolution of disputes between government, business, and neighborhoods.”

For example, he co-chaired a citizen’s committee to help bring Provo residents the Provo Rec Center, which provides Provo citizens with nationally recognized recreation and fitness facilities.

“I will be honored to help Provo navigate its exciting future,” says Garret.

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Provo City News

Meet the Candidates for Provo City Council: Joseph Penrose

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A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is Joseph Penrose?

Joseph Penrose is a 27-year-old entrepreneur running for Provo City Council in the City Wide II Primary Election. He wants to help build a prosperous and beneficial community for all of Provo’s residents. Joseph is originally from the suburbs of Chicago, but has made Provo his home with his spouse Gabi.

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Joseph is an avid hiker and loves the beautiful mountains and nature surrounding Provo. While at Utah Valley University, Joseph studied Aviation and Political Science. He has worked in construction since the age of 16 and has climbed the corporate ladder within the industry.

Not only does he know what it takes to build a house, he also knows how to build communities in healthy ways that don’t harm the current community or its ideals in the process. He promises to have unwavering dedication to his clear vision of a prosperous and compassionate Provo.

“Together we can create a city where opportunity and quality of life thrive for all,” says Joseph. His goal is to bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the table. He promises to be an advocate for citizens, and work tirelessly to build a bright future for every individual and family in Provo.

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Provo City News

Meet the Candidates for Provo City Council: Stan Jensen

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A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is Stan Jensen?

Stan Jensen has been married to his wife Melanie for thirty years. Together, they’re raising their children Rachel, Ryan, Sabrina, and Athena and serve their neighbors and community.

Stan’s recent service includes serving as Chair of Provo District 1 Neighborhood Executive Board, which oversees neighborhood input on zoning changes, land use, community matching grants, and other key issues for about 1/5th of Provo. He completed the Provo Citizens’ Police Academy program to better understand and support our local police. He also completed the “Provology” course, which is a study of the branches and operation of Provo’s government.

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Stan’s focus is to protect and improve what makes Provo a great place for raising families and building a strong community. He wants to do this through helping Provo’s government focus on its core responsibilities. He believes these are public safety, neighborhood, parks, and infrastructure. He wants to avoid pushing political agendas, avoid contention, and avoid distractions.

Stopping the rapid growth of government spending, debt, and taxes is another main focus for Stan. He believes that effective governance requires listening to and serving the values and priorities of the people and neighborhoods of Provo, rather than telling citizens how to think and what to do.

Stan is passionate about serving his community, his country, and preserving, protecting, and improving on “the many blessings and freedoms for us and for future generations.”

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Provo City News

Meet the Candidates for Provo City Council: Craig Christensen

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A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is Craig Christensen?

Craig Christensen has lived in Provo for over three decades. He has seen Provo grow over the course of 30 years, and he strongly believes that he understands Provo’s needs.

Before starting a family, Craig attended Brigham Young University and received a bachelor’s degree in English. Soon after, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. After attending Harvard, Craig and his wife Susan decided to settle in Provo to raise a family.

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Craig has since started four businesses, creating hundreds of local jobs. He understands the challenges faced by local business owners and has firsthand experience in fostering economic growth and job creation.

With more expansive growth coming to Provo, Craig believes that changes should be made within reasonable parameters to preserve the city’s unique charm, history, natural surroundings, and residents’ interests.

As a firm believer in the principles of stewardship, Craig has successfully led efforts to save Utah Lake and Bridal Veil Falls from being developed. This has allowed him to gain valuable experience advocating for his neighbors and his community.

If elected, Craig will focus on common sense growth, a business-friendly environment, and the preservation of open spaces that make Provo home.

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Provo City News

BYU Student Runs Provo City Council Bid on a $0 Budget

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By Zach Collier

A 24-year-old Brigham Young University student has announced his candidacy for Provo City Council’s City-Wide seat. His name is Tanner Bennett. Running what he calls a “$0 campaign,” his strategy involves taking no donations and instead encouraging people to give back to the community.

Bennett’s campaign centers around what he calls the “silent 50%.” This group consists of individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who historically have low turnout in local elections and make up roughly half of Provo’s population and tax base. 

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Bennett runs his $0 campaign primarily on social media (@bennett_for_provo). His efforts have already led to thousands of dollars in material and monetary donations to organizations like Food and Care Coalition and Community Action Services and Food Bank.

We asked why he decided to use this approach instead of traditional campaign funding approaches. “I believe it is a politician’s job to serve, educate, and uplift their community,” Bennett says. “I think it’s ridiculous to take thousands of dollars to run when there is so much that could be done with that money to meet others’ needs.”

Balancing his studies with a role as a global sales executive at a multimillion-dollar firm, Bennett brings a blend of youthful vigor and corporate leadership experience to his campaign. He also directs an International NGO fostering US-China relations. This has given him extensive experience in leading and directing non-profits, plus a unique understanding of government, nonprofit, and corporate spheres.

Bennett is running as an independent moderate, focusing on solutions instead of partisan politics. Bennett’s presence on social media has emphasized critical issues from both sides of the aisle while focusing on issues important to the “silent 50%.” These include housing, tenant rights, the well-being of vulnerable renters, and the inclusion of marginalized groups like the LGBTQ+ community. Bennett has made plans to do this all while working to balance resources, opposing higher taxes, and acting as a “careful steward of the citizens’ hard-earned tax dollars.”

“No one understands the value of a dollar better than a full-time student who refuses to take on debt,” says Bennett.

All individuals over 18 years old who have lived in Provo for 30 days or more are eligible to vote without needing a Utah driver’s license. Register to vote for Provo’s primary election today at vote.utah.gov. Provo’s primary election will be held from August 22 to September 5th, 2023.

You can follow Tanner Bennett on Instagram here. Hear him address issues personally below.

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