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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

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

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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