By McKinsleigh Smith
Despite hesitancy from city residents, The Vineyard City Council voted unanimously last Wednesday to make Eric Ellis the new city manager. Ellis had previously given his support to the plan to dredge Utah Lake and house hundreds of thousands of people on it via artificial islands.
The Salt Lake Tribune recently secured two letters showing Ellis told Lake Restorations Solutions, the company in charge of the artificial island scheme, that the Utah Lake Commission would provide millions of dollars to help them secure a federal loan for their project.
Despite this, Vineyard Mayor Julie Fullmer has described Ellis as an experienced public servant and skilled administrator. It is of note that Fullmer also sent a letter of support for Lake Restorations Solutions’ federal loan in September of 2020, offering $5 million from Vineyard City. Due to public outcry, Lake Restorations Solutions never received any federal funding, and the company filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.
Ellis will take the reins as Vineyard enters a crucial period of development and expansion, including the massive Utah City project. Ellis beat out more than 150 individuals from throughout the country who applied for the position. He has an associate degree in business administration from UVU, a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from BYU, and a graduate degree in public administration from the University of Utah.
Ellis will officially assume his new position on Nov. 13.
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