Here are the questions that Living In Midvale asked the candidate. As soon as the candidate answers the questions, we'll post those too.

Dustin,

Public Safety:

• How do you envision a program for “keeping neighborhoods safe”?
• What does a “community based policing model” look like to you?
• You said that the city has met with the residents on Adams Street regarding a house that has been known for drugs; how did you go about doing this and what is the current status of that house?
• Why do you support the Citizens Academy and how can the citizens of Midvale participate in it?
• What kinds of forums, open houses and events do you propose would help with making Midvale more safe?

Police:

• As the current Mayor, you’re in charge of the police; what ways do you envision helping the community to “interact with the police” in a format that’s not “negative”?

Homelessness:

• If patrols in the park are increased to help with the homeless issue, what difference can that make? What are the UPD officers able to do regarding this issue?
• You said that “Midvale will not be an overflow shelter this winter”, why is that and what can be done to help mitigate the excessive homeless that Midvale has to take care of vs what other cities deal with?
• You also mentioned that we are losing money by running the shelter; what can be done to resolve that and at least find a way to break even on it?

Growth:

• What do you mean when you said that the city has been “working with developers to be smarter in growth”?
• What are the limits the city has for making sure there’s not any “high density in neighborhoods”?

Money:

• You said that the “budget is as fiscally lean as possible”, but there are many people who feel that Midvale has spent money on many things that weren’t fiscally responsible; what are your thoughts on that?
• Why do you feel that Midvale needs a 2nd Code Enforcement Officer? Is there any way to work with the community to help their neighbors out, instead of adding to the budget by hiring a 2nd Code Enforcement Officer?

Property Tax:

• How much of a difference does it make to the property taxes to have more businesses instead of housing and how much of a difference does that make in keeping the taxes low?
• How can we encourage more “buy local and stay local” when we have a limited number of businesses outside of the standard grocery store, gas station and restaurants? We have very little in regards to activity/entertainment businesses.

Housing Affordability:

• Housing is important, but what levels of apartments, starter homes, townhouses and high density housing is acceptable?
• With the limited number of homes going into Midvale because of all the high density housing and the high price of houses, how well has the “downpayment program” for “first time home buyers” been going? Also, how does that program work?

ICE:

• ICE has been a hot topic and according to what we’ve found, ICE hasn’t been a big issue in Midvale, and you said that “UPD doesn’t help ICE”, but they would help if there was an issue were they were needed; what kinds of issues would you let UPD help ICE with?
• As Mayor, you are in charge of the Midvale UPD, so wouldn’t it be better to use the resources of the UPD to work with ICE to help them find the murders, rapists, drug/human traffickers, etc, instead of them going off of what limited info they may have and accidentally arresting those they weren’t intending to go after and causing fear for residents?

Events and Activities:

• You mentioned the new Community Council, what do you envision their role in helping Midvale?
• Does the city have any budget items that they can help the Community Council with this?
• What outdoor / recreation opportunities do you envision for the east side of Midvale?

City Outreach:

• Putting info in the utility bill is one way of reaching out to the residents to let them know of things pertaining to the city, but how can the city reach out those who just pay their bill online or may not get the utility bill because they live in apartments?

Favorite Part of Midvale:

• What is it about the Jordan River Trail that makes it one of your favorite parts of Midvale?
• What other things do you enjoy about Midvale?

Other:

• If you don’t get elected as Mayor, what will you do to help make Midvale a better place?
• Is there anything else you would like the residents of Midvale to know about you or your plans if you do become Mayor of Midvale?