Denece Mikolash was appointed as the new city council representative for District 5 during a special meeting of the Midvale City Council on Jan. 7. Mikolash was one of eight candidates who submitted applications and letters of interest for the position that was vacated when the former District 5 representative Dustin Gettel was appointed as Midvale’s mayor in December.

Mikolash was sworn in following the council’s 3-2 vote between her and former Midvale councilmember Wayne Sharp. She immediately took her place on the stand to conduct business as a district representative.

“I’ve been flirting on the peripheral of getting involved more directly in civics and government and knew that I wanted to be involved in helping to make decisions for the community. This was the time to do it,” Mikolash said. “I just want to be involved in decisions and what’s going on and there’s so much exciting growth going on in Midvale right now.”

With a master’s degree in strategic communication from Westminster University and a marketing degree from the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, Mikolash said her 20 years of professional experience in marketing will help her as she gets to know the constituents and the community she serves. 

“I need to listen and understand what their needs are, what their struggle is,” she said. “We need to take what we hear and align that with what we do as a city to help them.”

During her statement to the council, Mikolash said her policy initiatives include enhancing public safety and supporting economic development at Midvale’s Historic Main Street, Bingham Junction and the Jordan Bluffs project. She said two of her first goals as a councilmember will be to enhance communication opportunities to engage the community with events on Main Street and to work with Salt Lake County to build the new recreation center and library.

Mikolash’s public service experience includes serving as a House District Chair and the secretary of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party. She has also served as the Home Owners Association president in her area and volunteers with nonprofits. 

“I had some time in my life where I wanted to start volunteering and contributing back to the community. So I did research on where I could volunteer with charities or local charitable organizations, but then I realized, it’s the policymakers that make a difference,” she said. “I can volunteer as much time as I want with those charitable organizations but until policies are in place to help our communities, that’s where the difference is made.”

Mikolash has lived in Midvale for eight years and has encouraged family members to relocate to the city. She enjoys golf, hiking, biking and walking the Jordan River Parkway. A big supporter of U of U sports, Mikolash attends football, basketball and volleyball games at the school. 

She will complete the remainder of Gettel’s term, which expires on Jan. 5, 2025, but she plans to run for reelection in the fall. 

“I’ve talked to my neighbors, friends and residents who are supporting me but this will be my formal platform to really get to know the residents, hear what they need and have them be part of the solution,” Mikolash said. “I don’t think the council or the city has all the answers and would love to hear more from residents if they’ve got good ideas or ways to be part of the growth happening here.”λ