Mayoral Race Voters Guide
Oct 07, 2025 11:37AM ● By City Journals Editorial Staff
2025's General Election Day is on Nov. 4. (See other important dates and SLCounty information in our Voting Information Overview page at the Valley Journals here.)
In preparation, we surveyed our readers (like you!) to ask which local topics would determine important voting decisions for local races. We then asked your local candidates those reader-suggested questions. Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 200 words.These are their answers:
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In Midvale, Brandee Boyer and Dustin Gettel and David Fair are running for Mayor.
Q: Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so?
Brandee Boyer: Yes. Property tax revenue in Midvale is being used responsibly to cover the basics that keep our city running, police and fire protection, emergency response, parks, libraries, and other essential services. These are the kinds of investments that touch everyone’s daily life, whether it’s knowing help will come when you call 911 or having a safe park to take your kids to.What often gets missed is how this impacts renters, who make up the majority of Midvale residents. Renters don’t receive a tax bill in the mail, but they still pay property taxes through their monthly rent. When taxes go up, landlords often raise rents to cover the increase. Nearly half of renters in Midvale are already cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on housing. For them, even a small rent hike can push a family to the edge.
That’s why, as mayor, I’ll keep pushing for transparency in how tax dollars are spent, and for equity in who benefits. Our community deserves a city budget that is not only balanced on paper, but also fair and protective of the people who make Midvale home.
Dustin Gettel: Yes, I believe our property tax dollars are making a real impact in Midvale. You can see it in safe neighborhoods, well-maintained roads, reliable public services, and parks where families can gather. Those outcomes are the result of careful planning and prioritization from the mayor, city council, and city staff members. Still, I welcome community feedback to make sure our investments continue to reflect the values and needs of Midvale residents.
Q: Thinking about fiscal responsibility, what values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values?
Brandee Boyer: Budgets are moral documents. They tell the truth about what a community values. For Midvale, our budget should reflect fairness, safety, and opportunity. Every dollar should move us toward a city where families can afford to stay housed, neighborhoods are safe and connected, and everyone has access to parks, libraries, and the services that make life better.Fiscal responsibility is not just about cutting costs, it’s about making wise investments. A responsible budget ensures police and fire have the resources they need, but it also invests in housing stability, renter protections, and community wellness. It balances today’s needs with planning for growth, affordability, and climate resilience so we’re not passing problems down to the next generation.
Midvale already has strong transparency practices, our tentative budget is shared publicly each spring, debated openly, and finalized after a public hearing. Regular reports, independent audits, and a city transparency hub make it possible for anyone to follow the money.
As mayor, I will build on this openness and keep equity at the center. Our budget must be more than balanced on paper, it should be balanced in people’s lives, reflecting the values of a community that takes care of everyone.
Dustin Gettel: The Midvale City budget should always reflect our shared values of safety, accountability, and community well-being. That means prioritizing core services like police, fire, and infrastructure while also investing in quality-of-life amenities such as parks and libraries. I want Midvale to focus on long-term planning, careful cost control, and seeking outside funding opportunities so we can stretch local dollars further without putting an unnecessary burden on our taxpayers.
Q: Many residents reported concern for government oversight and transparency. What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren't met?
Brandee Boyer: Transparency is not optional, it’s the foundation of trust between residents and their city. Midvale already follows state requirements: publishing a tentative budget, holding public hearings, posting financial data to Utah’s transparency website, and undergoing independent audits. Those are important, but they’re just the baseline.Systems only matter if people can actually use them. When meetings aren’t accessible, notices aren’t translated, or reports are written in jargon, residents are effectively shut out. That’s not real transparency.
As mayor, I will support stronger systems to hold us accountable, including:
- Plain-language, multilingual reporting so residents can actually understand where their money goes.
- Regular community check-ins where residents help set priorities before votes, not after.
- An independent budget and ethics committee made up of community members to review how decisions align with our stated values.
- Stronger public records practices, with deadlines and consequences if requests are ignored.
Dustin Gettel: Transparency is the foundation of public trust, and it must be backed up with real accountability. I support independent audits, clear and accessible public records, and strict compliance with open-meeting laws. When transparency standards aren’t met, there should be clear consequences for elected officials, whether through public disclosure, corrective action, or an ethics review. Residents deserve to see how decisions are made and how their tax dollars are spent, and I will always work to make that information easy to access and understand.If transparency standards aren’t met, the public deserves to know right away and see corrective steps. Accountability isn’t about blame, it’s about making sure the government stays rooted in fairness, honesty, and respect for the people we serve.
Q: What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE?
Brandee Boyer: Local government’s job is to keep communities safe and connected, not to act as an arm of federal immigration enforcement. I do not support Midvale cooperating with ICE. When local officials entangle themselves with immigration enforcement, it erodes trust and puts lives at risk. Families become afraid to call 911, survivors hesitate to report violence, and witnesses stay silent because they fear deportation. That makes all of us less safe.
Midvale is one of the most diverse cities in Utah. Our immigrant and refugee neighbors are essential to the strength of our community. To serve them well, city government must provide services, from police to housing to parks, without asking about immigration status or turning residents over to ICE.
As mayor, while I cannot dictate federal policy or county-level law enforcement, I can ensure that Midvale city services remain accessible to everyone who calls this city home. I will also advocate with Unified Police leadership for policies that prioritize community trust over federal enforcement priorities.
Safety comes from people knowing they can reach out for help without fear. That’s the Midvale I believe in, and that’s the leadership I will bring.
Dustin Gettel: Local government’s primary role is to keep our communities safe and provide essential services, not to enforce federal immigration law. I do not believe city resources should be diverted to act as an extension of ICE. Trust between our residents and local government officials is critical for public safety. When people, regardless of their immigration status, feel comfortable calling the police, reporting crimes, or seeking help, our entire community is safer.
Q: How will you prioritize and protect proper historic restoration of existing structures?
Brandee Boyer: I love historic buildings. They carry stories, memories, and a sense of belonging that no new development can replace. When I talk with Midvale residents, I hear the same thing, memories of family gatherings, childhood hangouts, or community events tied to buildings that shaped our lives. Preserving those spaces isn’t just about architecture; it’s about keeping our shared history alive.
As mayor, I will prioritize historic preservation by supporting policies and investments that protect and restore key structures. That includes working with the Redevelopment Agency to create incentives for adaptive reuse, making it easier for property owners to restore rather than demolish, and ensuring zoning policies protect the character of our historic neighborhoods.
Preservation is also about the future. Restoring existing buildings is more sustainable than demolition, keeps small businesses rooted in our community, and helps Midvale maintain the unique character that sets us apart from other cities.
Balancing growth with preservation will always be a challenge, but I believe we can welcome new investment while protecting the places that carry our history. Midvale’s story is written in its buildings, and I am committed to making sure we keep those stories alive.
Dustin Gettel: Protecting Midvale’s history is about more than preserving buildings. It’s about honoring the stories and identity of our community. I will prioritize our historic buildings and neighborhoods by supporting partnerships with preservation groups, pursuing outside grants and funding opportunities, and ensuring development balances growth with respect for our heritage. One of my priorities as mayor will be to preserve the character of existing structures while adapting them for safe, practical modern use, ensuring they remain vibrant parts of our community rather than relics of the past.
Q: How do you plan to serve community needs?
Brandee Boyer: Community isn’t an abstract idea to me, it’s the everyday ways people feel safe, connected, and cared for. Serving community needs means listening closely to residents and making sure city decisions reflect what people actually need to live and thrive here.
At the most basic level, our community needs reliable services, police and fire protection, clean water, safe streets, and well-kept parks. But Midvale’s needs go deeper than that. Families need housing they can afford. Renters need protections from unfair rent hikes. Seniors need safe ways to get around and places to gather. Immigrants and refugees need language access and to feel welcome when they interact with the city. Young people need opportunities to play, learn, and see a future here.
As mayor, I will serve community needs by creating more spaces for people to be heard, by pushing for budgets that reflect equity and wellness, and by building partnerships that expand opportunity for everyone. A thriving community isn’t just measured in infrastructure, it’s measured in whether people feel like they belong. That’s the Midvale I believe in, and that’s what I’ll work to protect.
Dustin Gettel: I plan to serve community needs through open dialogue and direct conversations with residents so our decisions reflect the priorities of the people who live here. I will focus on strengthening core services like public safety, infrastructure, and parks while also supporting programs that improve quality of life for families, seniors, and businesses. By being accessible, transparent, and responsive, I will ensure the needs of our community are met both today and for the long term.
Q: One main succinct reason/goal for why you are running for this election:
Brandee Boyer: I’m running for mayor to make Midvale a place where everyone, especially renters, working families, and seniors, can afford to live, feel safe, and know they belong.
Dustin Gettel: I believe our city deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers. I’m running to keep Midvale moving forward, preserve what we love about our community, and ensure every dollar we collect works for everyone’s safety, growth, and quality of life.
Q: Background (residents have asked: What is your relevant educational/job experience? What previous government positions or offices have you held? How long have you been on the council?):
Brandee Boyer: I am a licensed clinical social worker and small business owner who has dedicated my career to supporting the mental health and well-being of Midvale residents. Through my therapy practice, I work every day with individuals and families navigating challenges, building resilience, and striving for stability.
My experience also includes working at the Midvale Family Shelter as a diversion specialist with Utah Community Action, on the crisis line providing life-saving support, and as a case manager with individuals on probation. These roles have taught me the importance of compassion, accountability, and creating systems that help people succeed rather than punish them when they struggle.
I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah and grew up in a working-class family, putting myself through school. I have also served my community as a precinct chair in Midvale.
I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to this race, grounded in care, equity, and a deep belief in Midvale’s people.
Dustin Gettel: I have worked with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of Medicaid Eligibility and Policy since 2016, where I’ve gained extensive experience in healthcare policy, program administration, and navigating complex regulatory environments. I served on the Midvale City Council for seven years before being appointed Mayor in December 2024, giving me firsthand insight into local governance, budgeting, and community priorities. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management and a Master of Laws degree with a focus on Healthcare Law, providing a strong foundation in both organizational leadership and legal policy. Together, my professional experience, education, and eight years as an elected official equip me to manage city resources effectively, implement sound policies, and deliver meaningful results for the residents of Midvale.
Q: How can residents stay informed about your campaign?
Brandee Boyer: 385-420-3666
Facebook: Brandee for Midvale Mayor
Dustin Gettel: www.mayordustin.com
Optional – Salt Lake County residents reported a handful of additional topics of concerns and questions. Please feel free to answer any of the following questions you'd like to respond to. Responses to questions in this section are not necessary.
Q: What role do you believe local government should play in protecting open space and natural areas within your community? Residents specifically asked: What actions will you take to help conserve the Great Salt Lake?
Brandee Boyer: Local government has a clear role in protecting open space and natural areas: we set the tone for how our community balances growth with stewardship. In Midvale, that means caring for the Jordan River corridor, preserving neighborhood parks, and building in ways that don’t erase the nature around us.
The Great Salt Lake is bigger than Midvale, but it impacts us directly. As the lake shrinks, we face more toxic dust, worse air quality, and health risks for children, seniors, and families already struggling with asthma or other conditions. Protecting the lake isn’t optional — it’s about our community’s health and survival.
As mayor, I will push for local action: sustainable landscaping and water use in city operations, stronger support for conservation-friendly development, and expansion of natural open spaces within Midvale. And I will use my voice to advocate regionally, working with Salt Lake County, water districts, and state leaders to make sure Midvale is part of the solution.
Protecting open space and natural resources is about protecting people. It’s about ensuring that the Midvale we love today is still livable, safe, and healthy for the generations that come after us.
Dustin Gettel: Local government has a critical role in protecting open spaces and natural areas because these resources preserve our community’s character, provide recreational opportunities, and support environmental health. In Midvale, I believe we should proactively identify and protect our existing open space, support responsible development that balances growth with conservation, and invest in parks and trails that connect residents to nature.
Regarding the Great Salt Lake, I will advocate for collaborative local, state, and federal efforts to protect its water levels and ecosystem. At the local level, this includes supporting policies that reduce water diversion and encourage sustainable water use in our region. By combining local action with regional partnerships, we can help conserve the lake for both environmental and economic benefits.
Q: If elected, how will you begin managing high-density housing, short-term rentals, and property value protections in your community? (Residents specifically asked: Do you support holding builders accountable to a higher standard (like expecting builders to make needed improvements to streets and sidewalks)?
Dustin Gettel: In my next term as mayor, I will approach high-density housing, short-term rentals, and property value protections with a balance of growth, safety, and quality of life. For high-density housing, I will ensure developments are carefully planned, and that they include adequate infrastructure and maintain neighborhood character. Regarding short-term rentals, I support clearer regulations that protect neighbors and will allow more opportunities for home ownership across the city. My goal as mayor will always be to promote responsible development that increases housing options, preserves property values, and keeps our communities safe, livable, and thriving.
Q: If elected, how will you begin managing high-density housing, short-term rentals, and property value protections in your community? Residents specifically asked: Do you support holding builders accountable to a higher standard like expecting builders to make needed improvements to streets and sidewalks?
Brandee Boyer: Growth in Midvale is real, and we need to manage it in a way that protects the people who already call this city home. I support high-density housing as part of the solution to affordability, but only when it comes with accountability. Builders must be required to invest in the infrastructure our community needs: streets and sidewalks that are safe, shaded, and walkable; green space and trees; and planning for bike routes and traffic flow. Growth should strengthen neighborhoods, not strain them.
Short-term rentals like Airbnb can make housing less affordable by taking units out of the long-term rental market. While state law limits what cities can do, I will support strict permitting, safety standards, and regional advocacy to protect Midvale renters from being priced out by investors.
For renters, affordability also means protecting against unfair fees. Too often, new developments add monthly charges, $7 just to report on-time rent payments, or $40 just to pay rent online. Those costs add up. As mayor, I will work to ensure builders and property managers are not passing hidden burdens onto tenants.
My priority is growth that is balanced, sustainable, and centered on people, not just profit.
Dustin Gettel: In my next term as mayor, I will approach high-density housing, short-term rentals, and property value protections with a balance of growth, safety, and quality of life. For high-density housing, I will ensure developments are carefully planned, and that they include adequate infrastructure and maintain neighborhood character. Regarding short-term rentals, I support clearer regulations that protect neighbors and will allow more opportunities for home ownership across the city. My goal as mayor will always be to promote responsible development that increases housing options, preserves property values, and keeps our communities safe, livable, and thriving.
Q: What education policies do you support? Residents asked about school closures, capping class sizes, banning books, and restricting teachers to do their jobs.
Brandee Boyer: As mayor, I don’t set education policy, that belongs to the Canyons School District and the state. But I can be a strong partner and advocate for Midvale’s students, families, and teachers.
I believe teachers deserve trust and respect. They are trained professionals who dedicate their lives to helping our kids grow, often under enormous stress and with too little appreciation. I will always stand with teachers and support their ability to do their jobs without unnecessary political interference.
I strongly oppose book bans. Families should decide what’s right for their own children, but no one should decide what entire communities can or cannot read. Reading widely, including books that challenge us, is part of building critical thinking and preparing kids for the real world.
Smaller class sizes are essential for learning and for teacher well-being. While cities don’t control that funding, I will continue to advocate for state leaders to prioritize classrooms over cuts. And if schools face closure, I will ensure Midvale families are heard, and that community impacts are weighed in those decisions.
Education is about opportunity. My role as mayor is to lift up policies that keep that opportunity open to all.
Dustin Gettel: I believe education policies should prioritize student success, safe and supportive learning environments, and empower teachers to do their jobs effectively. I oppose unnecessary school closures that disrupt students and communities, and I support efforts to cap class sizes to ensure every child receives the attention they need. I also oppose efforts to restrict teachers from providing age-appropriate, curriculum-aligned reading material. I believe that these diverse perspectives are essential to a strong education system. My focus is on working collaboratively with local school boards, teachers, and parents to enhance learning outcomes while maintaining flexibility and fairness for educators.
Q: What are your priorities regarding funding of homeless shelters and assistance programs? Residents specifically asked about safe spaces, quality of shelters, and accessibility of programs.
Brandee Boyer: I know firsthand what homelessness looks like in Midvale. I worked at the Midvale Family Shelter as a diversion specialist, helping families find stability and avoid entering shelter when possible. What I learned is this: people experiencing homelessness are not problems to be fixed, they are human beings. Most families are one emergency away from losing housing, and this year we’ve seen a heartbreaking increase in older adults experiencing homelessness.
My priority is compassion and solutions. Shelters must be safe, dignified spaces where people can access services that help them get back on their feet, not just a bed for the night. We need programs that focus on prevention, like eviction assistance, rental support, and mental health care, so fewer families end up in crisis in the first place.
As mayor, while Midvale does not control shelter funding alone, I will use my voice and experience to advocate for fair, transparent investment in our city and across Salt Lake County. I will push for public input in decisions, partnerships that make services accessible, and a focus on housing first. Homelessness is not solved by stigma or blame, it’s solved by compassion, dignity, and real community care.
Dustin Gettel: Addressing homelessness is a critical priority, and funding should focus on creating safe, high-quality, and accessible shelters and assistance programs. In Midvale, the Connie Crosby Family Resource Center does an outstanding job providing essential services, from emergency shelter and food to family support and counseling, and I am committed to supporting and expanding their work. We need better and easier access to programs for those in need and more resources to help individuals and families transition to stable housing. We need to do more to provide compassionate, effective solutions that truly make a difference to the unsheltered residents here in Midvale and throughout Salt Lake County.
How do you plan to assist your senior residents and those on fixed incomes? (Residents specifically asked about seniors being able to age in place affordably, senior safety, food insecurity and nutrition for low-income households, and support programs.)
Brandee Boyer: Our seniors deserve more than just to “get by”, they deserve dignity, safety, and the ability to stay in the homes and neighborhoods they love. Too often, older adults on fixed incomes are forced to make impossible choices between rent, food, and medicine. That should never happen in a community that values its people.
As mayor, I will fight to ensure seniors can age in place affordably. That means supporting property tax relief and utility discounts, expanding affordable housing options, and protecting renters on fixed incomes from unfair fees and rent hikes. Safety also matters: accessible sidewalks, shaded streets, and reliable emergency response keep our community livable for older adults.
Food insecurity is another urgent need. I will strengthen partnerships with Salt Lake County Aging Services and local nonprofits to make sure nutrition programs and meal supports reach every senior who needs them.
Beyond services, seniors need connection. They carry lived history and wisdom, and they should never be treated as burdens. My vision is a Midvale where older adults are cherished, included, and supported, where they have the resources to live with dignity, and the opportunities to keep sharing their stories and gifts with all of us.
City Journals Note - As of our press date, David Fair had not responded to our editorial staff’s inquiries. The following informant can be found on his website (@David Fair for Midvale Mayor of Facebook):
"My vision is simple: I want Midvale to remain a close-knit, family-oriented community where people are proud to live, where neighborhoods are safe, and where families can enjoy their lives together.”
“One of our biggest challenges is homelessness. This is not unique to Midvale—we share it with many cities along the Wasatch Front. The current model has room for improvement. Over the years, the homeless shelter in Midvale has shifted its primary role multiple times to meet urgent needs, and those needs are still very real today. Recently, it was announced that a new homeless services campus will be built in northwest Salt Lake City, providing 1,300 new beds when it opens in 2027. As this project moves forward, it is essential that all cities along the Wasatch Front work together to ensure the costs and responsibilities are shared fairly.
Finally, I want to focus on community. Midvale has sometimes struggled with a sense of division, with an ongoing perception of an “east side vs. west side” mentality. Many residents feel that services are concentrated on the west side, leaving the east side overlooked. I want to find ways to bring our community together again. While I don’t claim to have all the answers, I am committed to making Midvale a place where everyone feels connected and included—putting our city back at the center of it all.”
