JULY 2023

Mayor's Message: July 2023

Mayor Young had the honor of being the first elected official to welcome 13 new U.S. citizens into the American family this month. He shares some thoughts on that experience and what it truly means to be a citizen of this great nation.

You can read the full message here.

City Council Message

from Councilmember LaNae Millett

I LOVE July! It is a month full of patriotic services and celebrations surrounding the birth of our great nation. We enjoy family BBQ’s, flying flags and red, white & blue décor, neighborhood fireworks, parades, and an abundance of gratitude for this great country we live in. Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA,” with its beautiful message of unity and inspiring chorus of “I’m Proud to Be an American…,” is a stirring song of appreciation. Whenever I hear it my heart is filled with emotion and gratitude for sacrifices made so we all can be free. I agree, "God bless the USA!"

Orem Independence Day events were a wonderful celebration for our community. Highlights included a Live Swearing-in Ceremony of US Citizen candidates, the Colonial Heritage Festival, Cries of Freedom the Musical, Military History Days, and the American Heritage Museum--all were amazing! Special thanks to the SCERA staff and volunteers who made it possible. The SCERA is truly a gem of our city. And let’s not forget the Hope of America Concert which included many Orem students—my young adult children still remember that wonderful experience. Orem and Provo have been great partners in celebrating the greatness and history of the United States of America. Many thanks to the organizers and countless volunteers who made these events possible. Celebrating our freedoms and remembering the beginnings of our great nation is a cherished occasion I took forward to with gratitude.  

Remembering is a key element of expressing gratitude. I have had the unique opportunity to take part in the planning and design of Orem’s Gold Star Families Monument that will be in the plaza of Orem’s new City Center. A few years ago, my family visited the National Mall in Washington D.C. and had the remarkable experience of seeing the monuments by day, and also by night--they are striking and unforgettable tributes to those whose strength, courage, and intellect built and guided this country. Orem’s Gold Star Families monument will be a magnificent tribute, and it will stand as a year-round remembrance of the service and sacrifices made by those who protect our precious freedoms.  

Happy Birthday America!

Councilwoman LaNae Millett

The City of Orem will be hosting a Meet the Candidates Night on Aug. 10th in Library Hall at 6pm. All Orem voters are invited to attend. In the first hour, each candidate will have a few minutes to address the audience and talk about their candidacy. The second hour will be open house style where voters can mingle with the candidates, ask questions, and get to know them better. If you can't attend the event, it will be recorded and posted to the city website.

On a related note, the Orem Communications Team interviewed City Council candidates and posted the interviews on the elections website.

Utah County will be conducting the City of Orem Municipal Elections all VOTE BY MAIL

● Ballots will be mailed to ALL active registered voters around August 13th for the Primary Election.

● Return postage is included on the return envelope or the City of Orem has provided 2 Ballot Drop Boxes, located at the north end of the City Center in the Library/Utility drop box loop and in the parking lot of the Orem Senior Center

● After filling out your ballot, seal it in the envelope, sign the appropriate spaces and mail it back or drop it in a ballot box

● Mailed ballots MUST be postmarked no later than September 5, 2023,

● Dropped off ballots will be accepted until the close of Election Day, Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 8:00 pm.

● In person voting on election day in Orem will be at the Center Point Church (1550 Sandhill Road)

Registered to Vote?

● You must be registered in order to vote in the upcoming elections,

● Your voter registration information must be updated if you have moved or changed your name

● Voter registration can be done online at Vote.Utah.Gov

Registration questions, contact the County Recorder at 801-851-8128

Other questions, contact the City Recorder at 801-229-7298

“MEET THE CANDIDATES”

Crystal Muhlestein

Matt McKell

Greg Duerden

Chris Killpack

Jeff K. Lambson

Archie A. Williams III

Spencer Rands

Heather M. Fry

Jenn Gale

David Edward Garber

Mike Carpenter

Wade A. Sewell

Candidate information can be found at: orem.org/elections

The primary election will narrow the field to six (6) City Council candidates

in preparation for the November 21, 2023, General Election.

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

National Night Out: Aug 1, 5-8 pm | City Center Park

Meet the Candidates Night: Aug. 10, 6-8pm | Library Hall

City Council Meetings:

Aug 1, Aug 22, Sep 12, Sep 26 - 6 pm| City Center

Orem Harvest Festival: Sep 25th - 4-7:30pm | Orem Community Hospital

Orem Farmers Market: Every Wednesday in City Center Park from 5-9 pm

Property All-Star Program is Back

The Property All-Star Award program is designed to recognize homeowners and landlords who refresh troubled properties to meet or exceed community standards. Homeowners may nominate themselves or a neighborhood home that meets these requirements.

Winners will receive a gift card, certificate, and social media shoutout. Winners from the year will be placed in a pool for the chance to win a grand prize. If you or someone you know should be recognized, please apply at: orem.org/neighborhoods/property-all-star.

New Budget, No New Taxes

On June 13th, the Orem Mayor and City Council passed a balanced city budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The council set the priorities for the budget with a special focus on living within our means. Other priorities included reinvestment in critical infrastructure, securing the safety of neighborhoods, creating a thriving business environment, and building a community-focused local government. Open work sessions have allowed the council to keep a close eye on the budget while looking for improvements and efficiencies. Budget highlights include no new taxes, a reduction in some fees, reinvestments in parks, and improvements in public safety.

New Orem Flag Unfurled

Over the past several months, the Mayor and City Council have been updating the city's branding to include the city's official motto: Family City USA. As part of that effort, in their most recent meeting, the City Council unanimously voted to adopt this new city flag as the official banner of Orem. 

Council member LaNae Millett shared some thoughts about the design and selection process of the new flag: "When Brooks Advertising presented the different options for our new flag design in our work meeting, I immediately gravitated towards this white design. It really struck me as an emblem of opulence and positivity. I felt like it was a symbol of unity as it showcases our beautiful and majestic mountains, our impressive sunsets, and that squiggle down at the bottom represents our beautiful lake vistas. It also celebrates our families, in all their forms as it clearly states our motto of Family City USA. I feel like this is so unifying and inclusive and just representative of the beauty of our Valley."

The flags are made right here in Utah with the help of Colonial Flag and you'll start to see the new flag on city properties in roughly 4 to 6 weeks.

Curious about the process to create an Accessory Apartment? In the last two years, the State of Utah has made it easier for you to create an accessory apartment.

Check out orem.org/accessory-apartments for a checklist of requirements and more information. 



You can also reach out to a Planner in Development Services with specific questions! 

Email us at planning@orem.org or stop by the City Center! 

Preserving Orem's Public Lands

The Mayor and City Council created a new public facilities zone which includes parks, city facilities and school properties to promote the preservation of public land in Orem. Preserving these lands for future generations was a top priority of the City Council. These lands were paid for with public dollars and it is vital to preserve them for continued public benefit. If the lands were to be redeveloped for non-public purposes, they would likely be lost forever for public use. This zoning change ensures that appropriate due diligence is followed before any public lands can be redeveloped.

Orem Responds to F.I.R.E. Letter

Orem City is committed to resolving the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s (FIRE) concerns in a cooperative manner and has formally responded to the organization to help clarify misinformation and misunderstandings. Orem affirms its commitment to respecting the constitutional rights of both employees and others with whom the City interacts. 

Orem Neighborhood Commission Expanding

The Neighborhood Commission has expanded in order to receive more feedback and input from residents. Each of the nine neighborhood districts will have two representatives. Members advise city leaders and management on neighborhood issues and help determine neighborhood plan projects and priorities. Members must live in the district they are representing. To apply, please visit orem.org/boards-commissions.

46th Anniversary of the Freedom Tree

This Summer will mark the 46th anniversary of the dedication of the Orem Freedom Tree on the Orem City Center campus. Conceived and executed as an Eagle Scout project by Craig Meyer, son of Orem resident Margo Harrington, the Freedom Tree stands as a symbol of remembrance and honor for our brave service members who are prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA). The genesis of this noble endeavor can be traced back to a poignant final conversation Craig had with his late uncle Gary, which inspired him to pursue his Eagle Scout award. The inspiration for the Freedom Tree project was further fueled by Doris Dingwall, a close family friend who experienced the pain of having her husband go missing in action during the Vietnam War. Doris used to decorate a tree in Provo to honor the memory of her beloved spouse, and Craig strongly believed that individuals like Doris deserved a dedicated place in Orem to pay tribute to their fallen loved ones. With the support of the Mayor, City Council, and city staff at the time, Craig diligently collaborated to bring this memorial to life. Craig led his scout troop in raising the necessary funds for the monument and actively participated in its construction and placement. Over the years, Craig has been invited by many City Councils to speak about the project. Craig's service to the community continues as he has served in law enforcement for many years. During the Christmas season, the Freedom Tree takes on a profound significance as it is adorned with blue lights, serving as a solemn reminder of the immense sacrifices made on behalf of our nation. It lets the families of these lost service members know that their loved ones may be gone, but they are not forgotten. You can read more about this memorial at orem.org/freedomtree.

Orem is Open for Business

We are so thrilled that so many businesses have chosen to invest in Orem. Over the past few months, we have welcomed the following new businesses to the city:

Buffalo Wild Wings

Lay-Z-Boy Furniture

Pier 8 Cajun Seafood

Little Beakers

Fancy Burger

Mr. Shabu

CB Cycle Works

Upright Spine Solutions

McDonald's

Dave’s Hot Chicken

Be sure to follow us on social media to see all the exciting business announcements.

We are hiring for multiple full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions.

Major City Project Updates

The three major capital improvement projects in the city are moving along nicely. Footings for the new City Center have been set and poured. The creation of the concrete floor slabs for the new 10 million-gallon water tank at Heritage Park is underway. Enough gravel has been delivered to cover one-half of the floor area. This is being distributed over the top of the protective cover that is over the liner. At the new Hillcrest Park, much of the curbing and sidewalks have been completed as well as extensive renovations on the remaining building, including the restrooms and community spaces.