Steve Kemp
For St. George City Council
CANDIDATE Q&A
Question #1
What steps do you plan to take to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of affordable housing for PRIMARY residents, including those in lower income brackets?
I believe the council, working as a cohesive group, can create policies which will encourage and incentivize the development ... READ MORE
I believe the council, working as a cohesive group, can create policies which will encourage and incentivize the development of housing to meet the needs of our citizens in moderate and lower income brackets. This is not only the right thing to do, but will become very punitive for communities that do not find ways to meet the housing goals as detailed by the Utah State Legislature in SB 174, passed in the 2023 Utah legislative general session.
Question #2
What specific projects do you support that are currently underway, other than water management, to improve the infrastructure in the city i.e transportation, utilities, public buildings, parks, open space, telecommunications, master planned developments?
I will work closely with the Dixie MPO in region wide traffic and road issues. I will study and follow the guidelines spelled ... READ MORE
I will work closely with the Dixie MPO in region wide traffic and road issues. I will study and follow the guidelines spelled out in the General Plan and Downtown Plan to make policy decisions on specific projects related to other infrastructure. Specifically, I believe the I-15 Intersection proposed at 700 South being delayed indefinitely until all other options to relieve traffic across I-15 and cross town solutions are put in place is a good start. I feel like this proposed intersection would negatively impact all the neighborhoods around it, as presented in the work meetings with UDOT.
Question #3
How do you plan to balance the need for public safety with the need for individual freedoms and privacy?
Public safety will always be priority one. This is the purpose of the largest portion of the general fund and must remain as such. I will take the advice ... READ MORE
Public safety will always be priority one. This is the purpose of the largest portion of the general fund and must remain as such. I will take the advice of city legal staff, trained in constitutional law to make sure individual freedoms and privacy are protected as provided for in the US and Utah State constitutions, while insuring our public safety officers are properly trained and using industry best practices.
Question #4
How do you plan to balance the need for new residential development with concerns about urban sprawl and preserving the natural beauty of the area?
The General Plan of the city is designed with input from many stakeholder groups within the community. This document should be the starting point for ... READ MORE
The General Plan of the city is designed with input from many stakeholder groups within the community. This document should be the starting point for setting policies which will address these needs and concerns.
Question #5
What specific business sectors or industries do you believe would have the greatest positive impact on growth in the Greater Dixie area?
If "positive impact on growth" means we grow faster, then I don't think we need to grow any faster ... READ MORE
If “positive impact on growth” means we grow faster, then I don’t think we need to grow any faster. Growth represents 50% of the overall economy of St. George and the surrounding areas according to recent studies. I would like to see our economy more diversified into many sectors, adding to the historically heavy tourist based economy. Technology companies, clean manufacturing and additional distribution hubs feel like a natural fit for this market.
Question #6
Do you believe that there is a need for more entertainment options, such as bars, restaurants, and music venues, in the city?
Additional entertainment options are always needed and appreciated in a thriving community ... READ MORE
Additional entertainment options are always needed and appreciated in a thriving community. I would encourage them, as long as parking, public safety, traffic and appropriateness for the neighborhood these venues are located in are addressed adequately.
Question #7
How do you plan to balance the needs of agriculture, Golf Courses, and residential water users to ensure equitable access to water resources?
Most large scale agriculture in this area is located outside the municipal boundaries of ... READ MORE
Most large scale agriculture in this area is located outside the municipal boundaries of St. George City and would fall outside the purview of a city council member. Where applicable, I will find ways for our city to work together with the Washington County Water Conservancy District, Washington County and the Utah State Water Engineer’s office to ensure adequate water resources for residential use, now and into the future. I see a time in the future, when all outdoor watering (golf courses, parks, residential and commercial landscape, etc) will be done with non-potable secondary irrigation water, thus freeing up the higher quality water for indoor residential use. Obviously, the infrastructure to deliver this irrigation water will need to be completed throughout the community for this concept to become a reality. New water purification technology is always being developed and will become part of the equation as these technologies become cost effective for large scale use.