Aros Mackey
For St. George Mayor
CANDIDATE Q&A
Question #1
Washington County’s rapid growth pressures both development and preservation of open spaces. What is your proposed zoning strategy to balance new housing and commercial projects with maintaining the region’s natural landscapes, and how will you address community concerns about overdevelopment?
I’ll advocate for a precinct-by-precinct overlay...READ MORE
I’ll advocate for a precinct-by-precinct overlay so each neighborhood from SunRiver to downtown co-designs its own compatible mix of housing and small scale commerce. We’ll incentivize infill and mixed use along key corridors with density bonuses tied to public space set asides, while protecting ridgelines, river corridors, and watershed recharge zones via conservation overlays. Every rezoning requires local advisory board sign off before Council consideration, ensuring growth fits our character and preserves open space.
Question #2
Aging infrastructure, such as roads, water lines, and public facilities, requires ongoing investment. What is your plan to fund and prioritize maintenance and upgrades, and how will you balance these costs with other municipal budget demands?
To maintain roads, water lines, and public facilities without...READ MORE
To maintain roads, water lines, and public facilities without raising taxes, I will:
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Audit & Streamline: Zero-based budgeting to cut waste and redeploy savings to core infrastructure.
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Alternative Funding: Leverage impact fees from new development, targeted state/federal grants, and public-private partnerships to fund upgrades.
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Transparent Prioritization: Publish a quarterly “Infrastructure Scorecard” that ranks projects by safety, usage, and return on investment so citizens see exactly where funds go.
Question #3
With rising populations, how will you ensure that police, fire, and emergency services remain adequately funded and staffed? Please specify whether you would reallocate existing budgets, seek new revenue sources, or implement other strategies to meet these needs.
I will ensure police, fire, and EMS stay fully staffed...READ MORE
I will ensure police, fire, and EMS stay fully staffed and equipped by:
Budget Reallocation: Shift a small portion of existing general-fund savings into frontline public-safety roles.
Veteran Led Training: Launch a Community Watch Education Program led by retired military/intel officers to empower residents, freeing first responders for critical calls.
New Revenue Streams: Use impact fees and pursue Homeland Security and FEMA grants never Truth in Taxation to underwrite equipment and specialized staffing.
Question #4
Large and even small scale development projects often spark community debate. How will you ensure that residents’ voices are meaningfully incorporated into decisions about zoning and development, and what specific mechanisms (e.g., town halls, advisory boards) will you establish or strengthen?
I believe true co-governance means residents shape every...READ MORE
I believe true co-governance means residents shape every project big or small, so I’ll ensure:
Precinct Design Workshops: Hands-on sessions with neighbors and planners whenever development is proposed.
Resident Liaisons: Elected precinct seats on the Planning Commission to bring local perspectives to every rezoning vote.
Transparent Alerts & Data: Instant notifications and an open data portal so you can review applications and staff reports at your convenience.
Neighborhood Endorsements: Encouraging developers to seek community support before formal review.
Open Comment: Both in chamber and online opportunities to speak or submit feedback on every proposal.
Together, these tools turn debate into design making sure St. George grows the way you want.
Question #5
To reduce reliance on tourism and construction, what specific industries or business types will you target to diversify Washington County’s economy, and what incentives or policies will you propose to attract them?
I believe the best way to diversify our economy is...READ MORE
I believe the best way to diversify our economy is to let the private sector lead, while City Hall provides the neutral, reliable backbone businesses need to thrive: Streamlined Permitting & Regulation: Create a one stop “business launch” portal and clear, standardized zoning that lets entrepreneurs focus on their ideas not paperwork. Market Driven Support: Host regular “Innovation Roundtables” to connect startups with investors, mentors, and technical resources, letting demand not government mandates, drive which industries grow here. By maintaining a level playing field and focusing on the essentials fast approvals, robust utilities, and open data, we’ll empower tech firms, light manufacturers, healthcare innovators, and countless small businesses to choose St George as their home.
Question #6
Washington County is experiencing increased traffic congestion, particularly in urbanizing areas. What specific infrastructure improvements or policies will you prioritize to reduce traffic delays and improve road safety, and how will you fund these initiatives without overburdening taxpayers?
To ease congestion and boost safety without raising taxes...READ MORE
To ease congestion and boost safety without raising taxes, I’ll focus on:
Impact Fee Funded Upgrades: Use development impact fees to build roundabouts and add turn‐lanes at known chokepoints, so growth pays for the improvements it creates.
Adaptive Signal Technology: Deploy real‐time traffic‐signal systems on busy corridors that adjust to actual traffic flow.
Data‐Driven Monitoring: Install traffic counters and a citizen reporting app to spot emerging hotspots early, so we can tweak timings or add safety features before backups worsen.
By tying funding to growth, leaning on grants and partnerships, and using smart technology, we’ll unclog roads and make every trip safer without touching your property tax rate.
Question #7
Given the ongoing drought concerns in Southern Utah, how will you prioritize water allocation among residential, commercial, agricultural, and recreational (e.g., golf courses) users? Please provide a specific plan or framework to ensure equitable distribution while addressing conservation goals.
Water Efficiency & Transparency Framework Rather than...READ MORE
Water Efficiency & Transparency Framework Rather than layering more mandates, we’ll empower every citizen and every business to make responsible water decisions by putting real time data at your fingertips: Open Water Dashboard Publish live readings from our 28 municipal wells, reservoir levels, and daily consumption trends on a public website and mobile app. Neighborhood Usage Maps Display anonymized, block level water use so you can compare your household or business against neighborhood averages and see where conservation pays off. Automated Alerts & Tips Let residents sign up for low supply notifications or high usage warnings by text or email, along with tailored conservation tips (e.g., lawn-watering schedules, leak-fix guides). Annual “Water Wise” Report Release a community scorecard showing total gallons saved year over year, spotlighting top conserving neighborhoods and businesse and inspiring friendly competition. By streamlining data access and giving everyone the tools to monitor and manage their own usage, we’ll unlock organic, community led conservation making water stewardship a natural part of adult responsibility.