Dillon Hurt
For Ivins City Council
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 am an advocate for minimal, balanced residential...READ MORE
I am an advocate for minimal, balanced residential growth, I propose a zoning strategy that carefully regulates development to preserve Ivins’ unique character while prioritizing full-time residents. Recognizing the equal importance of low-density and high-density housing, I support limited, strategically placed zones for both to meet diverse community needs without fueling overdevelopment. Low-density zones will cater to single-family homes, while high-density zones, confined to areas with existing infrastructure, will provide affordable options for residents committed to Ivins’ future. To prevent Ivins from becoming a rental or vacation community, I will push for ordinances restricting short-term rentals and prioritizing owner-occupied or long-term lease properties. Protected open space designations, especially around areas like Snow Canyon State Park, and clustered development will safeguard our natural landscapes through conservation easements and land trust partnerships.
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?
As the youngest candidate for Ivins City Council...READ MORE
As the youngest candidate for Ivins City Council, having called Ivins home since my family moved here in 1997, I’m committed to planning for the next 50 years and beyond. Ivins faces significant infrastructure demands, with a 2023 study estimating $87.5 million needed over 30 years to refurbish roads, trails, and sidewalks alone, requiring $1.7 million annually to prepare. In addition I will prioritize parks, walking/biking paths and recreational areas, vital for our community, with dedicated maintenance funds and volunteer programs to keep them thriving. With 300+ days of sunny skies, there will be clean, maintained, outdoor amenities for community members to enjoy outside. To balance these costs with other municipal budget demands, I’ll emphasize fiscal discipline through competitive bidding, regular audits to cut waste, and transparent budgeting.
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’m dedicated to keeping our police, fire, and emergency medical...READ MORE
I’m dedicated to keeping our police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) strong as Ivins grows. My mother, Shellie Hurt, was a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Ivins for 18 years, so I know how vital it is to have skilled people in these roles with fair pay and good facilities, matching the rest of the County. To fund this, I’ll seek state and federal grants, like the $577 million Utah got in 2021 for infrastructure, which can free up money for EMS. I also support a small sales tax option, like one proposed in 2024, to fund services without raising property taxes. To attract talent, I’ll partner with Dixie Tech to train local students for EMS careers, offering hands-on programs and job pathways to keep our services top-notch. I’ll also offer volunteer incentives, inspired by my mom, to boost 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 am committed to ensuring residents’ voices guide zoning...READ MORE
I am committed to ensuring residents’ voices guide zoning and development decisions in our growing community. I believe in-person or telephone conversations are the best way to discuss concerns and find solutions, and I’m happy to share my personal cell phone number to make reaching a council member easy. To strengthen engagement, I will push for community engagement during city council meetings focused on development projects, where residents can share feedback, ask questions, and hear from planners and developers. I’m also active on online platforms—Facebook, Instagram (@dhurt1123), and NextDoor—for updates and input, but I prioritize direct communication. I will advocate for a general community survey every five years, similar to the one conducted in 2022, to capture residents’ long-term priorities for growth. These efforts will foster collaborative, community-driven governance that preserves Ivins’ unique character while reflecting the needs of all residents.
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?
With Ivins’ limited existing businesses, I believe we can...READ MORE
With Ivins’ limited existing businesses, I believe we can grow our economy by leveraging current infrastructure to support a walkable town that residents desire. I propose targeting small-scale, community-oriented businesses such as coffee shops, quaint restaurants, and boutique retail shops. These businesses would not only provide convenience for residents but also generate tax revenue to fund city services. To align with resident priorities, I will host quarterly business development forums to gather input on desired business types and ensure growth reflects our vision for a vibrant, walkable Ivins. These policies, grounded in fiscal responsibility and community collaboration, will reduce reliance on tourism and construction while strengthening our local economy.
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 reduce delays and improve safety, I will focus on...READ MORE
To reduce delays and improve safety, I will focus on targeted infrastructure improvements, recognizing that stop lights should be used sparingly. Specifically, I propose installing a stoplight or roundabout (whatever the traffic experts recommend) at the intersection of Red Mountain Boulevard and Old Highway 91, where increased traffic from growth along Highway 91 toward Kayenta has made left turns challenging and hazardous for connecting road drivers. Additionally, I will prioritize expanding non-motorized infrastructure, such as the 13 miles of trails in Ivins, to include dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian paths along high-traffic corridors, encouraging walkability and reducing vehicle reliance. To enhance safety, I support low-cost safety upgrades like improved signage, crosswalks, and roundabouts where appropriate. To fund these initiatives without overburdening taxpayers, I will leverage partnerships with the Five County Association of Governments for regional funding.
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.
I am committed to addressing Southern Utah’s drought concerns with...READ MORE
I am committed to addressing Southern Utah’s drought concerns with a forward-thinking plan that ensures equitable water allocation while prioritizing conservation. Water is a fundamental right for all, but living in a desert demands proactive planning to secure Ivins’ future. My framework begins with expanding water storage capacity by upgrading existing reservoirs, such as those tied to the Snow Canyon Well Project, and exploring new holding areas in partnership with the Washington County Water Conservancy District. To balance allocation among residential, commercial, agricultural, and recreational users, I propose a tiered pricing system for residential and commercial use. Every household and business will be guaranteed a baseline amount of water at a fixed, affordable rate to meet essential needs, but usage beyond this will incur progressively higher costs to discourage waste while respecting individual choice. For city-owned facilities, I will enforce rigorous regulations, mandating low-water landscaping and retrofitting public spaces with efficient irrigation systems.