Celebrating 20 years and looking to the Future.

The statements in this article are the author's views and not necessarily of the entire city council.

Our city’s year long 20th birthday celebration is nearing an end.  We began our celebration in January during the State of the City, by rolling out a birthday video, creating a special logo, and honoring some of the founders of our great city. We’ve continued the party throughout this year at many city sponsored events, including our recently completed Butlerville Days celebration. We were proud to incorporate our 20th year milestone into our parade float and festivities at Butler Park. 

We will continue to honor this milestone over the last few months of 2025, but we are also eager to continue looking to the future of Cottonwood Heights. 

The city will be finalizing a new General Plan update before the end of the year. We will prioritize protecting the Suburban neighborhoods that have been the foundation of our city from the beginning. We will continue to promote our business community and the retailers who contribute to our tax base. We will work to keep property taxes low, while providing the essential services that are vital to living in Cottonwood Heights. From supporting the highest quality Public Safety Services (Police & Fire), maintaining the quality of our roads and critical infrastructure, plowing our streets efficiently during winter, enhancing pedestrian safety on our streets, continuing to create open space, while providing opportunities for our community to come together. 

Our new town center at the Hillside Plaza will be an opportunity to create a sense of identity and place to gather for city and community sponsored events. We are grateful for the Citizens Advisory Committee that played a grand role in communicating with residents and helping to create the basic concepts and principles for the site. Within the next few weeks, we will begin the process of presenting to the community the designs that are currently under way. We are so excited to share the spectacular concepts and architecture that are being created and look forward to resident feedback. 

The city will continue to be prepared at the highest levels for Emergency situations. With the retirement of our Assistant Police Chief, Paul Brenneman, the Emergency Management responsibilities will move to Sargeant Lance Bess. Bess has a degree in Emergency Services Administration and has been preparing to assume this role for a few years. He is prepared to lead staff during high spring runoff, earthquake preparedness, and all other disaster scenarios for which we currently plan. He will lead the Citizen steering committee and continue to coordinate Earthquake Shakeout exercises. Please visit www.Chgetready.com for more information on how you can be more prepared. 

The future of Cottonwood Heights is bright and we look forward to continuing to be an example to the world as we build a stronger community together. ■