The at-large County Commission spots — incumbent Gage Froerer and John Thompson are vying for Seat A, Sharon Bolos and Brian Rowley are running for Seat B — are the only county posts voters will decide on this cycle. Voting culminates next Tuesday. Incumbent Sheriff Ryan Arbon, County Clerk/Auditor Ricky Hatch and County Attorney Chris Allred, though up for reelection and on the ballot, don’t face competition.

Froerer, a Republican from the Ogden Valley and the only incumbent commissioner on the ballot, puts a focus on what he says is the county’s relative financial health in his bid for support. “Just look at our record, look at our financial position,” he said, referencing the county move to refinance outstanding county bonds at a lower interest rate, saving the county more than $2 million.

County commissioners approved a 4.5% property tax hike in 2021 to generate extra funding for the county-owned Weber County Library System and for flood control efforts. That generates some $2.16 million a year extra in property tax revenue. Froerer, however, doesn’t expect the county will have to boost taxes again until 2027. He also noted several bright spots in the county economy — lower unemployment now than during the COVID-19 pandemic, continued home construction, rises in home values and more.

“Together we will make Weber County the best place to live and raise a family!” reads his campaign website. This would be the second and final county commission term for Froerer, if elected. He previously served in the Utah House.

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Thompson is a retired U.S. Marine who lives in Ogden and has run for several elective posts over the years. He’s running as a Democrat but says he is “unaffiliated.”

“I believe in public service and have served the public interest my entire adult life,” he said in a campaign message posted to the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office website.

Thompson puts a focus on dealing with growth.

“I believe we need to work on sustainability rather than continuing unrestricted growth,” he said in his campaign message. “We cannot sustain this growth and maintain our way of life or our quality of life. Smarter, environmentally sound policies don’t hinder economics, they encourage stronger economics.”

He also floated the idea of combining the Ogden and Weber school districts.

BOLOS AND ROWLEY

Bolos, a Republican, is facing off against Libertarian Rowley in the contest for the Seat B post. Jenkins, who currently holds the seat, isn’t running again, meaning whoever wins will be a newcomer to the County Commission.

Bolos previously served two terms as West Haven mayor. “I want to work for the county and continue my public service,” she said.

Public safety is a big issue for her along with helping assure access to affordable housing for those who need it. Dealing with growth is also important. “Make sure we plan for the future, whatever that looks like,” while working with other cities or residents of unincorporated areas, she said.

In her message on the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office website, she noted her dedication to service.

“Throughout my life, I have served my community in many ways, from the PTA and the Cub Scouts to community councils and volunteer committees. … I have the right experience to move Weber County forward in a positive direction,” she said.

Rowley, who lives in Ogden, touts the import of keeping the government out of private lives, of minimizing the role of government.

“But more than that, in ending regulations that interfere with our personal freedoms,” reads his campaign website. “Do no harm, and the government should back off.”

He called for use of reflective paint for road striping so the markings can be seen when it is rainy. “We pay a hefty fee to travel our roads and when it rains we should be able to at least see the lines in the roads,” he said on his website.

He lauded Jenkins’ efforts to aid the homeless and said he would continue those moves.

“There is a major problem of homelessness and poverty in our county, and while we can’t force them out of it we can and do offer programs to help them build themselves out of poverty. I would push for those programs to be expanded while cutting the red tape getting people the help they need,” he said.

He opposes mandates on vaccines and would put a measure to voters, if they’re interested, calling for legalization of marijuana for recreational use.  He says the government “doesn’t have any business” having a role in the abortion issue.

Jim Harvey, a Republican, is the third member of the Weber County Commission. His post isn’t up for grabs this cycle.