Incumbents Steve Hilton, Alan Arnold and Karina Merrill are hoping to continue on the council while Michael Richter is running to make sure Riverdale voters have a choice when casting ballots.

“All other candidates are incumbents and I felt it was important for Riverdale citizens to have options,” Richter said.

Mail-in ballots will be out in early November, with voting culminating on Nov. 21. The top three vote-getters will win council seats.

Here’s a look at the contenders:

Karina Merrill: Merrill was appointed to fill the unexpired City Council term of Braden Mitchell in early 2022 after voters tabbed him to be the Riverdale mayor in 2021 elections. Now she’s seeking election to the post for the first time, citing a desire to contribute to the city.

“I possess a natural empathy that enables me to understand and connect with the emotions and experiences of fellow community members,” she said, noting her background in counseling and her communication skills. “On multiple occasions, my problem-solving abilities have successfully resolved seemingly insurmountable issues, aiding parties in reconciling their differences and finding solutions.”

Assuring public safety in Riverdale is a priority, combined with making the most of the revenue that enters city coffers and contending with the “functionality” of the current economic situation. Merrill is the owner of two businesses focused on relationship counseling and providing rental items like tables and chairs for weddings.

“The high costs across the board in our country raise questions about how we can help residents afford to live here while still maintaining public safety and essential services,” she said.

She’s concerned about assuring the future of the city-owned Riverdale Senior Center and says residential and commercial growth is another focus. “It’s important to strike a balance that supports the city’s growth while maintaining harmony among residents, city workers and elected officials,” she said.

Michael Richter: Richter, seeking public office for the first time, serves as bursar at Weber State University and touts his “fiscal responsibility.” In his capacity at the university, he has served in leadership posts in varied local, state and national organizations focused on student financing.

“The strengths I would bring to the council would be improved financial management and oversight. In the past, I believe the City Council has been too quick to simply rely (on) property tax increases to solve issues rather than find more comprehensive solutions,” he said.

He’s lived in Riverdale for nearly 30 years and said safeguarding “the strong community values” in the city is a priority. “I am committed to assuring all citizens of Riverdale City have a voice in the important city matters that impact the lives of all Riverdale families,” he said.

Alan Arnold: Arnold is seeking his fourth term on the City Council. He works as quality evaluator for the federal Defense Logistics Agency at Hill Air Force Base.

“I love the city and somebody’s got to be in there to fight for our rights with development and water,” he said.

Developers will sometimes complete a project then depart without additional ado, Arnold said, and his aim is to “make sure they leave a good product.” He wants to assure “responsible development” that is acceptable to the public after a developer finishes.

Water has reared its head as an issue at times as city leaders have strived to make sure new development has adequate water rights.

Riverdale is perceived as a wealthy city given the sales tax revenue generated by the many retail businesses on Riverdale Road, a key commercial corridor, Arnold said. But much of that, he maintains, goes to the state and other cities around Utah. Accordingly, he believes city leaders need to put a focus on making sure “essential safety services,” including police protection, firefighting and public works, get the funding they need.

Steve Hilton: Hilton recently retired as manger of technology research and development at America First Credit Union. He has served one term on the City Council and, before that, two terms on the Riverdale Planning Commission, made up of appointees.

“I am running because I love Riverdale and want to help keep it a great place to live. I believe I have the skills needed to best help Riverdale continue to thrive,” he said.

A key issue is contending with what he says is the loss of sales tax revenue generated in the city due to moves by the Utah Legislature to redistribute sales tax funds to cities with fewer businesses. “We need to deal with this issue with minimum impact on city services,” he said.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to correct the nature of Karina Merrill’s wedding business.