Monday evening, incumbents Ryan Barker and Phil Swanson were joined by challengers Christina Watson, Chris Pulver, Tim Billings and Merrill Sunderland for a debate sponsored by the Weber County League of Women Voters. These six candidates are competing for three open at-large seats on the council.

Taxes

The candidates were asked what they’d eliminate and do in order to avoid increases in taxes.

Watson said there may be a need to back off of certain opportunities in order to maximize savings.

“When inflation hits, that may not be the time that we splurge on things,” she said. “Maybe there’s a time and a place for things and we need to hold off on some other ideas.”

Barker said he’s seen departments already taking more frugal steps to save up money, using the city’s parks and recreation department as an example.

“Everything the parks and rec department has done this last year was, ‘How are we going to save man hours going forward?'” he said. “We’re starting to eliminate some park strips and getting the grass out so we don’t have to mow them. We’re trying to figure out ways to be more frugal with our money because we never know what’s going to happen.”

Billings said he’s unable to think of anything to eliminate.

“North Ogden City’s already running very efficiently,” he said. “They’re running at a high clip. They’re doing the very best they can with what they have. … Would we cut anything? I don’t know that I have a great answer in my first response and my gut check is no. My initial thought is we would continue to find small ways to be more proficient and more profitable.”

Economic development

Candidates were also asked about what they’d like to do for economic development and to attract more commercial businesses.

Pulver said development should suit North Ogden and that the city should at least monitor the process.

“The biggest thing is making sure that when the developers do have ideas, I know we can’t direct it, but we can push in a certain direction,” he said. “One of the biggest things is to be an active partner to that process and not just at the end say, ‘no,’ because that makes no sense. If you’re part of the process, at least they come up with something you can change or tweak a little bit here and there. The overall role of city government is to at least apply some pressure.”

Swanson said growth of population is necessary for more businesses to come.

“When businesses are looking at North Ogden, they’re looking at three things — rooftops, average income and average education within a 3-, 5- and 7-mile radius,” he said. “We have above-average income. We have above-average education. We have below-average rooftops and that kills most businesses wanting to come into North Ogden.”

Sunderland said it’s important for the city to keep an eye on the businesses that already exist in North Ogden.

“To quote a local business owner, ‘We need to support the businesses that are here if we want to see new businesses come into North Ogden,'” he said. “It’s not likely that some businesses will show up here even though people here may want them. It’s because of the nature of where we live and how this place is situated. But we do want to continue to do as the city has done and encourage businesses to come in.”

Candidates were also asked about housing, infrastructure and funding for the Redevelopment Agency.

For a replay of Tuesday’s forum, see the Weber County League of Women Voters Facebook page.