Welcome to the City Journals Voters Guide!

2025's General Election Day is on Nov. 4.   (See other important dates and SLCounty information in our Voting Information Overview page at the Valley Journals here.) 

In preparation, we surveyed our readers (like you!) to ask which local topics would determine important voting decisions for local races. We then asked your local candidates those reader-suggested questions. Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 200 words.These are their answers: 

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In South Salt Lake, Brittany Karzen and Cherie Wood are running for Mayor.

 

Q: Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so? 

Brittany Karzen: I believe the intent of government should be to use property tax revenue wisely; focusing on the core needs residents expect, like public safety, drivable roads, and well-maintained parks. But when information about how those dollars are spent isn’t shared in a clear and accessible way, taxpayers lose confidence. It’s not enough to say money is being used responsibly—residents need to see it.Cherie Wood: South Salt Lake's current property tax revenue is being used effectively. There has been a struggle  over the last 20 years to rebalance and prioritize the city’s needs after the State changed the way it  distributes sales taxes each community generates. South Salt Lake was one of only a handful of cities  that were significantly harmed statewide. This action removed over $ 6 million annually from the City  of South Salt Lake and redistributed it to other communities in the state. The two primary sources of  the city’s budget are property taxes and sales taxes.

Q: Thinking about fiscal responsibility, what values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values? 

Brittany Karzen: A city budget should reflect the values of its community by focusing first on the basic needs government was created to address, safe neighborhoods, reliable infrastructure, and essential services. Beyond that foundation, fiscal responsibility also means making intentional investments where they are most needed. For example, supporting prevention services for youth that reduce long-term costs, exploring ways to ease the burden for seniors living on fixed incomes, and ensuring we respect the tax dollars collected from some of the lowest-income individuals in the county.Cherie Wood: The current city budget accurately reflects the community's values. We conducted a community  values survey early in 2025 as we prepared the current city budget. The results of that survey align  with community needs and the current 2025/2026 city budget.    • It is forward-looking. Investing in capital infrastructure (Public Works campus, new water well,  sewer, stormwater, streets) while being supported by grants and bonds.    • Public safety remains a central focus, with both equipment and staffing enhancements.   • It actively addresses affordable housing and homelessness, not just with financial resources, but  also with dedicated roles and planning frameworks.    • Education and community-building are clearly valued, reflected in improvements to public  spaces and programs for youth and families.    • The budgeting process prioritizes transparency, resident engagement, and long-term stewardship  of resources.

Q: Many residents reported concern for government oversight and transparency. What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren't met? 

Brittany Karzen: Transparency is the foundation of public trust, and when it isn’t met, residents deserve real accountability. In addition to creating a transparent, public-facing budget dashboard, I would hold regular listening sessions during the budget process so residents can weigh in before decisions are made. I also believe the annual planning process should include accessible opportunities, both in person and online, for the community to review priorities and ask questions.Cherie Wood: The state governs the oversight for these concerns. Utah law requires municipalities like South Salt  Lake to operate with high transparency, including:  • Open Meetings and Accessible Records (OPMA + GRAMA).   • Public input and disclosure around budgeting and taxes (Truth in Taxation + Municipal Budget  Act).   • Independent financial audits and state reporting.  • Conflict-of-interest safeguards for public officials.   • The State also provides the consequences for any violations of these laws. The consequences can  include:   • Void decisions (meeting actions/budgets undone). • Civil fines or criminal charges against officials. • Court-ordered release of records + payment of attorney’s fees. • Audits, investigations, or state enforcement. • Loss of office or long-term political fallout.

Q: What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE? 

Brittany Karzen: Local government is not, and should not be, responsible for enforcing federal immigration law. Cooperation with ICE places local law enforcement in a tenuous position and distracts from their core mission of keeping our community safe. It also undermines trust: when residents fear that contact with local government could expose them to immigration enforcement, they are less likely to call for help, report crimes, or engage with city services. That makes all of us less safe.

Cherie Wood: The City of South Salt Lake Police Department does not cooperate with ICE. It is not appropriate for  our local resources to be reprioritized by the federal government for their needs. 

Q: What is SSL doing to protect immigrants and people of color?

Brittany Karzen: I’m not part of the current city administration, but as a candidate for Mayor, I believe South Salt Lake should always be a safe and welcoming place for every resident. Our diversity is one of the things that makes this city special. I would focus on making city services accessible to all, building partnerships with community organizations, and ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, feels respected and included. This only matters, though, if we are able to build effective and durable relationships that give South Salt Lake a regional advantage—so our community is not just welcoming, but also well-positioned to thrive.

Cherie Wood: • Through our Promise SSL department, we offer various support services for our residents. Our  community liaisons help our residents with language barriers and navigating unfamiliar systems.  We have almost completed a Pathways to Citizenship program with philanthropic support to  navigate the application and legal roadblocks. We have community pantries throughout our  community and a city-wide system of after-school programs to help our youth be successful in  our local public schools. We have informed our residents to call our police department if they  don’t feel safe. Our officers will document any interactions with other federal agencies. 

• Following the wave of national protests, I led the transformation of our police department by  establishing a Civilian Review Board—bringing greater accountability and transparency to public  safety. By prioritizing community policing and listening to the voices of our residents, I helped shift  the department toward a model rooted in trust, fairness, and social justice.

Q: One main succinct reason/goal for why you are running for this election: 

Brittany Karzen: I’m running to offer residents a choice and bring fresh, transparent leadership for South Salt Lake’s future.

Cherie Wood: My guiding principle is, “What I wish for myself and my family, I wish for everyone in my community” - I actively seek resident input, engage transparently through open communication with residents and  businesses, and emphasize inclusivity and care in policy — from education to neighborhood beautification and  civic pride.

Q: Background (residents have asked: What is your relevant educational/job experience? What previous government positions or offices have you held? How long have you been on the council?):

Brittany Karzen: I have spent my two decade career working in public service and community engagement across Utah. I served as Director of Communications and Public Policy for the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, where I managed public safety communications and helped lead major organizational changes. I currently work as Program Director for Public Outreach and Transparency with the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, where I focus on government accountability, community trust, and stakeholder engagement.

Cherie Wood: Mayor Cherie Wood is a trailblazing leader and a life-long third-generation   resident of South Salt Lake, where she became the city’s first female mayor in  2010. With deep roots in her community and a passion for equity, she launched Promise South Salt Lake, a groundbreaking initiative providing free youth, adult, and family programs that empower more than 2,500 individuals  annually. Mayor Wood’s philosophy—“What I wish for my family, I wish for everyone in my community”— guides her relentless commitment to education, safety, health, and prosperity. In the wake of tragedy, she led the creation of the Hser Ner Moo Community Center, catalyzing a movement of resilience and opportunity. Under her leadership, South Salt Lake has become a national model for community stabilization, earning honors like United Way’s “Changemaker” and the 2025 Days of '47 Pioneers of Progress Award. Mayor Wood’s vision has redefined civic service—placing people at the center of policy, partnership, and progress. 

Q: How can residents stay informed about your campaign? 

Brittany Karzen: brittanyformayor.com

Cherie Wood: Residents can stay informed about my campaign by visiting www.electcheriewood.com

Q: What role do you believe local government should play in protecting open space and natural areas within your community?  Residents specifically asked: What actions will you take to help conserve the Great Salt Lake? 

Brittany Karzen:

Cherie Wood: Conserving water, planning for the future water needs of South Salt Lake, and protecting the future of  the Great Salt Lake have been a top priority of my office for the last four years. We have implemented  a robust set of strategies to encourage water conservation: 

• The city prohibits outdoor landscape watering between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, helping to prevent  daytime evaporation and waste during the hottest hours. 

• In partnership with Utah Water Savers, SSL residents can receive cash incentives for switching to  water-efficient landscapes—especially replacing lawns with drought-tolerant plants via the  Localscapes program. 

• The EyeOnWater app enables residents to monitor their water usage in real-time, receive alerts  for leaks or abnormal use, and manage their consumption proactively. 

• Replacing older water meters with cellular-enabled smart meters to enable accurate, real-time  billing and usage monitoring. 

• Bonding for a $10 million well project (with an $8.5 million low-interest state loan), spreading the  cost impact with only a modest $1 monthly water bill increase for residents. 

• Conducting a Rate Study to ensure sustainable utility rates, with transparency and public input  built into the process. 

 

Q: If elected, how will you begin managing high-density housing, short-term rentals, and property value protections in your community?   (Residents specifically asked: Do you support holding builders accountable to a higher standard (like expecting builders to make needed improvements to streets and sidewalks)?

Brittany Karzen: Managing growth in South Salt Lake requires balance. We must protect our single-family neighborhoods while also building both for-sale and rental housing that meets the needs of a diverse community. Growth is inevitable, but it must be managed responsibly and in a way that strengthens our city.

Developers should be held to a higher standard. When new projects come in, they must include the improvements needed to support them, such as streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure. We cannot ask South Salt Lake taxpayers to subsidize those costs, especially when high-density developments displace businesses that bring in sales tax and other critical revenue to the city.

Cherie Wood: During my administration, we have been very strategic in zoning the downtown to support the  high-density housing the State is requiring. Our downtown area is rich in established transit  options, with the S-Line, TRAX line, Parley’s Trail, and is surrounded by I-15 and I-80.  

Short-term Rentals and property value protections Earlier this year, we passed a Short-Term Rental Ordinance. We worked with many neighborhoods  throughout the city to address their concerns. The ordinance establishes caps and zoning rules to  keep short-term rentals from overwhelming residential areas. It provides strict requirements  around residency and licensing to ensure operators are invested in the community. The City’s new  ADU policies offer new housing options while avoiding the potential to undermine long-term  stability. Overall, the city’s strategic planning and community partnerships help support  homeowners and maintain property values. 

Five years ago, we utilized a Public Improvement District to ensure the developers building in the  downtown would pay for the needed sewer infrastructure improvements to address additional  capacity issues. I am committed to using these types of tools so that the cost of development is  addressed by those who develop.

Q: What education policies do you support? Residents asked about school closures, capping class sizes, banning books, and restricting teachers to do their jobs. 

Brittany Karzen:

Cherie Wood: • SSL has a close partnership with Granite School District, and we have Promise programs in each  of our public schools, including Cottonwood High School. Through this work, we support our  teachers daily. 

• We have actively fought to keep all of our schools open through this partnerships • I do not support banning books 

• Our city-run department, the Promise program, offers free, equitable, and inclusive programs  across 13 locations, serving over 2,500 youth and their families each year. As a collaboration  between schools, families, civic leaders, and service agencies, we support our residents from  “cradle to career.” Results include: 

o An 85% decrease in youth crime between the hours of 3 and 6 PM 

o All South Salt Lake schools are out of turnaround status 

o Higher graduation rates and fewer unexcused school absences 

• South Salt Lake’s Promise program 

o Ranked Top 15 US Dept of Education 21st Century After-School Programs 

o Recognized as the top after-school program in Utah by the Utah Afterschool Network o Recognized by Harvard University and Harlem Children’s Zone and I was invited to share our success with mayors throughout the county at Summit 2025 

•This is unique work. To find out more, visit https://sslc.gov/193/Promise-South-Salt-Lake 

Q: What are your priorities regarding funding of homeless shelters and assistance programs?  Residents specifically asked about safe spaces, quality of shelters, and accessibility of programs.

Brittany Karzen: The state and county must take full responsibility for funding homeless shelters and the related costs to the communities where they are located. South Salt Lake is home to two shelters, and while we remain committed to providing critical public safety services, our residents and businesses should not shoulder a disproportionate burden for a challenge that is regional in scope.

Cherie Wood: In May of 2025, the Family Non-Congregate Housing (FINCH) facility opened in SSL, offering 80  Rooms to families experiencing homelessness. Due to our Promise SSL programs, I believed we  would be able to help stabilize these families with a safe space and accessibility to our afterschool  programs.

Q: How do you plan to assist your senior residents and those on fixed incomes?   (Residents specifically asked about seniors being able to age in place affordably, senior safety, food insecurity and nutrition for low-income households, and support programs.) 

Brittany Karzen: Supporting seniors and residents on fixed incomes means helping them stay safe, independent, and financially secure. Rising costs can be especially difficult for those on fixed incomes, so I will work to create tools that help residents anticipate property taxes and explore ways to reduce or waive certain city fees, such as those tied to animal services.

Cherie Wood: In our Promise SSL Department, we have a housing navigator who works with all issues related to housing insecurity. This position helps residents/seniors find grants or programs to help them stay in  their homes. We have a bus that picks up seniors twice a week, helping them get to and from a local  grocery store. We have community pantries in our neighborhood centers. We also have partnerships  with the U’s wellness bus, which makes stops twice a week at our neighborhood centers. 

As part of our updated affordable housing plan, we have identified a need for 55 and older housing  options in our community. We are currently planning to add over 200 new units in the next two years.