Don Christensen serves on the West Valley City Council at large; he took office January 5, 2016, in his second period on the council. His city biography lists a Brigham Young University degree (1968), a master's in education from the University of Utah and a doctorate in education from Brigham Young University, 12 years on the Utah State Board of Education, 13 years with the Boy Scouts of America in California, and time as an adjunct professor at College of the Desert. He has chaired the city's Civic Committee and Sister City Committee. Don Christensen spent 12 years on the Utah State Board of Education, according to his West Valley City biography. It also describes a career in education that included adjunct teaching at College of the Desert in California, and lists a master's degree in education from the University of Utah and a doctorate in education from Brigham Young University.
The council voted 5-0 on June 9, 2026, to raise the city's small-purchase threshold from $30,000 to $70,000. Purchases in that range no longer need council approval if they are budgeted and approved in advance by a department head and the city manager.
AI-generated illustration: The Utah Ledger · Original graphic · The Utah Ledger
The council approved Resolution 26-89 on Aug. 11, 2026, after a public hearing on a property tax increase. City officials described about $1.9 million in added property tax revenue for new firefighter positions and pay increases. Councilmember Tom Huynh voted no.
