Lehi council keeps ranked choice voting for 2023 with a primary if more than six candidates file, 3-2
April 25, 2023, 6:32 p.m. · Council Chamber, 153 N. 100 East, Lehi
The council voted 3-2 to ask to remain in the state's ranked choice voting pilot, adding a primary election if more than six candidates file, after more than a dozen speakers weighed in. It also allocated $333,305 in 2023 CDBG funds and approved contracts for an irrigation pond, a well, Lehi Family Park phase I and a cell tower lease. Minutes are dated April 24, 2023.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Consent agenda: purchase orders | Approved · 5-0 |
| 2023 CDBG project selection | Approved · 5-0 |
| Hadco agreement for Holbrook lower pressurized irrigation pond (Resolution 2023-21) | Approved · 5-0 |
| Water Well Services agreement for Flight Park well drilling (Resolution 2023-22) | Approved · 5-0 |
| SIRQ Construction agreement for Lehi Family Park phase I (Resolution 2023-23) | Approved · 5-0 |
| Option and lease agreement with New Cingular Wireless for a cell tower (Resolution 2023-24) | Approved · 5-0 |
| Request to join the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods (ranked choice) pilot (Resolution 2023-20) | Approved with conditions · 3-2 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 2.3 · Presentation
Mountain View Corridor landscaping and aesthetics, Lehi/Saratoga Springs segment
Discussed
Community Development Director Kim Struthers reported on a UDOT meeting about the roughly four-mile segment. UDOT asked for council input. Members preferred concrete over rock because of maintenance, suggested textured concrete to separate pedestrian areas from the roadway, and took a neutral stance on bridge naming, avoiding city names except for street names.
Item 2.4 · Presentation
Facilities: Sports Park concrete, Station 83 and museum roofing
Discussed
Parks Division Manager Steve Marchbanks said Station 83 has had leaks since construction because of a missing barrier between the capstone and cinderblock, and repairs were unbudgeted and will need a budget amendment. Settling damaged concrete at the Sports Park horseshoe pits; repairs plus a south-side sump cost $25,000. The Hutchings Museum roof has leaked for three years and a licensed historic-building firm is investigating; the budget is undetermined.
- Payment$25,000
Item 3 · Other
Consent agenda: purchase orders
Approved · 5-0
Approved on consent.
Item 4 · Budget
2023 CDBG project selection
Approved · 5-0
Jessica DeLora of Mountainland Association of Governments presented applications. Michelle Holbrook of the Holbrook Community Center (Curtis Center for Arts and Education) sought $30,000 for two rooms for people with disabilities, part of a $10.5 million project with $1.3 million still needed. Rebecca Martel of the Utah County Children's Justice Center described its services. City Engineer Lorin Powell requested infrastructure funds near Lehi Elementary. The council allocated the $333,305 available.
- Grant$265,000 to Lehi City Engineering
- Grant$23,305 to Holbrook Center
- Grant$5,000 to Utah County Children's Justice Center
- Fee$40,000 to Mountainland Association of Governments
Item 5 · Contract
Hadco agreement for Holbrook lower pressurized irrigation pond (Resolution 2023-21)
Approved · 5-0
The council approved the agreement for construction of the pond. Water Division Manager Greg Allred was available for questions. The minutes give no amount.
- ContractAmount not given to Hadco
Item 6 · Contract
Water Well Services agreement for Flight Park well drilling (Resolution 2023-22)
Approved · 5-0
The council approved the well drilling agreement. No amount in the minutes.
- ContractAmount not given to Water Well Services
Item 7 · Contract
SIRQ Construction agreement for Lehi Family Park phase I (Resolution 2023-23)
Approved · 5-0
The council approved pre-construction and construction services with SIRQ Construction. Parks Division Manager Steve Marchbanks was available for questions. No amount in the minutes.
- ContractAmount not given to SIRQ Construction
Item 8 · Contract
Option and lease agreement with New Cingular Wireless for a cell tower (Resolution 2023-24)
Approved · 5-0
The council approved an option and lease agreement with New Cingular Wireless. No site or amounts in the minutes.
- Land dealAmount not given to New Cingular Wireless
Item 9 · Other
Request to join the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods (ranked choice) pilot (Resolution 2023-20)
Approved with conditions · 3-2
Mayor Mark Johnson said the vote determines whether Lehi uses ranked choice voting. Speakers opposed to it, including Nick Franklin, Caitlin Osborne, Michelle Miles, Aaron Bolen, Michelle Stallings, county clerk Erin Davidson, Wendy Hart and Stephanie Grant, said it is confusing, can leave ballots partly uncounted in multi-seat races, and reduces voters' information; Michelle Miles and Michelle Stallings cited Lehi's 2021 election. Jeremy Baker and former county clerk Josh Daniels supported it, saying it removes the incentive to vote for only one candidate (18.8% did so in 2017) and improves campaigns. Ron Smith preferred a primary. Council Member Katie Koivisto opposed it, citing confusion and lack of education, and suggested a primary. Council Member Paul Hancock supported it and suggested using it in a primary and the general election. Council Member Mike Southwick preferred it without a primary to save money. Council Member Chris Condie said opinion is roughly 50/50, that both systems can be manipulated, and that a primary is necessary. Council Member Paige Albrecht said she would give it one more chance with more voter education and supported a primary. The motion adds a primary if more than six candidates file, with ranked choice in both elections.
- Condition: primary election if more than six candidates file; ranked choice voting in primary and general
What residents said
STRATA work on 1100 West and sidewalk safetyRanked choice voting and election confusion
Citizens Paul Benz, Jonathan Maitland and Kenneth Glade raised safety and sidewalk concerns and questioned the approval process for STRATA Networks' work on 1100 West. During the ranked choice item more than a dozen residents and election officials spoke for and against (see item 9).