New Lehi council picks Michelle Stallings as mayor pro tempore and takes oaths for Mayor Paul Binns
January 6, 2026 · Lehi City Council Chambers, 153 N. 100 E., Lehi
At a work session on the day Mayor Paul Binns and Council Members James Harrison and Rachel Freeman took their oaths of office, the Lehi City Council chose Council Member Michelle Stallings as mayor pro tempore by a 5-0 vote. Members also discussed the 2026 meeting schedule, reviewed rules of order and received ethics and conflict-of-interest training. (The posted minutes carry a 2025 date in their heading but record the new officials taking office.)
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Selection of mayor pro tempore | Approved · 5-0 |
| 2026 council meeting schedule and agenda structure | Discussed |
| Rules of order and procedure review | Discussed |
| Ethics and conflict-of-interest requirements | Discussed |
| Oaths of office | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Appointment
Selection of mayor pro tempore
Approved · 5-0
Council Member Emily Lockhart nominated Council Member Michelle Stallings to serve as mayor pro tempore. All five council members voted yes.
Item 3 · Other
2026 council meeting schedule and agenda structure
Discussed
Members discussed adding more work sessions for the new council while respecting work schedules. Thursday work sessions conflicted with Planning Commission duties. Council Member Michelle Stallings opposed combining work sessions and regular sessions on the same Tuesday, citing decision fatigue, and said work sessions should be deeper discussions of items such as the budget and master plans. Other ideas were meeting only the second and fourth weeks or every Tuesday. Mayor Binns said he would refine a proposed schedule.
Item 4 · Other
Rules of order and procedure review
Discussed
City Recorder Teisha Wilson reviewed Lehi Municipal Code 1-6-3-1 and Robert's Rules: motion, second, discussion and a roll call vote on every item, and using 'postpone' rather than 'table' when the council means to see an item again. She covered the mayor's role as chair, who votes only in a tie, public decorum rules, and electronic participation.
Item 5 · Other
Ethics and conflict-of-interest requirements
Discussed
Wilson presented the Municipal Officers' and Employees' Ethics Act and a new annual financial disclosure requirement (forms due Jan. 1 to 31 each year, filed with the recorder and posted online). City Attorney Ryan Wood covered gift limits, when officials must disclose a conflict or recuse, and penalties up to a second-degree felony for voting on matters that clearly benefit the official or family. He said meeting with developers or residents is allowed but may be disclosed on the record, and asked members to consult him in advance when in doubt.
Item 6 · Appointment
Oaths of office
Discussed
The city recorder administered the oath of office to Mayor Paul Binns and Council Members James Harrison and Rachel Freeman.