With Change There Is Opportunity

The Springdale Community Forum (SCF) is an all-volunteer, non-partisan group dedicated to fostering community engagement and ongoing civic dialogue with our local public officials. In part, we achieve this by creating opportunities for citizens to gather and meet with these representatives so their voices and concerns can be heard and discussed in an open and respectful environment. Our first organized event was “Meet the Candidates” program that was very well attended. In advance of the meeting, the SCF received well over 120 questions from the community. Thus, demonstrating a clear desire by our citizens to be involved in local matters.

Another aspect of our work is to raise awareness of issues or upcoming changes in our government that will significantly impact our day to day lives here in Springdale. To that end, the SCF would like to acknowledge the upcoming retirement of Mr. Rick Wixom, Town Manager. We thank him for his contributions to the town of Springdale and appreciate his dedication and years of service to our town. At the same time, we want to highlight the critical role the Town Manager has in shaping the character and dynamics of our town as we look towards the future.

The Town Manager is not an elected position but one that is vetted and hired by the Town Council and Mayor. It is not term limited. It is a pivotal position that is both operational and strategic. As managers, they are responsible for overseeing the day to day business of local governments including managing financial and human resources and overseeing the execution of essential community services. As leaders, they also guide the vision and long-term strategic planning for the communities they serve.

Given the significant impact this position will have on our community, the SCF has submitted a letter to the Mayor and Town Council for their consideration of the following:

• Prioritize a Thorough Search Over Speed: This is the first time in several decades that town officials can seek new leadership that can bring a breadth of different experiences and new perspectives. Given the towns’ future challenges, it is critical that the selection process is thoughtful and given the necessary time needed to select the right candidate.
• Cast a Wide, National Net: This is a high-profile, desirable position. This person will not only be an important figurehead for the town, but also a key role model for staff. This is a unique opportunity to shape the leadership for years to come. We should not limit the search for experienced and exceptionally qualified candidates to our area or even Utah.
• Acknowledge Springdale’s Growth: Since Mr. Wixom was hired, Springdale has witnessed significant growth and transformation. The challenges and opportunities facing our community today require a strong leader suited to this reality and one that demonstrates resiliency and creative thinking.
• Maximize Transparency and Communication: The Town Manager is not only an important ally and resource for the Council, but also for the citizens of Springdale. As such, there is a strong desire for members of the community to be informed of the process and perhaps provide guidance given their experience in executive level management. This is a unique opportunity to demonstrate the commitment of town officials to transparency by sharing their vision and the ongoing progress in filling this pivotal position.

The SCF stands ready to support the Mayor and Town Council as they begin this search. We encourage our fellow citizens to share your perspectives—whether directly with the Mayor and Town Council or with the SCF, as we work together as a strong collective voice for the community.

The Springdale Community Forum is planning our next event in April. Our goal is to have a Town Hall meeting where citizens will be able to ask our Mayor and Town Council questions directly. We hope to have the new Town Manager introduced and join in this meeting as well. We look forward to seeing you there for another informative engagement.