HILDALE, UT – The Hildale City Council held a swearing-in ceremony during its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, Jan. 7, welcoming new leadership while honoring outgoing members.
Mayor Donia Jessop was sworn in for her third term after defeating Guy Timpson with 58.51% of the vote (552 votes to 391). Council Member Terril Musser, who received 55.32% in the council race, will serve a second term. Both positions carry four-year terms.
The meeting marked a transition on the five-member council as Brigham Holm, who served one term after 3.5 years on the Hildale Planning and Zoning Commission, chose not to seek re-election. Lamont Black, who received 44.68% of the vote in the two-seat council race, was sworn in to fill the vacant seat. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by City Recorder Maxene Jessop.
Before the swearing-in, Mayor Jessop asked Holm to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The mayor and Council Member Musser then presented Holm with a plaque recognizing his service.
In his remarks, Holm reflected on his time serving the community. “Since I moved home in 2014, it has been an absolute loving journey of reconnection and rebuilding, reconnecting with so many family, people and members and cousins and friends,” Holm said. “To serve on this board has been an absolute pleasure. Every one of the people on this board has been so fun to see the heart that you have for this community and the love you have for the individuals of this community.”
Holm added, “I can say I stand on the shoulders of giants on this board. It was a pleasure, and I’m just happy because I’m finally home.”
After Holm’s remarks, Council Member-elect Lamont Black was sworn in by City Recorder Maxene Jessop, along with Mayor Jessop and Council Member Musser. Black then took his seat on the council, filling the position vacated by Holm.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the council moved through a brief agenda. Among the items discussed was an infrastructure upgrade for power upgrades to the sewer lagoon service, not to exceed $50,000. Utility Director Jerry Postema presented the item. After a few questions from council members, it was approved.
Mayor Jessop noted the city’s remarkable growth in recent years. Eight years ago, she said, there were conversations about potentially not having enough sewage and possibly needing to pay $70,000 to decommission a pond. Now, the city’s sewer ponds are at capacity, reflecting substantial community growth.
