A MAYOR WHO CARES ABOUT YOU MORE THEN HE CARES ABOUT THE CITY.
YOUR CANDIDATE
For Mayor
"OUR City, OUR Future"
Modern Day Problems requires Modern Day Solution
Letter to the Editor (Lehi Free Press)
To the Editor and the fellow citizens of Lehi,
As a candidate for mayor, as a concerned neighbor, a fellow resident, and a passionate advocate for our beloved city. We have reached a pivotal moment in our community’s history, a moment that calls for reflection, action, and, most importantly, change.
For too long, we have been fed a narrative that the equation of supply and demand will solve our housing crisis, that it will magically lower our cost of living while simultaneously allowing our city to grow. But let’s take a moment to examine the reality of this equation. Over the past decade, we have witnessed a relentless climb in housing costs, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. We have seen our city transform into a bustling metropolis, but at what cost?
Politicians have promised us progress, yet we find ourselves grappling with the consequences of unchecked growth: increased air pollution, rising property taxes, and a strain on our natural resources. We are losing not just land, but the very essence of what makes Lehi a great place to live. Our parks, our wildlife, and our community spirit are all at risk as we chase after a growth model that prioritizes profit over people.
It’s time to ask ourselves: how effective is this formula of supply and demand? It seems more like tossing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it sticks. We need a new approach—one that prioritizes the well-being of our citizens over the demands of the market. We need a formula that recognizes the importance of sustainable growth, that values our environment, and respects the needs of our community.
For too long, those in political office have permitted destructive overcrowding, allowing our city to be shaped by short-term gains rather than long-term vision. We cannot continue to elect career politicians who promise us a brighter tomorrow while only delivering the challenges of today. We must demand accountability and a commitment to building a future that serves all of us.
As I put forth my bid for the mayor’s seat, I urge our residents to consider the future of Lehi. Do we want to endure another four years of overcrowding, of unfulfilled promises, and of a city that feels more like a pressure cooker than a home? Or do we want to take a stand for a community that prioritizes the needs of its residents, a community that values sustainability, safety, and quality of life?
Lehi is OUR home, and it is time for US to take charge of its future. We must build a city that reflects our values, one that operates according to the needs of its citizens—not the demands of the state, the experimentation of the city council, or the whims of the market. We deserve a city that nurtures our families, protects our environment, and fosters a sense of belonging.
Together, we can create a Lehi that is not just a place to live, but a community we are proud to call home. Let us work hand in hand to ensure that our children and their children inherit a city that thrives, not just survives.
I ask, that we choose a future that is bright, sustainable, and inclusive. A future that we can all be proud of.
Charlie Tautuaa
Candidate for Mayor
"Show me your friends, and I will show you your future." - Dan Penas
Since the 2011 municipal election, there has been a succession of career politicians who have occupied office; engaged in discussions over basic issues; acknowledged your concerns, yet continued to prioritize the system over the needs of the constituents.
This is the inherent risk of having CAREER POLITICIANS, their demands are perpetual. There is always an ongoing request for increase in compensation for their "experience" in addition to healthcare benefits. A demand for financial donation and the need to increase tax to build more; and there is a never ending need for donation, all while families are left unable to afford even the most basic healthcare needs.
This situation reflects a troubling dynamic, where the primary purpose of serving and supporting the community, turns to funding a candidate to hold absolute power and authority to decide what's best for the people, disguised as "protecting the constitution," and "serving the community."
MY PLATFORM
Our Citizens
Our Citizens
Our Citizens
Air Pollution
As our population grows, so does our carbon footprint. With more vehicles, aircraft, industrial equipment, and homes in operation, we must proactively address the increasing levels of carbon emissions. Sustainable planning is essential to protect the air we breathe.
Construction
New construction projects should only move forw
Air Pollution
As our population grows, so does our carbon footprint. With more vehicles, aircraft, industrial equipment, and homes in operation, we must proactively address the increasing levels of carbon emissions. Sustainable planning is essential to protect the air we breathe.
Construction
New construction projects should only move forward once the essential needs of the community are fully considered and met. Growth must serve the people first.
Community Engagement
Registered voters will soon have a greater voice in city decisions. A mobile voting app will allow residents to vote on local bills and see real-time results, making civic participation more transparent and accessible.
Managing Growth
Growth can be positive—but only when it’s balanced. Concentrating development in one area strains resources, impacts public health, and affects quality of life. Growth must be thoughtfully distributed across the city.
Peaceful Demonstration
We fully support the right to peaceful protest. However, demonstrations that block traffic or disrupt community peace will not be permitted in Lehi. Respect for public order is essential for all voices to be heard safely.
Our Children
Our Citizens
Our Citizens
Ensuring Student Safety Through Peer Leadership
Every child deserves to feel secure at school, and every parent deserves the peace of mind that their child is protected while in our care. One effective strategy to enhance safety and student well-being is the introduction of a School Prefect Program.
School prefects are exemplary students wh
Ensuring Student Safety Through Peer Leadership
Every child deserves to feel secure at school, and every parent deserves the peace of mind that their child is protected while in our care. One effective strategy to enhance safety and student well-being is the introduction of a School Prefect Program.
School prefects are exemplary students who serve as trusted peer leaders. They support staff by acting as attentive, approachable, and responsible members of the student body.
Key advantages of implementing a prefect system include:
- Prompt response to bullying or concerning behavior
- Access to peer-level insights often not visible to adults
- Cultivation of student accountability and leadership
- Reduced pressure on faculty and staff
- Increased early detection of risks including suicide ideation, bullying, substance abuse, online threats, and more
- Better understanding of youth culture, language, and social dynamics
- Strengthened peer-to-peer support and communication
By empowering students to look out for one another, we create a more connected, responsive, and proactive school environment. Investing in this kind of student leadership is a vital step toward safeguarding our children and restoring the supportive structures they need to thrive.
WE must do better, to not rob our children of the remaining trust worthy person in their lives.
Our City
Our Citizens
Our City
Departmental Budgets
Each city department will be expected to operate within its allocated budget. Requests for additional funding will not be entertained unless exceptional circumstances arise, ensuring responsible and sustainable fiscal management.
Intergovernmental Collaboration
Strong and respectful cooperation will be maintained acros
Departmental Budgets
Each city department will be expected to operate within its allocated budget. Requests for additional funding will not be entertained unless exceptional circumstances arise, ensuring responsible and sustainable fiscal management.
Intergovernmental Collaboration
Strong and respectful cooperation will be maintained across all levels of government—federal, state, district, and municipal—to ensure alignment and effective governance for the people of our city.
Flags on Public Property
Publicly funded entities may only display the following flags:
- The United States flag
- The Utah Historic flag
- The official City of Lehi flag
Exceptions will be considered only for approved departmental or school flags that comply with city standards and receive formal approval.
Personal Beliefs in Public Settings
While we honor individual rights to religion and personal beliefs, public spaces must remain neutral and inclusive. Government settings are not the appropriate venues for promoting personal ideologies.
Term Limits
Although term limits for legislators were deemed unconstitutional by Utah’s courts in 2003, the power ultimately lies with the people. As seen in other states and at the federal level, citizens can advocate for and implement limits on how long public officials serve.
My views
Long-Term Solutions for Strengthening Law Enforcement in Lehi
I support increased strength and presence in our law enforcement—but the proposed $1.17 million budget allocation addresses only the symptoms of a deeper, long-term challenge.
Lehi’s central location within the state offers a unique advantage. It's ideally positioned for officers who may serve in multiple regions. To leverage this, I propose allocating $500,000 toward relocation incentives for law enforcement officers willing to move into our city.
At $10,000 per officer, combined with a no property tax incentive, we could attract at least 50 officers to reside in Lehi. This would result in a visible, consistent police presence in our neighborhoods—cruisers parked on our streets naturally deter criminal behavior and ensure faster response times.
This approach would not only address staffing shortages but could potentially reduce the need for annual multi-million dollar budget increases. It’s a long-term investment in community safety that pays for itself through crime reduction and enhanced efficiency.
Parks & City Property Management: A Path to Opportunity and Efficiency
I propose that we open city park and property maintenance contracts to public bidding. By doing so, we foster healthy competition, offer startup and small businesses a chance to participate in city projects, and create new pathways for economic growth within our community.
This approach offers multiple benefits:
- Cost savings for the city through competitive bids
- Greater flexibility to select from a diverse pool of vendors
- Accountability through performance-based annual contract renewals
- Local economic stimulation, as rotating vendors can boost small business growth and expand our local tax base
Rather than keeping all services in-house or with long-term incumbents, we can circulate opportunities, empowering residents and businesses to be part of Lehi’s development. This model transforms city spending into community investment.
Growth doesn’t have to be one-sided. The city can thrive while also giving back—offering opportunity, fostering innovation, and building a stronger local economy.