"The job for the mayor is going to be tremendous," said Paul Childs, a member of the Cottonwood Heights Incorporation Committee. "There's a lot of groundwork that needs to be done before the city can be expected to take off."

Both candidates agree on much of what that initial work will include. They want to contract with the county for services such as police protection and public works. The two candidates are also against building a City Hall, opting instead for renting office space.

Cullimore and Bitter also agree that they do not want more billboards lining city streets. Five county-imposed billboards drew ire from many residents and increased support for making Cottonwood Heights its own city, Cullimore said.

Another key responsibility for the Cottonwood Heights mayor will be coming up with the money to operate the city. Striking a balance between courting commercial development to raise tax revenues and maintaining quality of life for residents will likely be the main issue for voters heading to the polls in November, said Lincoln Shurtz at the Utah League of Cities.

Both Cullimore and Bitter oppose changing zoning laws to bring in more commercial development but have no problem using existing commercial zones to recruit big business.

Bitter said some residents have rallied for putting commercial developments on the western edge of the city that is now filled with trailer homes. But Bitter said she draws the line when people are displaced for development.

"That's their home. I just don't see moving someone out for business, she said.

Ken Steiner, 71, said he and many other residents do not want to see the "country feel" of Cottonwood Heights sacrificed for tax dollars.

"I don't want them to go crazy over developing just to get the tax revenue. If these guys are wise enough not to overspend, then we'll be OK," Steiner said after casting his vote Tuesday at Butler Elementary School.

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E-mail: astewart@desnews.com