Billings determined to run again when he decided several projects needed additional time. His list includes iProvo, an ambitious fiber-optic telecommunications project, completion of the airport control tower and downtown redevelopment.

"There are too many things at a critical juncture that I just feel compelled to run again," he said. "If the city were to make a change, those projects may stall. We have a team in place that has some pretty incredible momentum."

Both men said they expect strong fund-raising efforts, important because Provo races have grown increasing costly.

Whoever wins will have to deal with a city on a tight budget. Instead of raising taxes or the city's low utility rates, Billings has cut city jobs over the past three years to make ends meet.

"It's been a hard eight years to be mayor," Billings said. "They have been difficult economic years."

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com