Election 2009: South Jordan newcomers seek to shake up City Hall

SOUTH JORDAN — It's come down to a battle between old blood and new blood in the race for South Jordan's City Hall.

Mayor Kent Money wants a third term as mayor, while recent move-in Aaron Osmond is pushing for a leadership change.

Osmond has dramatically outspent Money in the campaign, spending more than $12,000 compared with Money's $0, according to the first round of financial disclosure reports from September.

Money, 62, president and chief executive of Zions Security Corp., said taxes are a major issue affecting the city, especially with a tax increase from the Jordan School District in sight.

"I have a proven record of reducing taxes," he said. "I will continue to manage frugally and conservatively. I will not support raising taxes."

Osmond, 40, chief executive and owner of an education company, plans to increase residents' involvement by hosting monthly "face-to-face cottage meetings."

"Residents feel that our city administration has become more reactive than proactive. … They feel their voice is not heard and feel disconnected from some of their elected officials," said Osmond, nephew of famous Utahns Donny and Marie.

Osmond is teaming up with council challengers Joe Ross (District 3) and John Heath (District 5). The three men, who have moved to the city in the past 5 1/2 years, say current city leaders are not being proactive in the community.

Ross, 37, a global account manager, is head of the Daybreak Homeowners Committee and runs the community site www.daybreakdaily.com. He said he will push for equalization in school funding, since the split from the tax-rich east side left the west side with the financial burden.

Heath, a 38-year-old attorney, said he believes good planning is key. He wants to maintain the family-friendly character while South Jordan continues to grow.

Councilmen Brian Butters (District 3) and Larry Short (District 5) are both seeking a second term in their seats.

Butters, 64, an escrow officer, wants to "stay small as you grow. As the city population grows, keep city government small," he said. Good budgeting and future planning has kept South Jordan operating in the black, something Butters said he will continue to support.

Short, a 52-year-old health-care recruiter, said he is researching a statewide equalization program to ease the financial burden of the school district split.

"I am concerned with the growth of this city to maintain balance with neighborhoods and businesses," Short said. "Together we can negotiate with businesses and developers to minimize the concerns we all have."

e-mail: astowell@desnews.com