Welcome to the City Journals Voters Guide!

2025's General Election Day is on Nov. 4.   (See other important dates and SLCounty information in our Voting Information Overview page at the Valley Journals here.) 

In preparation, we surveyed our readers (like you!) to ask which local topics would determine important voting decisions for local races. We then asked your local candidates those reader-suggested questions. Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 200 words.These are their answers: 

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In Sandy, Brooke Christesen and Shana Davis are running for District 1. 

 

Q: Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so? 

Brooke Christensen: No, I don't believe the property tax revenue sent to Salt Lake County is being used effectively. The county’s structure may have been necessary in the past, when there were many unincorporated areas, but that's no longer the case. As those areas have been absorbed into existing cities, this additional layer of government has become redundant. Roughly 17% of your tax bill goes to Salt Lake County compared to 11% going to Sandy City.   | The responsibilities currently managed by the county could be redistributed more efficiently. For example, the health department could be transferred to the state level, and county facilities and parks could be turned over to the cities they are located in, along with the corresponding tax revenue to maintain them. Project funding could be allocated directly to cities based on population.  | Eliminating unnecessary county positions would result in significant cost savings and allow for more direct, efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

Shana Davis: One hundred percent of Sandy City property tax goes toward the Public Safety budget.

Q: Thinking about fiscal responsibility, what values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values? 

Brooke Christensen:If you want to know what a city values, look at how it spends its money. Sandy City's General Fund has approximately $82 Million in revenues budgeted for FY2026. 74% of it is spent on personnel, 8% is transferred to other funds ($2M to Alta Canyon, $2.6M to Capital Projects), 7% to internal services (fleet, IT), and 6% to materials and supplies. With so much of the Sandy budget going to pay the people that keep the city running, there aren't many discretionary funds to allocate. I would like any large capital expenditures to be voted on by the public, that way bonds are only entered into when the majority of the public agrees. I personally think essentials are the priority: police, fire, snow removal, public utilities, etc.

Shana Davis: The budget should reflect accountability,  transparency, and reward for performance. Each department should be held  accountable for their stewardship. If they perform very well, they should be rewarded to  encourage them to stay with Sandy City and continue to provide quality service for our  citizens. Each department should be held accountable and should reconcile any variance  from their budget. 

Q: Many residents reported concern for government oversight and transparency. What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren't met? 

Brooke Christensen: The main responsibilities of Sandy City Council members are: legislative authority, budget oversight, community representation, and strategic planning. It is crucial for this to happen to keep all three branches of our city government in check. Transparency must be more than a buzzword. It requires real tools, regular oversight, and accountability systems that don’t depend on whether people are paying attention. The yearly independent audit, quarterly budget reviews, and annual departmental budget reviews are tools that help. I’m committed to supporting policies that make our local government more open, honest, and responsive to the people it serves.

Shana Davis: If voters feel transparency standards are not met then they  should hold them accountable with their votes. However, rather than wait for an  election, let’s make sure our citizens know about City Council meetings, how to  participate in person or via Zoom, allow public comment, etc. (which is the current  standard). Every citizen should be aware of how to participate or view City Council  meetings. 

Q: What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE? 

Brooke Christensen: I believe local governments should cooperate with federal and state authorities, including ICE, in accordance with the law. Local agencies should not obstruct or ignore lawful requests from federal immigration enforcement. That said, any cooperation should be done within the bounds of the Constitution and with respect for due process. It's important to maintain public safety while also upholding individual rights and ensuring local resources are used appropriately.

Shana Davis: Sandy City Police will not obstruct or facilitate any operations by ICE. I have full  confidence in our public safety department to uphold the laws of the United State  Constitution, the laws of Utah, and the laws of Sandy City. 

Q: How will your stances on specific issues impact Sandy and the community? 

 Brooke Christensen: It is my goal to have my council representation mirror the majority stance of my constituents. No one should be in government to push their own agenda or further their interests. | My goal as a council member is to ensure that my positions reflect the values and priorities of the people I represent. I believe public service is about listening, not leading with a personal agenda. Rather than pushing my own views, I would work to actively engage with the community to understand where the majority of residents stand on key issues. My votes and policy positions would be guided by that feedback. This approach is the same one I used when I was on the council from 2017-2021. Making decisions this way helps ensure that decisions made for Sandy have input from the viewpoint of everyday residents like me and all of my District 1 neighbors. 

Shana Davis: My stances will reflect the will of the majority of residents in District 1. I want to hear  from every resident in District 1 who has an opinion on those specific issues. I am very  accessible and I am listening. My goal is to continue to make Sandy a stronger  community. 

Q: What is your stance on the proposed canyon gondola?

Brooke Christensen: I am not in favor of the gondola project. I do not support using taxpayer money to fund it, especially when the traffic issues it’s intended to solve only occur on a limited number of days each year. The cost of the project, both financially and environmentally, does not justify the benefits. I am also concerned about the potential impact on the watershed. While a gondola would boost tourism, I don’t believe that increase outweighs the long-term costs or damage to a beautiful canyon.

Shana Davis: While I understand why some citizens want the gondola, I’d rather prioritize our taxpayer dollars on services that benefit all citizens of Sandy City, such as fire, police, water, parks  and recreation, etc.

Q: How will you prioritize and protect proper historic restoration of existing structures?

Brooke Christensen: I live in Historic Sandy, and I absolutely love it. This neighborhood and others like it are part of what gives our city its unique character. I want to protect that character, not just for myself, but for every resident who values the charm and history that makes Sandy special. As a council member, I have and would continue to prioritize proper historic restoration by supporting policies that: 1) promote the preservation and restoration of existing historic structures through incentives, grants, etc. 2) encourage appropriate redevelopment that respects the architectural character and scale of historic neighborhoods, and 3) strengthen design guidelines in the historic district (through the Sandy Historic Committee).  Sandy is where I want to live for the rest of my life. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring it stays a place people are proud to call home.

Shana Davis: I would want to participate with the Historic Preservation Committee as they work with  the Community Development Planning Committee to ensure the proposed Sandy code  edits are in line with Sandy’s master plan. I appreciate their efforts and value the history  of Sandy.

Q: One main succinct reason/goal for why you are running for this election:

Brooke Christensen: I am running for Sandy City Council because I care deeply about our community and want to ensure that the voices of residents are truly represented in the decisions that shape Sandy’s future.

Shana Davis: I am running  for City Council to give each resident in District 1 a voice and advocate. In addition to the  residents in District 1, I am also running to help Sandy City with Economic Development.  We rely on our small businesses. I want to see them succeed. I have ideas on how to help drive more business to them. 

Q: Background (residents have asked: What is your relevant educational/job experience? What previous government positions or offices have you held? How long have you been on the council?):

Brooke Christensen: Brooke advocates for public safety (previously endorsed by police and firefighter associations), fiscal responsibility (spend less!), and responsible growth. Her dedication to these principles has earned her the trust and respect of residents who have seen her efforts to make Sandy a better place to live, work, and raise families. She advocates for transparent and open communication ensuring residents are heard.  | District 1 Councilmember (2017-2021), South Valley Chamber of Commerce, Hale Centre Theatre Board, CDBG & Historic Committee, Public Utilities Advisory Board, South Valley Sports & Tourism, Jordan River Commission, ULCT, & Senior Center. Championed keeping Kuwahara Wholesale open and coordinated Sandy’s National Day of Service.  | Precinct Vice-Chair, State & County Delegate, Ethics Committee SLCo GOP, Community Coordinator, Girl Scout Leader, JHS Alumni Association, many PTA’s, Arthritis Foundation, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  | Brooke attended Sandy Elementary, Mt. Jordan, and Jordan before graduating from SUU with a bachelor degree in Business & Communications. Earned an MBA from Westminster College and currently teaches a specialEd class. Brooke and her husband Ben love raising their three children in Sandy.

Shana Davis: I have a Bachelor’s Degree in  Information Systems. The majority of my career was with American Express  Technologies with a focus on various financial systems. I currently volunteer as a Sandy  City Service Ambassador. In the past I have served on Elementary School Community  Council, a State Delegate, and a county delegate multiple times. I have advocated at the capitol during legislative sessions for various causes. I have educated legislative policy  makers on the need for additional funding for people with disabilities. 

Q: How can residents stay informed about your campaign? 

Brooke Christensen: 

• [email protected]   
• 801.455.0800   
• www.brooke4sandy.com 

Shana Davis: 

• My website is ShanaforSandy.com.  
• My Facebook page is Shana Davis for Sandy City Council District 1. 
• My Instagram in Shana_for_Sandy.  
• My email [email protected].  
• My phone number is 801 550 5571.

Optional – Salt Lake County residents reported a handful of additional topics of concerns and questions. Please feel free to answer any of the following questions you'd like to respond to. Responses to questions in this section are not necessary.

Q: What role do you believe local government should play in protecting open space and natural areas within your community?  Residents specifically asked: What actions will you take to help conserve the Great Salt Lake? 

Shana Davis: Sandy City should keep our parks  and trails safe and places we enjoy. 

Q: If elected, how will you begin managing high-density housing, short-term rentals, and property value protections in your community?   (Residents specifically asked: Do you support holding builders accountable to a higher standard (like expecting builders to make needed improvements to streets and sidewalks)?

Shana Davis: I would not approve any high- density zoning within single family home neighborhoods.  With short-term rentals, the policies Sandy City has in place should be communicated to  all residences. Policies have been set recently and should be continued to be shared with  residents.   | Regarding property value protections, there is now a process in place for code violaters  to go through an administrative law judge in a civil court process. Code is currently  going through an edit process to bring it up to date to ensure property values are  protected and code violators are held accountable. 

Q: What education policies do you support? Residents asked about school closures, capping class sizes, banning books, and restricting teachers to do their jobs. 

Shana Davis: This  question should be directed to the Utah State Board of Education. City Council does not  make education decisions. 

Q: What are your priorities regarding funding of homeless shelters and assistance programs?  Residents specifically asked about safe spaces, quality of shelters, and accessibility of programs.

Shana Davis: My priorities would be Public Safety. Currently Sandy City  received partial funding for police and fire departments to address issues with the  homeless populations. The police deal with panhandling and homeless camps in our  community. In addition to public safety, I would prioritize programs in place to address addictions and help with job training.

Q: How do you plan to assist your senior residents and those on fixed incomes?   (Residents specifically asked about seniors being able to age in place affordably, senior safety, food insecurity and nutrition for low-income households, and support programs.) 

Shana Davis: The Sandy  Senior Center would have my support. They provide seniors with a safe place to gather  during the day. They also provide meals at a reduced cost to senior citizens. The senior  center also has various activities like crafts and games. Regarding low-income  households, the SNAP program is in place to assist with food insecurity. In addition, when a possibility of fees being increased and discussed by City Council, I would carefully  consider the needs of those on fixed incomes and hesitate to increase any fees unless  absolutely necessary. Regarding food insecurity for seniors, Salt Lake County has a  Meals on Wheels program through Salt Lake County Aging Services.