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, Cyndi Sharkey and Monica “Monica Z” Zoltanski are running for Mayor. 

 

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

Cyndi Sharkey: Property tax revenue is only one source of income to our city. I’m a strong supporter of economic growth, rather than property tax, as a means of funding city services.  I’ll always look for ways to balance the budget without putting undue burdens on Sandy residents. That’s why I’m the only candidate in the race endorsed by the Utah Taxpayers Association. 

Unfortunately, the current mayor has advocated for property tax increases every year (except the current election year) to cover ballooning budgets. Taxes have increased under this mayor more than any in Sandy City history. While costs rise and essential services must be funded, taxpayers are being crushed by increasing costs everywhere. My job is to hold down rising costs and look for other ways to balance the city budget rather than the default of annual tax increases.  That’s why I’ve voted against 3 property tax increases, and a sales tax increase as your council member.  

Citizen surveys tell us what to prioritize:  public safety; parks, recreation, and open space; well-maintained streets; safe and quiet neighborhoods; and reliable services like fresh water and trash collection. But there are places to cut spending, and I’m known for being a fiscal conservative. 

Monica Zoltanski: Yes, our tax dollars are spent wisely and mirror Sandy values. Each year I work with finance experts, department heads, elected officials and community advisors to champion our shared budget priorities. Once the City Council approves the budget, residents know that every expense – whether it’s vehicles and equipment, community events, staffing or even curbside bulk waste pickup – is publicly vetted and approved with community input. 

City needs always exceed revenue. That’s why I actively seek out and promote businesses to organically grow our tax base. I’ve brought home over $35 million in outside funding for roads, bridges and infrastructure to reduce our tax burden. This year, I aggressively trimmed $1.1 million from the budget by eliminating 5 staff positions. We do more with fewer employees today, than in 2009.

This is how I responsibly meet our core functions of public safety, community engagement and economic development. The proof is in the results. Sandy residents are proud of our city’s direction as we continue to land major sports investment, and improve infrastructure with the long-overdue new main fire station, public works garage and recreation center. It’s not enough we manage for today. A well-run city is about preparing for Sandy’s tomorrow.

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

Cyndi Sharkey: Sandy’s budgetary values must reflect the desires of the community. That’s why resident input is so important to my service as a council member of six years, and as your mayor.  My goals must reflect your priorities.    

One goal that Sandy families value is low taxes. As an elected official, that means to me that we should fund all essential services and needs of our residents and businesses, while doing it with fiscal restraint, and with consideration for all income levels.  With every expenditure under consideration, I always ask myself “If the taxpayers knew about this expense, would they be okay with it?”

There’s something they’re not okay with –  and that’s the mayor’s salary.  Our current mayor is the highest paid in Utah. Not only that, she has accepted salary increases totaling more than $40,000 in just 4 years in the job. If elected, I will turn the clock back to 2017. I will accept the pay rate of 8 years ago, before we had a mayor who gave himself a $15,000 pay raise, and another who accepted a $14,000 pay increase in one year alone. I will return to a time before taxpayers were funding big mayoral pay raises.

Monica Zoltanski: Our Sandy community values safety, transparency, responsive leadership, and responsible growth—and our city budget reflects those values. Fiscal responsibility requires every tax dollar supports city services like public safety, emergency preparedness, maintaining parks and trails, curbside bulk waste pickup, and strengthening our community .

We invest in our workforce, plan for the long term, and protect what makes Sandy unique—strong neighborhoods, open spaces, and historic areas. As we face growth and rising housing costs, I work to balance today’s needs with long-term planning to preserve the character of our city while preparing for the future.

I lead with integrity—showing up not just for marquee moments or high-profile events, but for the daily rhythm of city life. I value the opportunity to listen, learn, and work alongside residents and community leaders.

Strong community pride and genuine interest in the lives of our residents keep me present and accountable. That direct connection helps ensure diverse voices are heard, competing interests are carefully weighed, and our budget decisions stay focused on what matters most to the people of Sandy.

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

Cyndi Sharkey: We live in a time of low trust in elected officials and governmental institutions. Ethics, honesty, and accountability are my highest priorities. We don’t have to agree all the time, and that probably isn’t a realistic goal, but residents and businesses in Sandy need to feel represented, heard, and valued – all residents and businesses, not just some. 

I won’t cater to special interests, or certain groups. My job is to fairly and equitably address the needs of ALL of Sandy. Unfortunately, that’s not the current state of affairs. Under the current administration, certain neighborhoods enjoy benefits, perks, or special consideration while others are ignored.  There are certain advantages allowed in the current mayor’s neighborhood, but nowhere else in Sandy. In this administration’s new General Plan (The Pace of Progress) the mayor’s neighborhood is protected from increased density that is imposed across all the rest of Sandy’s neighborhoods.  I voted against it.  The mayor’s neighborhood is allowed to run businesses that aren’t allowed anywhere else in Sandy. I voted no. How can one be trusted if they won’t be fair?

My responsibility is to make good decisions on behalf of all 95,000 and 6,000 businesses in Sandy, not just special groups. 

Monica Zoltanski: Transparency is the cornerstone of public trust—and a daily priority in my leadership as Mayor. Residents deserve open access to their government, timely information, and clear opportunities to be heard.

How I’ve delivered:

·       Land Use Notification Reform: As a City Council member, I led the push for new bright orange public notice signs at rezoning sites—bringing land use decisions into plain sight.

·       Mayor’s Hotline: My new dedicated hotline (801-568-6060) ensures every message receives a response within 24 hours.

·       Open Office Hours: I host monthly office hours so any resident can speak with me directly.

·       Gondola Survey: My first act as mayor was launching a citywide survey during my inaugural speech. The results—strong public opposition—continue to guide my stance on canyon transportation.

·       Pace of Progress Plan: I led a 2.5-year public engagement effort for our new general plan, involving over 250 meetings and thousands of resident comments.

·      Proactive Communication: From daily social media posts to a city-published newsletter reaching every household, I use every channel possible to keep residents informed.

Transparency means nothing without accountability. When transparency standards aren’t met, residents deserve clear, enforceable systems to ensure local officials are acting in the public’s best interest.

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

Cyndi Sharkey: I have full faith and confidence in the Sandy Police Department not only to keep Sandy safe, but to determine whether to work cooperatively and proactively with other agencies, and when that need may arise, if ever.  My confidence lies with Sandy PD to make decisions about how to keep our city safe and protect us from harm. 


Monica Zoltanski: Sandy City Police Department follows a policy—approved under my leadership—that focuses on public safety, not immigration enforcement. I support this policy and believe it strikes the right balance for our community.

Under current policy, Sandy police do not detain or question individuals based solely on immigration status. Officers are required to have probable cause or reasonable suspicion of a criminal offense to make an arrest or detention. Immigration status is only considered after a person is in custody for a separate crime and processed at the jail level, not by Sandy officers in the field.

This approach is critical because it ensures witnesses and victims of crime feel safe coming forward, regardless of immigration status. We can’t protect public safety if people are afraid to report crimes or cooperate with investigations.

Our police department’s priority is to serve and protect all residents—without bias, and without blurring the line between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies. I’m comfortable with Sandy’s current policy and will continue to support practices that keep our community safe while upholding fairness and trust.

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

Cyndi Sharkey: My track record of 6 years serving on the city council is based on responding to the needs of the community, keeping taxes low, and planning for the best possible future for our families and businesses.

I served as a planning commissioner for 3 years at a time when growth along the Wasatch Front was unprecedented, and carefully accommodating that growth was key.    

Aside from future planning, responding to the current needs and expectations of the community is essential.  I listen to residents.  The best local elected officials don’t have an agenda - they have a drive to serve their constituents. They don’t come to their position with bias, they are open-minded and considerate. They place the needs of their constituents first, not their own. 

I saved the popular curbside bulk waste program after the former mayor had ended the service.  I heard the residents loud and clear as they voiced their opposition. I first formed the Bulk Waste Work Group to study the best way to keep the program, and then the ordinance making the spring and fall cleanup program a law in Sandy. The current mayor voted twice against keeping the program.  That’s not listening to constituents.

Monica Zoltanski: My leadership reflects the values of Sandy residents—safety, responsible growth, open space, high-quality services, and fiscal responsibility. I’ve prioritized investing in police and fire services, leading to a 16% property crime reduction, along with a 10-year low in traffic accidents thanks to traffic enforcement, and improved emergency preparedness, including wildfire readiness.

Sandy residents show me that supporting first responders is their top priority. They approve of investments in police and fire personnel, equipment and facilities – including the voter-approved fire station – treating first responders with the respect they deserve, helping us recruit and retain the very best to protect and serve Sandy.

I’ve consistently supported responsible growth, keeping high-density out of established single family neighborhoods while encouraging housing and redevelopment in our commercial core. I’ve also welcomed new hockey and soccer team ownerships that will revitalize our business areas and boost our local economy.

I’m known for protecting open space, championing high service standards, and managing the budget so taxpayers get maximum value without sacrificing what makes Sandy special.

Whether it's public safety, quality development, or transparent governance, I lead with integrity and work daily to build the future Sandy residents want and deserve.

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

Cyndi Sharkey: Decisions relating to canyon transportation are made entirely by the State, not by Sandy City. Any candidate making a campaign promise to stop a gondola is being dishonest with voters.

My hope is that we never need a gondola, road widening with massive tunnels, or any other big infrastructure project in that spectacular canyon. As a proven fiscal conservative, I don’t want a dime of taxpayer money spent on anything that isn’t needed, justified, and beneficial to the communities it serves. 

Like most, I’m in favor of the phased approach where we expand parking and busing, and implement tolling, to achieve UDOT’s goal of more people using public transit and 30% fewer cars in the canyon. This should be implemented immediately, but the current mayor is standing in the way. In Sandy, we stand to face more winters of miles-long traffic jams, residents blocked into neighborhoods, our skiers driving to Ogden because it’s easier than getting to Snowbird, and the City draining our police and snow plow services managing urgent east bench traffic backups every snow day because our mayor chose to halt all progress with a lawsuit.  That isn’t solving problems for Sandy - that causing them.

Monica Zoltanski: I stand firm with the people of Sandy in opposing the gondola. As Mayor of Sandy—the city that would be most impacted by this massive, taxpayer-funded project—I’ve consistently amplified the voices of our residents, who overwhelmingly oppose it. My first act in office was launching a citywide survey, and the results were clear: Sandy residents oppose the gondola, and they don’t believe Utah taxpayers should bear the cost to benefit private ski resorts and developers. Every city survey since affirms this resolve.

I represent Sandy on the Central Wasatch Commission, where I advocate for practical, balanced canyon transportation solutions. I’ve also joined the City of Sandy in litigation against UDOT to challenge the environmental impact study that forms the basis of their recommendation to build the gondola. That study fails to adequately protect our watershed or address local traffic impacts, both of which are critical concerns for Sandy residents.

Leadership matters. I’ve used every platform—regional commissions, public comment, and legal action—to defend our community’s interests to protect the canyon from developer’s folly. I will continue working to ensure any canyon transportation solution reflects sound environmental policy, fiscal responsibility, and the will of the people of Sandy.

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

Cyndi Sharkey: Preservation of Sandy’s past is especially pertinent now, as the Wasatch Front continues to experience population growth and change.  When I first ran for office in Sandy in 2019 and was asked about the biggest challenge facing our city, my answer was simple – growth.  Now, six years later in 2025, my answer is – preserving what we all love about Sandy in the face of growth. 

If we forget who we are, we run the risk of becoming another Salt Lake City. I don’t want that. I see that it’s already happening in terms of tax increases, policy proposals, and homelessness.  Let’s be Sandy, not Salt Lake City!

I want to expand Sandy’s Historic Committee function and membership to include Granite. I want to make sure that Sandy’s longtime resident families are included. As an elected official, I love hearing first hand stories about what Sandy used to be. I don’t know if anyone’s home town is like it was when they were a kid, but we don’t want to forget what Sandy was as we plan for making it better. Historic preservation is an important part of that. It gives our city character, and our residents roots. 

Monica Zoltanski: Sandy’s identity is deeply rooted in its history—reflected in our buildings, neighborhoods, and community traditions. With Historic Sandy on the rise and Historic Granite annexing into the city, I strongly support preserving and restoring our historic areas through thoughtful planning, appropriate zoning, and partnerships with property owners and preservation experts.

I’m proud to have the endorsement of former Council Member Scott Cowdell, who has championed Historic Sandy for decades and understands its unique needs better than anyone. Together, we've supported the revival of community events like the Historic Sandy Picnic, the Heritage Festival and Horse Parade, and revitalized Bicentennial Park with which bring positive energy to Historic Sandy. 

I began my public service working to preserve Dimple Dell Park, including the historic Muir Poulsen House. In our award-winning Pace of Progress general plan update, I prioritized historic preservation as a key part of our community character.

Under my leadership, the Historic Committee is launching a new study to identify historic structures and recommend preservation strategies we can build into city code. I’ll continue to advocate for funding, incentives, and protective tools that honor and preserve Sandy’s irreplaceable heritage.

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?):

Cyndi Sharkey: I’ve served 3 years as a Planning Commissioner, and 6 years as an At-Large City Councilmember.  I’ve spent my entire career in the Tech world, rising to the level of corporate executive before starting my own executive recruiting company.  I serve on numerous committees and boards, and won Sandy’s award for Outstanding Citizen Contribution.


Monica Zoltanski: Monica Zoltanski has served as Sandy’s mayor since 2021, becoming the first woman in Sandy’s 128‑year history to hold the city's highest office. Raised in Northwest Ohio as the ninth of ten children, she was instilled from an early age with values of faith, service, hard work, and community. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Marquette University, including a year abroad in Salzburg, Austria. After college, her early career included work as a congressional aide in Washington, D.C. and she went on to receive her law degree from the University of Toledo.

Once she settled in the Willowcreek area of Sandy as a young lawyer, she worked in private practice as a litigator and as a Sandy City prosecutor. Along with her professional legal work, she launched a side passion project and ran several successful antiques businesses —fueling her love of art, architecture, history and entrepreneurship.

Monica says her life took on new meaning when she moved to the Dimple Dell area so she could keep horses at her home. It was there she learned of a Salt Lake County planned to pave the trails of the Dimple Dell Park nature preserve, which she and most area residents opposed. She took it upon herself to go into the park every night after work, on horseback or walking her dog, usually wearing a red cowboy hat to be more visible on the trail, to talk to anyone who would listen about the importance of open space preservation. From those conversations, she led the successful citizen campaign to “Keep Dimple Dell Wild.” The asphalt project was scrapped and millions of tax dollars instead went to needed park projects such as year-round restrooms and trailhead improvements. The park remains a place of natural beauty today, and asphalt-free.

Monica proved herself a capable advocate and trusted voice in the community. She ran for city council and won her seat in 2019, and became known for her advocacy for open space, historic preservation, and responsiveness to residents on local safety services and sensible zoning. She served two years representing Council District 4 before running for and winning election as Mayor in 2021, all the while recognized in her red cowboy hat.

As Mayor, she leads with a steady hand, a strategic mind, and a deep sense of personal responsibility to the people of Sandy. Her administration is guided by the message “Protect. Connect. Create.”—a vision rooted in public safety, community engagement, and economic development. Known for personally showing up, listening closely, and working across differences, she has earned the trust of residents and business leaders by being visible, responsive, and fully invested in the daily life of the city.

Mayor Zoltanski has helped invigorate civic pride and build momentum around projects that had stalled for years. Under her leadership, Sandy completed the Sandy Pace of Progress—the city’s first comprehensive General Plan update in 50 years. Developed over 2.5 years with extensive public input, the plan sets a resident-centered vision for Sandy’s future, focusing on quality growth, transportation, and environmental stewardship.

She’s also overseeing the delivery of Sandy’s “Big 3” capital projects: the new voter-approved fire station, a modern public works garage, and the rebuild of the Alta Canyon Recreation Center—major infrastructure investments that enhance safety, efficiency, and quality of life.

She’s attracted historic, transformational investment in Sandy with the arrival of the NHL professional hockey training facility and new ownership of the South Town Mall, as well as new ownership of the MLS soccer teams and stadium. It’s not just big businesses taking root in Sandy under her leadership. Sandy also has set a record for new small businesses licensed, with 700 new businesses creating 1,600 new jobs in Sandy last year alone, finding strong support from the mayor’s #SandyBusinessFirst initiative that promotes local businesses to Sandy consumers directly.

Zoltanski’s approach blends vision with follow-through. But she’s not all business. Mayor Zoltanski knows that joy, tradition, and personal connection matter, too. She galloped her horse down State Street in the Pony Express Re-Ride, carrying the US Mail in the mochila across Sandy, and brought back the Heritage Festival Horse Parade to honor the city’s roots. She threw out the first pitch at the National Horseshoe Pitchers Championship, and while she’ll be the first to say golf isn’t her game, she’s known for her long drive and is always up for a tournament that brings the community together. She reads stories to kids in classrooms, cheers at their games, and even jumped in the pool fully clothed—red hat and all—on the final day before Alta Canyon reconstruction, to the delight of children who challenged her with their cheers. One of her favorite “hidden gem” places to shop is the Sandy Senior Center thrift boutique and their annual pottery sale. 

Wherever something matters to the people of Sandy, she shows up— red cowboy hat on, sleeves rolled up, and heart in the work.It’s that kind of leadership—personal, present, and passionate—that defines her service as mayor.

Q: How can residents stay informed about your campaign? 

Cyndi Sharkey: www.VoteSharkey.com  [email protected]  (801) 943-6002 Facebook @ Cyndi Sharkey for Sandy City Mayor

Monica Zoltanski: Campaign Contact: www.votemonicaz.com.  Facebook.com/votemonicaz.  I answer my own phone (801) 742-1733

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? 

Cyndi Sharkey: Protecting open spaces and the natural environment is important to the health and wellbeing of our community and its members. It’s part of our charter as local government. Whether it’s protecting the natural spaces within our city boundaries (like Dimple Dell and Quail Hollow Parks), or helping protect regional assets, the efforts pay off in health, wellbeing, and quality of life. 

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)?

Cyndi Sharkey: If Sandy is to stay Sandy, and not become Salt Lake City, careful city planning and controls, while respecting private property rights is key. Keeping high density housing out of the middle of our single family neighborhoods is my goal for our family-oriented city. Making sure we have housing options for our Sandy resident for all phases of life from young families, to peak earners, to seniors is the pathway to serving our community’s needs. Planning for higher density and more affordable living near transit corridors as in our downtown Cairns district allows us to carefully add living options without proportionately adding traffic. 

In my 9 years with the city, I’ve seen the State make greater and greater demands on cities for housing, short term rentals, and accessory dwelling units. Trusted and respected relationships with our State Representatives are the keys to influencing state law. I’m proud to have earned the endorsements of Sandy legislators Eliason, Okerlund, Miller, and Cullimore , which are essential in guiding better outcomes for Sandy. 

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.

Cyndi Sharkey: Utah is the state with the highest levels of volunteerism and charitable giving. We have a growing problem with homelessness that needs to be solved, and Utahns can be counted upon to step up. 

As a local government, the cost to taxpayers can be substantial. When the current mayor volunteered Sandy for a homeless shelter, my compassion was high, but my concerns for substantial increases in police and EMS services, and the high costs to taxpayers couldn’t be overlooked. While we are receiving some reimbursement from the State, it doesn’t cover all the city’s costs. For community impacts to be adequately addressed, reimbursements need to be much higher.  I’m proud to have introduced the concept of a Memorandum of Understanding with the homeless services providers in Sandy detailing expectations for safety, security, and onsite health services to reduce the burdens on city resources as much as possible.  

I hope the State’s plan to build a centralized homeless campus with consolidated resources is effective and provides the help to the homeless community that is sorely needed. It stands to be superior to today’s conditions and provide a better path to successful outcomes.

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.) 

Cyndi Sharkey: I commonly encounter seniors in Sandy who are afraid of being priced out of the homes they’ve owned for 40 or 50 years. The rising cost of just about everything is scary when one is on a fixed income. Those seniors have been my guiding light when I have voted against 3 property tax increases, a sales tax increase, and argued against a myriad of fee increases. We can’t solve the world’s inflationary problems, but we don’t need to add to them. 

Taxes have risen under this mayor more than any in Sandy’s history. Costs rise for the city too, and our employees need to be well paid, but we should look harder to cover our costs in other ways than year over year tax increases.  I’ve found ways to fund police pay raises, increase firefighter staffing, and build a new community and recreation center without tax increases. I serve the public, and keeping taxes as low as possible is my responsibility. The Sandy mayor should look out for your wallet – not into it.  That’s why I’m the only candidate endorsed by the Utah Taxpayers Association.