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

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

Ernie Kim: Our city budget should reflect stability, fairness and long-term planning. Core services such as safety, infrastructure and public spaces must come first. Beyond that, we must weigh new investments carefully, making sure they serve the greatest good and don’t create unnecessary burdens for taxpayers. I support pursuing state or federal grants and public-private partnerships before turning to higher taxes. Balancing priorities requires both discipline and responsiveness to residents’ changing needs.

Ellen Birrell: Values for our budget should prioritize resident safety on our roadways and in their place of residence, and infrastructure operations and maintenance. These are deficient in the city's current 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? 

Ernie Kim: Accountability begins with making information easy to access and understand. I would support independent financial audits, regular reporting on major city projects, and ensuring meetings remain open and well-publicized. If transparency standards fall short, there should be clear mechanisms for corrective action—such as ethics reviews or mandatory reporting improvements. Most importantly, residents must always have a direct line to ask questions and raise concerns. A transparent government is one that consistently invites public involvement.

Ellen Birrell: I have advocated for past two years on council for staff to use an electronic means of listing, monitoring and sharing with council and public all projects under way in Cottonwood Heights. Most city projects are not confidential. Having a system in which all nonconfidential projects are listed and the level of progress they are in, even include projected public comment periods, and a notation once completed. This transparency will be more efficient for staff, council and residents, and build public trust.   Additionally, having all new public works projects pass through a review committee that double checks them for adherence to ordinance standards and master plans with their report to council would be an improvement. 

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

Ernie Kim: I believe local government should focus on community safety, infrastructure and essential services, while immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of federal agencies. When local police are drawn into federal immigration matters, it can create confusion and reduce trust between law enforcement and residents. Maintaining that trust is vital for public safety. Our resources should remain directed toward local priorities—protecting neighborhoods, improving services, and ensuring all residents feel safe engaging with their city government.

Ellen Birrell: I support due process of law. I oppose municipal police assisting in any manner with ICE operations within Cottonwood Heights or surrounding jurisdictions. As of Sept. 3, I obtained the following statement from CHPD: “The city is not pursuing the 287g (arrangement between municipal and federal agencies). There have been essentially no calls of service assisting federal agencies other than a handful of cases related to felony drug or Internet crimes against children cases that involve undocumented people since January."

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

Ernie Kim: I oppose the gondola project in its current form. While we must address canyon congestion, the gondola is costly, intrusive and risks permanently altering the natural beauty of Little Cottonwood. More practical, flexible and less expensive solutions—like enhanced bus service, expanded park-and-rides, and improved road safety—can address traffic without building a massive structure up the canyon. I will advocate for solutions that balance access with preserving the environment and community character.

Ellen Birrell: Oppose. Both Cottonwood Heights residents and larger regional population need practical solutions to bottlenecking, gridlock, air/noise/light pollution associated with peak hours during ski season and year-round peak times. Practical solutions could include parking nodes located throughout SLCO in which motorists can leave their vehicles closer to where they live or lodge;  enhanced bussing; ski bus facility at each major ski resort in LCC and BCC that enhances the bus experience, etc.

Q: How will you protect the character of local neighborhoods?  

Ernie Kim: I believe in maintaining the charm and safety of our neighborhoods by ensuring that development is responsible and consistent with existing community values. This means advocating for zoning that respects current density, enforcing traffic calming where needed and preserving open space. I’ll work closely with residents to ensure any changes align with what makes Cottonwood Heights special: safe streets, mountain views and family-friendly neighborhoods.

Ellen Birrell: Cottonwood Heights ordinance requires tree-lined streets and/or medians. It is stated in several master plans. Council majority can and should take leadership on this which would advance protecting and enhancing local neighborhoods. Additionally, I will continue to advance best short- and long-term rental policies for responsible aesthetics and noise nuisance requirements, and my work to educate homeowners and lend assistance to those in need related to blighted yards and dying trees.

Q: What steps would you take to ensure that seniors can age in place affordably and safely in our community? 

Ernie Kim: Our seniors are the foundation of our community, and they should be able to remain here affordably and safely. I would support policies that encourage accessible housing, promote property tax relief programs, and expand partnerships with local service providers for transportation, healthcare and home maintenance support. We should also ensure sidewalks, parks, and public facilities are safe and accessible. Aging in place should be a realistic option for every resident.

Ellen Birrell: “Aging in place” was advanced particularly during the Obama administration. In Cottonwood Heights, we should seek out all support mechanisms available to support seniors. That includes aging in place as well as other supports that meet diverse needs of seniors and their caregivers. Streamlining and making more affordable and accessible our internal and external ADU (accessory dwelling units) ordinances and policies would be a good start.    Transportation for seniors and their caregivers is often a challenge. UTA’s VIA system doesn’t serve all seniors because it requires walking to a certain point of pickup. Closest for many Cottonwood Heights seniors is Sandy Senior Center which does not offer transportation shuttles. Only Mt. Olympus Senior Center in Holladay (5 miles away) offers senior shuttles. Accessing communal meals for seniors is a federal mandate. We could build that opportunity into our current planning if we make it a council majority priority. We can do this!    There are thoughtful and affordable ways Cottonwood Heights can explore. Cottonwood Heights is one of the few SLCO cities without a senior center. In meetings with SLCO Adult & Aging Services, there is not a budgeted facility scheduled for our city. Opportunities to include senior services, activities and/or facilities, as I  see it, include three likely developments along Fort Union Blvd: 1) New town center at Hillside Plaza, 2300 East and Fort Union Boulevard.  2) New Whitmore “library campus.” 3) Possible changes to Bella Vista Elementary—why not work with Canyons School District toward a combination of modified elementary school and senior facilities?    After a term on city council, I am not convinced that we must continue to do same old, same old. Why not innovate to meet the needs of all of our citizens utilizing innovative, inexpensive, citizen-powered and legally acceptable means?

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

Ernie Kim: Our history is an important part of our identity, and preserving it adds value to our community. I would support partnerships with local historical societies, explore grant opportunities, and advocate for responsible adaptive reuse when possible. Restoration must honor the original character of structures while ensuring safety and functionality. Protecting historic places isn’t just about preservation—it’s about connecting future generations with our shared story.

Ellen Birrell: As a sitting council member, I've repeatedly brought up to city manager and council colleagues that the Old Mill is protected within Cottonwood Heights ordinance to be regularly inspected and work with the landowner to avoid deterioration. According to the community development director, those directives have never been followed/documented. The mayor and council majority have allowed advancement of the landowner's request to demolish the structure without addressing the standing ordinance. The one-year public comment period on the demolition ends in November 2025. I support formally addressing the situation in a publicly-cited meeting.

Q: How do you plan to serve community needs? 

Ernie Kim:

Ellen Birrell: I am the only councilmember to regularly hold town hall meetings in order to share relevant developments, answer questions and learn more about the needs of the community.   Feedback I have received from constituents throughout my four-year term have been a deficiency of clarity and transparency within the city newsletter, website and from council meetings. Thus, I started producing regular electronic updates called Birrell-o-grams in which I share developments on projects and issues that face our city. These are available to all citizenry of Cottonwood Heights through ellenbirrell.com.   Though it took two years, I led out on conducting short, topical surveys which are now under way. Residents can sign up through flashvote.com/cottonwoodheights to participate. If council majority agree to relevant topics, gathered data could help inform council direction toward greatest community needs.   There are many other ways in which municipal governance can be responsive. It takes prioritizing community needs, which is why I am a public servant.

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

Ernie Kim:  I’m running to ensure Cottonwood Heights remains a safe, livable and well-managed community where residents’ voices shape local decisions. My goal is to strengthen trust between city government and residents by prioritizing transparency, responsible growth and protection of neighborhood character.

Ellen Birrell: Safer streets.

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?):

Ernie Kim: I bring decades of public service and leadership experience. I served as a U.S. Secret Service agent and later as a senior agent with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, where I worked on security, planning and crisis management at the national level. I now consult with Fortune 500 leaders and national associations on executive protection and risk planning. I understand how to safeguard people, assets and communities while balancing complex challenges….My professional background has always centered on service, accountability and problem-solving—qualities I will bring to the council.

Ellen Birrell: 

Q: How can residents stay informed about your campaign? 

Ernie Kim: Residents can stay informed through my campaign website, community events, and regular updates on social media. I also plan to hold neighborhood meetings and listening sessions so residents can share concerns directly. Transparency and accessibility are central to my campaign, and I’ll make sure information is easy to find and questions are answered promptly. www.voteerniekim.com

Ellen Birrell: www.ellenbirrell.com.

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 actions will you take to help conserve the Great Salt Lake?