Gay Lynn Bennion is no stranger to change. Over the years, she’s learned how to adapt to significant change and grow in times of transition. She’s developed skills to be more independent, outgoing, connected, mobile, community-oriented, financially-savvy, future-focused and physically and mentally healthy. All skills she’ll be utilizing as she begins her four-year term as the newly elected mayor of Cottonwood Heights. 

Bennion grew up in the Salt Lake Valley, graduating from Skyline High School and BYU (with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Spanish). One of her first significant introductions to change came as she served a church mission to Mexico City. 

“Things that are hard for us often help us grow,” Bennion said. 

But her relationship with change grew exponentially after marrying her husband Jim, who worked as an Air Force physician for 26 years.  

“We had four children in four different states,” Bennion said. “Helping our family start life over and over again made me more independent and outgoing.” 

Bennion and her family lived in extremely different areas; from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Altus, Oklahoma. She noted how she gained a deeper understanding of the county from those experiences. 

“We are so lucky here in Utah with public lands…because we can enjoy so much of our state that’s not privatized,” Bennion said, recalling living in states where her family would have to travel to enjoy public lands and beaches as to not be trespassing on privately-owned parks or waterfronts. 

Moving back to Utah in 2012, when her youngest son was in high school, reacquainted her with change once again. She had to figure out how to adjust her life with adult family members. 

“I was thinking ‘Oh! Now my mom job ends!’” Bennion said. 

Bennion was introduced to the Women’s State Legislative Council of Utah, a 106-year old bipartisan group that investigates, studies and presents on important legislation for the state. She ended up serving in various leadership positions. 

In 2020, she ran for Utah’s House District 41 (which encompasses Cottonwood Heights, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, parts of Holladay, parts of Murray and the Cottonwood Canyons). She served as Utah’s House Representative for five years.

“I never thought of running for office but when people asked me to, I was prepared because I was connected within my party’s House District,” Bennion said. 

During her term, Bennion worked on the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment (Quality Interim) Committee, Political Subdivisions Committee, Veterans and Military Affairs Commission and Utah Water Task Force.  

“I understand what this winter means for our state; the crisis we are facing,” Bennion said. “When we are putting a year like this on the books, it’s impacting us for 20 years.” 

Bennion’s latest brush with change was being elected as the newest Cottonwood Heights mayor. As mayor, she plans to focus on rebalancing a city budget that has depleting reserves, housing affordability, open space, active transportation and safety. 

“I’m honored that we have worked…to lead our city and we are three women majority council now. We all want what is best for our city,” Bennion said. 

Being sworn in in January means Bennion was thrown into the deep end of budget season. She’s been working through the careful balancing act of considering increasing living and operating costs, undesired property tax increases, and funding essential safety and city services.  

“There’s nothing that any of us on the council like about raising our own property taxes,”  Bennion said. 

Further out, Bennion will be working with the council to ensure economic development within the city is appropriate for the canyon community and active transportation.

“We need to have city streets that get us to that Utah Trail Network,” said Bennion. “UDOT is working now to get the trenching done to see where the Mobility Hub will be created. That will be a huge economic engine for Cottonwood Heights.” 

As Bennion was focused on housing issues at the state level, she’s grateful that Councilmember Suzanne Hyland has been working to understand the breadth of short-term rentals within Cottonwood Heights. She’s excited to join the conversation to create appropriate rental education and licensing to accompany city housing policies. 

Bennion values critical communication and open connections. She invites residents to be a part of her newly formed book group held quarterly. The first meeting will discuss the book “Critical Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High” and will be held on March 26 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Cottonwood Heights City Hall (2277 Bengal Blvd.). 

She continues the opportunities for change as she invites residents to her office hours every week on Fridays from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. She does ask residents to share their intent to attend office hours so she can prepare accordingly. The Meeting Inquiry Form can be found on the city’s website under the “Your Government" tab at: www.cottonwoodheights.utah.gov.