Payson is a great place to live, to raise a family, and to own a business. Much can be done, however, to make our city even better. The time is now for smart economic growth, preserving our "Home Town Feel" solving our water problems and infrastructure concerns, ensuring safety and transparency.
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The various opportunities I have taken to serve the community and the experience I have gained doing so demonstrate my ability to make things happen and not just talk about them. I do more than talk the talk--I walk the walk.
LIST OF ISSUES
GROWTH
Brian Hulet for Payson City Council: Championing Smart Growth for a Thriving Future
As Payson witnesses rapid growth, Brian emphasizes the critical importance of smart development and maintaining a “small town feel”. Drawing from his past tenure on the City Council, he advocates for adhering to the master plan, a visionary framework he was integral in shaping.
1. Strategic Housing Placement: Higher-density housing nodules positioned near transit options balance urban needs with efficient commutes, while ensuring provisions for premium residences.
2. Industrial and Retail Planning: Ensuring industrial zones are appropriately located is key. Moreover, allocating ample space for retail outlets is essential to boosting the cities revenues, providing relief to Payson's tax payers. Attracting hi-tek manufacturing companies to our industrial space will provide high paying jobs for our residents.
3. Preserving and Revitalizing Historic Downtown: Central to retaining Payson's quaint, small-town ambiance is our unique Historic Downtown, untouched by major thoroughfares. Brian believes in safeguarding this distinctive charm. The commitment of $3.2 million by the City Council, complemented by $5 million from the state of Utah, aims to rejuvenate aging infrastructure and introduce a fresh streetscape. The transformation of the Huish into a performing arts hub, coupled with the introduction of a food hall (initiated by Brian), positions Downtown Payson as not just a local treasure but a magnet for residents and visitors.
4. Forward-Thinking Transportation: To prevent the specter of gridlock, Brian emphasizes the importance of anticipating Payson's transport needs. With the city's growth trajectory, being proactive, rather than reactive, in transport planning will ensure smooth mobility and accessibility.
5. Water Sustainability: One of the most vital aspects of city planning is ensuring a steady supply of both culinary and secondary water. Brian is committed to guaranteeing that current residents always have adequate water resources, even amidst growth.
6. Fair Development Costs: Brian firmly believes that growth should benefit the city and its residents. New developments should be integrated in a way that doesn't place financial burdens on existing residents. The costs associated with growth should be fairly distributed, ensuring the essence of Payson remains unburdened.
7. Recreational Flourishing: Beyond infrastructural growth, Brian is passionate about enriching Payson's recreational avenues. Ensuring the city boasts top-tier parks and extensive trail systems is key to his vision. These spaces not only uplift residents' quality of life but also foster community bonding and promote health and wellness.
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Brian Hulet's vision for Payson is clear: merging growth with heritage, ensuring a prosperous and vibrant future while cherishing our roots. His approach to development ensures that Payson evolves smartly, resonating with both its residents and guests.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Brian Hulet for Payson City Council: An Economic Vision for a Thriving Payson
For a community to flourish, its economy must be robust and forward-thinking. Brian Hulet's economic blueprint for Payson is a testament to his comprehensive understanding of these principles and his unwavering commitment to the city's prosperity.
1. Founding Economic Development Committee Payson (EDCP): Twelve years ago, recognizing the need for focused economic strategizing, Brian pioneered the EDCP. This move stemmed from his conviction that smart economic development is crucial to offering diverse goods and services to Payson's residents.
2. Revitalizing Retail: Brian envisions a bustling commercial landscape for Payson. By attracting varied retail businesses, he aims to elevate the local shopping experience. This not only enhances convenience for residents but also boosts the city's revenues, reducing the tax load on Payson families.
3. Dining Dreams: From resident surveys that Brian conducted, one immediate goal is clear — enhancing the culinary landscape of Payson, ensuring residents can enjoy full-service, sit-down restaurants right in their city, .
4. Strategic Partnerships: Brian's proactive collaboration with Mayor Wright has already borne fruit, as evidenced by the successful attraction of Parris RV to the city. With the advent of MTECH, Brian believes it's time to magnetize advanced manufacturing companies offering high-paying jobs. This can set a trajectory for sustainable growth, providing the dual benefit of employment and skill development.
5. Leveraging the 'Home to Adventure' Brand: Brian sees potential in not just attracting any industry, but specifically those in line with Payson's branding. By targeting outdoor recreation manufacturers, Payson can truly embody its "Home to Adventure" tagline.
6. Optimizing Business Park Utilization: Brian's vision extends to the latent potential of the 400-acre business park. By spearheading a simplification of the development guidelines (from 62 pages down to a succinct 3½), he's expedited the approval process. This pivotal change has already manifested in eight new establishments either constructed or in the process of being built.
7. Empowering Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs: Recognizing that small and home businesses form Payson's economic backbone, Brian champions their cause. His ambitious project, the business development center within the MTECH building, promises to be a haven for small business owners and budding entrepreneurs, offering them guidance, resources, and the environment to flourish.
8. Network and Collaboration: Over the years, Brian has meticulously cultivated an extensive network of commercial brokers, reaching across the state, fortifying Payson's position as a prime business destination. Additionally, his collaborations with key organizations such as EDCUtah, Utah County, Mountainland Association of Government, and the Governors Office of Economic Development have further empowered Payson's economic advancement.
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Brian Hulet's economic blueprint for Payson is both dynamic and thoughtful. He seeks a balanced growth that caters to residents' needs, optimizes existing resources, and secures a bright future for the community. With him on the City Council, Payson's economic horizons are set to expand.
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Much of our city’s infrastructure – including sewer, water, electical, storm drains, and roads - requires modernizing or bringing up to code. As part of Payson's master plan, we commissioned a study on our underground infrastructure and roads. Using the data from this study, we need a plan to upgrade and/or replace our aging infrastructure, and we must secure funding to implement that plan. Growing the number of retail businesses in the city will help increase our tax base which will provide more funds to help pay for the updating of Payson’s infrastructure.
SAFETY
In the last 7 years we have increased the police force by 5 officers. A viable neighborhood watch program would lend helpful support to our police force. On the average, crime in neighborhood-watch areas decreases by 16 percent: this is a resource Brian would pursue. We must continue to support our police, fire and ambulance, making sure they receive ongoing training and have the equipment they need, expanding the force as the city grows and more resources become available.
DOWNTOWN AND THE HUISH CULTURAL ARTS AND LEARNING CENTER
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Downtown spaces often serve as a city's pulse, mirroring its spirit and community values. Brian Hulet is committed to ensuring that as Payson grows, it retains its cherished “small town feel." An invigorated downtown, bustling with activity and full of life, plays an integral role in this vision.
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Payson’s downtown, characterized by its quaint streets and historic structures, offers a unique charm that stands apart in Utah. While other cities might attempt to recreate such charisma artificially, Payson possesses this authenticity intrinsically. Brian recognizes this potential. By collaborating with the mayor and Dave Tuckett, he's helped to secure substantial funding of $5 million from the State of Utah. This funding plus and an additional $3.4 million recently provided by the city council are dedicated to upgrading the aging infrastructure and giving the historic downtown a refreshing facelift, ensuring it remains the beating heart of Payson.
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In reimagining downtown Payson, Brian adopts a mall-centric perspective. Like malls that are defined by their anchor stores, he envisions the Huish Center as the core attraction. Regular cultural events, theater performances, recitals, old movie screenings, external entertainment, and even business retreats held at the Huish can create a consistent influx of visitors. This vibrant activity can catalyze the growth of supportive stores and restaurants, enriching the downtown experience. As a dedicated board member of the Huish Performing Arts and Cultural Education Center, Brian has already procured $95,000 in grants, paving the way for "The Sideshow," a venue inside the Huish catering to nearly a hundred attendees per event.
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Brian’s innovative culinary project aims to transform the downtown gastronomic scene. By partnering with esteemed institutions like UVU, MTECH, SLCC, and a renowned culinary school in Park City, Brian aspires to establish a culinary hub. This initiative involves creating shared spaces for talented, fresh-out-of-school chefs to set up their eateries, introducing diverse flavors to Payson. Such a move is expected not just to revitalize the city's downtown but also to make it a gastronomic attraction for residents and non-residents.
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In Brian Hulet's vision, Downtown Payson isn't just a place—it's an experience, a living testament to the city's heritage, and a bridge to its future.
TOURISM
Tourism, when harnessed correctly, can be a tremendous asset to any city, both culturally and economically. For Payson, it presents an opportunity to share our unique charm while also generating essential revenues. Brian Hulet believes that by enhancing our tourism initiatives, we can significantly relieve residents of tax burdens.
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A notable number of tourists already grace our city, drawn by the allure of the Nebo Loop and the temple. But are we capitalizing on these visitors to the fullest? Brian's vision is to engage these tourists in such a manner that they are inclined to dine, shop, and experience more of what Payson has to offer. Every dollar that tourists spend here translates into vital sales tax revenue. This additional funding can facilitate improvements in infrastructure, bolster our police force, and offer a richer array of recreational activities for our youth. Moreover, as our tourism sector thrives, it will naturally entice more restaurants and hotels to set up shop in our city, creating a symbiotic cycle of growth.
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Brian’s proactive approach to tourism can be seen in his initiative to re-brand Payson as "Home to Adventure." This branding isn't just a slogan; it's a promise of the experiences Payson has to offer. Cementing this new identity, Brian successfully launched the inaugural "Adventure Day." But this is just the beginning. Brian is already exploring various avenues to make Payson a hotspot for adventurers. Ideas on the horizon include a moto-cross track, an indoor rodeo arena, and enhancing the Forebay area to provide even more recreational delights.
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In Brian Hulet's vision, Payson isn't just a pitstop for travelers; it's a destination. Through strategic tourism development, Brian aims to position Payson as a go-to locale for unforgettable experiences while also ensuring long-term economic sustainability for the community.
TRANSPARENCY
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In the complex workings of local government, transparency isn't just a virtue; it's a necessity. Brian firmly believes that an informed community is an empowered one. His vision for Payson revolves around open channels of communication, timely updates, and fostering a culture of accountability in city operations. By promoting transparent governance, Brian ensures that every resident of Payson not only remains informed but feels valued, heard, and an integral part of the city's decision-making process.