Fact-Checking Claims from the 2025 Orem City Council Debate
Crystal Muhlestein
“No property tax increase in four years” – True: Orem has not raised its property tax since at least 2019[1]. In fact, while many Utah cities and districts enacted large hikes (some as high as 50% in recent years[2]), Orem’s council kept the rate flat. The city instead leveraged strong sales tax growth and grants to fund services without upping property taxes. This claim is accurate and confirmed by city records[1].
“Kept Orem affordable with low fees” – Mostly True: Muhlestein argued for fiscal restraint, pointing out that Orem’s fees and utility rates are kept low. Indeed, Orem’s administration notes that its utility rates are among the lowest in the state[1], and the city avoided new fees that many peers adopted. However, “affordable” is relative – overall living costs in Orem have risen due to housing prices (see Moulton’s claim on housing). Still, the core claim that the city hasn’t introduced major new fees or taxes holds mostly true, supported by Orem’s recent budgets.
LaNae Millett
“Blocked the construction of 10,000 apartments on State Street” – Mostly True: Millett touts helping stop the State Street Master Plan, which in 2015 envisioned up to 10,000 new high-density apartment units along Orem’s State Street corridor[3]. After public pushback, the current council paused and effectively rescinded that plan (via a development moratorium in 2021)[4]. It’s true no such massive redevelopment is moving forward – the plan’s provisions were removed. However, it’s worth noting these 10,000 units were a long-term projection, not actual approved projects. In context, the claim is directionally correct (the council halted a plan that could have added thousands of apartments) and thus mostly true.[3][4]
“Launched the Orem MyHometown initiative” – True: Millett did play a key role in launching “MyHometown,” a city-community partnership program. Orem City confirms that MyHometown is an ongoing initiative to strengthen neighborhoods through service projects, education, and beautification efforts[5]. The program brings together residents, churches, nonprofits, and businesses to rehabilitate homes and improve local areas. This claim is verified by city records and Millett’s own council biography[5].
“Increased city services without raising taxes” – Mostly True: Millett claims Orem managed to expand services (like parks, libraries, public safety) with no tax hike. Indeed, Orem opened new amenities such as the all-abilities playground at Hillcrest Park and a satellite library center, and boosted library and recreation programs – all while keeping the tax rate flat[6][7]. The mayor’s 2025 report backs this up, noting major projects completed “without raising your taxes”[8][9]. The nuance: Orem benefited from other revenue (sales taxes hit record highs, federal ARPA grants, etc.) to fund these improvements. Overall the claim is mostly true: services did grow and property tax didn’t, though residents indirectly paid via growth and federal funds.
David Spencer
“Moratorium on a plan for 10,000 high-density units” – Mostly True: Spencer says he led the push to freeze the State Street Master Plan that would have added “10,000 high-density apartments.” This refers to the same 2015 corridor plan projecting roughly 10,000 new multifamily units[3]. In July–Sept 2021, Orem’s council (including Spencer) indeed enacted a moratorium on State Street residential projects, halting that plan[10]. The number is a rounded estimate from the plan; actual implemented units were zero because the plan was never carried out. Spencer’s role in stopping it is credible, and the figure comes from official planning documents[3]. We rate this mostly true (with the context that the 10,000 was a projection, not actual permits).
“Built a $37 million City Center (City Hall) debt-free (no new taxes)” – True: Orem’s new City Hall (opened 2023) cost about $37.5 million and was funded without bonds or tax increases[6][7]. Instead, the city had saved cash in a capital fund for years and supplemented with grants (including a $2.5M federal ARPA grant)[6][7]. Former Mayor Brunst detailed that by 2021 the city had $34.5M in reserves set aside for this project, avoiding any new debt or taxes[6][7]. The claim is confirmed true.
“Built a 10-million-gallon water tank without raising taxes” – True: Orem’s new 10 MG water tank (at Heritage/Community Park) was completed in 2025 to boost the city’s water storage by roughly 34%[11][12]. Funding came from existing utility revenues/enterprise funds and state loans, not from any increase in property tax. City officials noted the project stayed within budget (~$30 million) and did not require a tax hike[13]. The tank was undergoing final leak tests in mid-2025[12] and did come online as planned. Spencer’s statement is true.
“Orem is the 3rd-highest sales tax generator in Utah (despite being 6th-largest city)” – True: Orem punches above its weight economically. According to the city, Orem now ranks 3rd in total sales tax revenues among all Utah cities, even though its population (~98,000) is only the 6th-largest in the state[14]. This reflects Orem’s strong retail base (University Place mall, auto dealerships, etc.) and was confirmed in the mayor’s August 2025 report[14]. This claim is accurate and highlights Orem’s robust local economy.
Quinn Mecham
“Orem is nearly built-out, with little open land left” – True: Mecham emphasized protecting remaining green space, noting Orem is almost fully developed. Independent data confirms this: Orem’s city footprint is about 95% built out[15]. In other words, there are very few large undeveloped parcels left for new growth. This is correct – a June 2025 report noted Orem is squeezing in single-family homes on the last 5% of land instead of adding more apartments[15]. The claim about Orem being “nearly full” is true.
“Need to retain and attract first responders/city staff” – Unclear (Likely True): Mecham stressed supporting police, fire, and other staff. While this was more a goal than a verifiable fact, it implies current challenges with retention. There’s anecdotal evidence of a regional competition for officers (many cities have raised pay to recruit officers). Orem’s public safety unions have endorsed the incumbents[16], suggesting they feel conditions have improved. Without specific numbers (vacancies, turnover) given, this claim is not a concrete fact to verify – it’s a generally valid concern, but we can’t label it true or false.
Doyle Mortimer
“Council removed the 1600 North road-widening from Orem’s Master Plan” – True: Mortimer criticized a recent council decision to drop a planned 5-lane widening of 1600 North. This indeed happened – on Oct. 10, 2023, the Orem City Council voted to remove the 1600 N (State St to 800 E) widening project from the city’s Transportation Master Plan[17]. The prior plan (and regional TransPlan50) had slated that road for expansion in 2025, but the current council reversed course[17]. Mortimer’s factual claim here is correct. (Whether that was good or bad is a matter of debate, but the fact of removal is confirmed.)
“Fiscal responsibility – no excessive spending” – Unclear: Mortimer spoke about limiting government and ensuring economic stability, but these were value statements, not specific past-tense facts. He did not cite concrete figures that can be checked (e.g., he did not claim the city overspent or had a deficit). Thus there’s no factual assertion to verify here – it’s a statement of principle.
Angela Moulton
“Housing costs have become unaffordable for many Orem families” – True: Moulton highlighted Orem’s rising housing affordability problem, and data supports her. The average home price in Orem is now around $490,000[18], and rents have climbed sharply. Local residents report feeling “trapped” because rents and home prices have risen faster than incomes[19]. Orem’s median home price is up ~2–3% just in the past year[18], and many young families struggle to buy here. This claim is confirmed true by housing market statistics and resident experiences[19].
“Preserve Orem’s character while allowing progress” – Not a factual claim: Moulton’s point about balancing preservation and progress is a viewpoint, not a checkable fact. (It doesn’t assert a specific past event or number.) No factual rating applies. It’s clear, however, that Orem’s policies under the current council did prioritize single-family home development over high-density projects[20][21], reflecting an effort to maintain “Family City USA” character. Whether this is the right balance is subjective, so we focus on the verifiable parts of her statement.
Sources: City of Orem official publications, meeting records, and local news reporting were used to verify these claims, including Orem’s 2025 election voter information guide[22][23], the Mayor’s August 2025 report[8][14], a June 2025 Salt Lake Tribune analysis[15], Daily Herald archives[6][7], and other public documents as cited above. All claims refer to past or current conditions and actions in Orem (not campaign promises). Each has been cross-checked with official data or reputable news coverage for accuracy.
[1] [2] [8] [9] [11] [13] [14] Mayor’s Message | August 2025 – City of Orem
https://orem.gov/mayors-message-august-2025/
https://standfororem.org/issues
[4] [10] ‘Sad day for Orem’: City Council approves State Street development project | KSL.com
[5] [22] [23] Elections – City of Orem
[6] [7] Guest opinion: Who deserves credit for Orem’s City Hall? | News, Sports, Jobs - Daily Herald
[12] CitizenPortal.ai - Heritage Park project set to transform local water supply
https://citizenportal.ai/articles/1676394/Heritage-Park-project-set-to-transform-local-water-supply
[15] [19] [20] [21] Why Utah’s nearly full Orem wants to build more single-family homes
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/18/why-utahs-nearly-full-orem-wants/
[16] CitizenPortal.ai - David Spencer campaigns for reelection on Orem City Council prioritizing families and open space
[18] Orem, UT Housing Market: 2025 Home Prices & Trends - Zillow