Civil Municipal Magazine - Dec 2023

210 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 12 “We are a strong mayor-council form of government, which is somewhat unique for the size of our city,” says Wood. She explains that larger cities in Utah have this form of local government. Smaller cities are run by city managers. She describes South Salt Lake as a blue- collar community. Not 20 years ago, it became a resettlement city, taking in many refugees from around the world. When Wood took office, she informs, the city’s public schools were failing and being closed on a regular basis. “Our kids were being bused outside of our community for schools,” she adds. The situation eventually righted itself, thanks in large measure to some strategic grant funding and integration efforts resembling those in New York City several generations ago, as the Mayor reveals. Jonathan Weidenhamer Community and Economic Development Director Kelli Meranda Promise SSL Director