Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson and City Council Chairwoman Meredith Harker have not had to drum up votes for eight years. They were each elected to their current posts in November 2017 and each were unopposed four years ago.

The only race on that November 2021 municipal ballot was current Councilman Bob Knudsen facing former Taylorsville Mayor Larry Johnson – each seeking an open
council seat.

This time around, it’s not yet known whether Overson, Harker or Knudsen will face challengers. The candidate filing period is June 2 to 6.

But two things ARE known at this point: these three are seeking reelection… and, if anyone decides to oppose them, they will be about as underdog as it gets.

Each year, the Taylorsville City Council commissions a poll, or survey, to determine what their constituents like and what they don’t like. Without fail, the entire city council earns rave reviews, year after year. Poll responders seem to want two things above almost anything else: an indoor swimming pool (but that’s a different story) and their current elected officials to remain right where
they are.

As of this year, Overson has tied Janice Auger Rasmussen (1998-2005) as the longest-tenured mayor in the 29 years Taylorsville has been an incorporated city. If she wins in November, obviously, Overson will be the city’s first-ever three-term mayor.

“We (the council and city administrators) have such an incredible team; and, I believe, we are doing good things in a positive way,” Overson said. “As I look to the future, I see much more we can accomplish. I’m excited to keep at it.”

Overson believes she, Harker and Knudsen all have five areas of strong accomplishment they can run on this fall:

Arts, Parks & Recreation – Just since the pandemic, the $45-million, Salt Lake County Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center has opened, along with the $3-million Centennial Plaza.

Economic Development – Carriage Square shopping area has been upgraded, several new stores have been added at Legacy Plaza and a number of other new businesses have opened elsewhere
in the city.

Public Safety – Taylorsville reestablished its stand-alone police department in July 2021, with the new agency earning strong
citizen reviews.

Transportation – A bus rapid transit line is finally scheduled to open through the city next year, now called the
Midvalley Express.

Community Building – With Centennial Plaza in place (which some refer to as “Taylorsville’s front yard”), activities like Starry Nights @ the Plaza, a farmers’ market and the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony provide opportunities for residents to gather and get to know one another.

“In this job, the high points have been awesome; but there have also been some difficult decisions,” Overson said. “I enjoy the challenge – and like being a part of Team
Taylorsville.”

As for City Council Chairwoman Meredith Harker, she’s spent the past eight years raising her four sons (now ages 15 to 24) and working as a Calvin Smith Elementary School third grade teacher, all in addition to her municipal work.

“I believe I have good time management skills,” Harker said. “My family has been so supportive of my city council work. My husband and I tag-team to get kids moved around and to all their activities. I’ve also gotten them interested in government. Two of my sons served on the Taylorsville Youth Council.”

As if her plate weren’t already full enough, Harker will begin a daily commute to Orem this month, for the next few weeks.

“I’m starting a master’s program in Constitutional Studies, Civics and Law at Utah Valley University on June 16,” she said. “I should be able to get it done in a little over a year. Starting in a couple of months, I can do a lot of it online. I don’t want to become a school principal; but I do believe the degree will help in both my teaching and city council positions.”

Like the mayor, Harker believes the current Taylorsville leadership has a lot to be proud of heading into the
campaign season.

“In addition to the big things like helping to start our police department and working through the construction of Centennial Plaza, I’m also proud of things like replacing street lights in a timely manner and establishing crosswalks with flashing lights,” Harker said. “We work hard to draw businesses to Taylorsville and to support housing projects that are advantageous to our citizens. I’ve also loved helping on the Parks & Recreation Committee, improving our parks and coming up with new activities for residents. Serving on the city council has been the greatest adventure of my life. It doesn’t wear me out – it energizes me.”

While Overson and Harker seek third, four-year terms, Councilman Bob Knudsen is eying his second. And he’d love to enjoy the luxury his counterparts had four years ago – no election opponent. But, again, the three of them won’t know that status until after the June 6 candidate filing deadline.

Knudsen and his wife have a houseful of younger kids, ages 12 to just a couple of months old.

“I believe I help expand the perspective of our city council by representing the many younger families living in Taylorsville who want to be involved in the community,” Knudsen said. “We have grandparents on the city council… Anna Barbieri is a business owner… Meredith and Curt (Cochran) have kids a bit older. I think we have a good cross section of our city represented on the council right now.”

A 2003 Taylorsville High School graduate, Knudsen has now worked 19 years at the University of Utah. His current position is accounting supervisor in the school’s Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department. 

“In a way, we are kind of a boring city council because we don’t bicker with one another,” he added. “We sometimes disagree on things, sure. But we work together well, and with respect, to reach decisions. I feel I bring a good analytical perspective to the council. I enjoy my work with the (volunteer citizen) Budget Committee, because I enjoy making sure we operate lean. My goals in another four-year term would be to maintain a good city budget, continue progressing in our park improvements and work even more to improve public safety.”

Council colleagues Anna Barbieri, Ernest Burgess and Curt Cochran all endorse Overson, Harker and Knudsen remaining in their current posts.

“I think (Mayor Overson and city council members) are a well-oiled machine,” Cochran said. “We are always in tune – even when we don’t agree. We work well together to resolve disagreements and issues.”

“Taylorsville city administration and elected officials probably get along better than in any other city,” Barbieri added. “We all have pet projects; but, at the end of the day, we all try to do what’s best for Taylorsville. We are respectful people and, I think, have created a great team. I’m very glad all three of them are running again.”

As of 5:01 p.m. on Friday, June 6, you can check here taylorsvilleut.gov/government/elections to see whether Knudsen, Harker or Overson face election
challengers. λ