Welcome to the City Journals Voters Guide!

2025's General Election Day is on Nov. 4.   (See other important dates and SLCounty information in our Voting Information Overview page at the Valley Journals here.) 

In preparation, we surveyed our readers (like you!) to ask which local topics would determine important voting decisions for local races. We then asked your local candidates those reader-suggested questions. Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 200 words.These are their answers: 

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In Riverton, Tish Buroker and Tawnee McCay are running for Mayor. 

 

Q: Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so? 

Tish Buroker: I do. If you look at your property tax notice you will see that Riverton Property taxes fund both our police and fire departments.  This is the proper use of taxes.  To protect private, public and commercial property.

Tawnee McCay: Riverton recently received an award from the Utah Taxpayers Association because we are very transparent in our taxes and fees. We have 2 tax service districts for Riverton Police Department and Unified Fire Authority. All the money collected in these property taxes go straight to the respective organization. We do not charge other property taxes, just our utility fees. We try to keep the fees for water, garbage, and recycling as close as possible to the actual cost the city gets charged for the services. I sit on the city audit committee and we have always received a clean review. Because of good management, our property tax revenue is used effectively in our city.

Q: Thinking about fiscal responsibility, what values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values? 

Tish Buroker: Number one: public safety and essential services such as sanitation, culinary and secondary water. Number two: stewardship.  We must maintain assets that taxpayer dollars have been spent on in the past and ensure that money is available for capital improvement projects. Number three: improvements as money becomes available.  We should be diligently watching for grant opportunities as most of the grant funding can be used in creating and upgrading amenities such as trails.Tawnee McCay: Voters have a clear choice, as both candidates serve on the Council and have a voting record. I’m the only candidate that voted to create our own police department, saving taxpayers over $21 million thus far. With more sales tax revenue from Mountain View Village and Costco, I led the effort to pay down 3 of the 6 city bonds, instead of increasing spending. I am the proven fiscally conservative candidate!

Q: Many residents reported concern for government oversight and transparency. What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren't met? 

Tish Buroker: I intend to have quarterly council meetings in which financials are discussed and reviewed.  This should not just happen once a year with the budget review.  In addition, department requests prior to the budget process should be made and reviewed in work meetings beginning in January as the budget is prepared.  I also intend to begin 10-minute podcasts following Council meetings to share and discuss the work of the Council and Mayor including upcoming issues.  Finally I can’t wait to begin my program of “The Mayor is In” providing dates and times for residents to drop in and talk to the mayor about their concerns.

Tawnee McCay: I stand for transparency and feel that residents should have more say when there are large decisions that affect them. I do not feel the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) of Riverton has been transparent enough or done the business in public meetings. I’m the only candidate that voted to not remove part of the city park for development. Our city is growing and we should be expanding parks, not dividing them up for development. I voted to protect our crown jew main Riverton Park.

Q: What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE? 

Tish Buroker: As an elected official I have agreed to uphold the laws of the land.  Of course I will cooperate with ICE as needed.  However, I am not supportive of checking for immigration status during routine encounters but only when an arrest has been made for a qualifying violent crime or felony.  Riverton is a very safe city based on the statistics that we receive from our Police Department. 

Tawnee McCay: All criminals, especially those that commit violent crimes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I trust our Police Chief to coordinate with other agencies if needed.

Q: How do you plan to keep Riverton safe, beautiful and affordable?

Tish Buroker: Riverton maintains a high-quality police and fire department.  They are the foundation of keeping Riverton safe.  As Mayor, I will support them publicly and advocate with the Council on their behalf to ensure that our police department remains a positive community police presence.  I will also advocate for improved metrics in our Police Department, that will help determine the best use of this resource and help residents understand that Riverton is a safe place to live.  | Riverton is a beautiful community.   As I canvas neighborhoods I am impressed with the care and pride which most residents maintain their homes and yards.  I am advocating for an administrative law judge who could better enforce code violations.  This position would also include a volunteer committee group that could assist with neighborhood cleanup as needed.  | Riverton is not affordable for our children to purchase a home, and I do not have a magic bullet to make it affordable.  I do not believe high density housing is the answer.    The home in which I raised my children here in Riverton had a 2-car carport, an unfinished basement, no upgrades and 1 ½ baths.   Over 15 years we made improvements.  It would be great to once again have this be an option for new buyers.  Currently it is against code for any home dwelling to not have a two-car garage for any new construction.    

Tawnee McCay: Riverton is a safe place to live. I support our Riverton Police Department. We have been able to increase the number of officers and save money by creating our own department. Our city is beautiful and I want to keep our fun community events to keep the hometown feel.

Q: How will you address public transportation in West Riverton?

Tish Buroker: It is a problem.  Riverton City is currently working with property owners to obtain ownership of land allowing for increased connectivity.   However, as roads are connected, there is increased traffic in areas of the city that have not had much traffic, so connections bring their own problems.   We now have a bus route that runs east to west in Riverton at 12600.  Hopefully as the bus becomes more utilized more stops and routes can be added.   Riverton is currently updating our master transportation plan which should be completed early next year.  I am excited about the work that has already been completed showing traffic patterns, number of cars at different times of day etc.  This information is vital as we plan Riverton’s next steps.  Being an active member of the Wasatch Front Regional Council is also important as they are the strategic partner of the legislature guiding future road construction.

Tawnee McCay: I’m glad that UTA added two routes that serve Riverton this summer. Our foster daughter uses it several times a week. There are plans to bring the Daybreak Parkway TRAX line to Mountain View Village. They are still deciding if it will then go along Bangerter or Porter Rockwell Blvd. to the new Point development in Draper and then complete the loop to the Draper TRAX station. This will take several years, but they plan to have it completed by the Utah Olympics in 2034. I enjoy attending our partners transportation meeting and will continue to do so as your mayor.

Q: One main succinct reason/goal for why you are running for this election: 

Tish Buroker: 

Tawnee McCay: I’m running for Mayor to ensure Riverton’s conservative values are reflected at City Hall. On the City Council, I’ve continually voted to protect private property rights, reduce taxes and prevent government overreach. As Mayor, I’ll seek your input to make decisions with transparency and integrity.

Q: Background (residents have asked: What is your relevant educational/job experience? What previous government positions or offices have you held? How long have you been on the council?):

Tish Buroker: I am in my eighth year of service on the City Council.  | I have volunteered with the City for many years and served as the parade chair in the 90s.  | I had a wonderful professional career graduating as a RN from BYU many years ago and finishing my career as Vice President of a Fortune 500 Company. (LabCorp).   At LabCorp I oversaw over 80 million in annual revenue and 1,000 employees.  | I am endorsed by current and former colleagues: Spencer Haymond, Brent Jonson, Claude Wells, Troy McDougal, Tricia Ricks, Al Leavitt, Jan Wells, and Gayla Brinkerhoff.  Also Planning Commissioners Evan Matheson and Shelly Cluff.

Tawnee McCay: I earned my MBA in Finance from Utah State, and have nearly 20 years of professional experience serving as Director of the Family Life Housing and Financial Counseling Center, a financial planner, adjunct faculty, and as Congresswoman Mia Love’s campaign treasurer. This is also my 8th year serving on the Riverton City Council.

Q: How can residents stay informed about your campaign? 

Tish Buroker: [email protected]

Tawnee McCay: Visit VoteMcCay.com or send me an email to [email protected] to learn more about my vision.

Optional – Salt Lake County residents reported a handful of additional topics of concerns and questions. Please feel free to answer any of the following questions you'd like to respond to. Responses to questions in this section are not necessary.

Q: What role do you believe local government should play in protecting open space and natural areas within your community?  Residents specifically asked: What actions will you take to help conserve the Great Salt Lake? 

Tawnee McCay: I think it is important with our growing population to protect and expand our city parks and trails.

Q: If elected, how will you begin managing high-density housing, short-term rentals, and property value protections in your community? Residents specifically asked: Do you support holding builders accountable to a higher standard like expecting builders to make needed improvements to streets and sidewalks?  

Tawnee McCay: I do not support additional high-density developments in Riverton. If elected, I will work with the Council to strive for housing units that are detached, single-family, owner-occupied, and not in an HOA. We need fewer rental units and our children deserve the opportunity to purchase homes and build equity in their community.

Q: What education policies do you support? Residents asked about school closures, capping class sizes, banning books, and restricting teachers to do their jobs. 

Tawnee McCay: I enjoy working with the Jordan School District and their Board. They are the decision makers with things related to schools. The city provides a school resource officer at each middle school and Riverton High School and oversees the crossing guards. I appreciate the quality teachers and administrators we have in Riverton.

Q: How do you plan to assist your senior residents and those on fixed incomes?   (Residents specifically asked about seniors being able to age in place affordably, senior safety, food insecurity and nutrition for low-income households, and support programs.) 

Tawnee McCay: Part of every city's sales tax revenue goes to the Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Fund that was established to support cities that do have homeless shelters, helping them to deal with community impacts. Our family enjoys helping at the food pantry in Riverton and volunteering at the homeless shelters in Salt Lake.