Midway City Council candidates Genene Probst-Miles, Andy Garland, and J.C. Simonsen have entered the race for seats on the local governing body, presenting platforms centered on property rights, water infrastructure, and the preservation of the community's agricultural heritage. The candidates will present their official platforms during a town hall meeting scheduled for October 22.
Probst-Miles Focuses on Rights
Genene Probst-Miles, who has served on the Midway Planning Commission for four years, is seeking a seat on the City Council. A lifelong resident of Midway, Probst-Miles is the daughter of Eugene Probst, who previously served three terms as Midway's mayor.
Probst-Miles, a real estate agent and former flight attendant, intends to focus her campaign on three primary issues identified during her tenure on the Planning Commission: property rights, open space, and affordable housing. She has expressed specific concern regarding recent efforts to limit the rights of property owners.
"Some of the issues and items that are coming up on agendas right now are tightening up or kind of limiting people’s property rights, and I have an issue with that," Probst-Miles said. While she supports protecting open space through conservation easements, such as the Kohler Dairy Farm project, she maintains that property owners should retain the right to develop their land if they choose.
Addressing the rising cost of living in Midway, Probst-Miles noted that the current market is making it difficult for her own family to remain in the area. "I just know that my kids can’t afford to live here," Probst-Miles said. "The prices just keep going up and it’s pricing everybody out. It’s really sad to me that my kids can’t live here, my nieces and nephews can’t live here, my grandchildren."
Garland Targets Water Security
Andy Garland, the current chair of the Midway Planning Commission, is also running for a City Council seat. Garland brings a background in finance and utility management, having served as an area president for Zions Bank and president of Summit Water Distribution Co. He currently serves as the general manager of the Mountain Regional Water Special Service District.
Garland has identified water security and growth management as the most critical challenges facing the city. He warned that Midway currently relies on two primary water sources—the Gerber Spring and the Mahagony Spring, both located by Wasatch State Park—and noted a lack of water sources in the southern portion of the city.
"If something were to happen to those sources, it’s possible we would have no other source of water," Garland said. To mitigate this risk, he suggested the city explore interconnecting with the Jordanelle Special Service District, a move that would require hydraulic modeling.
In addition to water concerns, Garland highlighted the need for updates to the city's impact fee facilities plan, which has not been updated since 2012. He noted that while development has increased over the last 13 years, the city has not received appropriate fees to account for rising costs. He also called for fiscal responsibility, noting that in fiscal 2024, Midway's "must-haves" operated at a $45,591 loss that was subsidized by taxpayers.
Simonsen Promotes Heritage
J.C. Simonsen, a Utah native who has lived in the Heber Valley for nearly 20 years, is also seeking election to the City Council. Simonsen stated his decision to run was prompted by requests from community members.
Simonsen emphasized his commitment to preserving Midway’s agricultural roots, including farming, ranching, and animal husbandry. He cited the success of two citizen-approved bonds and the participation of local landowners in protecting hundreds of acres of open agricultural land as evidence of the community's commitment to this lifestyle.
"I’ve always had the priority of preserving Midway’s farming heritage and open spaces," Simonsen said. He expressed a desire to use his previous experience on the council to continue contributing to the community where he is raising his two daughters.
Upcoming Town Hall Meeting
The Midway Boosters has organized a town hall meeting to provide an educational forum for the public. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and will feature a presentation of candidate platforms followed by a Q&A session.
While the Midway Boosters does not endorse any specific candidate, the organization aims to help educate city members regarding the candidates and their platforms. Voters can find more in-depth information and photos of the candidates through their respective websites or additional information pages provided by the organization.
