Claude Wells serves as a member of the Riverton City Council, representing District 5. In this role, Wells is part of a six-member council that includes a Mayor acting as chair and five council members representing five distinct districts across the 12 square mile city boundary. According to a council message from March 1, 2022, the council's responsibilities include acting as a steward of resident and taxpayer money to maintain city infrastructure. The council is tasked with approving ordinances, reviewing zoning change requests, reviewing and setting fiscally responsible budgets, adopting resolutions, establishing city fees, and setting strategic priorities for each budget year. Additionally, the council establishes long-range plans for city services and utilities and sets regulatory standards for city services.
Residents encounter the work of the council through various public channels. For example, the city council holds hearings where important motions, such as budget items or ordinances, require a majority vote to pass into law. Wells has noted that active citizen engagement during these hearings makes a difference in the decisions made by the council. Residents can also engage with city services and events by using the Riverton Connect mobile app or by visiting the city's website.
Beyond standard council duties, Wells has participated in community-focused initiatives to better understand city operations. He was a participant in Riverton City’s inaugural Citizen’s Police Academy, a six-week program that ran from October 14 through November 18 in 2021. During this program, Wells received a "birds-eye view" of the challenges officers encounter daily, including training scenarios involving traffic stops, suspicious vehicle investigations, and SWAT situations. He noted that this experience was invaluable when making budget decisions to support public safety and ensure officers have necessary training and tools.
District boundaries for Wells's area were updated following the adoption of Ordinance No. 22-07 on February 15, 2022. Under the new map, District 5 grew slightly to be flush with 2700 W and includes all areas that are both east of 2700 W and south of 12600 S. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population for District 5 was 9,383.
Wells also advocates for community standards and safety. In a message regarding community aesthetics, he has encouraged residents to take pride in their community by keeping weeds down on properties, keeping non-running vehicles out of the road, and not parking trailers in front of houses in ways that create hazards for neighbors. He has also highlighted the importance of addressing neighborhood speeding to ensure safety for children and families. In addition to his council duties, Wells is part of a government where no single member can decide any one issue alone, as the council works together to make cohesive changes for the city.
What this means for Riverton
For Riverton residents, Wells's role means having a representative who engages directly with public safety training and community standards. His participation in the Citizen's Police Academy and his focus on neighborhood safety and aesthetics provides residents with a councilmember dedicated to understanding the practical needs of the community and maintaining the city's quality of life.
