Kim Soper serves as the Mayor of Panguitch, a role she holds as part of a four-year term that extends through December 31, 2029, according to the city's official directory. As the presiding officer of the Panguitch City Council, Soper is a central figure in the governance of the municipality, which has a population of 1,725 as of 2020. Residents encounter her leadership through official council proceedings and the administration of city ordinances.
During a City Council meeting held on May 26, 2026, Mayor Soper performed several key administrative duties. She opened a public hearing regarding compensation increases for specific city officers, noting that the annual approval of such compensation is a state requirement that has been in place for two years. During this hearing, Soper stated for the record that she believes the proposed compensation increases are well-deserved for city employees. Following the hearing, the council moved to approve Ordinance 2026-2, which addressed these compensation increases, with the council correcting a date on the signature page from 2025 to 2026. Soper also opened a public hearing for the 2026-2027 Final Budget; during this session, no public comments were made, and the council subsequently voted unanimously to approve the budget.
Beyond budgetary and compensation matters, Soper’s administration oversees various municipal functions. The city maintains a structured hierarchy of services, including a City Manager, Mat Houston, and a City Recorder, Tyrissa Howell. The Mayor's office is part of a larger legislative body that includes Council Members Mike Sarles, David Dodds, Tracy Wright, Cindy Stewart, and James Kinsey. While Soper was absent from a council meeting on July 14, 2026, the council during that session addressed several local business matters, such as the approval of business licenses for the Adobe Desert Boutique Motel and Knight Equipment Services, LLC, as well as the approval of a pilot program for a new Farmers' Market managed by Moni Nyborg.
Soper also oversees the execution of municipal law, as evidenced by the city's official documents regarding the adoption of the Panguitch City Municipal Code. Such documents, which include the Mayor's signature, are used to amend the city's legal framework to ensure the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens. The city's administrative functions are conducted out of City Hall at 25 S 200 E, with public meetings held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 PM in the conference room of the Panguitch City Office. Residents can also participate in the democratic process by contacting the City Recorder to request items for the council agenda, provided they do so no later than noon on the Thursday prior to a meeting.
What this means for Panguitch
For the residents of Panguitch, Mayor Soper's role involves managing the city's budget and overseeing the compensation of essential city employees. Through her leadership on the City Council, the community experiences the implementation of municipal ordinances and the approval of local business licenses, ensuring the continued administration of city services and public welfare.
