User:LikeGrantTookRichmond/Cedar Highlands, Utah

Cedar Highlands is a recently Incorporated town in south-central Iron County, Utah, United States.

History
The community, established in 1981, was originally a private development, consisting of cabins managed by a HOA. It stayed at that political level, with various calls for incorporation over the years until the formal process began in 2015, with a vote for incorporation happening in November of 2016 (79-44 for Incorporation .) The formal certificate of incorporation from the state of Utah was issued December 7th, 2017.

While not unanimous that incorporation was the correct choice, the need for incorporation arose with questions of how property taxes were being spent (at a county level, instead of being held locally) as well as concerns of fire management, road grade, issues that seemed beyond the scope of the HOA. Incorporation also opened up the possibility of applying for state and federal grants.

After Incorporation, the foundational swearing in of leaders happened on took place on January 5th, 2018. The first inaugurated government consisted of Mayor Steven C. Swann, with town council members Susan Allman, Beth Gaines, Linda Stetzenbach, and Paul Starks. The ceremony took place on the campus of Southern Utah University, as no government buildings exist in the community.

The process of incorporation of Cedar Highlands was notable because it was the first town incorporated after the 2016 Utah State Legislature changed the process of incorporation to be overseen by the office of the Lieutenant Governor’s rather than by local county governments.

Mayoral Controversy
An audit by the State Auditor in April 2019, found that the town had violations related to accounting, records, etc. The resulting administrative changes in government caused a significant rift between Mayor Swann and his council, resulting in his resignation on June 28th, 2019. While the news was well received by some, it was a surprise to members of the town council, who claimed that the impasse was a matter of differing visions, while the Mayor claimed the town was taking on additional liabilities.

After posting notice for the position of mayor, Jim Byler was chosen amongst candidates for the mayoral appointment. He was known locally for being openly critical of the previous Mayor Swann, running an online site that discussed management issues in the community. On July 17th, He was sworn in, alongside a new treasurer (Beth Gaines) and town clerk (Jeanne Shelton). Byler promised additional transparency with the finances of the council, citing a difficult transition between the office with Swann.