City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047
Meet Dustin Gettel: Midvale City’s New Mayor
Dustin Gettel, an avid sports fan, basketball referee, healthcare law expert, and seven-year council member, now serves as Midvale’s mayor.
Gettel grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended college in Philadelphia. Midvale feels like home and the best of both worlds—a small-town feel with easy access to the vibrant energy of downtown. In 2015, he visited Utah to see a friend, and before he even landed, he was already in love with the state. He fondly recalls his rst glimpse from the plane, saying, “So that’s what real mountains look like.” He moved to Midvale soon after and has loved it ever since.
His journey to leadership and government began in high school. He developed a passion for advocating for people without a voice when he was elected vice president of his student body council. “I enjoyed bringing the concerns of the students to the administration,” he recalls.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management from Neumann University and went on to complete a Master’s in Healthcare Law and Regulation at Delaware Law School. His education laid the groundwork for his deep understanding of both the practical and legal aspects of leadership.
His leadership positions have taught him compassion, moderation and cooperation. “My focus has always been representing others,” he said. “Even though I have my own opinions, we are elected to represent the viewpoints of our constituents. They have very di erent ideas than you. Maintaining a respectful debate has served me well over the years.”
After serving on the Midvale City Council, transitioning to Mayor is a big shift. “I see this more as a role of being an advocate for our
residents, those who work at city hall, and a collaborative member of the city council,” he explained. “It’s important for the mayor to be out there in the community and advocating for city initiatives.
When he’s not refereeing for Salt Lake County Men and Women’s basketball, working at the Utah Department of Health or Midvale City Hall, you’ll likely nd Gettel outdoors, trying a new restaurant, or reading.
He’s set himself the goal of walking the entire Jordan River Trail, which spans a whopping 45 miles. “In the last few months, I’ve walked from Thanksgiving Point to Murray,” he says excitedly. “The trail is a hidden gem a lot of people don’t know exists.” He hopes to complete the entire length from Saratoga Springs to Ogden by next year.
Gettel loves exploring the diversity of Midvale’s local restaurants, believing it rivals the best eateries in Philadelphia. “I love trying out new restaurants. I’m pretty adventurous,” he says.
A lifelong learner, Gettel still treasures his well-worn favorite childhood book, The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents by William A. DeGregorio. He’s had the book since 3rd grade and can still recite all the U.S. presidents in chronological order. The book taught him that sometimes many powerful people start at the very bottom. He pointed out, “Most have very humble upbringing. We see how people go from living in impoverished towns to living in the White House.”
Gettel is the proud dog dad of two; Link, a Miniature Schnauzer and Nova, a Shih tzu–poodle mix. His favorite sports teams are the New York Giants, Utah Jazz, Utah Utes and the Baltimore Orioles. His passion for people, collaboration, and harmony will drive him as he strives to make Midvale a better place for all.
Save the Dates: 2025 Midvale City Council Meetings
Midvale City invites residents and stakeholders to participate in the 2025 City Council meetings, a valuable opportunity to stay informed and contribute to the community’s governance and decision-making.
The meetings will take place in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 7505 South Holden Street, Midvale City, Utah, unless noted otherwise. Meetings typically begin at 6:00 p.m., with exact start times provided on the o cial agenda at Midvale.Utah.gov/Agenda. For those unable to attend in person, live streaming is available at Midvale.Utah.gov/YouTube. Recordings of the meetings will also be accessible for later viewing.
To stay updated, visit Midvale.Utah.gov/Agenda for the meeting agenda, agenda packet, and minutes.
2025 Business Meeting Schedule
• January: January 7, January 21
• February: February 4, February 18
• March: March 4, March 18
• April: April 1, April 15
• May: May 6, May 20
• June: June 3, June 17
• July: July 1, July 15
• August: August 5, August 19
• September: September 2, September 16
• October: October 7, October 21
• November: November 18
• December: December 2
Important Notes
• This schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the Midvale City website, Midvale.Utah.gov/Agenda, for updates.
• The start time for each meeting will be speci ed in the meeting agenda, which is published in advance.
• Additional meetings may be scheduled, or existing ones adjusted, as needed by the City Council.
Midvale City encourages all residents to participate in these meetings to stay informed and help shape the community’s future. Your involvement makes a di erence!
In The Middle of Everything
Midvale’s GIS turns data into story
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a collection of every piece of information about a place. In Midvale, we have data about everything you think you’d need to know. A lot might seem mundane, or even useless - from the materials of the sewer pipes and how long they’ve been there, to the length of the sidewalks, to the number of streetlights. We also have the data of where the restaurants are, where the apartments and the single-family house are. And we have data on where crimes are committed, where car accidents happen, and types of emergencies.
A spreadsheet full of numbers can be dull, but when that data is visualized on a map, it transforms into a compelling story.
Maybe the number of accidents has something to do with the street lines. Maybe the number of kids not attending school has something to do with bus routes. Maybe the robberies have something to do with food insecurity.
Midvale’s GIS team tracks and stores all this data to help the City tell its stories.
Matt Hilderman, GIS Manager for Midvale City, said data collection is getting easier with drones and AI identi cation software. Drones can y faster than a person can walk the streets, and AI will identify cracks in streets and sidewalks, tree species, neighborhood swimming pools, and more.
Data also comes from public works, the police and re department, city planning, economic development and more.
Sharing data means everyone can work together to determine how to care for the City, from the streets to the people.
“GIS allows cities to make data-driven decisions that enhance e ciency, sustainability, and quality of life for residents.” Some of the biggest impact can be seen in Urban Planning & Zoning, infrastructure (roads and utility lines) and transportation management, disaster response and Social Services & Public Health.
Not only does the data help all departments within Midvale plan for the future, but helps cities work together.
“GIS … impacts almost every aspect of our lives,” Hilderman said. “From improving public services to helping drive economic growth and ensuring environmental sustainability. GIS helps improve the services you use every day, makes cities smarter and more sustainable, and empowers communities and increases transparency.”
“Whether it’s managing global environmental challenges, coordinating disaster response, optimizing trade, or monitoring public health trends, GIS provides critical insights that help governments, organizations, and businesses respond to complex global challenges.”
When data is combined, it can become powerful information. To see how simple data can have a global impact, ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute), tells the story of living in the age of humans, the world of forests, the diversity of life on earth, and more.
Come see some of Midvale’s GIS stories through our interactive maps: You can learn about…
• Planning and Zoning - How the pieces of land t together to tell the story of living, working and playing, with land-use zoning districts and city council districts
• Construction projects - The future of your roads
• Utility Billing - Where your bills go and why your neighbors might be di erent than yours, with water service districts, sewer service maps, and trash and recycling schedules
• Midvale City Parks - Find out where all your parks are and the amenities they have to o er
• Disc Golf Course - This map shows the locations of each basket, tee box and potential best lies for Midvale City’s disc golf course.
• Main Street Murals - See art history in the making, where artists share their talent and parables. Main Street and the surrounding area is lled with new murals each year.
• Aerial Imagery - What Midvale used to look like and how it has changed from 2004 to 2024. Try selecting two years and dragging the bar to change the image and see the di erence.
Midvale City O ers Housing Programs to Support Local Residents
Midvale City is proud to continue o ering two impactful housing programs designed to bene t low-to-moderate income households. In partnership with NeighborWorks Salt Lake, these initiatives provide critical resources to help residents achieve homeownership and maintain safe, sustainable housing.
Down Payment Assistance Program
The Down Payment Assistance Program is designed to make homeownership more accessible for rst-time homebuyers in Midvale. Through this program, eligible participants receive:
• Comprehensive homebuyer education to prepare for the responsibilities of owning a home.
• Up to $30,000 in down payment assistance, helping to overcome one of the biggestnancial barriers to purchasing a home.
This program is a key step in fostering economic stability and building a stronger, more connected community by helping renters become homeowners.
Home Repair Loan Program
For current homeowners, the Home Repair Loan Program provides essential support to address pressing housing needs. Through this program, quali ed residents can access:
• Forgivable loans of up to $15,000.
• Funding for emergency repairs, safety improvements, energy-e cient upgrades, and housing preservation e orts.
The program ensures that homeowners can maintain safe and sustainable living conditions while preserving the quality of Midvale’s housing stock.
Investing in Our Community
These programs re ect Midvale City’s commitment to supporting residents at every stage of their housing journey. Whether assisting rst-time buyers or helping existing homeowners preserve their properties, these initiatives aim to:
• Strengthen neighborhoods through increased homeownership.
• Enhance the quality and safety of housing throughout the city.
• Provide equitable opportunities for nancial stability and long-term growth.
We encourage all eligible residents to explore these programs and take advantage of the resources available. Sharing this information with friends, family, and neighbors can help ensure more community members bene t from these opportunities.
For more details, including eligibility requirements and application processes, visit Midvale.Utah.gov/Housing. Together, we can create a stronger Midvale for everyone.
JANUARY 2025 CITY NEWSLETTER
MIDVALE. UTAH. GOV
Salt Lake County Animal Services: A Year of Impact and Inspiration in 2024
As the largest no-kill municipal animal shelter in Utah, Salt Lake County Animal Services has had an extraordinary year, serving as a lively and compassionate hub for animals of all kinds. From the familiar faces of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits to the more unconventional residents like goats, pigs, snakes, lizards, turtles, and even pet spiders, every day brings something amazing.
Here’s a glimpse of the incredible milestones we’ve achieved from January 1 to December 1, 2024:
• 2,800 pets found their forever homes! Through adoptions and rescue placements, these wonderful animals have embarked on new journeys with loving families.
• Over 4,200 pets were sterilized in our in-house clinic, ensuring a positive impact on pet overpopulation and promoting responsible ownership.
• Our incredible volunteers gave over 7,500 hours of their time, providing care, enrichment, and love to our shelter pets.
• A thriving Foster Program! More than 2,700 pets received the nurturing support of foster homes, preparing them for their next chapter.
None of this would be possible without the support of our community and the dedication of our sta , volunteers, and foster families.
Want to get involved? Explore opportunities to volunteer, adopt, foster, license your pet, microchip, or donate by visiting AdoptUtahPets.org. With your support, we’re transforming lives and creating brighter futures for pets and their people!”
Happy New Year from all of us at Salt Lake County Animal Services!
Midvale City 2025 Recycling Calendar
Canyons
Word is getting out about the learning and growth happening in Canyons District’s preschools and kindergarten programs. To meet the needs of the community, preschool is now available at 13 locations across the District. With districtwide access to free full-day kindergarten, Canyons District kindergarteners also now enjoy double the learning and double the fun! Families can also choose a half-day schedule. Now is the time to enroll for the 20252026 school year. Families can apply for Canyons District’s early childhood programs from Jan. 8 through Feb. 28, 2025. Parents: Join us for an upcoming Open House and take home a free pencil case and coloring book!
All children should have access to learning opportunities suited to their interests and needs. Looking for hands-on, project-based learning in science and technology? How about top-ranked music, dance, and theater programs, or high school courses that will earn you college credit? All this, and more, can be found at CSD. Come nd out why CSD is the place to be. You won’t be alone. For the fth consecutive year, Canyons has seen an increase in the number of students enrolling from outside CSD’s boundaries. The Early Enrollment window is open through the last Friday in February, 2025. Apply at canyonsdistrict.org
