Bountiful officially welcomed its new mayor and city council members Monday night as Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson administered the oath of office during a public ceremony at City Hall. The evening marked the start of new terms for Mayor Kate Bradshaw and council members Dan Bell and Beth Child, with family members, residents, and city staff in attendance. The Bountiful Philharmonia opened the night with music, setting a celebratory tone for the transition.
Following the customary Pledge of Allegiance, led by former councilmember Jesse Bell’s sons, and an invocation from Jamie Dester, Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson took a moment to share her thoughts before swearing-in Bradshaw, Bell, and Child.
After the ceremony, each official had the opportunity to share their own remarks.
Councilmember Beth Child told a story about a man who went to look for treasure, only to discover after digging deeper it was in his own home all along, and that the true riches were found when he used them to help others. She connected the story to Bountiful, describing the city as a place to reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re going. Child said she hopes to give back by listening carefully, being fiscally responsible, supporting strong infrastructure, and planning for the future. “I am excited and humbled to serve you,” she said.
Councilmember Dan Bell compared the moment to pulling on a team jersey for the first time. Sharing a story from his youth, Bell said he remembered wearing a basketball jersey for his team in school, and that stepping into office felt like committing fully to the community. “I’m putting on the jersey now,” he said. “I am Team Bountiful.” He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and said he looks forward to the work ahead.
Mayor Kate Bradshaw reflected on her seven-year journey in city government, which began as a midterm appointment and ultimately reshaped her life’s direction. She spoke about the personal nature of local government, noting that while the work can sometimes be bruising, it is made meaningful by the people involved. Bradshaw emphasized accessibility and listening as core values of her leadership, closing with a message she said guides her approach to public service: “A good leader listens more than they talk. And a good leader stays connected to the people they serve.”
The new mayor and city councilmembers’ terms begin immediately, with their first orders of business to appoint another ctiy councilmember to fill the vacancy left by Bradshaw. That meeting will take place Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6-8pm at City Hall. Following that, the new group will hold the first city council meeting of the year on Jan. 13.
