Lewis Billings, Mayor of Provo, ULCT Past President

Lewis Billings is the mayor of Provo and past president of the ULCT. Mayor Billings found that he had a keen interest in politics at a very young age, frequently attending political debates during his junior high and high school years. In later years, he became very active in partisan politics serving in a variety of capacities including county party chair, state and national delegate and presidential elector. In 2000, he was asked to co-chair the “Utahns for Bush” Committee with then Governor Michael Leavitt. In 1993, then Provo Mayor George Stewart recruited Lewis to direct the city's Federal and State legislative agenda. Within months after joining the Stewart Administration, when Provo City Chief Administrative Officer Tom Martin was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Lewis was appointed CAO, a post he occupied for nearly three years. And while he had always been intrigued with the possibility of running for elected office, he had never anticipated serving at the local level. When Mayor Stewart decided not to seek a second term, Lewis says he felt compelled to run in order to finish important projects he had helped to launch.

1. I can’t be certain, but you’re likely the only mayor in Utah right now who previously served as the mayor’s top assistant. No doubt most would have realized through that experience that being the mayor ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. Apparently you thought otherwise? When I first announced I was going to run for Mayor, former State Sen. Chuck Peterson called and said, “Anyone who is dumb enough to want to be Mayor certainly couldn't be smart enough to do the job.” There is probably a fair amount of truth in the good Senator's statement. It is true that I probably had about as good an idea of what the job entailed as any newly elected Mayor in the history of Provo, but I also had a passion for the good initiatives we had undertaken and the long term value that could potentially result. It is amazing to see all of the good that can be accomplished at the local level when people are willing to work hard together. It is almost never easy.

2. And now former Mayor Stewart has come back to public service as a member of the city council, and is currently the chair of that body. What’s that been like having your old boss back in city hall in a role that requires him to speak for a body that might not always agree with the executive branch? George Stewart did an excellent job as Mayor and is now one of the hardest working Council Chairs in the history of our City. I respect the members currently serving on our Municipal Council, but we don't always agree. Under our form of government (strong mayor form) there is a natural and intended tension that exists between the executive and legislative branches. Hopefully, that “tension” is healthy and productive, but as result of this structure there will be conflicts from time to time. I believe those who drafted our form of government knew that the presence of a healthy tension and conflict would provide an effective check and balance and ultimately good governance.

3. I’m guessing you have a pretty busy life between personal and private obligations. Any secrets you've learned for striking a good balance between both?
First Secret: A Good Spouse - I am fortunate to have an incredible wife and partner. While she is very supportive, she is firmly grounded and committed to our family and really isn't affected by all of the “fuss and rush” associated with my playing the role of Mayor. Second Secret: Define Your Priorities And Take Action – I have learned that you can achieve incredible things if you carefully define your most important priorities and then do something on each every day. If you don't do something to further a top priority everyday, it isn't a very high priority. During some of the busiest moments of my life, my boys and I have restored antique automobiles, antique airplanes, etc. by doing some little thing everyday. Some days it is really hard to do, but it is amazing how little daily actions add up (look at your waist).

4. You’ve been around city government long enough to see a number of issues and trends come and go. What big changes for local government do you see in the future? First, I worry that some currently involved in City management are living fiscally just a little too high in good times and when the lean moments come, and they will come again, they may be hard pressed and unable to sustain levels of spending they have become accustomed to.
Second, I think too often we have chosen to postpone doing things that really need to be done, especially at the regional and multi-regional levels. Sadly, it appears to me that we are leaving to future generations what our generation should have stepped up to face (e.g. statewide ransportation funding, real and effective economic development and job creation, etc.). Third, we need fewer single issue/special interest legislators and more state legislators with a broader commitment to the people as a whole. I would like to see more local elected officials run for state legislative offices because no one is closer to the people than mayors and members of city councils. The education a person receives from actually serving at the local level can be obtained in no other way.

5. This might be rumor, so let’s keep spreading it, even if it is; word on the street is that those few bold and brave Provo residents who openly endorse the University of Utah pay higher utility rates than those who do not. Any comment? Except for a few games each year, we already cheer for the Utes (almost as loudly as we do for our beloved Cougars). With a daughter on her way to the “U” for training that will lead to a graduate degree, the rivalry will become even more exciting for our family.

6. CD in your player? Anything Classical

7. Book on your nightstand? His Excellency George Washington, by J. J. Ellis

8. Radio station set on your dial? KBYUFM, CSPAN Radio (webcast), WETA (webcast)

9. Political heros? Founding Fathers and Mothers, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan

10. Presidential candidate in ’08? Strongly leaning Mitt Romney