Public money spent on international travel and membership fees should not be hidden in the weeds.
(Rick Egan | Salt Lake Tribune) Construction near the former Geneva Steel Mill site near Vineyard City on Friday, April 19, 2024.
Like many other mayors and city council members in Utah communities, Vineyard City Mayor Julie Fulmer has a day job. She is a co-founder and general partner of a company called OutWit Media Group and OutWit Media LLC.
But Fulmer hasn't been able to completely outsmart the media. The media continues to uncover and report on highly suspicious activity and use of public funds in the Utah County community of 14,500 people.
This shows why independent news media is so important to good government. And why government records, including the calendars of civil servants at all levels, should be made public.
Just the other day, the Salt Lake Tribune reported on how City Council members Fulmer and lame duck members pushed through a series of new rules, spending and membership before two new members were seated on the four-member City Council. reported.
Combined with the decisions already made and the checks already cut, the city has since 2023 rebranded the “Trade Mission” and the Utah World Trade Center and what was once called the Utah Aerospace Defense Association. I spent $188,500 on a multi-year membership. As 47G at the end of last year.
The mayor says all spending was appropriate and had the necessary approvals. But councilors and the public are wondering why this tiny Vineyard City, not even big enough to have its own fire department, sends its staff on expensive trips to London and Paris and finances its mayoral position. I'm waiting for a proper explanation. It is a member of two industry associations, and its membership includes few local government employees.
It's not entirely clear why Mr. Fulmer junketed to Ukraine and India. If all these trips are truly meant to benefit the people of Vineyard City, make business connections and attract industry, as the mayor claims, they should be made clear by the City Council in public session. It should have been approved.
And that approval should have occurred before the ticket was purchased, not afterward, as was the case for European travel.
This makes this type of despicable behavior more likely to occur now that the Utah Legislature hastily passed and Gov. Spencer Cox wisely signed a new law that makes the calendars of Utah public employees private records. is increasing.
The comings and goings of all public officials, who they meet with, and what type of work they do is important information for the public to understand what is happening to their elected officials and their money. .
Remember, Vineyard City's mayor and city manager were involved in the now-canceled Boondog initiative, which aimed to dredge Utah Lake to form an archipelago and build communities on it. who promised millions of public funds for the project, but never delivered. new home
The Vineyard City Council has some welcome changes to its ranks, potentially ushering in a new day of openness for its community. As long as the public and independent media outlets like the Salt Lake Tribune maintain the necessary oversight.
