Steve Gunn – a new face to the Holladay council

A retired attorney and 19-year Holladay resident, Steve Gunn took his oath of office on Jan. 5 as the newest city council member and voice of District 4. Gunn said he is looking forward to solving the tough issues facing the city during the next four years.

A history major and law school graduate of the University of Utah, Gunn was raised in the Salt Lake Valley, where he met his wife and raised four children. Recently retired from Ray Quinney & Nebeker after 38 years of practicing family law, Gunn took the suggestion of his friend Rep. Carol Spackman Moss to run for the seat that would be open after E. Barry Topham’s term finished.

“I have some inclination and training toward finding solutions and compromising on issues in order to reach resolutions to problems,” Gunn said. “I can bring that attitude and temperament to my position as a councilman.”

Gunn said he has always had some interest in seeking public office, but this was the first position he has sought. Without the time demands of his attorney position, Gunn said he felt the timing was perfect.

Many challenges are carved in the road ahead, but Gunn said his first focus is to get the Village Center Block 1 plans approved, and to have the developer begin construction as soon as possible.

“The city has a great deal of say about how it will be developed and the timing of the development,” Gunn said. “I look forward to being involved in further discussions about the design of the buildings.”

Plans for a new fire station on Murray-Holladay Road are being drawn up, and Gunn said he would like to see the design of that building compliment the Village Center. Gunn also brought up the Cottonwood project, and said although the city has less control over its construction start as it doesn’t own any of the land, “we should still do whatever we can to hasten the beginning of construction.”

Gunn said plans for the development of the Highland Drive Corridor may divert much needed funds for city services, and the result may be a property tax increase.

“My instinct is that the council may seriously have to consider raising property taxes within the next few years,” Gunn said. “My first concern is providing adequate services, and if the only way we can do that is by raising taxes, then I will probably support a tax increase, but I think the council should do everything in its power to avoid it.”

Aside from the implications of his surname, Gunn is a gun control advocate. He served on the board of directors for the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah for several years.

In his free time, Gunn can be found swinging golf clubs at Old Mill Golf Course, or meeting fellow residents during workouts at the Holladay Lions Recreation Center.