Bret Millburn, an unaffiliated candidate, is seeking Davis County Commission Seat B, highlighting his professional background and prior service as key qualifications for the role. Millburn provided his responses to a survey concerning his candidacy.
The Davis County Commission serves as both the legislative and executive branch of county government, overseeing a population of about 380,000 residents, roughly 1,200 full- and part-time employees, and an overall budget exceeding $200 million. While county government is often described as the least understood level of government, its direct impact on daily life can be significant.
Millburn states he brings firsthand knowledge of county government, its departments, budgets, and the long-term effects of policy decisions, stemming from his time as a former Davis County Commissioner. He says his institutional knowledge and experience would ensure informed, accountable decision-making from his first day in office. His additional professional experience includes serving as an Assistant City Manager, holding managerial roles with the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and service on numerous boards.
According to Millburn, he brings several key strengths to the Commissioner position. He points to his “Experience & Institutional Knowledge,” stating he understands county operations and can ask the right questions to avoid unintended consequences. Regarding fiscal matters, he emphasizes “Taxpayer Stewardship,” promising responsible budgeting, elimination of unnecessary expenses, accountability, and strategic expenditures that provide a return to taxpayers.
Millburn also highlights “Stable Leadership,” describing his approach as professional and steady, focused on solutions over conflict. He advocates for “Independent Leadership,” explaining that he makes decisions based on Davis County residents' interests rather than partisan agendas. Collaboration and civility are also priorities, as he aims to work constructively with other elected officials, community leaders, and residents, even amidst disagreements. Finally, he underscores “Long-Term Planning & Strategic Implementation,” which involves preparing for future growth and infrastructure needs by considering the county’s five-, ten-, and twenty-year future, not just immediate political expediency.
As Commissioner, Millburn has three primary goals. First, he intends to scrutinize the budget and establish a long-term vision and strategy for a stronger financial foundation. Second, he aims to temper what he describes as the divisiveness that has impacted the Commission office in recent years. Third, he seeks to enhance transparency through improved communication with county leadership, employees, cities, community partners, and residents. He states the skills required to achieve these goals are outlined by his previously mentioned qualities.
Millburn acknowledges that differing perspectives and multiple approaches are common, and he believes society progresses through compromise. He recalled that the U.S. Constitution itself would not have been written and ratified without compromise. He cited an example from the 2015 Legislative session during debates over HB362, an overarching transportation funding bill. Early discussions had resulted in a loose agreement between cities and counties on revenue split, slightly favoring cities. As the bill advanced, a serious dispute arose, jeopardizing its passage. Millburn, representing county interests alongside then-Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, worked to compromise with cities and honor the original agreement, an action he described as being for the greater good.
As an unaffiliated candidate, Millburn states he is "not beholden to a particular political party and its ideology." He questions whether the office of County Commissioner should even be partisan, noting that local City Councils and Mayors are typically not partisan. Millburn asserts that if elected, he would be a steward of the office, studying issues and making decisions based on the best interests of county residents, both in the immediate future and with consideration for future generations, rather than personal political expediency. He summarizes his philosophy with the statements: "People over politics! Experience over partisanship! Results over rhetoric!"
