ELECTIONS

Meet the candidate: Rachelle Morris, running for Salt Lake County Council

Oct 17, 2024, 5:00 PM | Updated: 7:33 pm

Image of Rachelle Morris , Republican candidate for Salt Lake County Council....

Image of Rachelle Morris , Republican candidate for Salt Lake County Council. (candidate webpage)

(candidate webpage)

As Election Day nears, KSL NewsRadio is interviewing candidates to get their stance on today’s issues. Keep an eye on our election coverage as we continue to speak to the 2024 General Election candidates.

SALT LAKE CITY — Rachelle Morris is a Republican running for Salt Lake County Council. She graduated from Brigham Young University in Information Systems and has worked as an entrepreneur and investor at Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. 

According to her campaign website, she is the co-founder and partner at a Utah venture fund.

Morris spoke with KSL At Night hosts Taylor Morgan and Adam Gardiner on Oct. 14. A partial transcript, and the full podcast are below.


This interview has been modified for brevity and clarity.

HOST TAYLOR MORGAN: What are you hearing from voters as you’re campaigning? What are the issues that voters are talking to you about?

RACHELLE MORRIS: I was just knocking doors in Sandy on Saturday. What voters brought up in Sandy mirrors what voters were bringing up to me in Taylorsville, which is housing affordability, cost of living. Everyone is feeling that pinch on their wallets.

And then public safety.

As a Salt Lake City resident, [I’ve] been very focused on what’s going on with homelessness and public safety in Salt Lake City. But as I’ve been spending time in the suburbs of Salt Lake County, the same issue comes up.

…When I was in Taylorsville last week, residents who live right by Taylorsville Elementary were bringing up unsheltered neighbors [who] are now camping out at the Smiths grocery store. That’s just right outside the neighborhood. And they’re saying, ‘Hey, this wasn’t here 18 months ago.’

Candidate Rachelle Morris on $507 million public safety bond

HOST ADAM GARDINER: The Salt Lake County Council placed a $507 million public safety bond on the ballot. That’s a lot of money. And so I’d love to know what’s in the bond. What’s your position on it?

MORRIS: … In Salt Lake County, we have not added a single jail bed in 23 years. … Meanwhile, our population has grown by 300,000 people. So our jail is more or less operating at full capacity.

That is putting a stress on our entire criminal justice system. Then our Taylorsville neighbors are feeling it inside of their community. Because we’ve got a jail that’s totally full.

My position? I’m voting for the bond.

Also, I come with financial rigor to make sure that this bond is managed as conservatively as we can, that we’re not overraising money and paying interest on that. Because taxpayers will be footing that bill.

Then, also, put accountability frameworks around this Justice and Accountability Center. … Make sure that those who go through the program do become drug-free, crime-free and gainfully employed after their time in the program.

GARDINER: But as you talk about financial responsibility … how do you reconcile, in voters’ minds, that this financial discipline, the financial responsibility with the real needs in Salt Lake County, including the need for this bond?

MORRIS: That’s one reason I’ve come out against the [Little Cottonwood Canyon] gondola, which would be a taxpayer-funded project, right?

We have to prioritize the most essential programs and services and functions of the county government. And then let’s make sure that if we are asking taxpayers to help foot the bill that we are prioritizing the most essential things.

Please listen to the podcast below for the entire interview.

Related:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Elections

(Ada County Clerks office) A county in Idaho is making all ballots public....

Alexandrea Bonilla

Idaho county publishing all of their 2024 ballots

A county in Idaho is making all ballots public. The clerk says it's an effort to be more transparent about the elections process.

3 months ago

The census-designated place, Eden in Weber County, will be turned into a new Utah city known as Ogd...

MIKE ANDERSON, KSL TV

Local input needed as Ogden Valley on path to become Utah’s newest city

People in the Ogden Valley have a little over a year to draw districts and elect a mayor and city council before the area becomes a new city.

3 months ago

The Utah County Clerk is defending his decision to disclose the voting method of several lawmakers....

Alexandrea Bonilla

Utah County Clerk defends decision to disclose voting method used by several lawmakers

The Utah County Clerk is defending how he decided to look at the voting method several lawmakers used to vote.

3 months ago

An election worker delivers ballots to the ballot processing room at the Maricopa County Tabulation...

Eric Cabrera

Utah ballot bill addressing postmark deadlines fails to advance

The ballot bill would have prevented counting mail-in ballots that arrive after polls close on Election Day.

3 months ago

vote tracking proposed law...

Don Brinkerhoff

Proposed bill would prevent people from tracking the method voters use to vote

A proposed Utah bill would prevent people from looking into what method someone used to cast their ballot when putting in their vote.

3 months ago

Annabelle Johnson votes at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov...

Brigham Tomco, Deseret News

The future of Utah elections

Utah lawmakers are planning significant electoral reforms in the upcoming legislative session after the 2024 election cycle.

3 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Meet the candidate: Rachelle Morris, running for Salt Lake County Council