My husband Ryan and I are the parents of five children. I am a busy Diet Coke drinking mom, but I have always been active in my community. I like to spend time in my kids’ schools and have put in countless hours as a PTA President, School and District Community Council Member, as a chair of my political precinct, working with refugees and in many other volunteer capacities. I also work a couple of different part-time jobs teaching as an adjunct professor of political science at SLCC and teaching at a local high school.
I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy Analysis. This gives me the background necessary to understand the government structures, policy, budgets and debates that surround the issues we face.
I am an educator and professor of political science. I have taught American Heritage at UVU, and am currently teaching Foundations of the American Government at SLCC as well as teaching the basic American Government class at a local high school. I have also spent time professionally in various government organizations. I have worked on campaigns, for advocacy groups and in dozens of volunteer capacities. All of this experience has given me a clear perspective of exactly what the problems and solutions are to what is happening in our community.
Especially in my role in higher education, I am often in the room as policy discussions are happening about the problems facing our communities. I doubt there are many that spend as much of their professional time thinking specifically about public policy and current events as I do. My classrooms focus mostly on how to apply Constitutional principles specifically to government and policy, and teaching students how to use what they learn in my class to impact their lives and communities. I read dozens of papers every semester that students write about problems they see in their communities and the solutions they come up with. It has really opened my eyes to the different viewpoints around me. Further, I am raising five children in this great city, and have been for the last 12 years. If nothing else, that qualifies me completely to have an opinion about the place in which we live and the solutions that would benefit our community.
Talking about public policy and my great city is my passion.
I currently sit on the Highland City Planning Commission, which gives me a unique view of the important issues with which our city is grappling. The issues, policies and regulations the City Council deals with are nuanced and complicated. My experience on the Planning Commission will help me bring insight and background to the City Council.
I sit on numerous councils, committees and advisory boards across the community. I have a passion for public policy and public service. I have spent the last twenty years immersed in bettering the communities in which I live. I have served in volunteer capacities that give me a breadth of understanding of the multi-faceted issues our families and communities face.
While much of the media focus is on national politics, what happens on a local level is what really matters to our lives and the lives of our children. The level of government that impacts us most is the one closest to us. Our city government is where decisions are made that will impact us every day, and as such we need to be active participants in that government.
My name is Brittney Bills and I am running for Highland City Council. Like many of you, my family was drawn to Highland a number of years ago because of its stunning terrain, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, access to beautiful recreational areas and great families. Highland is great because of the vision and sacrifice of those who built these great neighborhoods over the past several decades. Highland is considered by many as one of the top communities in Utah. In order to keep it that way, we need sound policy and leaders with the courage to make decisions that will protect the future of Highland.
I have found that it’s important to really study issues and hear all points of view before making a decision. Those who know me tell me that I have a talent for being able to genuinely listen first and then engage in meaningful discourse while maintaining respect and civility, regardless of the other person’s personality type, beliefs or level of passion. I also realize that sometimes, it’s easy for government to get stuck. I am committed to making sure we get traction on issues and arrive at mutually acceptable decisions when it comes to city policy.