Candidate opposes state high-density housing mandates, calls for local control and flags water and data-center concerns

Brent BS said he would push back against state measures that, in his view, remove local control over land use and development. On the Utah County Republican Party podcast he described high-density housing mandates as "taking the rights of the people away" from city and county residents and said local planning and zoning should decide appropriate development patterns.

He argued that high-density projects increase demand for public services — police, fire and emergency response — and that those additional service needs translate into higher ongoing costs for counties and cities. The candidate said such increases are not fully solved by simply adding dwelling units and suggested that community-style starter homes with yards better preserve neighborhood character.

Turning to data centers, Brent criticized how some local governments handled public comment and decision-making in Box Elder County’s recent data-center review. He said commissioners there told attendees to "shut up and sit down," and called that response "poorly handled," arguing elected officials should listen, collect citizens' water and pollution concerns, then address them.

On water specifically, Brent highlighted Hobble Creek as an example of diminished flows and warned of limited freshwater availability for new development and water-intensive facilities. "We're running out of it. There's no question we're running out," he said, urging caution when approving projects that require heavy water use and questioning claims that some data-center water can be fully recycled for human consumption.

Brent also addressed the ICE agreement question, saying local law enforcement must follow existing law; he framed implementation compassionately (for example, humane return travel) but said elected officials cannot simply ignore statutory obligations.

The episode did not include formal actions or ordinance proposals; Brent discussed policy stances he would pursue if elected and said he would advocate with state legislators to preserve local decision-making where possible.