"As the mother of a twenty-seven year old daughter with autism, I have learned the importance of giving a voice to those who are most vulnerable. It is in the advocacy for others that I have found my purpose. I want to continue to be an example to other elected officials all over the valley on how to lead with honesty, integrity, accountability, transparency and respect." - Brooke D'Sousa
COMMUNITY VALUES AND PRIORITIES
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Sandy has become a vibrant city that attracts people and businesses from all over. I am a supporter of business and its role in serving the needs of our community while helping to keep the tax rate low. It's important that we remain a city that continues to attract top companies and that we're also supporting our small local businesses. I believe Sandy has done a good job of this in the past, but new challenges exist that threaten our commercial space. I will continue to work with the council, administration, and local chamber of commerce to see our local economy flourish.
SENSIBLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Growth affects every aspect of city life - transportation, housing, air quality, water resources, jobs, and recreation. With careful planning, we can guide that growth in ways that protect our quality of life while meeting the evolving needs of our community. I support a balanced approach to development that considers both the opportunities and potential impacts, with a focus on long-term sustainability and livability. Above all, I’m committed to representing the interests of Sandy residents and ensuring that any new development is thoughtfully evaluated to serve the public good and minimize unintended consequences.
TRAFFIC PLANNING AND ENFORCEMENT
As Sandy continues to grow, thoughtful traffic planning and enforcement remain essential to maintaining safety and quality of life. Addressing congestion requires a multifaceted approach. From ensuring new developments are designed with adequate access points to using technology that improves traffic flow through better signal timing. I support efforts to expand safe, practical alternatives to driving and remain committed to enforcing traffic laws, particularly in residential areas where speeding endangers children and families. Public safety must remain a top priority as we plan for the city’s future.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Reliable infrastructure is essential to public health, safety, and quality of life. While it’s not the most visible or exciting part of city government, maintaining and investing in the systems that deliver our water, manage storm drainage, and support other city services is critical. I support thoughtful, proactive planning and responsible budget appropriations to ensure Sandy’s infrastructure remains safe, functional, and able to meet the needs of our growing community.
TAXES
I support maintaining the high quality of life Sandy residents expect, but I believe this must be done through careful budgeting and responsible financial management. Before considering any property tax increase, I will thoroughly review the data behind funding requests, seek out alternative revenue sources, and look for opportunities to reduce costs and eliminate inefficiencies. Tax increases should be a last resort, especially given their impact on residents with fixed incomes and the broader challenge of housing affordability. My focus will remain on driving budgetary efficiency and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Our first responders, both police and fire departments, are central to maintaining the quality of life Sandy provides its residents. This is why I support competitive wages for our first responders so that we can attract and retain qualified public safety personnel, which becomes increasingly more important as our population continues to grow.
PARKS AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
Sandy is unique in that it incorporates mountain living in an urban setting. The outdoor lifestyle is what initially attracted my husband and I to this area. The many parks and extensive trail system is what sets Sandy apart from other nearby cities, and their preservation has been a stated priority for Sandy residents. Land is becoming a scarce resource, therefore our parks and open spaces must be protected. We must also seek to acquire new open space as our population increases to give all residents a place for recreation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Strong communities are built through connection, collaboration, and shared purpose. Sandy offers a variety of ways for residents to get involved—through citizen academies, advisory committees, and programs like the Youth City Council. These initiatives foster civic engagement and help strengthen the relationship between residents and their local government. I support expanding these opportunities in ways that are accessible and meaningful to a broad range of residents.