From 2022 to 2025, David Young served as Mayor of Orem, bringing decades of fiscal discipline and strategic thinking from wealth management into public service. His tenure was marked by historic achievements, transparent governance, and an unwavering focus on what he termed “Family City USA”—ensuring every policy supported strong families, safe neighborhoods and a thriving community.
Dave Young’s approach to leadership was simple: apply the same stewardship principles that guide successful wealth management to city governance. The results speak for themselves—a historic AAA bond rating, major infrastructure projects delivered on time and on budget and recognition as one of the nation’s top cities for business—all accomplished without raising taxes.
Under David Young’s leadership, Orem achieved its first-ever S&P AAA bond rating—the highest possible credit rating a municipality can receive. This historic accomplishment places Orem among an elite 2% of cities nationwide and reflects exceptional fiscal management, strategic planning, and long-term financial stability.
Dave Young achieved this milestone without raising taxes or taking on new debt—demonstrating that fiscal excellence and taxpayer relief can coexist.
Dave Young’s tenure demonstrated that business acumen and public service aren’t contradictory—they’re complementary when grounded in stewardship and service.
- State-of-the-art facility serving residents for generations
- Completed without new taxes or debt
- Model of efficient project management and fiscal discipline
- Infrastructure improvements
- Water conservation initiatives
- Parks and recreation enhancements
- Strategic funding that maximized value for taxpayers
- Maintained and improved services without burdening residents
- Demonstrated that effective governance doesn’t require taking more from families
- Strategic policies that made Orem business-friendly
- Contributed to Orem being named #1 Small Metro for Business in the U.S.
- Created jobs and economic opportunity for residents
- Streamlined permitting processes
- Reduced regulatory barriers
- Fostered entrepreneurship and innovation
- Forward-thinking approach to city planning
- Data-driven accountability systems
- Long-term strategic vision implementation
- Model that other municipalities have studied
- Technology integration for improved services
- Efficiency improvements across departments
- Enhanced communication with residents
- Every policy evaluated through the lens: “Does this support strong families?”
- Made family well-being the north star for all governance
- Created framework that will guide future leadership
- Protected parks from overdevelopment
- Preserved school zones
- Maintained neighborhood character and safety
- Balanced growth with community values
- Enhanced public spaces
- Improved water systems
- Upgraded facilities serving families
- Created lasting value for future generations
David Young was named Best of State Mayor in both 2024 and 2025, recognizing his bold leadership, fiscal discipline, and commitment to conservative values and transparent governance.
Orem’s achievements under Dave Young’s leadership earned the city recognition as the #1 Small Metro for Business in the U.S., reflecting the pro-growth, pro-family environment he cultivated.
Dave Young brought a wealth manager’s mindset to city hall: every resource entrusted to the government should be managed with the same care families apply to their own finances. This meant:
“Family City USA” as the Standard
Dave Young established a simple test for every proposal: Does this strengthen families, protect neighborhoods, and build community? This framework ensured that growth didn’t come at the expense of quality of life, and that prosperity served people—not just statistics.
David Young proved that cities can achieve excellence without raising taxes. By applying principles of efficiency, strategic planning, and disciplined execution, he delivered more for residents while asking less from their wallets.
While David Young’s tenure as mayor has concluded, his impact on Orem will endure for generations. The AAA bond rating, completed infrastructure, established departments, and policy frameworks create a foundation for continued excellence.
Dave Young continues his work helping families build and protect wealth through Paragon Wealth Management, applying the same principles of stewardship, discipline, and long-term thinking that defined his public service.