There’s a lot West Bountiful can be proud of. The Commons in West Bountiful, the police department, and an overall upbeat community run by everyday Joes and Janes can be seen as a positive for a growing city.

However, the city also has a few problems from the past that are starting to pile up.

Inner city road construction has been an issue for years according to members of city council. Compile that with the budget troubles they had in the past, the ongoing repayment of Holly Refinery, and continual efforts to work with the Environment Protection Agency about the air quality, and the city looked to be taking in major concerns that can’t be resolved by five council members and a mayor.

Not to mention the minor attempt to disband the police department and replace it with services from the Davis County Sheriff’s office.

The city, however, is starting to show a little fight in them when it comes to resolving those issues.

They are financially becoming sound thanks to the hiring of Craig Howe, the current interim City Administrator. They’ve also hired an accountant to help with the everyday keeping of the city’s books, making Howe’s job slightly easier.

The repayment of Holly’s franchise tax is still ongoing, though not with the financial concerns that were present when the process started.

The police department faced a minor setback with rumors of being replaced by Davis County Sheriff’s personnel. Residents cried foul, and the matter was resolved within one council meeting.

The department remains strong and intact.

And now, the city is really putting on its gloves and taking on another battle (with the combined forces of Woods Cross and Centerville) with the EPA in regard to the air quality in south Davis County.

That fight is still ongoing, yet it looks as if minor steps are being taken to put Holly Refinery and Trinity Steel on constant alert that they are being watched.

The city may be small, but it’s taking on (and doing quite well) some major issues that need to be resolved in order for its residents to feel comfortable that something is being done to resolve them.

And better yet, they’re diving in head first.

While willing to wait for any type of formal response from corporate higher-ups, they have been a thorn in the side of some these corporations as well.

At least this time, they’re starting to get noticed by those companies.

sgillet@davisclipper.com