As this campaign for Rich County Commissioner comes to a close, I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported me along the way. Whether you offered encouragement, displayed a sign, volunteered your time, attended events, shared ideas, or simply took the time to talk with me, I am deeply grateful. It was a first time experience for me and my wife Christine.

Running for office has given me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people throughout our community and to hear your hopes and concerns for the future of Rich County. That experience has been both humbling and inspiring.

Public service is about people, and I appreciate the trust, friendship, and support that so many of you have shown me throughout this journey.

Thank you for your confidence, your kindness, and your commitment to making Rich County the best it can be. I am honored to have had your support and look forward to continuing to serve our community in the years ahead.

Congratulations to Bill Cox on his reelection. I will look for ways to work with him and the other commissioners and continue to work to make this community better with my efforts in our Chamber of Commerce and my participation in the various pursuits of life here in our county and state.

Sincerely,

Mark Smoot

Get To Know Mark

Mark's Guiding Principles

Key County Issues

Election Results

Get To Know Mark

Early Life & Agricultural Roots

Mark was raised in Farmington/Centerville Utah and work his family’s Dairy Farm. He learned the value of hard work while feeding calves, baling hay, moving irrigation pipe, hauling alfalfa, and showing cattle throughout the western United States.

Education & Career

Mark attended Brigham Young University and Utah State University, earning a degree in Accounting and a Master’s in Business.

Mark’s early professional experience included working at E.A. Miller in Hyrum, Utah, handling accounting for cattle forward purchasing and a large feedlot in southern Idaho. As a Certified Public Accountant, performing audits for nonprofit organizations, government entities, and public companies.

He later transitioned to the energy industry which he retired from in 2012 after a successful career.

Community Involvement & Public Service

Mark has dedicated significant time and energy to serving his community and the state of Utah through a wide range of leadership roles:

Executive Director of the Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce

Board member of the Utah Tourism Industry Association

Active participant in the Utah Legislature’s Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Caucus

Advisory board member for the Utah Trails Forum and Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission

Member of the Board of Trustees for Bridgerland Technical College

Founder of the Bear Lake Kids Club

Founder of the Bear Lake Trails Foundation

Member of the Rich County Trails Committee

Building Businesses in Bear Lake

In 2012, Mark partnered with his son Nathan to launch Epic Recreation in Garden City. It grew to include Sunrise Resort and Event Center, Epic Getaways and Retreats, and Beaver Creek Lodge in Logan Canyon.

Their operations provide year-round employment. Mark’s focus has been on helping others develop careers, gain experience, and build a life in the Bear Lake Valley.

Commitment to Rich County

Mark has been connected to Bear Lake his entire life and became a full-time resident in the county six years ago. For the past 14 years, his businesses and service efforts have been focused on strengthening the local economy and preserving the quality of life in the region.

Mark has built strong working relationships with local leaders, state agencies, and legislators. He understands how to navigate partnerships and secure resources to benefit rural communities.

He is committed to responsible growth, protecting natural resources, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities to live, work, and thrive in Rich County.

Interested In Learning More? More About Mark

Mark's 10 Principles of Governance

Fiscal Responsibility

Government must live within its means. Public funds are entrusted to us by taxpayers and must be managed with discipline, accountability, and respect.

Property Rights with Community Responsibility

I strongly support personal property rights. At the same time, solving community challenges often requires collaboration and thoughtful compromise to serve the greater good.

Commitment to the Law

We must remain in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws that impact county governance.

Transparency Builds Trust

Transparency is essential to maintaining public trust. Elected officials must stand by their decisions openly and be accountable to the people they serve.

Listening and Respect

Listening is the first responsibility of public service. Every citizen deserves to be heard and treated with respect—even in disagreement. County officials and employees must work together to serve our community efficiently and effectively, with clear avenues for public feedback.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Decisions grounded in collaboration, inclusion, and reliable data will always produce better outcomes than those based solely on emotion or instinct.

Core Role of Government

- Provide public safety through strong, well-supported law enforcement
- Build and maintain infrastructure based on need and future growth
- Deliver essential services such as water, sewer, sanitation, and parks
In rural communities, this often requires collaboration with neighboring municipalities, private landowners, and public land agencies.

Advocacy and Partnerships

Staying connected with state and federal partners is critical. Grants and external funding are essential tools to strengthen and exponentiate our local tax base and expand opportunities for our county.

Planning for the Future

We must actively engage our citizens in shaping what we want our county to look like in 30 years. Thoughtful planning today will define the legacy we leave for our children.

Value of Diversity

Diversity in thought, industry, and commerce creates opportunity. A broader economic base will better serve future generations.

Still have questions?

Contact Mark

Key Issues Facing Our County

As a rural county in a rapidly growing state, we face important challenges and opportunities:

Housing Affordability and Sustainability

Essential to maintaining a stable and thriving community, tt supports economic development, allows our children to stay and build lives here, and welcomes new families who value our way of life.

Proactive Planning for the Future

We must take control of our future rather than allowing outside forces to shape it. Avoiding difficult conversations or long-term planning, risks declining full-time residency and long-term economic challenges.

Economic Balance and Opportunity

There is a need for greater understanding of both the benefits and trade-offs of our key industries—agriculture and tourism. Both are vital to our economy. I am certain these efforts will create a greater understanding, respect and unifying effect upon the citizens of our county.

We should explore opportunities to attract additional industries that provide quality jobs and expand opportunities for our residents.

Responsible Use of Public Lands

Our county is surrounded by public lands, which present both responsibility and opportunity.

We must:

– Support recreational access and infrastructure
– Protect grazing rights and agricultural use
– Safeguard water resources

Still Have Questions? Contact Mark

Register To Vote

Important: The election for county commission will be decided in the Republican Primary held in June 2026 (NOT in November). You must be registered as a Republican in Rich County to vote for county commissioner.

I'd Love To Hear From You

801-971-4003

Smoot4RichCC@gmail.com

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