Mayor Jimmie Hughes Delivers First State of the City Address
On Monday, February 17, 2026, newly elected Mayor Jimmie Hughes took the stage at the Dixie Convention Center to deliver his first State of the City address — a presentation that was both a celebration of significant accomplishments and a forward-looking call to community stewardship. Hughes, who served 14 years on the St. George City Council before being elected mayor last fall, set a new tone for the annual event by inviting all five city council members to participate directly in the presentation.
"We are rugged individuals who have chosen to come together for our community," Hughes told the audience. "It is by choice that we put our individual interests aside and build a community together with a common goal."
New City Hall Opens to the Public
A major highlight of the address was the January 17 grand opening of the new St. George City Hall at 61 South Main Street. Designed with the public in mind, the new building features a city council chambers with double the capacity of the previous building, a 4,200-square-foot civic room for events and exhibits, an atrium with a 12-by-24-foot mural of Snow Canyon made up of a thousand community-created tiles, and a free public parking garage accessible seven days a week. A plaza adjacent to City Hall is expected to be completed in April 2026, featuring a commissioned sculpture by Jerry Anderson commemorating a pivotal moment in the establishment of St. George.
New Community Engagement Initiatives for 2026
Hughes announced several new programs aimed at increasing civic participation. St. George 101, described as a citizens academy, will give residents an insider's view of city functions from public safety to zoning, energy, and water planning. The city is also exploring the creation of two advisory committees: the Mojave Valley Open Space Advisory Committee to balance growth with respect for the region's environment and outdoor recreation, and a Downtown Business Advisory Committee to foster collaboration between city officials and local small businesses.
Infrastructure: Water, Power & Transportation
The address emphasized major infrastructure progress. The final federal hurdle for the Graveyard Wash project has been cleared, enabling the city to store treated reuse water rather than sending it downstream. Construction is expected to begin this fall. On the energy front, the new Slick Rock substation on Riverside Drive is under construction. Notably, the city worked with the Dinosaur Discovery Museum to adjust the substation location after the discovery of over a thousand ancient fish fossils and dinosaur footprints nearby. The Mill Creek battery project, a $2 million energy storage system supported by $1 million in federal matching funds, will provide backup for the Mill Creek generation units.
The Northern Corridor and the George Washington Boulevard extension and bridge near the convention center have also cleared final federal hurdles, representing what Hughes called "monumental" investments in mobility and connectivity.
Airport Shatters Records
The St. George Regional Airport (SGU) set a new record in 2025 with 431,657 commercial passengers. With a new Chicago flight launching in May 2026, the airport is outgrowing its current terminal. A terminal expansion is in the design phase, aiming to grow from 34,000 square feet to 90,000 square feet with four additional jet bridges, a second-floor hold room, a new ticketing lobby, and expanded baggage facilities. Construction on a new air traffic control tower is more than halfway complete.
Parks, Trails & the GEO Bond at Work
Council Member Natalie Larson presented updates on the 2023 GEO Bond, approved by 63% of voters. The city now maintains over 80 miles of paved trails, with the Black Hills Trail, Rimrock Trail, and 700 East Trail completed in 2025. Upcoming trail projects include the six-mile SR-7 Trail along the Southern Parkway, the 2.8-mile Santa Clara River Trail, and connections through Middleton Wash and Fort Pierce Wash.
Five aging playgrounds (Springs Park, Middleton Park, Christensen Park, Sycamore Park, and Redwood Tree Park) were replaced. Vernon Worthen Park received a new skate park, permanent band shell, and a marathon-dedicated gazebo. In 2026, the city plans to open Lost Kenas Park near Sun River and Southern Hills Park near White Dome Nature Preserve, and begin construction on Thunder Junction Phase 2, Curly Hollow Park, Lizard Wash Park, and a roller hockey and multi-use rink at JC Snow Park.
The Dixie Sunbowl renovation is underway and tracking to reopen in time for the 91st Dixie Roundup Rodeo in September. Mayor Hughes personally confirmed, "We are having a rodeo in September."
Public Safety Investments
The city is converting the old City Hall building into a police operations center, with remodeling scheduled to begin this summer. The new Fire Station 1 at 85 South Flood Street (400 East) was highlighted as a significant upgrade — nearly three times the size of the old station with four apparatus bays, living quarters, and community training space. The $9 million facility was funded through impact fees and the capital projects fund. Fire Station 2 will soon begin construction near Curly Hollow Park to serve the Southgate and Green Valley neighborhoods.
Hughes recounted a July 2025 incident where a domestic disturbance suspect fired over 150 rounds at police officers. Thanks to the department's armored vehicle, officers apprehended the suspect with no injuries to officers or civilians. "I am 100% convinced we saved lives that day because of that armored vehicle," Hughes said.
Economic Momentum
Council Member Austin Anderson presented economic highlights. St. George was named the #1 Best Performing Small City in America by the Milken Institute, citing high job growth, high-tech GDP growth, broadband access, and community resilience. WalletHub named St. George the #1 Best Small City to Start a Business in the United States in 2025.
Major commercial developments noted in the address include:
- A second Costco near Exit 4, opening in March 2026
- St. George Place anchored by Hobby Lobby with REI, Ross, Five Below, Books-A-Million, Bath & Body Works, and more
- A new St. George Musical Theater on South Main Street, opening November 2026 with tripled seating capacity
- A Megaplex Luxury Entertainment Complex at The Point in Little Valley with Nordstrom Rack, Sephora, Good Earth, and others
- Downtown Hyatt hotel at 600 East and St. George Boulevard
- 300 West mixed-use project and First West project near Ancestor Square for retail, dining, and workspaces
- Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital named #1 Large Community Hospital in the US by Fortune magazine
- Wilson Connectivity opened a new manufacturing facility at Fort Pierce Industrial Park housing 150 employees
- Tech Ridge Parkway now open with access via Black Ridge Drive
Bonoo Bakery was acquired by the Savory Fund, and Picarica BBQ on Main Street was ranked #7 among the top 10 best Texas-style barbecue joints outside of Texas by Texas Monthly.
Community Events & Milestones
Council Member Danielle Larsen previewed signature community events for 2026. The 50th St. George Marathon is set for October 3, 2026. The St. George Art Festival returns April 3-4 with headliner The Aquabats. Art Around the Corner celebrates its 22nd year with a free community event on March 28. The second annual St. George Museum of Art Gala is set for May 2 with "The Elegant West" theme. Dixie Days runs September 14-20, featuring the festival at Vernon Worthen Park, a drone show over downtown, dinner on Main Street, the Dixie Roundup Rodeo and parade, and new events like Dixie Treks and a golf tournament.
City employee Aaron Metler was recognized for being selected as one of eight international masters runners (ages 40+) for the Boston Marathon.
Fiscal Stewardship
The city reported it maintains the third-lowest property tax rate among Utah's 20 largest cities and the second-lowest rate in Washington County. The city conducted its annual managed competition process to evaluate cost-effectiveness of services and expanded transparency through a public-facing business plan dashboard with monthly updates at sgcityutah.gov/businessplan.
Q&A Highlights
In a new addition to the State of the City format, the mayor fielded audience questions submitted via QR code. On housing affordability, Hughes emphasized keeping regulation and property taxes low to reduce development costs: "We can't help the affordability of housing if we continue to increase the cost." On the biggest obstacle in the next five years, Hughes pointed to growth-related challenges spanning water, traffic infrastructure, and power, stressing the importance of forward-thinking master planning. And on Trader Joe's? "I have absolutely no news on Trader Joe's," the mayor joked to laughter from the crowd.
The Call to Stewardship
Hughes closed with a personal appeal rooted in St. George's pioneer heritage. "The pioneers came because they were sent. We are here and stayed because we are stewards," he said. "I'm inviting you to answer that same call with me."
The full State of the City address is available on the city website at sgcityutah.gov. The transportation expo and St. George Area Chamber mixer followed the presentation.
For more St. George community news, browse our latest articles and check the events calendar for upcoming community gatherings. Learn about local businesses driving St. George's economy forward.
