Karen McCandless
Mayor
- 2026–present, elected in 2025 · 2025 certified general election results (PDF)
Correction, Oct. 16, 2026: An earlier version of this profile said Orem's mayor votes only to break a tie and listed no voting record. Orem's mayor votes on every council item, and the votes the minutes record are now listed.
Disclosed interests
2026 conflict-of-interest disclosure
- Employer
- None
- Preceding-year employer
- Community Action Services and Food Bank, Chief Executive Officer (ended June 30, 2025; independent contractor until September 2025)
- Owner or officer
- Dutton Stanley, LLC, Manager (ended June 30, 2025)
- Boards and leadership
- Utah Valley Interfaith Association, board member 1/17–6/25; Family Haven, board member 1/14–6/25; Neighbor Works Mountain Country Home Solutions, board member 4/17–6/25
- Other
- The date on the form is not legible in the posted copy.
2025 (candidate) conflict-of-interest disclosure, signed June 3, 2025
- Employer
- Community Action Services and Food Bank, Chief Executive Officer (retiring June 30, 2025)
- Owner or officer
- Dutton Stanley LLC, Manager (property owner, affiliated with her employer)
- Boards and leadership
- Utah Valley Interfaith Association, board member 1/17–6/25; Family Haven, board member 1/14–6/25; NeighborWorks Mountain Country Home Solutions and Sun Country Homes, board member 4/17–6/25; Hale Center Theater Orem, board member 5/14–12/24
Disclosures and recusals in the minutes
None recorded.
Campaign contributions
2025 Mayor campaign · General election report (28 days before), Oct. 6, 2025 (PDF)
| Date | Contributor, as written | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2024 | Paul Washbum | $250.00 |
| May 1, 2025 | Jim Lauret | $41.88 |
| May 2, 2025 | Beverly Burdett | $104.25 |
| May 2, 2025 | Stephanie Ashcraft | $100.00 |
| May 2, 2025 | Kristin Moran | $52.27 |
| May 2, 2025 | Jeanette Parker | $26.29 |
| May 2, 2025 | Gena Bertlesen | $26.29 |
| May 3, 2025 | Rachel Lovejoy Mortenson | $10.70 |
| May 5, 2025 | Tawnya Atkisson | $52.27 |
| May 6, 2025 | Andrea Jensen | $52.27 |
| May 7, 2025 | Teri Bench | $52.27 |
| May 7, 2025 | Ronda Weaver | $52.27 |
| May 7, 2025 | Richard Manning | $26.29 |
| May 7, 2025 | David Hinckley | $52.27 |
| May 8, 2025 | Shelly Parcell | $104.25 |
| May 8, 2025 | Cathy Ambrose | $104.25 |
| May 8, 2025 | Thomas Scribner | $260.18 |
| May 8, 2025 | Teri McCabe | $10.70 |
| May 8, 2025 | Judy Shaw | $520.05 |
| May 10, 2025 | Alyssa May | $40.00 |
| May 10, 2025 | Sarah Bateman | $104.25 |
| May 11, 2025 | Helen Anderson | $104.25 |
| May 11, 2025 | Val Hale | $104.25 |
| May 11, 2025 | Sarah Moore | $26.29 |
| May 12, 2025 | Michelle Allen | $104.25 |
| May 13, 2025 | Quin Monson | $286.47 |
| May 13, 2025 | Michael and Delta Bendio | $520.05 |
| May 13, 2025 | David/Lakshmi Johal-Domguez | $104.25 |
| May 14, 2025 | Elaine Parker | $26.29 |
| May 16, 2025 | Clark Merkley | $104.25 |
| May 23, 2025 | Richard Davis | $200.00 |
| May 23, 2025 | Jerri Bearce | $200.00 |
| June 3, 2025 | Andrew Gowans | $52.27 |
| June 3, 2025 | Hilary Hungerford | $26.29 |
| June 4, 2025 | Jodee Sundberg | $104.25 |
| June 4, 2025 | Ron and Lani Blood | $104.25 |
| June 6, 2025 | Tessa Anderson | $26.29 |
| June 6, 2025 | Keith Wilson | $1,500.00 |
| June 7, 2025 | Bill Valora-sign frame | $100.00 |
| June 8, 2025 | Leslie Randle | $52.27 |
| June 9, 2025 | Daylyn Seaman | $104.25 |
| June 17, 2025 | Tom Macdonald | $250.00 |
| June 22, 2025 | Lorie Fowlke | $500.00 |
| June 23, 2025 | Vickie Sabey | $104.25 |
| June 25, 2025 | Mauri Staker | $52.27 |
| June 25, 2025 | Anna Greene | $26.29 |
| June 25, 2025 | Marcie Taylor | $26.29 |
| June 25, 2025 | Julie Beck | $52.27 |
| June 25, 2025 | Roxanne Bailey | $52.27 |
| June 26, 2025 | Val Hale | $104.25 |
| June 26, 2025 | Josie Layton | $26.29 |
| June 28, 2025 | Michelle Sorensen | $26.29 |
| July 1, 2025 | Betty Washbum | $500.00 |
| July 1, 2025 | Paul Thompson | $1,000.00 |
| July 1, 2025 | Raymond Chipman | $1,000.00 |
| July 2, 2025 | Juliana Boerio-Goates | $52.27 |
| July 2, 2025 | Kent Gale | $156.22 |
| July 2, 2025 | Gwenna Terry | $26.29 |
| July 3, 2025 | Brent Sumner | $104.25 |
| July 5, 2025 | Daniel Gardner | $104.25 |
| July 7, 2025 | Steven Baugh | $1,000.00 |
| July 9, 2025 | Megan Friden | $10.70 |
| July 9, 2025 | Rachelle Conner | $520.05 |
| July 12, 2025 | Gayla Muir | $52.27 |
| July 12, 2025 | Doug Wright | $104.25 |
| July 12, 2025 | Nathan Walton | $10.59 |
| July 16, 2025 | Margaret and Dennis Black | $104.25 |
| July 16, 2025 | Lauren Smith | $10.70 |
| July 17, 2025 | Steven Skabelund | $104.25 |
| July 17, 2025 | Darrell Cook | $52.27 |
| July 17, 2025 | Paul Waldron | $104.25 |
| July 19, 2025 | Steve Skabelund | $52.27 |
| July 21, 2025 | Kade Bishop | $264.18 |
| July 21, 2025 | Kade Bishop | $52.27 |
| July 22, 2025 | Jarod Wallace | $1,039.80 |
| July 24, 2025 | Yevon Romney | $26.29 |
| August 7, 2025 | Keith Wilson | $1,500.00 |
| August 8, 2025 | J. Smith | $104.25 |
| August 12, 2025 | Nathan Walton | $10.00 |
| August 21, 2025 | Kade Bishop | $53.81 |
| September 3, 2025 | Betty Washburn | $1,000.00 |
| September 6, 2025 | Steven Dunn | $26.29 |
| September 8, 2025 | Lynn Hillstead | $250.00 |
| September 8, 2025 | Mauri Staker | $52.27 |
| September 9, 2025 | Michael Nagro | $104.25 |
| September 10, 2025 | Yolanda Stewart | $52.27 |
| September 12, 2025 | Molly Allen | $26.29 |
| September 12, 2025 | Nathan Allan | $10.59 |
| September 13, 2025 | Links at Sleepy Ridge | $500.00 |
| September 14, 2025 | Lenore Rudolph | $52.27 |
| September 15, 2025 | Thomas McNeil | $52.27 |
| September 15, 2025 | Leslie Wyall | $2,000.00 |
| September 16, 2025 | Lisa Guzman | $52.27 |
| September 20, 2025 | Jerri Bearce | $100.00 |
| September 21, 2025 | Kalie Walker | $10.70 |
| September 21, 2025 | Jodee Sundberg | $104.25 |
| September 21, 2025 | Gary Seastrand | $100.00 |
| September 21, 2025 | Chris Killpack | $250.00 |
| September 21, 2025 | Kade Bishop | $53.81 |
| September 22, 2025 | Paul Johnson | $250.00 |
| September 23, 2025 | Kyle Friant | $104.25 |
| September 26, 2025 | Steve Skabelund | $104.25 |
| September 27, 2025 | Scott Lund | $260.18 |
| September 27, 2025 | Sue Bergin | $100.00 |
| September 29, 2025 | Gary Stewart | $104.25 |
| September 30, 2025 | Roxanne Bailey | $52.27 |
| September 30, 2025 | Ann Hatch | $26.29 |
| September 30, 2025 | Rebekah Dos Santos | $26.29 |
| October 1, 2025 | Lachelle Thompson | $26.29 |
| October 1, 2025 | Jennifer Gale | $500.00 |
| October 1, 2025 | Betty Lemley | $26.29 |
| October 2, 2025 | Governing Group-consulting | $4,700.00 |
2025 Mayor campaign · General election report (7 days before), Oct. 27, 2025 (PDF)
| Date | Contributor, as written | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| October 4, 2025 | Dianna Scofield | $49.00 |
| October 4, 2025 | Megan Sanborn Jones | $104.25 |
| October 12, 2025 | Nathan Walton | $9.30 |
| October 13, 2025 | Vallen Thomas | $26.29 |
| October 14, 2025 | Utah Central Association of Realtors | $5,000.00 |
| October 14, 2025 | Operating Engineers Local 3 | $500.00 |
| October 14, 2025 | Dale Burns | $150.00 |
| October 14, 2025 | Jim Evans | $500.00 |
| October 14, 2025 | Loralyn and Jon Forsyth | $100.00 |
| October 15, 2025 | Julie Baird Jessen | $100.00 |
| October 15, 2025 | Jarod Wallace | $1,000.00 |
| October 15, 2025 | Robynn Scribner | $100.00 |
| October 15, 2025 | Derek Marshall | $52.27 |
| October 15, 2025 | Patricia Tolman | $25.00 |
| October 16, 2025 | Maverick Bingham | $10.70 |
| October 21, 2025 | Kade Bishop | $53.81 |
| October 23, 2025 | Utah Central Association of Realtors | $7,249.83 |
| October 23, 2025 | Governing Group | $750.00 |
2025 Mayor campaign · Final report, Dec. 4, 2025 (PDF)
| Date | Contributor, as written | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| October 31, 2025 | Tara Riddle | $52.27 |
| November 12, 2025 | Nathan Walton | $6.00 |
| November 17, 2025 | Links at Sleepy Ridge | $500.00 |
| November 21, 2025 | Kade Bishop | $14.00 |
Voting record
- Agenda items voted on
- 59
- Yes
- 57
- No
- 0
- Abstained or recused
- 0
- Absent for the item
- 0
- Motions made
- 0
Every recorded vote
2026 (59 votes)
- Alterations to legal non-conforming signs (Ordinance O-2026-0026, Section 14-4-2)
- Definitions of dwellings, accessory dwelling units and accessory apartments (Ordinance O-2026-0027)
- Resolution R-2026-0012: membership fee and interlocal agreement with Central Utah 911 for dispatch services
- Ordinance: water connection requirements (Section 21-1-3)
- Consent: appointments to Cultural Arts and Library advisory commissions
- Ordinance O-2026-0025: internal and detached accessory dwelling units (Article 22-6)
- Consent: reappointment and appointments, rental dwelling license exemption ordinance
- Public hearing: neighborhood improvement and parking code amendments
- Resolution opposing the proposed Vesper Amphitheater in Provo
- Truth in Taxation hearing: property tax increase of $450,000, final fiscal 2026-27 budget and Public Safety Special Revenue Fund
- Consent: 2026 City Council meeting schedule update
- Resolution: appoint two members to the Justice Court Nominating Commission
- Consent items: minutes and Events Advisory Commission appointment
- Public hearing: rezone 2.9 acres at 1875 South Geneva Road from OS-5 to PRD and amend Farm Haven concept plan (Westerly Way)
- Public hearing: revised concept plan for PD-53 zone at 1890 North State Street (Homebuilt)
- Public hearing: rezone about 5.45 acres at 360 West 1500 South from PF and R12 to R8
- Consent: Mayor Pro Tem appointment
- Consent: flood damage prevention ordinance (Chapter 10)
- Consent: rezone of 355 West University Parkway from R8 to C-2 with development agreement
- Community Development Block Grant 2026-27 action plan update
- Public hearing: longer notice and larger radius for neighborhood meetings before Planning Commission
- Public hearing: allow barber and beauty shops and tattoo and body piercing in M2 manufacturing zone
- Public hearing: allow general recreation centers in PD-5 zone (Fun City)
- Public hearing: fiscal year 2025-26 budget amendments
- Redevelopment Agency fiscal year 2026-27 budget
- Special Service Lighting District fiscal year 2026-27 budget
- Resolution: city to pay Tier 2 public safety and firefighter retirement contribution increase
- Public hearing: municipal officers' compensation
- Resolution: create Public Safety Special Revenue Fund and consider dedicating the property tax levy
- Public hearing: adopt fiscal year 2026-27 tentative budget
- Consent item: 2026 City Council schedule update
- Public hearing: move certain special exceptions from Board of Adjustment to Planning Commission
- Public hearing: rezone about 6 acres at 355 West University Parkway from R8 to C-2 with development agreement
- Consent: minutes and Historic Preservation Advisory Commission appointment
- Vacation of 0.016-acre portion of 1000 South right-of-way ending at 590 East
- Rezone about 1.0 acre at 92 South 800 East from R-8 to C-1 with development agreement (Spring Hollow Care Center)
- Rezone 1875 South Geneva Road from OS-5 to PRD and amend Westerly Way site plan (Utah Autism Academy)
- CARE tax awards for fiscal year 2026-2027
- Public Safety Special Revenue Fund and statement of intent to dedicate property tax
- Public hearing: FY 2026-2027 tentative budget
- Property tax impact schedule
- RDA and Lighting District tentative budgets
- Consent: minutes and Recreation Advisory Commission appointments
- Public hearing: surplus parcels near 1020 South 2300 West and 99-year lease from the State of Utah
- Public hearing: building height limits in single-family zones (Article 22-6-8)
- Consent: February 24 minutes
- Natural Resources Advisory Commission appointment: Robert McFadden
- Natural Resources Advisory Commission appointment: Tara Bishop
- Planning Commission appointment: Micah Ladle
- Planning Commission appointment: Jeff Reeves
- Consent: commission appointments
- Planning Commission appointments: Susan Madsen, Darren Hawkins and Karl Radmall
- Public hearing: FY 2025-2026 budget amendments
- Consent: advisory commission appointments
- Text amendment: commissary kitchens in the C-1 zone (Land Use 6291)
- PD-34 text amendment on wall heights and landscaping (Home Depot at University Place)
- Consent: advisory commission appointments
- Rezone approximately 4.43 acres at 1738 South Geneva Road from OS-5 to C-2 with development agreement (Johnson Farm)
- Updated 2026 council schedule, Utah Lake Authority representative and Events Advisory Commission appointment