Tim Sapp

There’s a lot up in the air in this year’s election, with not only a slew of people running for public office, but numerous officials looking to switch positions. Depending on how things pan out at the ballot box, five of the Powell City government’s seven seats could potentially have new occupants by early next year.

“In that respect, we can get pretty shaky if we’re not careful,” said Ward 3 Councilman Tim Sapp, “and Powell’s in too good a shape right now to have a setback.”

That’s a big reason why Sapp — who has served on the council for 20 years — decided to seek another term.

“If we keep some experience in there, it’ll make a big difference,” he said.

Background

Sapp grew up in Powell and obtained an associate’s occupation degree at Northwest College. He worked at Superior Machine for 44 years and then at Rocky Mountain Oil Field Services before retiring in 2018.

Sapp continues to serve as the president of the Heart Mountain Rod and Gun Club, a role he’s held for the past 40 years. During that time, the club’s membership has grown and its shooting range east of town was successfully transferred from federal ownership to the Powell Recreation District.

The 73-year-old was first elected to the council in 2000. Sapp exited the council in early 2009 after an unsuccessful run for mayor, but Ward 3 voters put him back on the council in 2014 and have kept him there since.

Sapp served on the planning and zoning commission and now represents the city on the board of the Shoshone Municipal Pipeline, which delivers Powell’s drinking water.

Seeking continued growth

As he closes in on 20 years of service on the council, Sapp says he’s enjoyed it.

“I’ve seen a lot of things right and wrong that have been done by the council and by just getting in a hurry on
things,” he said.

However, Sapp said the city has also made a lot of progress over the past couple decades. That includes developments like the Gateway West business park, the construction of the Powell Aquatic Center, the installation of a fiber to the home network, the enlargement of a sewer main on Jones Street, the taxpayer-approved widening of Absaroka Street and multiple new schools. Private developers have also built out subdivisions that have expanded the city in multiple directions.

“Sometimes I hate to see them come in and take farm ground,” he said of the developments, “but yet we need people, we need jobs, we need to keep things moving. And so far we’ve, hopefully, done a good job of getting it done.”

Sapp said he would like to see continued growth, as he believes Powell needs to attract more business — including to Main Street — or it will be a bedroom community.

“I’d like to see some way to get more businesses looking this direction,” he said, “but it’s not because we don’t have the infrastructure. They just seem not interested … right now.”

With assets like the fiber network, Sapp believes Powell is well-positioned for growth.

“It’s just figuring out how to get it,” he said.

‘Getting the job done’

Sapp said he has no grudges and that the council is “not a place to grind an ax.”

“I think the city and the council and all the city staff have done what they can do [and] are keeping up on it, not slacking off, to keep Powell where it should be,” he said.

Sapp said the city has done a lot of looking at where it can trim the budget, and the city’s departments are all keeping up.

“Some of them are a little bit lean,” Sapp said, but, “that’s the way it is. They are getting the job done.”

He said he’ll continue to try to represent the ward as well as he has in the past and residents are welcome to call or reach out.

Sapp faces Venus “Freedom” Bontadelli, Lupe Bickford and Justin Waterworth in the Aug. 18 primary. The top two vote-getters will advance to November’s general election.

Ward 3 is made up of everything east of Division Street and, generally, south of Third Street, including the entire south side of town.