When Doug Hill first stepped onto a Murray City ballfield in 1982, he wasn’t thinking about City Hall, budgets or municipal leadership. Fresh out of BYU with a master’s degree and working as an intern for the parks and recreation department, Hill spent his time dragging infields, picking up garbage and learning to drive a Zamboni. Those early days, he says, grounded him in the human side of public work—something that would shape more than four decades of service.

Forty-three years later—35 of them in Murray—Hill retires as the city’s Chief Administrative Officer, the top adviser to the mayor and one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures shaping modern Murray. During his tenure, he held positions as recreation coordinator, parks and recreation director, public services director and ultimately CAO. Along the way, he played a role in many of the projects that define the city today.

His fingerprints can be seen across the community: the Canal Trail, Willow Pond Park, The Park Center, the renovation of Murray’s outdoor pool, the pickleball courts, the Armory Events Center, the city’s holiday lighting display, the Cottonwood Street overpass at 5300 South and the new City Hall.

Still, Hill is quick to clarify that none of those accomplishments were his alone. “I want to emphasize that I do not solely claim credit for any project but was always part of a larger team of employees, elected officials, architects, contractors, vendors and citizens.”

A Career Built on Community

Ask Hill how he measures his impact, and he doesn’t point to buildings or budgets. Instead, he points to people.

“I hope that my involvement in local government has shaped how people interact, belong and feel a shared sense of community in Murray,” he said. “All of the projects listed above are connected to these efforts.”

Doug Hill oversaw projects from pickle ball courts to the Cottonwood Street overpass. (Photo courtesy of Doug Hill)

That sense of community has long guided his vision for Murray’s future. His work on the Jordan River Parkway, he says, captures the heart of that vision: “My vision for Murray includes an independent spirit, a ‘small-town feel,’ strong community bonds, a revitalized downtown that is lively, improved trail connectivity, quality (not quantity) development, safe streets and safe, well-maintained neighborhoods.”

Leading Through Crisis

Hill’s leadership was tested in countless ways over the decades, but none more dramatically than during the COVID-19 pandemic—a period he describes as one of the most difficult chapters of his career.

“As a public servant I felt a moral responsibility and desire to improve the well-being of Murray,” he said. That made the pandemic especially painful. “Another difficult time came during the years of COVID-19, when uncertainty, fear and rapidly changing information collided with the daily responsibility of managing a city.”

The transition to remote governance was abrupt and often messy. “Overnight, our traditional way of working disappeared,” Hill recalled. “Council meetings, staff briefings and community engagement transitioned to Zoom—an unfamiliar platform that demanded new skills, new protocols and a new level of patience.”

The decisions faced by city leadership often brought strong public reactions. “Every decision carried the weight of public backlash, and there was no option that satisfied everyone,” he said.

Despite the strain, Hill believes the crisis ultimately strengthened the city’s adaptability. “Leading through COVID-19 tested every facet of leadership… But the experience strengthened our capacity to adapt and innovate in how we engage with the public. It ultimately deepened our understanding of what community means when life is disrupted at its core.”

The Invisible Work of a City

Although Hill’s title placed him at the center of major projects and delicate decisions, the day-to-day reality of his job was far more grounded.

“My children and grandchildren think I have a glamorous job,” he joked. “I remind them that my job is mostly listening to and resolving complaints about potholes, speeding, sidewalk trip hazards, bothersome neighbors, bad officiating, noise and dust.”

Behind the scenes, Hill believes effective city governance happens when trust and relationships guide collaboration. “I have learned that leadership is rooted in respect and valuing the contributions of others,” he said. “By genuinely listening to opinions and ideas, encouraging open communication, and empowering others to make decisions, I’ve learned that collaboration thrives and conflicts can be managed constructively.”

A Changing Murray

Over the decades, Hill watched Murray evolve from a community with significant vacant land to one shaped by redevelopment, densification and new demographics.

“As Murray’s vacant land has disappeared, the city has become a more desirable—though increasingly expensive—place to live and do business,” he said. Growth brought diversity and opportunity—as well as challenges. “Both government and residents must adapt to these realities rather than simply lament them.”

Through it all, he learned from a succession of mayors whose leadership styles left a lasting imprint:

• “Mayor Lynn Pett – Great leadership begins with great relationships.”
• “Mayor Dan Snarr – Sometimes if you want to get something done you must do it yourself.”
• “Mayor Ted Eyre – Being a good leader and being a good person are not opposites.”
• “Mayor Blair Camp – Leadership is choosing what is right over what is easy.”
• “Mayor Brett Hales – Fun isn’t the opposite of work – it’s what makes work worth doing.”

Doug Hill (third from right) at the 1993 Murray Park Offices Ribbon Cutting with then Mayor Lynn Pett (with scissors). (Photo courtesy of Murray City)

The Small Moments That Matter Most

For all the big projects and large budgets, Hill says the moments that stayed with him were often quiet and human.

He recalls a woman who came to the mayor’s office in crisis, unable to pay her utility bill. “He welcomed her in and listened as she shared her struggles,” Hill remembered. “Without hesitation, the mayor reached into his own wallet and gave her enough money to prevent her power from being turned off.”

Experiences like that, he said, “have shown me what true public service looks like – compassion, dedication and a commitment to making a difference in people’s lives.”

Looking Ahead

As he steps away from city government, Hill doesn’t expect the noise around growth and change to quiet anytime soon. But he offers this parting advice for future leaders:

“Murray will continue to change and evolve. There will be a lot of noise associated with the change. Change is not in the noise but what remains after the noise is gone.”

After 43 years of service, the noise of city government will continue without him—but the steady, thoughtful presence of Doug Hill will remain woven into the city he helped shape.