An aggressive campaign to snare younger voters helped put Brian Cook in the top slot of mayor.
The closely watched race between Cook and Joe Hill, both current councilmen, helped propel the city to a 30 percent voter turnout. Cook outpaced Hill 1,733 votes to 1,404.Hill, 68, was philosophical about his loss.
"Maybe it was good," Hill said, adding he'd spent eight years on the City Council.
Cook, celebrating late Tuesday at a "Thank Goodness It's Over" party, said being outstripped by Hill in the primary galvanized him and his supporters to start pounding on doors. In October, Hill had 80 more votes than Cook.
"Coming in second in the primary, we just flat out started working really hard," Cook said.
Cook said it was vital to boost voter interest to counter the "core" support of older Kaysville residents who may have favored Hill.
"People in that age group, that core of people, are solid, American citizens with a proven record of high voter participation," Cook said.
"I figured the more people I could get out to vote, the more I could get past the core."
Both council candidates on Tuesday's ballot swept to an easy victory in uncontested races. Stephen E. Whitesides, 65, received 2,754 votes; Darrell Horne, 65, received 2,403 votes.