diff --git a/go/cmd/vtctldclient/cli/awk.go b/go/cmd/vtctldclient/cli/awk.go
index c68b0fc0627..2916034a3ca 100644
--- a/go/cmd/vtctldclient/cli/awk.go
+++ b/go/cmd/vtctldclient/cli/awk.go
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo/topoproto"
 
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func MarshalTabletAWK(t *topodatapb.Tablet) string {
 	// special case for old primary that hasn't been updated in the topo
 	// yet.
 	if t.PrimaryTermStartTime != nil && t.PrimaryTermStartTime.Seconds > 0 {
-		mtst = logutil.ProtoToTime(t.PrimaryTermStartTime).Format(time.RFC3339)
+		mtst = protoutil.TimeFromProto(t.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
 	}
 
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%v %v %v %v %v %v %v %v", topoproto.TabletAliasString(t.Alias), keyspace, shard, topoproto.TabletTypeLString(t.Type), ti.Addr(), ti.MysqlAddr(), MarshalMapAWK(t.Tags), mtst)
diff --git a/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/backups.go b/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/backups.go
index f0c30a5f8f9..e6314ed7d6e 100644
--- a/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/backups.go
+++ b/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/backups.go
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import (
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/cmd/vtctldclient/cli"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/mysqlctl"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo/topoproto"
 
@@ -246,7 +245,7 @@ func commandRestoreFromBackup(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	req := &vtctldatapb.RestoreFromBackupRequest{
 		TabletAlias:        alias,
 		RestoreToPos:       restoreFromBackupOptions.RestoreToPos,
-		RestoreToTimestamp: logutil.TimeToProto(restoreToTimestamp),
+		RestoreToTimestamp: protoutil.TimeToProto(restoreToTimestamp),
 		DryRun:             restoreFromBackupOptions.DryRun,
 	}
 
diff --git a/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/keyspaces.go b/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/keyspaces.go
index 8b98e661fb6..420c274ddd5 100644
--- a/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/keyspaces.go
+++ b/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/keyspaces.go
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql/sqlerror"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/cmd/vtctldclient/cli"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/constants/sidecar"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo"
 
 	topodatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/topodata"
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ func commandCreateKeyspace(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("--snapshot-time cannot be in the future; snapshot = %v, now = %v", t, now)
 		}
 
-		snapshotTime = logutil.TimeToProto(t)
+		snapshotTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(t)
 	}
 
 	createKeyspaceOptions.SidecarDBName = strings.TrimSpace(createKeyspaceOptions.SidecarDBName)
diff --git a/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/throttler.go b/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/throttler.go
index 2276ba37d62..9783f76720d 100644
--- a/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/throttler.go
+++ b/go/cmd/vtctldclient/command/throttler.go
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/cmd/vtctldclient/cli"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	topodatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/topodata"
 	vtctldatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/vtctldata"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vttablet/tabletserver/throttle"
@@ -60,10 +60,10 @@ func commandUpdateThrottlerConfig(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	updateThrottlerConfigOptions.Keyspace = keyspace
 
 	if throttledAppRule.Name != "" {
-		throttledAppRule.ExpiresAt = logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now().Add(throttledAppDuration))
+		throttledAppRule.ExpiresAt = protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now().Add(throttledAppDuration))
 		updateThrottlerConfigOptions.ThrottledApp = &throttledAppRule
 	} else if unthrottledAppRule.Name != "" {
-		unthrottledAppRule.ExpiresAt = logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now())
+		unthrottledAppRule.ExpiresAt = protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now())
 		updateThrottlerConfigOptions.ThrottledApp = &unthrottledAppRule
 	}
 
diff --git a/go/test/endtoend/tabletmanager/throttler_topo/throttler_test.go b/go/test/endtoend/tabletmanager/throttler_topo/throttler_test.go
index 0df79c55d46..7c0f05bdcc2 100644
--- a/go/test/endtoend/tabletmanager/throttler_topo/throttler_test.go
+++ b/go/test/endtoend/tabletmanager/throttler_topo/throttler_test.go
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/sqltypes"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/test/endtoend/cluster"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/test/endtoend/throttler"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	topodatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/topodata"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vttablet/tabletserver/throttle/base"
 
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ func TestLag(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("exempting test app", func(t *testing.T) {
 		appRule := &topodatapb.ThrottledAppRule{
 			Name:      testAppName,
-			ExpiresAt: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now().Add(time.Hour)),
+			ExpiresAt: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now().Add(time.Hour)),
 			Exempt:    true,
 		}
 		_, err := throttler.UpdateThrottlerTopoConfig(clusterInstance, false, false, throttler.DefaultThreshold.Seconds(), useDefaultQuery, appRule)
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ func TestLag(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("unexempting test app", func(t *testing.T) {
 		appRule := &topodatapb.ThrottledAppRule{
 			Name:      testAppName,
-			ExpiresAt: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
+			ExpiresAt: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
 		}
 		_, err := throttler.UpdateThrottlerTopoConfig(clusterInstance, false, false, throttler.DefaultThreshold.Seconds(), useDefaultQuery, appRule)
 		assert.NoError(t, err)
diff --git a/go/test/endtoend/throttler/util.go b/go/test/endtoend/throttler/util.go
index f938090aafe..8722c283409 100644
--- a/go/test/endtoend/throttler/util.go
+++ b/go/test/endtoend/throttler/util.go
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	"github.com/tidwall/gjson"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/test/endtoend/cluster"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/concurrency"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/log"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	topodatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/topodata"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vttablet/tabletserver/throttle/base"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vttablet/tabletserver/throttle/throttlerapp"
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func UpdateThrottlerTopoConfigRaw(vtctldProcess *cluster.VtctldClientProcess, ke
 	}
 	if appRule != nil {
 		args = append(args, "--throttle-app", appRule.Name)
-		args = append(args, "--throttle-app-duration", logutil.ProtoToTime(appRule.ExpiresAt).Sub(time.Now()).String())
+		args = append(args, "--throttle-app-duration", protoutil.TimeFromProto(appRule.ExpiresAt).UTC().Sub(time.Now()).String())
 		args = append(args, "--throttle-app-ratio", fmt.Sprintf("%f", appRule.Ratio))
 		if appRule.Exempt {
 			args = append(args, "--throttle-app-exempt")
diff --git a/go/vt/logutil/logger.go b/go/vt/logutil/logger.go
index 8ebf88e085d..524ca4db4d7 100644
--- a/go/vt/logutil/logger.go
+++ b/go/vt/logutil/logger.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	logutilpb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/logutil"
 )
 
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ func EventToBuffer(event *logutilpb.Event, buf *bytes.Buffer) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	t := ProtoToTime(event.Time)
+	t := protoutil.TimeFromProto(event.Time).UTC()
 	_, month, day := t.Date()
 	hour, minute, second := t.Clock()
 	twoDigits(buf, int(month))
@@ -137,7 +138,7 @@ func NewCallbackLogger(f func(*logutilpb.Event)) *CallbackLogger {
 func (cl *CallbackLogger) InfoDepth(depth int, s string) {
 	file, line := fileAndLine(2 + depth)
 	cl.f(&logutilpb.Event{
-		Time:  TimeToProto(time.Now()),
+		Time:  protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
 		Level: logutilpb.Level_INFO,
 		File:  file,
 		Line:  line,
@@ -149,7 +150,7 @@ func (cl *CallbackLogger) InfoDepth(depth int, s string) {
 func (cl *CallbackLogger) WarningDepth(depth int, s string) {
 	file, line := fileAndLine(2 + depth)
 	cl.f(&logutilpb.Event{
-		Time:  TimeToProto(time.Now()),
+		Time:  protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
 		Level: logutilpb.Level_WARNING,
 		File:  file,
 		Line:  line,
@@ -161,7 +162,7 @@ func (cl *CallbackLogger) WarningDepth(depth int, s string) {
 func (cl *CallbackLogger) ErrorDepth(depth int, s string) {
 	file, line := fileAndLine(2 + depth)
 	cl.f(&logutilpb.Event{
-		Time:  TimeToProto(time.Now()),
+		Time:  protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
 		Level: logutilpb.Level_ERROR,
 		File:  file,
 		Line:  line,
@@ -198,7 +199,7 @@ func (cl *CallbackLogger) Error(err error) {
 func (cl *CallbackLogger) Printf(format string, v ...any) {
 	file, line := fileAndLine(2)
 	cl.f(&logutilpb.Event{
-		Time:  TimeToProto(time.Now()),
+		Time:  protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
 		Level: logutilpb.Level_CONSOLE,
 		File:  file,
 		Line:  line,
diff --git a/go/vt/logutil/logger_test.go b/go/vt/logutil/logger_test.go
index c34f8cf8ec3..0eb4edb2b93 100644
--- a/go/vt/logutil/logger_test.go
+++ b/go/vt/logutil/logger_test.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/race"
 	logutilpb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/logutil"
 )
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ func TestLogEvent(t *testing.T) {
 	}{
 		{
 			event: &logutilpb.Event{
-				Time:  TimeToProto(time.Date(2014, time.November, 10, 23, 30, 12, 123456000, time.UTC)),
+				Time:  protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2014, time.November, 10, 23, 30, 12, 123456000, time.UTC)),
 				Level: logutilpb.Level_INFO,
 				File:  "file.go",
 				Line:  123,
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ func TestLogEvent(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			event: &logutilpb.Event{
-				Time:  TimeToProto(time.Date(2014, time.January, 20, 23, 30, 12, 0, time.UTC)),
+				Time:  protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2014, time.January, 20, 23, 30, 12, 0, time.UTC)),
 				Level: logutilpb.Level_WARNING,
 				File:  "file2.go",
 				Line:  567,
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ func TestLogEvent(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			event: &logutilpb.Event{
-				Time:  TimeToProto(time.Date(2014, time.January, 20, 23, 30, 12, 0, time.UTC)),
+				Time:  protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2014, time.January, 20, 23, 30, 12, 0, time.UTC)),
 				Level: logutilpb.Level_ERROR,
 				File:  "file2.go",
 				Line:  567,
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ func TestLogEvent(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			event: &logutilpb.Event{
-				Time:  TimeToProto(time.Date(2014, time.January, 20, 23, 30, 12, 0, time.UTC)),
+				Time:  protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2014, time.January, 20, 23, 30, 12, 0, time.UTC)),
 				Level: logutilpb.Level_CONSOLE,
 				File:  "file2.go",
 				Line:  567,
diff --git a/go/vt/logutil/proto3.go b/go/vt/logutil/proto3.go
index 2bde4656dbd..b62ed8810da 100644
--- a/go/vt/logutil/proto3.go
+++ b/go/vt/logutil/proto3.go
@@ -17,37 +17,11 @@ limitations under the License.
 package logutil
 
 import (
-	"time"
-
 	logutilpb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/logutil"
-	vttimepb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/vttime"
 )
 
 // This file contains a few functions to help with proto3.
 
-// ProtoToTime converts a vttimepb.Time to a time.Time.
-// proto3 will eventually support timestamps, at which point we'll retire
-// this.
-//
-// A nil pointer is like the empty timestamp.
-func ProtoToTime(ts *vttimepb.Time) time.Time {
-	if ts == nil {
-		// treat nil like the empty Timestamp
-		return time.Time{}
-	}
-	return time.Unix(ts.Seconds, int64(ts.Nanoseconds)).UTC()
-}
-
-// TimeToProto converts the time.Time to a vttimepb.Time.
-func TimeToProto(t time.Time) *vttimepb.Time {
-	seconds := t.Unix()
-	nanos := int64(t.Sub(time.Unix(seconds, 0)))
-	return &vttimepb.Time{
-		Seconds:     seconds,
-		Nanoseconds: int32(nanos),
-	}
-}
-
 // EventStream is an interface used by RPC clients when the streaming
 // RPC returns a stream of log events.
 type EventStream interface {
diff --git a/go/vt/logutil/proto3_test.go b/go/vt/logutil/proto3_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 58a78dea2ef..00000000000
--- a/go/vt/logutil/proto3_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,99 +0,0 @@
-/*
-Copyright 2019 The Vitess Authors.
-
-Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-You may obtain a copy of the License at
-
-    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-
-Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-limitations under the License.
-*/
-
-package logutil
-
-import (
-	"math"
-	"testing"
-	"time"
-
-	"google.golang.org/protobuf/proto"
-
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/vttime"
-)
-
-const (
-	// Seconds field of the earliest valid Timestamp.
-	// This is time.Date(1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC).Unix().
-	minValidSeconds = -62135596800
-	// Seconds field just after the latest valid Timestamp.
-	// This is time.Date(10000, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC).Unix().
-	maxValidSeconds = 253402300800
-)
-
-func utcDate(year, month, day int) time.Time {
-	return time.Date(year, time.Month(month), day, 0, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
-}
-
-var tests = []struct {
-	pt *vttime.Time
-	t  time.Time
-}{
-	// The timestamp representing the Unix epoch date.
-	{pt: &vttime.Time{Seconds: 0, Nanoseconds: 0},
-		t: utcDate(1970, 1, 1)},
-
-	// The smallest representable timestamp with non-negative nanos.
-	{pt: &vttime.Time{Seconds: math.MinInt64, Nanoseconds: 0},
-		t: time.Unix(math.MinInt64, 0).UTC()},
-
-	// The earliest valid timestamp.
-	{pt: &vttime.Time{Seconds: minValidSeconds, Nanoseconds: 0},
-		t: utcDate(1, 1, 1)},
-
-	// The largest representable timestamp with nanos in range.
-	{pt: &vttime.Time{Seconds: math.MaxInt64, Nanoseconds: 1e9 - 1},
-		t: time.Unix(math.MaxInt64, 1e9-1).UTC()},
-
-	// The largest valid timestamp.
-	{pt: &vttime.Time{Seconds: maxValidSeconds - 1, Nanoseconds: 1e9 - 1},
-		t: time.Date(9999, 12, 31, 23, 59, 59, 1e9-1, time.UTC)},
-
-	// The smallest invalid timestamp that is larger than the valid range.
-	{pt: &vttime.Time{Seconds: maxValidSeconds, Nanoseconds: 0},
-		t: time.Unix(maxValidSeconds, 0).UTC()},
-
-	// A date before the epoch.
-	{pt: &vttime.Time{Seconds: -281836800, Nanoseconds: 0},
-		t: utcDate(1961, 1, 26)},
-
-	// A date after the epoch.
-	{pt: &vttime.Time{Seconds: 1296000000, Nanoseconds: 0},
-		t: utcDate(2011, 1, 26)},
-
-	// A date after the epoch, in the middle of the day.
-	{pt: &vttime.Time{Seconds: 1296012345, Nanoseconds: 940483},
-		t: time.Date(2011, 1, 26, 3, 25, 45, 940483, time.UTC)},
-}
-
-func TestProtoToTime(t *testing.T) {
-	for i, s := range tests {
-		got := ProtoToTime(s.pt)
-		if got != s.t {
-			t.Errorf("ProtoToTime[%v](%v) = %v, want %v", i, s.pt, got, s.t)
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func TestTimeToProto(t *testing.T) {
-	for i, s := range tests {
-		got := TimeToProto(s.t)
-		if !proto.Equal(got, s.pt) {
-			t.Errorf("TimeToProto[%v](%v) = %v, want %v", i, s.t, got, s.pt)
-		}
-	}
-}
diff --git a/go/vt/mysqlctl/builtinbackupengine.go b/go/vt/mysqlctl/builtinbackupengine.go
index de1e4ab679b..33d4ce688fd 100644
--- a/go/vt/mysqlctl/builtinbackupengine.go
+++ b/go/vt/mysqlctl/builtinbackupengine.go
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import (
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/ioutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql/replication"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/concurrency"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/log"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
@@ -348,9 +349,9 @@ func (be *BuiltinBackupEngine) executeIncrementalBackup(ctx context.Context, par
 		return false, vterrors.Errorf(vtrpc.Code_ABORTED, "empty binlog name in response. Request=%v, Response=%v", req, resp)
 	}
 	incrDetails := &IncrementalBackupDetails{
-		FirstTimestamp:       FormatRFC3339(logutil.ProtoToTime(resp.FirstTimestamp)),
+		FirstTimestamp:       FormatRFC3339(protoutil.TimeFromProto(resp.FirstTimestamp).UTC()),
 		FirstTimestampBinlog: filepath.Base(resp.FirstTimestampBinlog),
-		LastTimestamp:        FormatRFC3339(logutil.ProtoToTime(resp.LastTimestamp)),
+		LastTimestamp:        FormatRFC3339(protoutil.TimeFromProto(resp.LastTimestamp).UTC()),
 		LastTimestampBinlog:  filepath.Base(resp.LastTimestampBinlog),
 	}
 	// It's worthwhile we explain the difference between params.IncrementalFromPos and incrementalBackupFromPosition.
@@ -917,7 +918,7 @@ func (be *BuiltinBackupEngine) executeRestoreIncrementalBackup(ctx context.Conte
 		}
 		req := &mysqlctlpb.ApplyBinlogFileRequest{
 			BinlogFileName:        binlogFile,
-			BinlogRestoreDatetime: logutil.TimeToProto(params.RestoreToTimestamp),
+			BinlogRestoreDatetime: protoutil.TimeToProto(params.RestoreToTimestamp),
 		}
 		if params.RestoreToPos.GTIDSet != nil {
 			req.BinlogRestorePosition = params.RestoreToPos.GTIDSet.String()
diff --git a/go/vt/mysqlctl/mysqld.go b/go/vt/mysqlctl/mysqld.go
index b1db3ec425a..989963479f4 100644
--- a/go/vt/mysqlctl/mysqld.go
+++ b/go/vt/mysqlctl/mysqld.go
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/spf13/pflag"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql/sqlerror"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/config"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql"
@@ -51,7 +52,6 @@ import (
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/dbconnpool"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/hook"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/log"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/mysqlctl/mysqlctlclient"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/servenv"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vterrors"
@@ -1197,7 +1197,7 @@ func (mysqld *Mysqld) ApplyBinlogFile(ctx context.Context, req *mysqlctlpb.Apply
 				gtids,
 			)
 		}
-		if restoreToTimestamp := logutil.ProtoToTime(req.BinlogRestoreDatetime); !restoreToTimestamp.IsZero() {
+		if restoreToTimestamp := protoutil.TimeFromProto(req.BinlogRestoreDatetime).UTC(); !restoreToTimestamp.IsZero() {
 			args = append(args,
 				"--stop-datetime",
 				restoreToTimestamp.Format(sqltypes.TimestampFormat),
@@ -1410,7 +1410,7 @@ func (mysqld *Mysqld) ReadBinlogFilesTimestamps(ctx context.Context, req *mysqlc
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		if found {
-			resp.FirstTimestamp = logutil.TimeToProto(t)
+			resp.FirstTimestamp = protoutil.TimeToProto(t)
 			resp.FirstTimestampBinlog = binlogFile
 			break
 		}
@@ -1423,7 +1423,7 @@ func (mysqld *Mysqld) ReadBinlogFilesTimestamps(ctx context.Context, req *mysqlc
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		if found {
-			resp.LastTimestamp = logutil.TimeToProto(t)
+			resp.LastTimestamp = protoutil.TimeToProto(t)
 			resp.LastTimestampBinlog = binlogFile
 			break
 		}
diff --git a/go/vt/topo/shard.go b/go/vt/topo/shard.go
index 3f7be3cc676..87d274f60df 100644
--- a/go/vt/topo/shard.go
+++ b/go/vt/topo/shard.go
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ import (
 	"google.golang.org/protobuf/proto"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/constants/sidecar"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/vtrpc"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vterrors"
 
@@ -189,12 +189,12 @@ func (si *ShardInfo) HasPrimary() bool {
 
 // GetPrimaryTermStartTime returns the shard's primary term start time as a Time value.
 func (si *ShardInfo) GetPrimaryTermStartTime() time.Time {
-	return logutil.ProtoToTime(si.Shard.PrimaryTermStartTime)
+	return protoutil.TimeFromProto(si.Shard.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC()
 }
 
 // SetPrimaryTermStartTime sets the shard's primary term start time as a Time value.
 func (si *ShardInfo) SetPrimaryTermStartTime(t time.Time) {
-	si.Shard.PrimaryTermStartTime = logutil.TimeToProto(t)
+	si.Shard.PrimaryTermStartTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(t)
 }
 
 // GetShard is a high level function to read shard data.
diff --git a/go/vt/topo/tablet.go b/go/vt/topo/tablet.go
index b68a48b0223..443ced52686 100644
--- a/go/vt/topo/tablet.go
+++ b/go/vt/topo/tablet.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/key"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/vtrpc"
@@ -35,7 +36,6 @@ import (
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/netutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/trace"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/log"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 
 	topodatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/topodata"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo/events"
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ func (ti *TabletInfo) IsReplicaType() bool {
 
 // GetPrimaryTermStartTime returns the tablet's primary term start time as a Time value.
 func (ti *TabletInfo) GetPrimaryTermStartTime() time.Time {
-	return logutil.ProtoToTime(ti.Tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime)
+	return protoutil.TimeFromProto(ti.Tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC()
 }
 
 // NewTabletInfo returns a TabletInfo basing on tablet with the
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ func (ts *Server) InitTablet(ctx context.Context, tablet *topodatapb.Tablet, all
 	if tablet.Type == topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY {
 		// we update primary_term_start_time even if the primary hasn't changed
 		// because that means a new primary term with the same primary
-		tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime = logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now())
+		tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now())
 	}
 
 	err = ts.CreateTablet(ctx, tablet)
diff --git a/go/vt/vtadmin/cluster/cluster.go b/go/vt/vtadmin/cluster/cluster.go
index a0ddc62f5ad..e64dff7e11a 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtadmin/cluster/cluster.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtadmin/cluster/cluster.go
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ import (
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/trace"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/concurrency"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/log"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo/topoproto"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vtadmin/cache"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vtadmin/cluster/discovery"
@@ -341,7 +340,7 @@ func (c *Cluster) parseTablet(rows *sql.Rows) (*vtadminpb.Tablet, error) {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed parsing primary_term_start_time %s: %w", mtstStr, err)
 		}
 
-		topotablet.PrimaryTermStartTime = logutil.TimeToProto(timeTime)
+		topotablet.PrimaryTermStartTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(timeTime)
 	}
 
 	if c.TabletFQDNTmpl != nil {
diff --git a/go/vt/vtctl/backup.go b/go/vt/vtctl/backup.go
index baf6a267a51..c2f90ec4b14 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtctl/backup.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtctl/backup.go
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ func commandRestoreFromBackup(ctx context.Context, wr *wrangler.Wrangler, subFla
 	req := &vtctldatapb.RestoreFromBackupRequest{
 		TabletAlias:        tabletAlias,
 		RestoreToPos:       *restoreToPos,
-		RestoreToTimestamp: logutil.TimeToProto(restoreToTimestamp),
+		RestoreToTimestamp: protoutil.TimeToProto(restoreToTimestamp),
 		DryRun:             *dryRun,
 	}
 
diff --git a/go/vt/vtctl/fakevtctlclient/fake_loggerevent_streamingclient.go b/go/vt/vtctl/fakevtctlclient/fake_loggerevent_streamingclient.go
index a11db6a4952..14147316508 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtctl/fakevtctlclient/fake_loggerevent_streamingclient.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtctl/fakevtctlclient/fake_loggerevent_streamingclient.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 
 	logutilpb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/logutil"
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@ type streamResultAdapter struct {
 func (s *streamResultAdapter) Recv() (*logutilpb.Event, error) {
 	if s.index < len(s.lines) {
 		result := &logutilpb.Event{
-			Time:  logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
+			Time:  protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
 			Level: logutilpb.Level_CONSOLE,
 			File:  "fakevtctlclient",
 			Line:  -1,
diff --git a/go/vt/vtctl/grpcvtctldserver/server.go b/go/vt/vtctl/grpcvtctldserver/server.go
index a038144cfef..48edeec9dd9 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtctl/grpcvtctldserver/server.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtctl/grpcvtctldserver/server.go
@@ -3056,7 +3056,7 @@ func (s *VtctldServer) RestoreFromBackup(req *vtctldatapb.RestoreFromBackupReque
 			if mysqlctl.DisableActiveReparents {
 				return nil
 			}
-			if (req.RestoreToPos != "" || !logutil.ProtoToTime(req.RestoreToTimestamp).IsZero()) && !req.DryRun {
+			if (req.RestoreToPos != "" || !protoutil.TimeFromProto(req.RestoreToTimestamp).UTC().IsZero()) && !req.DryRun {
 				// point in time recovery. Do not restore replication
 				return nil
 			}
diff --git a/go/vt/vtctl/grpcvtctldserver/server_test.go b/go/vt/vtctl/grpcvtctldserver/server_test.go
index 3407f22a0d3..9813dada377 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtctl/grpcvtctldserver/server_test.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtctl/grpcvtctldserver/server_test.go
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ import (
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/sqltypes"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/test/utils"
 	hk "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/hook"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/mysqlctl/backupstorage"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo/memorytopo"
@@ -6530,7 +6529,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Keyspace:             "ks2",
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 15, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 15, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 				{
 					Alias: &topodatapb.TabletAlias{
@@ -6541,7 +6540,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Hostname:             "stale.primary",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 14, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 14, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 			},
 			req: &vtctldatapb.GetTabletsRequest{
@@ -6557,7 +6556,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Keyspace:             "ks2",
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 15, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 15, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 				{
 					Alias: &topodatapb.TabletAlias{
@@ -6568,7 +6567,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Hostname:             "stale.primary",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_UNKNOWN,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 14, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 14, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 			},
 			shouldErr: false,
@@ -6586,7 +6585,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Hostname:             "slightly less stale",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 15, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 15, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 				{
 					Alias: &topodatapb.TabletAlias{
@@ -6597,7 +6596,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Keyspace:             "ks1",
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 14, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 14, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 				{
 					Alias: &topodatapb.TabletAlias{
@@ -6608,7 +6607,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Keyspace:             "ks1",
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 16, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 16, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 			},
 			req: &vtctldatapb.GetTabletsRequest{},
@@ -6622,7 +6621,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Hostname:             "slightly less stale",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_UNKNOWN,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 15, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 15, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 				{
 					Alias: &topodatapb.TabletAlias{
@@ -6633,7 +6632,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Keyspace:             "ks1",
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_UNKNOWN,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 14, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 14, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 				{
 					Alias: &topodatapb.TabletAlias{
@@ -6644,7 +6643,7 @@ func TestGetTablets(t *testing.T) {
 					Keyspace:             "ks1",
 					Shard:                "-",
 					Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY,
-					PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 16, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
+					PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(2006, time.January, 2, 16, 4, 5, 0, time.UTC)),
 				},
 			},
 			shouldErr: false,
diff --git a/go/vt/vtctl/vtctl.go b/go/vt/vtctl/vtctl.go
index 640e6841bda..333d88a6e8d 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtctl/vtctl.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtctl/vtctl.go
@@ -800,7 +800,7 @@ func fmtTabletAwkable(ti *topo.TabletInfo) string {
 	mtst := "<null>"
 	// special case for old primary that hasn't updated topo yet
 	if ti.PrimaryTermStartTime != nil && ti.PrimaryTermStartTime.Seconds > 0 {
-		mtst = logutil.ProtoToTime(ti.PrimaryTermStartTime).Format(time.RFC3339)
+		mtst = protoutil.TimeFromProto(ti.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
 	}
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%v %v %v %v %v %v %v %v", topoproto.TabletAliasString(ti.Alias), keyspace, shard, topoproto.TabletTypeLString(ti.Type), ti.Addr(), ti.MysqlAddr(), fmtMapAwkable(ti.Tags), mtst)
 }
@@ -1861,7 +1861,7 @@ func commandCreateKeyspace(ctx context.Context, wr *wrangler.Wrangler, subFlags
 		if timeTime.After(time.Now()) {
 			return vterrors.New(vtrpcpb.Code_INVALID_ARGUMENT, "snapshot_time can not be more than current time")
 		}
-		snapshotTime = logutil.TimeToProto(timeTime)
+		snapshotTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(timeTime)
 	}
 	ki := &topodatapb.Keyspace{
 		KeyspaceType:     ktype,
@@ -3625,13 +3625,13 @@ func commandUpdateThrottlerConfig(ctx context.Context, wr *wrangler.Wrangler, su
 			Name:      *throttledApp,
 			Ratio:     *throttledAppRatio,
 			Exempt:    *throttledAppExempt,
-			ExpiresAt: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now().Add(*throttledAppDuration)),
+			ExpiresAt: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now().Add(*throttledAppDuration)),
 		}
 	} else if *unthrottledApp != "" {
 		req.ThrottledApp = &topodatapb.ThrottledAppRule{
 			Name:      *unthrottledApp,
 			Ratio:     0,
-			ExpiresAt: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
+			ExpiresAt: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now()),
 		}
 	}
 	_, err = wr.VtctldServer().UpdateThrottlerConfig(ctx, req)
diff --git a/go/vt/vtctl/vtctlclienttest/client.go b/go/vt/vtctl/vtctlclienttest/client.go
index 0bb2739c1b8..8e77bed8f8a 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtctl/vtctlclienttest/client.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtctl/vtctlclienttest/client.go
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo/memorytopo"
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ func TestSuite(t *testing.T, ts *topo.Server, client vtctlclient.VtctlClient) {
 		PortMap: map[string]int32{
 			"vt": 3333,
 		},
-		PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(1970, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, time.UTC)),
+		PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Date(1970, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, time.UTC)),
 		Tags:                 map[string]string{"tag": "value"},
 		Keyspace:             "test_keyspace",
 		Type:                 topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY,
diff --git a/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/migration.go b/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/migration.go
index 330a71cd982..375d4e97dea 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/migration.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/migration.go
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 	"time"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/key"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	topodatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/topodata"
 	vtrpcpb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/vtrpc"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/schema"
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func buildAlterMigrationThrottleAppPlan(query string, alterMigration *sqlparser.
 	}
 	throttledAppRule := &topodatapb.ThrottledAppRule{
 		Name:      appName,
-		ExpiresAt: logutil.TimeToProto(expireAt),
+		ExpiresAt: protoutil.TimeToProto(expireAt),
 		Ratio:     ratio,
 	}
 	return newPlanResult(&engine.ThrottleApp{
diff --git a/go/vt/vtorc/inst/shard_dao.go b/go/vt/vtorc/inst/shard_dao.go
index 7ead6d722ac..a90eed0f509 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtorc/inst/shard_dao.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtorc/inst/shard_dao.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ package inst
 import (
 	"errors"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/external/golib/sqlutils"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo/topoproto"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vtorc/db"
@@ -93,5 +93,5 @@ func getShardPrimaryTermStartTimeString(shard *topo.ShardInfo) string {
 	if shard.PrimaryTermStartTime == nil {
 		return ""
 	}
-	return logutil.ProtoToTime(shard.PrimaryTermStartTime).String()
+	return protoutil.TimeFromProto(shard.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC().String()
 }
diff --git a/go/vt/vtorc/inst/shard_dao_test.go b/go/vt/vtorc/inst/shard_dao_test.go
index 5b97af846c9..3357bd2ee36 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtorc/inst/shard_dao_test.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtorc/inst/shard_dao_test.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	_ "modernc.org/sqlite"
 
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	topodatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/topodata"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/vtorc/db"
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func TestSaveAndReadShard(t *testing.T) {
 					Cell: "zone1",
 					Uid:  301,
 				},
-				PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(timeToUse.Add(1 * time.Hour)),
+				PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(timeToUse.Add(1 * time.Hour)),
 			},
 			primaryTimestampWanted: "2023-07-24 06:00:05.000001 +0000 UTC",
 			primaryAliasWanted:     "zone1-0000000301",
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func TestSaveAndReadShard(t *testing.T) {
 			keyspaceName: "ks1",
 			shardName:    "-",
 			shard: &topodatapb.Shard{
-				PrimaryTermStartTime: logutil.TimeToProto(timeToUse),
+				PrimaryTermStartTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(timeToUse),
 			},
 			primaryTimestampWanted: "2023-07-24 05:00:05.000001 +0000 UTC",
 			primaryAliasWanted:     "",
diff --git a/go/vt/vtorc/inst/tablet_dao.go b/go/vt/vtorc/inst/tablet_dao.go
index 1a4c3b859c5..3ee49a75781 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtorc/inst/tablet_dao.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtorc/inst/tablet_dao.go
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ import (
 
 	"google.golang.org/protobuf/encoding/prototext"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/external/golib/sqlutils"
 
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	replicationdatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/replicationdata"
 	topodatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/topodata"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo"
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func SaveTablet(tablet *topodatapb.Tablet) error {
 		tablet.Keyspace,
 		tablet.Shard,
 		int(tablet.Type),
-		logutil.ProtoToTime(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime),
+		protoutil.TimeFromProto(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC(),
 		tabletp,
 	)
 	return err
diff --git a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/restore.go b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/restore.go
index 4fa2168cad1..ab1e32a5b5e 100644
--- a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/restore.go
+++ b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/restore.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/spf13/pflag"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql/replication"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/stats"
 
@@ -154,7 +155,7 @@ func (tm *TabletManager) RestoreData(ctx context.Context, logger logutil.Logger,
 	startTime = time.Now()
 
 	req := &tabletmanagerdatapb.RestoreFromBackupRequest{
-		BackupTime: logutil.TimeToProto(backupTime),
+		BackupTime: protoutil.TimeToProto(backupTime),
 	}
 	err = tm.restoreDataLocked(ctx, logger, waitForBackupInterval, deleteBeforeRestore, req)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -184,12 +185,12 @@ func (tm *TabletManager) restoreDataLocked(ctx context.Context, logger logutil.L
 			return vterrors.New(vtrpcpb.Code_INVALID_ARGUMENT, fmt.Sprintf("snapshot keyspace %v has no base_keyspace set", tablet.Keyspace))
 		}
 		keyspace = keyspaceInfo.BaseKeyspace
-		log.Infof("Using base_keyspace %v to restore keyspace %v using a backup time of %v", keyspace, tablet.Keyspace, logutil.ProtoToTime(request.BackupTime))
+		log.Infof("Using base_keyspace %v to restore keyspace %v using a backup time of %v", keyspace, tablet.Keyspace, protoutil.TimeFromProto(request.BackupTime).UTC())
 	}
 
-	startTime := logutil.ProtoToTime(request.BackupTime)
+	startTime := protoutil.TimeFromProto(request.BackupTime).UTC()
 	if startTime.IsZero() {
-		startTime = logutil.ProtoToTime(keyspaceInfo.SnapshotTime)
+		startTime = protoutil.TimeFromProto(keyspaceInfo.SnapshotTime).UTC()
 	}
 
 	params := mysqlctl.RestoreParams{
@@ -206,7 +207,7 @@ func (tm *TabletManager) restoreDataLocked(ctx context.Context, logger logutil.L
 		DryRun:              request.DryRun,
 		Stats:               backupstats.RestoreStats(),
 	}
-	if request.RestoreToPos != "" && !logutil.ProtoToTime(request.RestoreToTimestamp).IsZero() {
+	if request.RestoreToPos != "" && !protoutil.TimeFromProto(request.RestoreToTimestamp).UTC().IsZero() {
 		return vterrors.Errorf(vtrpcpb.Code_INVALID_ARGUMENT, "--restore_to_pos and --restore_to_timestamp are mutually exclusive")
 	}
 	if request.RestoreToPos != "" {
@@ -216,7 +217,7 @@ func (tm *TabletManager) restoreDataLocked(ctx context.Context, logger logutil.L
 		}
 		params.RestoreToPos = pos
 	}
-	if restoreToTimestamp := logutil.ProtoToTime(request.RestoreToTimestamp); !restoreToTimestamp.IsZero() {
+	if restoreToTimestamp := protoutil.TimeFromProto(request.RestoreToTimestamp).UTC(); !restoreToTimestamp.IsZero() {
 		// Restore to given timestamp
 		params.RestoreToTimestamp = restoreToTimestamp
 	}
diff --git a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/rpc_replication.go b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/rpc_replication.go
index ea00e46a8fe..7c75b354252 100644
--- a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/rpc_replication.go
+++ b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/rpc_replication.go
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ import (
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql/replication"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql/sqlerror"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/log"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/mysqlctl"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/vtrpc"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/servenv"
@@ -484,12 +484,12 @@ func (tm *TabletManager) demotePrimary(ctx context.Context, revertPartialFailure
 		// considered successful. If we are already not serving, this will be
 		// idempotent.
 		log.Infof("DemotePrimary disabling query service")
-		if err := tm.QueryServiceControl.SetServingType(tablet.Type, logutil.ProtoToTime(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime), false, "demotion in progress"); err != nil {
+		if err := tm.QueryServiceControl.SetServingType(tablet.Type, protoutil.TimeFromProto(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC(), false, "demotion in progress"); err != nil {
 			return nil, vterrors.Wrap(err, "SetServingType(serving=false) failed")
 		}
 		defer func() {
 			if finalErr != nil && revertPartialFailure && wasServing {
-				if err := tm.QueryServiceControl.SetServingType(tablet.Type, logutil.ProtoToTime(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime), true, ""); err != nil {
+				if err := tm.QueryServiceControl.SetServingType(tablet.Type, protoutil.TimeFromProto(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC(), true, ""); err != nil {
 					log.Warningf("SetServingType(serving=true) failed during revert: %v", err)
 				}
 			}
@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ func (tm *TabletManager) UndoDemotePrimary(ctx context.Context, semiSync bool) e
 	// Update serving graph
 	tablet := tm.Tablet()
 	log.Infof("UndoDemotePrimary re-enabling query service")
-	if err := tm.QueryServiceControl.SetServingType(tablet.Type, logutil.ProtoToTime(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime), true, ""); err != nil {
+	if err := tm.QueryServiceControl.SetServingType(tablet.Type, protoutil.TimeFromProto(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC(), true, ""); err != nil {
 		return vterrors.Wrap(err, "SetServingType(serving=true) failed")
 	}
 	return nil
diff --git a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/shard_sync.go b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/shard_sync.go
index 7dc8710758e..ab995ec14b1 100644
--- a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/shard_sync.go
+++ b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/shard_sync.go
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/spf13/pflag"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/log"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/mysqlctl"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/servenv"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo"
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func (tm *TabletManager) shardSyncLoop(ctx context.Context, notifyChan <-chan st
 			}
 			// If we think we're primary, check if we need to update the shard record.
 			// Fetch the start time from the record we just got, because the tm's tablet can change.
-			primaryAlias, shouldDemote, err := syncShardPrimary(ctx, tm.TopoServer, tablet, logutil.ProtoToTime(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime))
+			primaryAlias, shouldDemote, err := syncShardPrimary(ctx, tm.TopoServer, tablet, protoutil.TimeFromProto(tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC())
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Errorf("Failed to sync shard record: %v", err)
 				// Start retry timer and go back to sleep.
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ func syncShardPrimary(ctx context.Context, ts *topo.Server, tablet *topodatapb.T
 		aliasStr := topoproto.TabletAliasString(tablet.Alias)
 		log.Infof("Updating shard record: primary_alias=%v, primary_term_start_time=%v", aliasStr, PrimaryTermStartTime)
 		si.PrimaryAlias = tablet.Alias
-		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = logutil.TimeToProto(PrimaryTermStartTime)
+		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(PrimaryTermStartTime)
 		return nil
 	})
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_init.go b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_init.go
index 314973e744b..14da1f9483d 100644
--- a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_init.go
+++ b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_init.go
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ import (
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/flagutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql/collations"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/netutil"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/sets"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/stats"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/binlog"
@@ -633,7 +634,7 @@ func (tm *TabletManager) checkPrimaryShip(ctx context.Context, si *topo.ShardInf
 				// Update the primary term start time (current value is 0) because we
 				// assume that we are actually the PRIMARY and in case of a tiebreak,
 				// vtgate should prefer us.
-				tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime = logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now())
+				tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now())
 			})
 		case err == nil:
 			if oldTablet.Type == topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY {
diff --git a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_init_test.go b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_init_test.go
index d77251e20ab..148042bd6b1 100644
--- a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_init_test.go
+++ b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_init_test.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql/collations"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/mysql/fakesqldb"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/sqltypes"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/test/utils"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/dbconfigs"
@@ -275,7 +276,7 @@ func TestCheckPrimaryShip(t *testing.T) {
 	now := time.Now()
 	_, err = ts.UpdateShardFields(ctx, "ks", "0", func(si *topo.ShardInfo) error {
 		si.PrimaryAlias = alias
-		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = logutil.TimeToProto(now)
+		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(now)
 		// Reassign to now for easier comparison.
 		now = si.GetPrimaryTermStartTime()
 		return nil
@@ -348,7 +349,7 @@ func TestCheckPrimaryShip(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	_, err = ts.UpdateShardFields(ctx, "ks", "0", func(si *topo.ShardInfo) error {
 		si.PrimaryAlias = otherAlias
-		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = logutil.TimeToProto(ter1.Add(-10 * time.Second))
+		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(ter1.Add(-10 * time.Second))
 		return nil
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -365,7 +366,7 @@ func TestCheckPrimaryShip(t *testing.T) {
 	// timestamp, we remain replica.
 	_, err = ts.UpdateShardFields(ctx, "ks", "0", func(si *topo.ShardInfo) error {
 		si.PrimaryAlias = otherAlias
-		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = logutil.TimeToProto(ter4.Add(10 * time.Second))
+		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(ter4.Add(10 * time.Second))
 		return nil
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -562,7 +563,7 @@ func TestCheckTabletTypeResets(t *testing.T) {
 	now := time.Now()
 	_, err = ts.UpdateShardFields(ctx, "ks", "0", func(si *topo.ShardInfo) error {
 		si.PrimaryAlias = alias
-		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = logutil.TimeToProto(now)
+		si.PrimaryTermStartTime = protoutil.TimeToProto(now)
 		// Reassign to now for easier comparison.
 		now = si.GetPrimaryTermStartTime()
 		return nil
diff --git a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_state.go b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_state.go
index f23e29d8512..9303c64565c 100644
--- a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_state.go
+++ b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/tm_state.go
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ import (
 	"github.com/spf13/pflag"
 	"google.golang.org/protobuf/proto"
 
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/trace"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/key"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/log"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/mysqlctl"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/servenv"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/topo"
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ func (ts *tmState) ChangeTabletType(ctx context.Context, tabletType topodatapb.T
 	log.Infof("Changing Tablet Type: %v for %s", tabletType, ts.tablet.Alias.String())
 
 	if tabletType == topodatapb.TabletType_PRIMARY {
-		PrimaryTermStartTime := logutil.TimeToProto(time.Now())
+		PrimaryTermStartTime := protoutil.TimeToProto(time.Now())
 
 		// Update the tablet record first.
 		_, err := topotools.ChangeType(ctx, ts.tm.TopoServer, ts.tm.tabletAlias, tabletType, PrimaryTermStartTime)
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ func (ts *tmState) updateLocked(ctx context.Context) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	ptsTime := logutil.ProtoToTime(ts.tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime)
+	ptsTime := protoutil.TimeFromProto(ts.tablet.PrimaryTermStartTime).UTC()
 
 	// Disable TabletServer first so the nonserving state gets advertised
 	// before other services are shutdown.
diff --git a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletserver/throttle/throttler.go b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletserver/throttle/throttler.go
index b0d4918e31c..2b9570a9b6e 100644
--- a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletserver/throttle/throttler.go
+++ b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletserver/throttle/throttler.go
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/spf13/pflag"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/constants/sidecar"
+	"vitess.io/vitess/go/protoutil"
 
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/textutil"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/timer"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/log"
-	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/logutil"
 	tabletmanagerdatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/tabletmanagerdata"
 	topodatapb "vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/proto/topodata"
 	"vitess.io/vitess/go/vt/servenv"
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ func (throttler *Throttler) applyThrottlerConfig(ctx context.Context, throttlerC
 	throttler.StoreMetricsThreshold(throttlerConfig.Threshold)
 	throttler.checkAsCheckSelf.Store(throttlerConfig.CheckAsCheckSelf)
 	for _, appRule := range throttlerConfig.ThrottledApps {
-		throttler.ThrottleApp(appRule.Name, logutil.ProtoToTime(appRule.ExpiresAt), appRule.Ratio, appRule.Exempt)
+		throttler.ThrottleApp(appRule.Name, protoutil.TimeFromProto(appRule.ExpiresAt).UTC(), appRule.Ratio, appRule.Exempt)
 	}
 	if throttlerConfig.Enabled {
 		go throttler.Enable(ctx)