| Members Present: Sen. Jacob L. Anderegg, Chair Rep. Stephen G. Handy, Chair Sen. Wayne A. Harper Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson Rep. Cheryl K. Acton Rep. Joel K. Briscoe Rep. Kim F. Coleman Rep. Marsha Judkins Rep. Merrill F. Nelson Rep. Val K. Potter Rep. Lawanna Shurtliff | Rep. Elizabeth Weight Rep. Logan Wilde Members Absent: Sen. Karen Mayne Sen. Ann Millner Rep. Eric K. Hutchings Staff Present: Ms. Samantha D. Brucker, Policy Analyst Ms. Victoria Ashby, Associate General Counsel Ms. Sidnee Bailey, Administrative Assistant |
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the
meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| 1. Committee Business |
| Rep. Handy called the meeting to order at 8:37 a.m.. |
| MOTION: Chair Anderegg moved to approve the August 21, 2019, meeting minutes. The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 9 | Nays-0 | Abs-7 | |
| Rep. C. Acton Sen. J. Anderegg Rep. S. Handy Rep. M. Judkins Rep. M. Nelson Rep. V. Potter Sen. J. Stevenson Rep. E. Weight Rep. L. Wilde | Rep. J. Briscoe Rep. K. Coleman Sen. W. Harper Rep. E. Hutchings Sen. K. Mayne Sen. A. Millner Rep. L. Shurtliff |
| 2. County Classifications |
| Samantha Brucker, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, presented an overview of Utah's County Classifications and answered questions from the committee. |
| 2A - Title 17-50-501 |
| 2A - County Classification Presentation |
| 2A - County Classification Research Overview |
| 2A - Digest of Statutes |
| Lincoln Shurtz, Utah Association of Counties, discussed the current state of Utah Counties, how the classification process affects them, and responded to questions and comments from the committee. |
| Andrew Jackson, Executive Director, Mountainland Association of Governments, discussed details of seniors and transportation in different counties. |
| Nate Sechrest, Utah County, discussed Utah County's dedication to helping with the issue. |
| 3. Changing Forms of County Government |
| Victoria Ashby, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, presented an overview of the process to change a county's form of government and responded to questions and comments from the committee. |
| 3A - County Classifications Presentation |
| 3A - Forms of County Government |
| 3A - Process to Change a County's Form of Government - Flow Chart |
| Lincoln Shurtz answered questions from the committee, and discussed the process of changing forms of government. |
| MOTION: Sen. Anderegg moved to open a committee bill file to amend the process of changing a county's form of government. The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 12 | Nays-0 | Abs-4 | |
| Rep. C. Acton Sen. J. Anderegg Rep. J. Briscoe Rep. K. Coleman Rep. S. Handy Sen. W. Harper Rep. M. Judkins Rep. V. Potter Rep. L. Shurtliff Sen. J. Stevenson Rep. E. Weight Rep. L. Wilde | Rep. E. Hutchings Sen. K. Mayne Sen. A. Millner Rep. M. Nelson |
| Andrew Jackson discussed the history of the current system of changing governments. |
| Rep. Phil Lyman discussed the importance of fixing the issue. |
| 4. Appointed vs. Elected Officials |
| Lincoln Shurtz opened a discussion about appointed vs. elected officials. |
| Curtis Koch, Clerk Auditor, Davis County, asked the legislature to focus on the checks and balances within county government and responded to questions and comments from the committee. |
| Damon Cann, Political Science Interim Department Head, Utah State University, and Mayor, North Logan, presented an overview with a background in academic research about pros and cons in electing vs. appointing officials and responded to comments and questions from the committee. |
| Luke Peterson, Professor, Utah Valley University, presented a county governance benchmarking study and responded to questions and comments from the committee. |
| 4C - County Governance Benchmarking |
| 5. Other Items/Adjourn |
| MOTION: Rep. Potter moved to adjourn. The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-6. | |||
| Yeas - 10 | Nays-0 | Abs-6 | |
| Rep. C. Acton Rep. J. Briscoe Rep. S. Handy Sen. W. Harper Rep. M. Judkins Rep. V. Potter Rep. L. Shurtliff Sen. J. Stevenson Rep. E. Weight Rep. L. Wilde | Sen. J. Anderegg Rep. K. Coleman Rep. E. Hutchings Sen. K. Mayne Sen. A. Millner Rep. M. Nelson |
| Chair Handy Closed the meeting at 10:55 a.m.. |