S.B. 82 Enrolled

COUNTY PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT ACT
AMENDMENTS
2002 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Beverly Ann Evans
This act modifies the County Personnel Management Act by raising the threshold for an
optional exemption from the act from 130 to 200 employees. The act modifies the employee
classification for the optional exemption. The act amends career service exemptions.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
AMENDS:
17-33-1, as last amended by Chapter 241, Laws of Utah 2001
17-33-8, as last amended by Chapter 241, Laws of Utah 2001
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 17-33-1 is amended to read:
17-33-1. Title -- Establishment of merit system -- Separate systems for peace officers
and firemen recognized -- Options of small counties.
(1) This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "County Personnel Management
Act."
(2) A merit system of personnel administration for the counties of the state of Utah, their
departments, offices, and agencies, except as otherwise specifically provided, is established.
(3) This chapter recognizes the existence of the merit systems for peace officers of the
several counties as provided for in Chapter 30, Deputy Sheriffs - Merit System, and for firemen
of the several counties as provided for in Chapter 28, Firemen's Civil Service Commission, and
is intended to give county commissions the option of using the provisions of this chapter as a
single merit system for all county employees or in combination with these existing systems for
firemen and peace officers.
(4) [This chapter is optional with counties having] On or after May 6, 2002, any county
that has fewer than [130 full-time, part-time, and seasonal] 200 employees [and elected officials]
not covered by other merit systems or not exempt under Subsections 17-33-8 (1) through (6) may,

at its option, comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (4), any county which was in compliance
with the provisions of this chapter prior to May 6, 2002, shall continue to comply with the provisions
of this chapter even though the county may not thereafter meet or exceed the threshold requirements
of Subsection (4).
Section 2. Section 17-33-8 is amended to read:
17-33-8. Career service -- Exempt positions.
The career service shall be a permanent service to which this law shall apply and shall
comprise all tenured positions in the public service now existing or hereafter established, except the
following:
(1) The county executive, members of the county legislative body, other elected officials,
and major department heads charged directly by the county legislative body, or by a board appointed
by the county legislative body, with the responsibility of assisting in the formulation and carrying
out of matters of policy; and if it is sought that any position which differs from its present status be
exempted or tenured after the effective date of this act, a public hearing on the proposed exemption
or tenure shall be held upon due notice and the concurrence of the council.
(2) One confidential secretary for each elected county officer and major department head if
one is assigned.
(3) An administrative assistant to the county executive, each member of the county
legislative body, and to each elected official, if one is assigned.
(4) The duly appointed chief deputy of any elected county officer who would take over and
discharge the duties of the elected county officer in the absence or disability of the originally
responsible officer.
(5) Persons employed to make or conduct a temporary and special inquiry, investigation, or
examination on behalf of the county legislative body or one of its committees.
(6) Noncareer employees compensated for their services on a seasonal or contractual basis
who are hired on emergency or seasonal appointment basis, as approved by the council, and
provisional [or part-time] employees as defined by the county's policies and procedures or its rules

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and regulations.
(7) Part-time employees as defined by the county's policies and procedures or its rules and
regulations.
[(7)] (8) Positions which by their nature -- confidential or key policy-determining or both
-- cannot or should not be appropriately included in the career service. All positions designated as
being exempt under this subsection shall be listed in the rules and regulations promulgated under this
act by job title and department, office or agency, and any change in exempt status shall constitute
an amendment to the rules and regulations.

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