H.J.R. 11 Enrolled

1

JOINT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT
2 FOR AND RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF
3 LOCALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS
4 2009 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Melvin R. Brown
7 Senate Sponsor: Ralph Okerlund
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature recognizes the responsibility of locally elected
12 officials to address challenges faced by their communities.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . expresses support for locally elected officials in meeting the needs of their
16 constituents;
17 . recognizes the unique ability of locally elected officials to bring their communities
18 together to develop local solutions to local problems; and
19 . recognizes that the close connection of locally elected officials to their constituents
20 creates an atmosphere of high accountability in administering fiscal and other
21 important matters.
22 Special Clauses:
23 None
24
25 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 WHEREAS, the voice of the people is most closely reflected through the actions of
27 locally elected officials;
28 WHEREAS, the most effective governance is often exercised by those closest to their
29 constituents, locally elected officials;

30 WHEREAS, often it is the actions of locally elected officials that most closely reflect
31 their communities' beliefs and values;
32 WHEREAS, locally elected officials bring to their offices and attendant duties and
33 responsibilities an increased accessibility which strengthens their constituents' ability to hold
34 them accountable;
35 WHEREAS, locally elected officials are directly responsible to their constituents for
36 fiscal accountability;
37 WHEREAS, a community's challenges are generally best resolved by those who are
38 most directly impacted by those challenges; and
39 WHEREAS, locally elected officials are uniquely qualified to best understand and
40 focus on resolving local issues:
41 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
42 expresses support for locally elected officials in their efforts to meet the needs of their
43 constituents.
44 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes the unique ability
45 locally elected officials have to bring their constituents together to develop community
46 solutions to community problems.
47 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes that the close
48 connection of locally elected officials to their communities creates an atmosphere of high
49 accountability in administering fiscal and other important matters.
50 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah
51 Association of Counties, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and to the Utah School Boards
52 Association.