With arm raised to the square, Alan Hansen pledged Monday to spend the next four years serving the residents of Davis County.

The gesture lasted only a moment, but for Hansen — just installed as a Davis County commissioner — it signaled the start of a new, long-term political challenge.

"You have a lot of people to keep happy," warned Carol Page, newly appointed commission chairwoman. "Expect the best and prepare for the worst."

Tucked between the Wasatch Mountains on the east and the Great Salt Lake on the West, Davis is the smallest county in the state — but has the third-largest population, with over 240,000 residents.

Transportation and population growth are major challenges, with available land being swallowed by new housing developments and the crush of commuters growing each day.

It's a tough job to fill, said Page, who has served on the commission for 12 years.

"I think he'll be surprised at how different county government is from city government," said Page. "The things he'll do are not things he's done as a city council member."

"If he only works 60 hours a week, he'll have a light week," added Commissioner Dannie McConkie.

Hansen is mindful of the challenges.

"Two years ago, I had no aspirations or 'inspirations' to do this, but once I started to run I put my heart and soul into it" he said. "I feel like I'm one of the 'guys' here."

As a former Clearfield City Council member, Hansen plans to strengthen the commission's connections with city governments. Tax increases should be minimized, the 14-mile Legacy Parkway built and management of the county jail improved, he said.

"If we can't manage that, let's minimize," Hansen said.

Residents seem to agree.

During the Republican convention in April, Hansen received his party's nomination over incumbent Commissioner Michael Cragun — winning 61 percent of the vote in a decision both say was the result of a controversial tax increase Cragun promoted.

Over the next four years, Hansen will oversee county programs like animal control, Utah State University extension services, indigent burial, justice court and the planning commission.

Aging services also will be his responsibility. Davis has one of the largest over-60 populations in the state.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com