Tussling between the Salt Lake County mayor and council over a Zoo, Arts & Parks program administrator appears to have ended cordially.

Several council members believed the position should be under council purview, while Mayor Peter Corroon maintained that it should stay under his authority. The two reached a compromise last week: The council chose the candidate to fill the position, but she will be supervised by the mayor in the department of Community and Support Services.

Elleney Soter, the successful candidate, "brings with her a long history of experience working with arts and community development in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco," according to a county news release.

Soter herself, however, has occasioned additional controversy. She has moved from job to job in fairly quick succession and was fired as the director of Salt Lake's Gallivan Center in December 2003 over irregularities in overtime pay and purchasing procedures.

At least some council members found out about Soter's employment history the day after they voted to hire her.

Nevertheless, "the ZAP job doesn't manage anyone or handle any money," said administrative aide Justin Wiley, who hired Soter on behalf of the council. "They just push things through. And she's very well-qualified."

Soter will replace Kristie Marshall, who by all accounts from council and administration spokespersons did an excellent job as ZAP administrator. She left the county several weeks ago to work for Larry Miller.

One of Soter's first duties will be sorting through applications from arts groups qualified for ZAP funding. Tier I (larger organization) applications are due March 25, and Tier II applications on April 1. The county is encouraging organizations that meet Tier I requirements to apply for Tier II funds as well. Go to www.slcozap.org for more information.

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E-mail: aedwards@desnews.com