According to Mark Johnson, Lehi's council wants to clarify the city manager's position — not to dethrone the mayor. Under the proposed ordinance, qualifications for the city manager position would be specified, and the council would have the authority to hire a new city manager should the city's current administrator ever leave.

"It's in the best interest of the city to make sure that financial securities and administration is in place so that if something happens to the manager, the financial accounts of the city will continue to be managed in a proper manner," Mark Johnson said.

However, according to Howard Johnson, the suggested ordinance is the result of a discord between the mayor and the council. Although he said he wasn't sure what his next move would be, should the ordinance be approved at Tuesday's meeting, Howard Johnson said he won't be quitting his position.

"There is no way in hell (the City Council) will get me to resign," he said. "The people appointed me here and I will stay here. I won't be able to do all I might have could, but I can keep the pulpit that I've got . . . and I can keep the pressure on them to do what's right."

---

E-mail: achoate@desnews.com