The legal battle originated with Anderson's decision to fire administrative-services director Brent Bluth on Jan. 17 and replace him with Hogue two days later.

The City Council responded Jan. 23 by unanimously passing a resolution stating that it "has not consented and will not consent to the appointment of David Hogue as administrative-services director."

Despite the resolution, Hogue continued to report to work and perform the duties of the administrative-services director. That led the City Council on Feb. 24 to unanimously pass an ordinance stating that Hogue is not a member of staff and that his salary and benefits should not be paid by city funds.

The dispute over Hogue's role with the city entered the legal arena March 1, when Anderson filed a lawsuit against the council over the ordinance. The City Council responded with its own request for a judge to intervene.

"I sincerely hope that the mayor will begin to work with the council as our system of government is set up to function and will stop wasting the Bluffdale city taxpayers' money on more lawsuits," Councilwoman Nancy Lord said.

Toomey's ruling marks the second time in six months that the Bluffdale City Council has won a legal challenge from Anderson.

In September, the mayor filed a lawsuit against the council for creating a city-manager form of government by ordinance and stripping Anderson of her administrative powers. On Oct. 3, 3rd District Court Judge L.A. Dever ruled that the City Council's actions were within the law.

Round 2 of that fight went to Anderson in December, when it was announced that enough signatures had been collected on referendum petitions to restore the mayor's powers until the form-of-government question goes before Bluffdale voters. A special election in the city is set for June 26.

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E-mail: jpage@desnews.com