The fourth and highest-profile administrator to be leaving the Salt Lake County Animal Services Division was announced Friday. Kenneth Miles, division director, resigned amid a series of layoffs to cut the budget and decrease the cost of services to contract cities.

A few weeks ago animal services spokeswoman Temma Martin and two other mid-level employees were let go to save money. Their positions were eliminated, but Miles' position will be refilled, so his resignation appeared unrelated, said public works associate director Phil Bernal.

Last year Cottonwood Heights and Taylorsville canceled service, citing increasing costs. The three previous layoffs were part of an effort to maintain current contracts with communities in the unincorporated county as well as contract cities, Bernal said.

"We want to maintain the same level of service for less cost," he said.

Reasons for Miles' resignation were not given, and Bernal said the former director had good relations with Cottonwood Heights and Taylorsville. Nilsa Carter, associate director of the county's Community Services Department, has been acting as interim director until a replacement is found. Bernard said the division is still committed to Mayor Peter Carroon's goal of less animal euthanasia and more adoptions.

Miles had a long career of over 35 years with the county, and his absence is part of a larger trend of middle management employees leaving, mostly due to retirement, that will result in a loss of institutional memory over the next several years, Bernal said.

"I'm still in shock," said Lt. Chris Klekas about Miles' resignation. "I don't know what to think."

Although Miles is already gone, his resignation is effective June 15, according to a statement from the Public Works Department.

"Over the years he and his staff have made many positive contributions, and we wish him the best," said Linda Hamilton, public works chief.

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