AMERICAN FORK — Some residents in American Fork were concerned when they saw their neighbor and councilman packing up to move recently, and after some speculation about him moving out of city limits, Councilman Shirl LeBaron wanted to clear up the issue.

LeBaron does own an investment property in Highland, where he has been moving some of his belongings and spending some time lately, but he says he has no plans of moving outside of American Fork.

"We are in the process of moving from our current home in American Fork to another home in American Fork," said LeBaron, who was re-elected for another four-year term in November 2007. "We do have an investment house in Highland which is currently for sale. We have been spending some time at the Highland house preparing it for the market and storing items, as we are transitioning to our new home in American Fork."

According to Utah law, a resident is a person whose principal place of residence is within a specific voting precinct. For a city councilman, residency within the city is required.

American Fork City Recorder Richard Colborn said that LeBaron had informed him about the situation and that it did not appear to break state law.

"If a council member is moving to another location, and the transition took two years that is a different story, but if it is just a few weeks, or a month I don't think it is a problem. It is just part of their transition," he said.

Colborn also said that the city has no other conditions within city code as to where a council member should reside.

American Fork has an at-large council.

"If American Fork had certain areas in the city that were designated for the councilman, and they moved to another part of the city it would be a problem, but according to the state law they just need to be within the city limits," Colborn said.

LeBaron is a liaison over Recreation, Finance, Youth Council, Golf Course and Steel Days committees as part of his city council responsibilities.

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