Summit to fill 5 council seats

Voters in Summit County have chosen a new shape for their government and Tuesday will elect five men and women to lead the charge toward a more representative system.

The growth of Summit County over the past few decades led county residents to choose the five-member council/manager form of government over the current three-commissioner form in a close 2006 election.

Since then, assistant city manager Anita Lewis has stepped in to fill some of the administrative duties.

The new form of government is expected to increase representation by allowing five votes rather than three. It is also expected to free up elected officials from running the day-to-day business of the county — a job to be taken over by an appointed county manager.

During Tuesday's general election, voters will complete their portion of the process by choosing among 12 candidates for the five open seats, all of which are at-large positions.

Summit County Commission Chairwoman Sally Elliot is the only incumbent in the race. She is running against Democrat Bill Miles. Democrats John Hanrahan, Claudia McMullin, Chris Robinson and Steve Weinstein are also running, as are Republicans Tom Hurd, Grant Richins, Allison Pitt and David Ure and Constitution Party member Gary Shumway.

The new council will face a growing traffic problem at the gateway to the county from I-80 and will be asked to balance the concerns of pro-development groups with those who want to retain a rural way of life.

Candidates have also raised concerns about a lack of openness in the current commission and have pledged to make changes, including meeting in the evenings rather than during the day.

"I think that the change in the form of government is an opportunity if not a mandate for the county to improve its public meetings and the information that it provides to citizens," Pitt said. "Also, I feel strongly that notice and agenda items should provide more information. The new council should engage the public and not merely offer an opportunity for input after the deal is done."

The new council members will be charged with selecting the county manager and will be allowed to set a salary for themselves.

The majority support a national search for the manager, to whom they would offer a salary in the six-figure range based on experience and education.

Several candidates also support a salary of about $37,000 plus benefits for the council members. That would be "budget-neutral," making the total sum paid for all five council members about the same as that paid for the three commissioners.

Weinstein, however, has pledged to work for $1 a year, and Pitt has spoken out against the benefits package.

The new council will take office early next year.

For more information, sample ballots and polling locations, visit www.co.summit.ut.us.

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E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com