Proposition 9 Focus Of Presentations At Vernal Chamber Luncheon

There were several presentations during Tuesday’s Vernal Chamber luncheon concerning Proposition 9 on the Uintah County General Election ballot which asks if Uintah County should adopt a Council-Manager form of government to replace the current 3-member Commission. Former Uintah County Commissioner Darlene Burns made a presentation against the change to a Council-Manager form of government. Burns said the real question is which system gives the people of Uintah County the strongest voice, the greatest accountability, and the best ability to have Uintah County represented when important decisions are being made? Her answer is that the current system does that better. Anna Billings spoke in favor of Proposition 9, emphasizing that a Council-Manager form gives better representation with more voices at the table with more diversity to make sound decisions. Former TriCounty Health Director Jordan Mathis was asked to make a Zoom presentation on this topic as he was recently involved in a study performed in Cache County to explore a change there from a Council form of government to a Commission. The study included extensive gathering of surveys and exploring the data surrounding the options and potential changes. He noted that while he anticipated a bigger difference when exploring the cost difference between the forms of government it was found that the cost was negligible. Ultimately, Cache County decided to keep the Council form of government after their study and public process. Mathis shared at the end of his remarks that they found that there was no right solution, only trade offs as each is approved by the state of Utah as acceptable forms of government. “Any form of government can work but is dependent on having men and women of integrity, humility and selflessness to be successful,” concluded Mathis. “Without that, each form of government’s weaknesses are amplified and with it each form’s strengths are amplified.” He also noted that they found that personality conflicts are what get in the way of being effective. So having the right people is more important than the form.

Proposition 9 Voter Information Pamphlet