Committee backs bill to require districted county council seats, 14‑1; Wasatch and Salt Lake counties discussed

The Political Subdivisions Interim Committee on Aug. 20 voted 14‑1 to recommend draft legislation that would make fully districted county councils the default form for counties that adopt a county council form of government, while grandparenting counties that met a prior 65% district threshold.

Representative John Tuscher, who outlined the bill as a cleanup and expansion of last session's House Bill 356, told the committee the draft would extend a prior requirement beyond just third through sixth class counties and set a 100% districted default for any county that moves to a county council form. He said counties that already met the 65% districted threshold as of May 7, 2025, would be grandfathered and could retain some at‑large seats.

"The version of that bill that passed the house committee and house floor required for any council form of government to have at least 65% of the members be districted," Tuscher said, summarizing the history. He described the draft as a cleanup and a move toward a cohesive statewide policy.

Committee discussion included concerns about local control and representation. Senator Thatcher, who offered the motion to recommend the bill, said the measure "makes it less bad" than the current uncertainty and urged the committee to back it. Several local officials from Wasatch County — including Dustin Grabaugh, Wasatch County manager, and Kendall Crittendon, Wasatch County Council member — testified in support of keeping a mix of districted and at‑large seats for balance and continuity. Amy Winder Newton, Salt Lake County Council member, urged the committee to allow first‑ and second‑class counties to choose between all‑district or a mixed model.

The committee recorded a roll‑call recommendation of 14 in favor and 1 opposed; Representative Hansen cast the lone no vote. Senator Thatcher was the member who moved the committee recommendation during the meeting; a second was not recorded in the transcript. Committee staff said Summit County had already adopted fully districted maps and Wasatch County had not complied with last year's language pending assurances that the legislature would correct the unintended effect.

The committee's recommendation is for the draft to be considered in a possible special session; the measure did not pass into law during the meeting. The committee also encouraged continued discussion among stakeholders as the draft is refined.

Ending: The committee approved the recommendation to move the draft to a potential special session and recorded the 14‑1 vote; members asked for continued stakeholder work before finalizing statutory language.