Utah County commissioners approve chief deputy for auditor’s office amid budget concerns

The Utah County Commission approved a staffing change in the auditor’s office that upgrades a confidential assistant position to a chief deputy, a move commissioners said the office needs even as officials flagged the county’s tight finances.

The decision came after an extended statement from a commissioner who said the office split of the clerk and auditor two and a half years ago has produced additional supervisory positions, new space requirements and, ultimately, new costs. "We are running a $10,000,000 deficit this year in the general fund," the speaker said, arguing the change will increase the county’s deficit even while expressing support for giving the auditor the tools he needs.

The commission discussed the staffing proposal as part of the consent-agenda process and then took a motion to approve item number 20. Unidentified Speaker (S1) moved to approve the item and Unidentified Speaker (S2) seconded; the commission approved the motion by voice vote with multiple commissioners answering "Aye." The chair asked for public comment and, seeing none, the commission moved into a closed session.

The commissioner who spoke at length said they had voted against separating the clerk and auditor offices in December 2021 and blamed that earlier decision for subsequent staffing and space needs that have added costs. "I believe auditor Mann, when he says he needs a chief deputy," the commissioner said, "I knew he needed [one] 2 and a half years ago." The speaker said the county will have to "pay this bill" and described the current fiscal picture as the reason for caution even while agreeing the auditor needs additional staff.

After returning from closed session, the commission untabled item 22 and then voted to continue it without a date. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: The motion to authorize the staffing change in the auditor’s office (item 20) passed by voice vote; the commission later untabled item 22 and then voted to continue item 22 without a date. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript provided.

The meeting included several consent-agenda adjustments: continuing item 13 for one week, striking item 24, and striking items 26–28; the commission also held items 20 and 22 for separate handling and designated item 25 for closed discussion. The transcript records no public comments on item 20 before the commission entered closed session and later adjourned.