Multiple callers urge resignation of Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner at Utah County meeting
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Summary
During public comment at the Jan. 14 Utah County Commission meeting, several residents and an attorney read allegations about Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner and called for her resignation; speakers cited alleged record errors, residency questions, staff expansions, and a county application to an indigent defense fund.
Public commenters at the Utah County Commission’s Jan. 14 meeting called for Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner to step down, describing a string of alleged misconduct and recordkeeping failures.
Mark Stewart Allen, who identified himself as running for House District 59, told commissioners, “Utah County has failed to amend or correct a known inaccurate county record despite the clear requirements of Code 63G‑2‑603,” and asked the commission to correct the record. Attorney Christopher Forbush read a longer list of numbered allegations against Commissioner Gardner, saying the claims included misrepresenting residency to delegates, a $51,000-a-year salary increase, expansion of commission staffing and mishandled county participation in an indigent aggravated murder defense fund. Forbush concluded: “Pursuant to the foregoing, we therefore express our position of no confidence in commissioner Gardner … and we immediately call for her unconditional resignation.”
Other speakers echoed concerns about transparency and staff actions. Janice Reeb and Craig Cusick, both describing property interests in affected areas, urged the commission to balance property rights and public-safety requirements while addressing historical record issues.
The commission listened but did not engage in back-and-forth during the public-comment period; the chair reminded speakers that public comment is for the record and that the commission does not respond in the moment. No formal complaint, censure, or resignation action was taken at the meeting. The allegations made by members of the public were not adjudicated in the meeting; they are recorded in the public-comment transcript and would be subject to any separate investigatory or legal process initiated outside this session.