Amanda K. Tammen and Dr. Richard H. Jackson, Geography
Glamorous Presidential, Senatorial, and Congressional campaigns garner airtime, contributions, and groupies. Any observant constituent would believe that the aforementioned elected officials influence their lives the most. However, local elected and appointed officials have a greater impact on residents’ lives. By far, the least understood responsibilities are those at the County level. In 1832 Alexis de Tocqueville stated, “The County becomes the great administrative center and the intermediary between the government and the plain citizen.” Today many can name their city’s mayor. But most cannot name even one of their elected county commissioners.
My hypothesis was that Utah County residents do not have an efficient way of accessing information about County government responsibilities. This proved true: only cursory information is available at www.utahcountyonline.com. There is a need for an easily accessible document that can explain the what, how, and why of County Government. With the support of the Utah County chapter of the League of Women Voters (a non-partisan group dedicated to promoting political responsibility through the informed and active participation of citizens in government) I began a county government study. This study will serve as the basis for a 60-page booklet scheduled for publication during the first quarter of 2004. Over the past year, findings were reported in the League’s newsletters.
Quantitative analysis consisted of surveys administered to elected officials and county departmental staff. To ensure responses, it was limited to only seven questions, which focused on how the respondents viewed the public and their perception of how others viewed them. The survey results were informative in more ways than I anticipated; some ought to be employed by the County to improve customer relations. I hypothesized that some county employees would be unaware of systems designed to assist the public. For example, one of the questions concerned the public’s ability to locate county offices. One of the multiple choice answer selections stated “[I] wish that there were an Information Desk in the lobby of the County Building.” I included this question to assess whether respondents were aware of the existing Information Desk located on the ground floor of the County Administration Building on East Center Street. (On my visits, I had found the desk less than visible.) Only five of the respondents noted on the survey that an Information Desk is available to the public.
The last question, “What is the general feeling at the County level about the relationship between County government and the State legislature?” prompted five respondents to describe an adversarial relationship between county government and the Utah State Legislature. Interestingly, all five respondents were elected county officials versus county staff. This is likely due to the fact that these respondents are those who directly determine county program and services from State-mandated budget needs.
Qualitative analysis consisted of interviews with the eight elected Utah County government officials. Prior to interviews, I analyzed the Utah State Code to ascertain elected officials’ responsibilities and powers. During the course of interviews, I asked these individuals how they perceived these responsibilities. I also spoke with representatives from differing County services and departments to establish their responsibilities in accordance with Utah County ordinances. One of the most rewarding aspects of the research was discovering the answers to questions concerning monies: where do the dollars go, where do they come from, and how are they decided upon? The County budget is funded based on population, which means that budgets shrink and swell along with growth. State Code also iterates what the County has authority to tax (i.e. property, computers in businesses, restaurants). According to both Federal and State Code, Utah County is legally required to maintain the following budget expenses: federal programs (i.e. those affiliated with Health and Human Services), state programs (such as cemetery maintenance), and any mandates from the State Legislature (each County receives a set amount per person to implement Utah Legislature-mandated programs).
My biggest frustration was that not all County services are located in the same block. These frustrations would prove more daunting for the average resident. Before I began this research my perception was that everything I needed to know was located within the 100 East block of Center Street, the public’s impression is that everything is one-stop shopping in the County Administration building. The upcoming opening of the Utah County Health Department and Children’s Justice Center immediately south of the Historic County Courthouse should ease resident frustrations.
This research was a crucial learning experience; I now uniquely understand local government functions through both the eyes of residents and those who serve them. Since childhood, my career goals have always led towards working in government. By analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, and complexities of local government, I hope to better serve my community in the future.