|
Mayor
- Taylorsville, Utah
Janice
Auger
|
|
Taylorsville
has a form of government called the
"optional" mayor/council form.
Simply, this means that the Mayor is
like the Governor or the President --
the Mayor and the administrative staff
are the executive branch. The City
Council is the legislative branch.
The Judge and the municipal court is the
judicial branch.
|
The
Mayor prepares the budget, signs ordinances
and contracts, oversees the day-to-day
operations of the City. I have great
helpers. I have a City Administrator
who is "second in command".
I also have an administrative assistant who
assists me with my calendar, correspondence,
and knows how to respond for me when I am
out of the office or in meetings.
There is also a Community Development
Director (department head over
planning and land use matters), a City
Recorder, and a Director of Finance.
Together with the Judge, these people make
up my "senior staff".
I
spend a good deal of time in meetings and
out in the community. I go into the
schools, go to "ribbon cuttings"
and grand openings of new businesses, meet
with other mayors, legislators, county
officials, and state agencies. Once
a year I present a "State of the
City" address. I write a monthly
article for our newsletter, and I have a
"Mayor Is In" time each week
when anyone can schedule an appointment with
me about anything. I deliver a verbal
report to the City Council at every Council
meeting (twice monthly).
I
oversee the employees and also the contract
service providers. In Taylorsville,
many services are provided under contract,
as opposed to direct employees. We
have about 25 employees, with police, fire,
public works, legal services, economic
development, general engineering, and many
other services being provided by other
jurisdictions or private companies through a
contractual relationship. We are also
a "pay as you go" city. We
have no debt and no bonds.
I
pride myself in returning incoming
phone calls within 24 hours. The only
exception is in the case of a health
problem, out of town travel, or
unavailability of the caller. When
I am out of town, someone from my staff
intervenes so that the caller will not be
left unaware.
I
love youth programs, and we have three in
Taylorsville -- City Youth Council,
Youth Ambassadors, and Peer Court. Scout
groups are welcome to tour City hall or
to come to Council meetings to qualify for
merit badges.
My
days are as varied as can be. I have
been Mayor for five years, and there are
regular surprises. The schedule is
very busy, but getting to know the people is
very rewarding.
Sincerely,
Janice
Auger
Mayor
Taylorsville, UT.
Biography
Back
to Government Index
|
