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Show Salt Lake County Government: Creating Synergy, Success, and Efficiency for the Next Ten Years Salt Lake County Mayor, Peter Corroon Economic Development Salt Lake County currently has over 25 different organizations that are in involved with economic development. They include Chambers of Commerce, the State of Utah, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah and many of our cities' own economic development departments. These government efforts, all well-meaning, are uncoordinated. Salt Lake County's role is to facilitate contact between all our partners within Salt Lake County. Collaboration is required to create jobs. The county is committed to holding Economic Development Summits, where various economic development entities can interact with their counterparts about projects that will affect the county as a whole. The county role should be as the primary driver of business retention and expansion of existing business within the county ("Salt Lake County Economic Development Plan" 2004). Salt Lake County Government will also continue to support Government Business Coalition trainings. Salt Lake County holds free trainings to educate local businesses about how they can improve themselves. The county also promotes the training programs of other business groups by acting as a clearinghouse for their instructional programs. Salt Lake County Government will also team up with our economic development partners at the state to visit our local businesses to learn from them. Conclusion Providing for current and future local government needs must include consideration of what kind of quality of life our citizens want and just how much they want to pay to achieve it. There are always more needs than dollars. Salt Lake County employees are known for making ends meet by working harder and smarter. The Mayor/Chief Executive Officer should continue to be a strong advocate for the continued effective service delivery, efficient use of tax payer dollars, finding ways to fine tune internal controls while cooperatively working with and supporting each of our county's municipalities and their elected officials. As county and municipal officials, we are on the front lines of providing primary government services to our citizens. Residents of the cities are also residents of the county. Cooperation between the municipalities and the county is key to serving the public. Salt Lake County has one truly consolidated public service: the Salt Lake Valley Health Department. SLVHD provides public health services for the entire county. In addition, the Salt Lake County Library System provides library services everywhere with the exception of Murray and Salt Lake City. The jurisdiction for Salt Lake County Animal Services includes Salt Lake City, the unincorporated area, Taylorsville, Cottonwood Heights and Herriman. All three of these agencies provide services to an enormous segment of our county residents. These organizations demonstrate that multi-juris-dictional services can be successful. Traditionally county governments provide senior centers, substance abuse, mental health and many other human services that are mandated by state government. There will always be county government. If the county ever becomes geographic wall-to-wall cities, there will still be needs for most of what the county does: Park planning and operation, recreation programs and facilities, libraries, cleaner air, clean water, restaurant inspections, arts facilities, the Clark Planetarium, marriage licenses, elections, conventions, criminal prosecutions, jails, real property assessment, tourism promotion, jail services, solid waste disposal and flood control and economic development. No matter where a business locates or expands in our valley, all of us benefit. That is why the county can successfully act in the role of coordinator and that is why creation of a countywide master plan is a good move. "Businesses need to know where Salt Lake Valley is headed 5-10-15 years down the road" ("County Government for the Next Century: A Community Task Force" 1987, 142). As the state's most populous county, Salt Lake County government services are available to 43% of Utah's residents. With up to 7,000 employees and a $750 million dollar budget, we must strive to grow and provide services in a smart and efficient manner. References "A Report on Recommended Action on the COMPS Task Force Reports." 1986. Salt Lake County and Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Business/Government Alliance. 24 January. Booz Allen Consultant Study. 1977. Booz Allen Consultant Study follow-up. 1979. "County Government for the Next Century: A Community Task Force." 1987. Report. Presented to the Salt Lake County Board of Commissioners. September. "County Operations Management Procedures and Structure (COMPS) Task Force Reports." 1985. Salt Lake County and Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Presented to Business/Government Alliance Committee. December 16. Dan Jones and Associates. 1985. Public Opinion Survey, Salt Lake County Government. "Salt Lake County Economic Development Plan." 2004. Summit Group Communications. June. "Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Division Master Plan." 2005. Final Draft. Presented to the Mayor and County Council by the Division of Parks and Recreation, March. Unification Study. 1978. October. 66 |
