Smith chosen to lead; Dodds honored as overall outstanding official

Millard County Commissioner Daron Smith was elected president of the Utah Association of Counties (UAC) at the organization’s 84th Annual Convention, November 13 in St. George. Replacing Rich County Recorder Debra Ames, he will oversee the organization’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors for one year.

Smith is now the third elected official from Millard County to head UAC in its 89 years of existence. Mark Johnson in 1951 and Guy Robins in 1967 precede him.

Also elected, joining Smith and Ames (now serving as past-president) on the UAC Executive Committee, are First Vice President and Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson, Second Vice President and Utah County Treasurer Robert Kirk, and Secretary and San Juan County Clerk/Auditor Norm Johnson.

The evening also recognized Garfield County Commissioner Maloy Dodds as the overall outstanding county official for 2009. Dodds was chosen from a field of eight county officials representing each of the affiliate groups that make up the UAC membership. The process includes a selection committee that weighs the contributions and services made by each individual and a vote among peers that takes place during the Convention.

Along with Dodds, who was selected by the Utah State Association of County Commissioners and Council Members as their official of the year, eight others were honored. They include:
□ Assessor of the Year: Dennis Ayers, Iron County
□ Attorney of the Year: Troy Rawlings, Davis County
□ Auditor of the Year: Mike Jensen, Tooele County
□ Clerk of the Year: Norm Johnson, San Juan County
□ Recorder of the Year: Norm Spriggs, Summit County
□ Sheriff of the Year: Lynn Nelson, Cache County
□ Surveyor of the Year: Ernest Rowley, Weber County
□ Treasurer of the Year: Karen Jeppesen, Cache County

In addition to the Utah-based accolades, Davis County Treasurer Mark Altom was recognized nationally, being selected as Treasurer of the Year for the National Association of County Collections, Treasurers and Finance Officers (NACCTFO) organization. Altom, who served as NACCTFO president in 2002-03, was presented the award by current president Tom Malzahn, who is the Treasurer for Kootenai County in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.

The UAC Annual Convention is held every November and is used as an opportunity for elected and non-elected county officials to collaborate on issues, receive training, organize leadership and recognize individuals, and prepare official county positions for the upcoming Utah Legislative Session.

UAC, a not-for-profit organization, is a unified voice for county government, through communication, collaboration, education and training, and responsible management of county issues and resources. The organization represents all 29 Utah counties and 297 elected officials.