The 2024 election is set to take place on Nov. 5, 2024. The current ballot for Salt Lake County hosts a number of candidates from the presidential race to local school board elections. Several constitutional amendments will also appear.
An often overlooked section of the ballot are the county positions. In addition to county mayor, a total of six positions are set to appear on voter’s ballots this election. Here’s a guide to outline the roles and responsibilities of some of these offices.
Although each candidate is party affiliated, it is important to note that many of these positions are “skilled based” and not inherently political. The State of Utah mandates that county elections be partisan.
County Council At-Large Seat C and the County Council
The Salt Lake County Council includes nine members in total. Three of these members are elected to represent the entire county, like the at-large C seat. Republican Rachelle Morris and Democrat Natalie Pinkney are competing for this seat.
Morris, co-founder of RevRoad Capital, told The Salt Lake Tribune that public safety is her priority. She’s also advocating for new jail beds and supporting the Public Safety Bond. In her view, affordable housing should focus on single-family homes and collaboration with municipal leaders.
Pinkney, a South Salt Lake City Council member, is focused on sustainable growth and infrastructure improvement to accommodate the county’s rapid expansion. To address affordable housing, she supports mixed-income housing near transit, streamlined regulations and assistance for first-time homebuyers.
Overall, the Salt Lake County Council members play a significant role in managing the county’s nearly $2 billion budget. The also shape county laws and certify election results. Alongside the three at-large council representatives, the other six members of the council represent specific districts within the county. You can find who represents your district here.
County Assessor
The Salt Lake County Assessor values all county properties to ensure fair property tax distribution and support the county’s revenue needs. A team of employees appraise the more than 300,000 properties in the county, re-evaluating each one every five years.
Incumbent Republican Chris Stavros is up against Democrat Joel Frost in this race. Both candidates have a history of working as real estate appraisers.
Stavros, who has served as Salt Lake County assessor since his election in 2020, noted his commitment to transparency and equity in property valuations. He highlighted his office’s historically low appeal rates, which he attributed to improved methodologies and valuation technology.
“We want to make sure that we are not only valuing properties correctly but also treating everyone equally and fairly in that process,” Stavros said.
Frost, the owner of Utah-based appraisal service ExcelAppraise, said that the low number of disputes in assessments is concerning. He said he is not afraid to have a higher number of disputed claims.
“All properties should be valued the same way to ensure fairness in taxation. If we don’t address the disparities in assessments, the problem will only worsen,” Frost said. “I’m committed to ensuring that every property owner pays their fair share, regardless of their income level.”
County Surveyor
The Salt Lake County Surveyor’s Office maintains critical markers that uphold property boundaries, support the county’s tax system and play a central role in infrastructure planning. Long-time surveyor Democrat Kent Setterberg is running against current Republican Deputy Chief Surveyor Bradley Park.
Setterberg is a 30-year veteran of the Surveyor’s Office who is prioritizing transparency, skill-based hiring and modernization. He aims to consolidate the office into a single workspace, safeguard historical data and promote surveying careers to younger generations.
“Our work is fundamental to the county’s infrastructure and community planning,” Setter said. “It’s about preserving our history while ensuring accuracy and transparency for the future.”
Park brings nearly 20 years of experience as a surveyor, including a recent role in reducing office backlogs to speed up public access to survey data. He proposed GPS tracking for monuments to improve response times when markers are disturbed.
“Our number one responsibility is to serve the public here in Salt Lake County … I’m looking for better ways to be able to do that,” Park said.
County Treasurer
The Salt Lake County Treasurer manages the collection and distribution of property taxes while safeguarding county funds and administering tax relief programs. Democrat Sheila Srivastava seeks to make history as the first woman to serve as Treasurer against Republican Phil Conder.
Srivastava, a certified public accountant, plans to emphasize ethical and transparent management of county funds. She’s drawing from her personal experiences to advocate for responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Conder, currently the Chief Deputy Treasurer, is focused on efficiently collecting taxes and maximizing investment returns while minimizing risks. With a background in mathematics and software development, he has extensive experience in local government operations, per his campaign website.
County Recorder
The Salt Lake County Recorder oversees the management and safeguarding of official documents, including property transactions. Incumbent Democrat Rashelle Hobbs is seeking re-election against Republican Richard Snelgrove.
Hobbs has prioritized transparency and community engagement. She’s also maintained Property Watch, a service that protects homeowners from fraud. She’s emphasized direct outreach to residents, including annual visits to senior centers.
Snelgrove, a former county council member, is focused on enhancing security against property fraud and operational efficiency. He plans to work closely with law enforcement to combat title theft and aims to initiate performance audits within the Recorder’s Office.
