Salt Lake County Government

Archive-It Partner Since: Jan, 2014

Organization Type: Public Libraries & Local Governments

Organization URL: http://www.slco.org/   

Description:

These webpages were created by the government of Salt Lake County to assist them in their mission of providing public safety, health services, and cultural and recreation opportunities while also managing property, growth, and development issues. Salt Lake County is the most populous county in the state of Utah, and is the location of the state capital, Salt Lake City.

The pages selected and preserved contain information of long-term administrative or historical value. These pages are for research purposes only; information may be outdated. For the latest Salt Lake County government information please visit the live website at http://www.slco.org/.

A brief history of the County: The Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake valley in 1847 to establish a religious settlement, and the “State of Deseret” government was created. The Legislative Assembly officially created Great Salt Lake County on January 31, 1850. Over 11,000 residents lived in the County at that time. The first formal meeting of Salt Lake County government occurred on March 15, 1852, eighteen months after the Utah Territory was established by the United States Congress. Probate judges and county selectmen functioned in what was known as the County Court. The duties of the County Court included both judicial and executive powers for the administration of county government. With statehood in 1896, a county commission was created. At this time, County government had a County Auditor, Assessor, Attorney, Clerk, Recorder, Sheriff, Surveyor, and Treasurer – the same independent offices that exist today. In 2000, a new Mayor/Council form of government was chosen by the voters to replace the County Commission. Today, County government serves over 1 million residents.