Summit County Council appoints Frank Smith as Summit County Sheriff; county attorney outlines timeline for election
July 17, 2023 | Summit County Council, Summit County Commission and Boards, Summit County, Utah
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The Summit County Council unanimously appointed Frank Smith as Summit County Sheriff at its July 17, 2023 special meeting after the Summit County Democratic Party forwarded his name to the council to fill the vacancy created when former Sheriff Justin Martinez was named a U.S. marshal.
County attorney (identified in discussion as Margaret) told the council that Martinez resigned on June 13, 2023, and by operation of law Chief Deputy Frank Smith became interim sheriff. Under the applicable statute, the county party committee had 30 days to select a nominee; the county council then has five days from receipt of that letter to appoint the nominee. The Democratic Party forwarded Frank Smith's name and the council moved to appoint him.
Council action and vote: A council member moved to appoint Frank Smith to the office of Summit County Sheriff and another member seconded; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Term and election timeline: The county attorney explained the appointee will hold office until a successor is elected and qualified at the next general election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term, which was described in the meeting as running through Dec. 31, 2026. She outlined the 2024 filing window dates and said the regular primary and general-election rules for filing and write-ins will apply; the sheriff's office will appear on the 2024 ballot as required by statute.
Compensation and oath: The council set the appointee's salary at the full current sheriff salary in recognition of his prior service and to allow flexibility in department appointments. The council administered the oath of office, the appointee signed required documents and offered brief remarks: "I'm truly humbled, and I will not disappoint any person in this room," he said.
What comes next: The county clerk must notify the public and political parties that a vacancy exists and manage any filing and election notices as prescribed by state law; the council directed staff to complete necessary paperwork and the county attorney summarized the statutory deadlines and election schedule.
Sources and attributions: The statutory explanation and timeline were provided on the record by the county attorney; remarks attributed to the appointee were made after the vote and oath.
County attorney (identified in discussion as Margaret) told the council that Martinez resigned on June 13, 2023, and by operation of law Chief Deputy Frank Smith became interim sheriff. Under the applicable statute, the county party committee had 30 days to select a nominee; the county council then has five days from receipt of that letter to appoint the nominee. The Democratic Party forwarded Frank Smith's name and the council moved to appoint him.
Council action and vote: A council member moved to appoint Frank Smith to the office of Summit County Sheriff and another member seconded; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Term and election timeline: The county attorney explained the appointee will hold office until a successor is elected and qualified at the next general election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term, which was described in the meeting as running through Dec. 31, 2026. She outlined the 2024 filing window dates and said the regular primary and general-election rules for filing and write-ins will apply; the sheriff's office will appear on the 2024 ballot as required by statute.
Compensation and oath: The council set the appointee's salary at the full current sheriff salary in recognition of his prior service and to allow flexibility in department appointments. The council administered the oath of office, the appointee signed required documents and offered brief remarks: "I'm truly humbled, and I will not disappoint any person in this room," he said.
What comes next: The county clerk must notify the public and political parties that a vacancy exists and manage any filing and election notices as prescribed by state law; the council directed staff to complete necessary paperwork and the county attorney summarized the statutory deadlines and election schedule.
Sources and attributions: The statutory explanation and timeline were provided on the record by the county attorney; remarks attributed to the appointee were made after the vote and oath.
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