YOUR AD HERE »

Summit County Council appoints interim treasurer

Patrick Parkinson, Of the Record staff

The Summit County Council voted 3-2 on Wednesday to appoint a computer expert from the Park City area to replace former Summit County Treasurer Glen Thompson.

Voters will elect a new treasurer in November and Snyderville Basin resident Michael Howard will serve as interim treasurer until the new person takes over in January.

Thompson, a Republican, retired in April and state law allowed the Summit County Republican Party to suggest three people to replace him until the end of December.

The three applicants were Howard, Henry Glasheen and Richard Motto.

The treasurer is the elected official in the County Courthouse who monitors receiving and accounting for all Summit County funds. The treasurer also assists in borrowing and investing money for the county.

Summit County Councilman Dave Ure, a Republican, said he voted against Howard’s appointment because Glasheen was the most qualified applicant for the job.

Glasheen is an investment adviser. He is also the Republican candidate in the county treasurer race in November. Glasheen faces a challenge from Park City Democrat Corrie Kirklen in the treasurer contest.

County Council Chairwoman Claudia McMullin also said Glasheen was the most qualified applicant for interim treasurer.

"The best candidate for treasurer should be a candidate who invests other people’s money," McMullin said.

McMullin and Ure voted for Glasheen. But Councilpersons Chris Robinson, John Hanrahan and Sally Elliott voted against the Jeremy Ranch resident.

Appointing Glasheen as the interim treasurer would give the Republican an unfair advantage in the November election, Hanrahan said.

"I think the candidates have various strengths and weaknesses," Hanrahan said, adding that Howard and Glasheen are equally qualified to be interim treasurer. "I am looking for somebody to maintain the status quo until we have an elected treasurer."

Howard is the best fit, Elliott said.

"What I am looking for is someone who can just move right into the Treasurer’s Office and fit in like a hand in an old glove," Elliott said. "[Howard] is qualified and I think, personally, he will be a better fit in the interim than any of the other candidates."

Howard is the owner of an information technology consulting firm. He hopes to increase his service to the community by working as interim treasurer.

"I think Michael Howard is the right person with the right leadership style and the right credentials," Summit County Councilman Chris Robinson said.

News


See more

Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Park City and Summit County make the Park Record's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.