A May 23 special election is being called to let voters decide whether West Jordan should change its government to include a full-time mayor who has veto power over the City Council.
The city's mayor currently serves part-time and has one vote on the council. Day-to-day city affairs are supervised by a city manager.A committee of residents desiring a change in the government submitted a petition with more than 1,500 signatures to City Hall March 31. City Recorder Lillian Kellerman said Saturday she has verified enough signatures on the petition to obligate the council to set an election.
The council met in special session Saturday to discuss the election and plans to formally set the date Tuesday, said City Manager Ron Olson. Petition supporters have urged the city to schedule the election as early as possible so potential candidates for elected offices will have time to prepare for a September primary election.
Dennis Randall, a former West Jordan mayor and member of the committee seeking the change, said he thinks the scheduling of the election is ideal. "I think it's the best thing the council could have done. It shows the council listened to the things the people were trying to say who signed the petition."