COMMUNITY ADVOCATE. UTAH EDUCATOR.
PRESERVER OF UTAH’S RECREATION AND ARTS
Common Misconceptions
Rhetoric
vs.
Reality
Reality: Salt Lake County voted to hand over the county daycares to non-profits due to the daycare not being properly ran.
Rhetoric: Salt Lake County Council voted to close down daycare and senior center facilities
Reality: While Laurie Stringham successfully cut eight positions from the Mayor’s office, the separation of powers allows the Mayor to choose which specific roles are eliminated. The best way to get rid of deputy Mayors is to get a new mayor.
Rhetoric: The County Council has allowed the Mayor to have 3 deputy mayors and 3 associate deputy mayors.
Reality: The Office of Regional Development appears cuttable, but it manages legal obligations. Much of its budget relies on grants that cannot be redirected. Notably, its function differs entirely from the Municipal Services District, which is funded exclusively by and for unincorporated residents.
Rhetoric: The County has duplicative county offices that waste money, such as the Municipal Services District, Wasatch Front Regional Council, and state and municipal economic-development agencies.
Reality: The number of sworn officers will be reduced once the unincorporated islands of Salt Lake County are incorporated in June of 2027. The sheriff, not the council, is the only one that has the authority to contract patrol needs through UPD or other agencies.
Rhetoric: With under 11,000 residents left in unincorporated Salt Lake County, the Sheriff’s 70+ patrol officers far exceed standard ratios, especially since impending state law mandates the annexation of these areas.
Reality: Since 2019, inflation has surged by 21%, leading Mayor Wilson to propose a nearly 20% tax hike in 2025. While Laurie voted for the final 14.65% adjustment, she did so to lock in those hard-won cuts. Had the full Council adopted her additional spending reductions, even this increase could have been avoided.
Rhetoric: As part of the County Council, Laurie Stringham voted to for the 14.65% tax increase in Salt Lake County.
Laurie’s Guiding Principles
Be positive
Be honest (You can be both positive and honest.)
Research and learn constantly about changing trends, needs, new technologies and methods
Think creatively
Follow your intuition
Communicate clearly and often
Understand and respect differing views and positions
Fight for what is right but take care to not overstep your legal and constitutional boundaries.