This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — As Mayor-elect Jackie Biskupski gears up to take over operations at Utah's capital city, she and her transition team are preparing to decide what city employees will stay and who will go.

There's a climate of nervousness and curiosity at the Salt Lake City-County Building, said David Everitt, Mayor Ralph Becker's chief of staff, as Biskupski readies to interview all of the city's department heads to evaluate their place under her administration.

"There are a lot of unknowns for everybody," Everitt said. "There is certainly no expectation that the mayor's executive staff remain, so as an office, we're working through that in terms of where people might find other employment and finishing up projects. … (But) for other departments, it's totally up in the air."

Biskupski has about a month and a half until she is officially sworn into office Jan. 4, but she has not yet set an official timeline of when she will make her decisions, said Matthew Rojas, spokesman for her transition team.

Photo: Aaron Thorup, Deseret News Archives

"We're still fairly early in the process," he said, adding that the team was only just provided a set of keys to a temporary office in the Salt Lake City-County Building on Wednesday.

Right now, Rojas said Biskupski's priority is to treat all employees with respect.

"The key to (Biskupski's) transition is to be as smooth and respectful as possible, especially when dealing with issues of staff," he said.

At her celebration party Tuesday night, Biskupski urged supporters to consider working for the city if they feel qualified.

"I want the best team," she said. "I want a team that is going to work as hard as (my campaign) has been working for a year and is going to make sure that the things we talked about to affect change are going to get done in these first four years."

Tim Chambless, a University of Utah political science professor affiliated with the Hinckley Institute of Politics, said mayors typically usher in brand new personal staff members, and also consider replacing staff in departments that are more political.

"I would expect to see some change in the planning department and some turnover in economic development," Chambless said. "And because of her years working at the county (for Sheriff Jim Winder), I wouldn't be surprised if she appoints her own police chief — and maybe right out of the county sheriff's department."

Employee turnover varies from city to city when new mayors are elected, Chambless said, so it's hard to say how many department leaders Biskupski might replace.

Photo: Salt Lake City

Staffing changes will also likely be influenced by her priorities and how Biskupski envisions the city to operate, Chambless added.

"She's very concerned with social justice, so I would think she's going to make a point of having more women in managerial levels, and that there's going to be more emphasis on racial diversity," he said.

Salt Lake City employes about 3,000 people. About 20 employees currently work in Becker's office. Everitt said they have all presumed they will be working for the city as long as Becker remains mayor.

"There are a lot of great initiatives and processes that have been put into place, and there are a lot of amazing people working here at City Hall, public utilities and at the airport," Everitt said. "I just hope that we'll see they are well supported to continue doing the good work they've been doing."

×

Photos

Related Stories