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SALT LAKE CITY — Help wanted.
Salt Lake City officials are accepting applications for a short-term replacement for the City Council’s seventh district (Sugar House), after Salt Lake City Councilwoman Amy Fowler’s resignation took effect Monday. Fowler, who had represented the district since she was sworn in at the start of 2018, announced her resignation on May 30, weeks after she was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in Springville.
The city opened up the application process last week and will continue to accept applications until 4 p.m. on July 10. An individual must be a registered voter who has resided in District 7 for at least 12 consecutive months before the appointment date. Current city employees and individuals who have lost their ability to hold office under Utah law are ineligible.
The remaining members of the City Council will interview all of the candidates beginning on July 13. While Aug. 2 is the state deadline to appoint a replacement on the council, city officials say they expect to appoint someone either on July 13 or July 18. The individual who is selected will serve on the council until Jan. 2, 2024.
District 7 residents will decide who serves the final two years of Fowler’s term, as it will be included on the November ballot.
Fowler, who was elected to represent the seventh district in 2017 and reelected in 2021, was arrested by Utah Highway Patrol troopers on May 3 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. She was charged with a class B misdemeanor in Springville Justice Court a few days after her arrest.
State court records show that a pretrial conference is scheduled for July 20, as her case still plays out in court.
Fowler initially said she would take a 30-day leave of absence, but, on May 30, she issued a statement that she would resign instead. She stayed on to represent District 7 as the council finalized the city’s 2024 fiscal year budget last month first before her resignation took effect on Monday.
In a statement issued after her resignation, the Salt Lake City Council recognized Fowler for her “notable accomplishments” on the council, including her role in advocating affordable housing initiatives and homeless resources, as well as providing menstrual products at all city facilities and helping expand the Salt Lake City Fire Department’s Medical Response Team.
