Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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 — Facing backlash for her appointment to replace Salt Lake City's longtime public utilities director, Mayor Jackie Biskupski announced Monday that her nominee, Mike Reberg, has withdrawn his name from consideration.
"This city deserves to have the strongest possible leader for public utilities, and over the past week, it was unclear whether I could secure the necessary political backing in the council to smoothly assume the leadership role," Reberg said in a prepared statement. "I have asked the mayor to withdraw my name for consideration in order to ensure a smooth transition for the administration, the employees of public utilities, and the people of Salt Lake City."
Biskupski said she accepted Reberg's withdrawal with regret.
"I continue to believe Mike is one of the most qualified individuals we could find to lead public utilities," she said in a prepared statement. "As we move forward with appointments, I will continue to tap leaders like Mike who have expertise, empower a bottom-up management style, and — most importantly as Mike has just demonstrated — are humble servants to the people."
After Biskupski named Reberg as her choice to lead the city's public utilities department, Salt Lake City Council members weighed blocking his appointment over concerns about his qualifications.
Council Chairman James Rogers acknowledged Reberg's experience in management, as a former assistant director of public works for Salt Lake County and most recently director of Salt Lake County Animals Services. But Rogers said he worried that Reberg did not have any experience in utilities, a department with nuanced water delivery, storm wastewater and sewage treatment systems.
Reberg would have replaced former public utilities director Jeff Niermeyer, who exited his position when Biskupski succeeded former Mayor Ralph Becker. Niermeyer worked in public utilities for about 25 years, including nine as director.
The City Council had been scheduled to interview Reberg and vote on his appointment Tuesday.
"This has clearly been a tough decision, but I respect Reberg's decision," Rogers said. "I personally would have supported (him) for a number of other city director positions, and appreciate his interest in serving city residents. … We look forward to working with the mayor on the future appointment for public utilities director."
So far, six city department heads have left City Hall since Biskupski took office. Biskupski has not yet announced any replacements for the outgoing directors other than Julio Garcia as human resources director.
