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SALT LAKE CITY — Dating, romantic or sexual relationships among supervisors and subordinates are unacceptable within Salt Lake County government, according to a new policy the Salt Lake County Council unanimously approved Tuesday.
The new policy change — to be implemented in 30 days to allow a time frame for employee education — comes as allegations of nepotism linger over Salt Lake County Recorder Gary Ott and evidence that he is in a romantic relationship with one of his right-hand employees, Karmen Sanone.
But even under the new policy, county officials acknowledge they have little authority to enforce personal relationships between an employee and an elected official.
The alleged relationship between Ott and Sanone adds to concerns stemming from a Deseret News investigation indicating Ott may be suffering from health issues that could prevent him from doing his job. In wake of those concerns, the County Council has initiated a performance audit of Ott's office.
The News also reported that court documents, police reports and other accounts have identified Sanone as Ott's fiancee, girlfriend or wife.
Since those reports, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams and other council members discussed strengthening the county's nepotism policy, which did not prohibit hiring or employing a romantic partner, only a relative or housemate.
"Because of some recent reports in the media, I've had some constituents come to me surprised that we don't have a stronger nepotism ordinance or policy that prohibits supervisors from dating their employees that they directly or indirectly manage," said Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton, who sponsored the policy change alongside Councilman Richard Snelgrove.
"This policy change is not geared toward a specific individual or situation," Newton added. "We believe that we should make good policy at the county overall and make sure that we make a good addition to our supervisor policy."
Snelgrove said adopting the new policy is "long past due."
"This will certainly plug a hole in our policy where there was a void. This will create greater accountability. It's a good change that our citizens of Salt Lake County expect and deserve," Snelgrove said.
According to the new policy, it is incumbent on the supervisor involved in a relationship to report it to his or her superior or to human resources. HR would then recommend reassigning positions so there would no longer be a conflict of interest, said Salt Lake County Human Resources Director Micheal Ongkiko.
However, if the relationship involves an elected official, Ongkiko said HR doesn't have "any real purview" over elected officials.
"We hope that every elected official will comply with HR policies passed by the council," said the County Council’s legal counsel, Jason Rose. "In those instances where an elected official decided not to comply with an HR policy, that elected official is accountable to the voters. HR may not discipline an elected official."
Ott and Sanone were present at the council's work session Tuesday but did not comment to the council.
Sanone has declined to discuss whether she is in a relationship with Ott but has insisted there is no violation of the county's nepotism policy within the recorder's office.
When the Deseret News asked Ott and Sanone Tuesday if they would report anything to human resources once the new policy is implemented, Sanone replied: "I can't, I've already stated that this doesn't affect us. We're not violating any policies, current or future."
When Ott was asked for comment on the issue, he tersely replied, "I said ‘No.’"
"Frankly, at least in my opinion, it's certainly none of HR's or probably anyone else in this room's business in regards to what they do on their personal time, but if there is a subordinate-manager relationship, I definitely think we should at least hold our supervisors to a higher standard," Ongkiko said.
In the case of a relationship that is reported to HR involving an elected official, Ongkiko said HR would recommend to have an individual reassigned, but "ultimately it would be up to the elected official" to sign off on such recommendations.
Newton said in cases of personal relationships, she hopes all supervisors will follow the county's policy.
"However those who are elected officials answer to the people, not directly to other county employees," she said, noting elected officials are held accountable during election years.
Ott, under a specially extended six-year term, is not up for re-election until the end of 2020. Email: kmckellar@deseretnews.com Twitter: KatieMcKellar1; DNewsPolitics
