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What’s this silliness coming from the Utah County Commission?
Two of the three commissioners voted to adopt a new rule that requires them to let the others know of any inquiry made by a member of the news media, along with details about the questions asked and responses given.
Don’t they have anything better to do? Aren’t there some potholes to fix or zoning variances to authorize?
So, a reporter happens to pass a commissioner in the hallway.
"How you doing?" asks the reporter.
"Fine," is the reply!
And the next thing you know, the commissioner, by rule, now has to share this exciting and monumental encounter with his colleagues. Forget about budget woes! Set aside concerns about economic development! He’d better get to his computer keyboard to type out an email describing the gist of what was said to that inquisitive member of the fourth estate.
In fairness to the commissioners, the new decree is included as part of a general effort to codify procedural rules for the Utah County Commission. Many of the adopted procedures appear valid and helpful. But, in KSL’s view, this idea of informing each other of "any media questions" places an unnecessary burden on the busy commissioners, besides seeming a bit silly.
