(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section is as follows:
(1) To recognize the right of the qualified voters of the county to elect a County Attorney as required by § 10 of Article VIII of the state’s Constitution;
(2) To recognize the legal as well as practical problems which arise under § 17-18-4 and more particularly UCA § 78-51-25 (1953), as amended, prohibiting the unlicensed practice of law within the state;
(3) To recognize the ever increasing complexity of county government and the attendant duties, both civil and criminal, of the County Attorney;
(4) To ensure insofar as possible that the various county officials and county law enforcement officers will at all times be able to obtain competent and sound legal advice from the County Attorney’s office;
(5) To ensure that the prosecution of criminal cases within the county and the prosecution or defense of civil cases to which the county is a party will proceed in the manner and with the competent legal representation that is required to protect the public interest, safety, property, and general welfare; and
(6) To encourage fiscal responsibility in fixing the annual budget of the County Attorney and to ensure that such sums as are budgeted will be expended to the best advantage in obtaining maximum legal services for moneys spent.
(B) Salary. Commencing with the year 1979, and following the general election of November, 1978, the annual salary budget of the County Attorney’s office may be expended for the County Attorney and one or more deputies, as approved by the County Commission, subject, however, that the salary of any County Attorney who is not a member of the Utah State Bar Association and duty licensed to practice law within the state, shall not exceed the sum of $12 per year.
(C) Expenses. Commencing with the year 1979, and following the general election of November, 1978, the annual expanse budget of the County Attorney’s office may be expended for such purposes as are authorized by law and as approved in the said budget, subject, however, to the provision that amounts budgeted for travel, telephone, conventions, seminars, and the like, shall be expended in conjunction with the work of the duly licensed attorney in the County Attorney’s office, whether he or she be the elected County Attorney or an appointed deputy.
(Ord. 1978-2, passed 5-8-1978)