Democrat Ben McAdams was sworn in as Salt Lake County Mayor this morning by Salt Lake County 3rd district juvenile court Judge Andrew Valdez at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. McAdams, Deputy Mayor Nichole Dunn and newly elected council members Max Burdick, Jim Bradley, Michael Jensen and Sam Granato all took the oath of office before a packed theater.
Following his pledge to uphold the United States constitution and the constitution of the state of Utah, McAdams told the crowd today is the day he begins to deliver on the promises he made during the campaign.
“I promise to operate as a fiscal conservative," McAdams said. "I understand that you want your county government leaders to spend your hard earned tax dollars, frugally and wisely.”
McAdams talked about his bipartisan approach, noting, he’s already appointed Democrats, Republicans and Independents to leadership positions within the county.
Republican Councilman Michael Jensen hopes the new county mayor will work with members of his party.
“We’ve gotten to know each other because we’ve been on the other sides of issues," Jensen said. "He’s a good adversary. You had better come prepared when you meet with Ben.”
The first county council meeting of 2013 is scheduled this week. Politically, the council remains nearly split with a 5-4 Republican majority.