POLITICS & ELECTIONS

Salt Lake County recorder’s flyer prompts ordinance tightening rules on mass mailers

Oct 28, 2024, 5:42 PM | Updated: 6:54 pm

SALT LAKE CITY After a mailer from a Salt Lake County elected official raised eyebrows, the county council is now poised to take action to keep it from happening again.

An ordinance is set to be introduced and debated Tuesday afternoon that would limit how mailers can be used around an election.

This comes after Salt Lake County Recorder Rashelle Hobbs recently sent a flyer along with property tax notices. On one side, it talks about a program called Property Watch, which helps people track recorded changes to their property. The other side prominently features Hobbs’s name and photo.

Salt Lake County Councilmember Aimee Winder Newton was surprised.

“I just thought, this looks like a campaign piece,” she said.

Salt Lake County Recorder’s Office pictured here on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. (Stuart Johnson, KSL TV)

Bipartisan pushback

Hobbs, a Democrat, is running for re-election. Winder Newton is a Republican, but she said the pushback was bipartisan.

“We want to make sure that the public doesn’t think that we’re using tax dollars for campaign pieces,” Winder Newton said.

She and Democrat Ann Granato are now co-sponsoring an ordinance tightening the rules. It states that county elected officials cannot send out mailers within 60 days of an election in which they’re running unless the law requires it. If that’s the case, they cannot include their photo or name in extra-large font.

Hobbs initially agreed to do an interview with KSL TV about this but then canceled it, instead sending a statement.

“The Property Watch insert met all branding policy requirements and guidelines currently in place for Salt Lake County,” Hobbs said. “Even under the proposed ordinance changes, the insert would have required only minimal stylistic adjustments.”

Hobbs added the mailer was effective in getting people to sign up for Property Watch, leading to a “more than a 300% increase in registrations compared to the first nine months of 2024, with nearly 6,000 homeowners signing up in less than 30 days — a clear indication of this initiative’s effectiveness for Salt Lake County residents.”

Salt Lake County Government Building pictured here on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. (Stuart Johnson)

Reaction from opponent

But her election opponent, Richard Snelgrove, applauded the proposed county ordinance and blasted the mailer.

“I ask County Recorder Rashelle Hobbs to report this on her campaign finance disclosure as a donation to her campaign from the taxpayers of Salt Lake County,” Snelgrove said in a statement. “I also ask her to apologize to the people of Salt Lake County for this unethical use of taxpayer dollars.”

In her statement, Hobbs said it was the Salt Lake County Treasurer’s office that “preferred this direct method of informing residents” about the Property Watch program.

Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, chief deputy treasurer Phil Conder said the recorder’s office approached them and asked to include the insert with property tax notices, and the treasurer’s office agreed.

“They designed it, and they put it in,” Conder said, adding that the district attorney’s office signed off on what was done.

Meanwhile, Winder Newton’s ordinance is scheduled to be introduced and debated Tuesday. She believes passing it will prevent future problems.

“We just need good policy to ensure that tax dollars in Salt Lake County are spent wisely,” Winder Newton said.

KSL 5 TV Live

Politics & Elections

Volunteer advocates supported Cancer Action Day at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Feb. 11, 2025. ...

Shelby Lofton

Survivors, patients share cancer stories, support for bills with state lawmakers

Dozens of volunteers filled the Capitol Rotunda on Cancer Action Day to advocate for policies they believe will end cancer.

9 hours ago

Pope Francis touches his eyes as he presides over a mass for the jubilee of the armed forces in St....

Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope rebukes Trump administration over migrant deportations, and appears to take direct aim at Vance

Pope Francis has issued a major rebuke to the Trump administration’s mass deportation of migrants.

16 hours ago

A Google map now shows the Gulf of America....

Josh Campbell, CNN

‘Gulf of America’ arrives on Google Maps

The body of water formerly known in the United States as the Gulf of Mexico is now listed for US-based users of Google Maps as the Gulf of America.

17 hours ago

Fatima Guzman prays during a church service at the Centro Cristiano El Pan de Vida, a mid-size Chur...

David Crary, AP National Writer

Trump won’t block immigration arrests in houses of worship. Now these 27 religious groups are suing

More than two-dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans have filed a federal court lawsuit challenging a Trump administration move giving immigration agents more leeway to make arrests at houses of worship.

18 hours ago

A group of cancer activists at Utah's Capitol Hill for Cancer Action Day. (American Cancer Society)...

Tamara Vaifanua

Looking Out for the Good: Cancer activists to gather with elected officials on Capitol Hill

Activists and patients will be at Utah's Capitol Hill to meet with elected officials, sharing their stories and pushing policies that aid the fight against cancer.

20 hours ago

FILE - President Donald Trump stands with Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House, June 25, 20...

Zeke Miller, AP White House Corespondent

Trump will host Jordan’s King Abdullah II as he escalates pressure on his Gaza resettlement plan

President Donald Trump will host Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House as he escalates pressure on the Arab nation to take in refugees from Gaza as part of his audacious plan to remake the Middle East.

21 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

Salt Lake County recorder’s flyer prompts ordinance tightening rules on mass mailers