Three council offices were open for election this year. By the deadline date of August 15, 2003, L. Kent Slater, Kent Meyerhoffer, Ned Allred and Scott Van Leeuwen had filed for the At-large seat being vacated by Orvil Holley. Incumbent Dennis Ilium and Gerald Bischoff filed for the East seat. For the West District, incumbent Rob Smout, Robert DeVries and Jay Miller were on the primary election ballot. In compliance with requirements to re-district election districts after each 10 year census, the two election districts for the principality are slightly different this year. The primary election was held at the City Office on October 7, 2003. To say the least, it was an unusual election, with our city eventually receiving county and statewide notice. Reflecting the high interest in this election, 237 citizens voted, a higher than usual percent of those registered. (It is sad to see the lack of commitment of eligible voters, when a less than 30% turn-out is considered high.) Everything went smoothly as the votes were counted until the final tally was reached. For the West District, Rob Smout and Robert DeVries were the winning candidates. Scott Van Leeuwen received the largest number of votes at 87 for the At-large seat. However, Ned Allred and Kent Meyerhoffer each received 61 votes, creating the unusual circumstance. This tie resulted in the winning candidate being decided by lot, as required by law. Mr. Allred and Mr. Meyerhoffer each submitted a signed letter agreeing to a lot by drawing a name out of a container, with the person named going to the final election. At the City Council meeting on October 16th, retiring At-large councilman Orvil Holley was selected to draw the name, in the presence of both candidates. Identical envelopes, each containing one of the candidate names, were prepared by Becky Burt, City Recorder, and were placed in a container. Mr. Holley drew out the name of Kent Meyerhoffer who was declared the winner. He opposed Mr. Van Leeuwen on the November ballot. The municipal election held on November 4, 2003, at the City Office drew a total of 376 voters. It resulted in Scott Van Leeuwen being elected for the At-large seat on the council. Incumbents Dennis Ilium, for the East District, and Rob Smout, West District, were the victors in those contests. Other changes in office personnel occurred this past year. Ken Martin was hired to lead the Community Development Department which is responsible for the storm water program, zoning administration, building and inspections, and also oversees development and public works. He previously served for 32 years as a building inspector with North Ogden. Deputy Mark Lowther was assigned by Weber County Sheriff Brad Slater as our new Community Resource Officer, replacing Deputy Ray Day. Changes are constant, and various assignments were among this year's changes. Sherry Morris was elected by the Planning Commission to serve as Chair for 2003. She is the first woman to hold that position. Les Syme was elected as the Planning Commission Vice-chair for 2003. Terms for the Board of Adjustment were set according to state law, which requires the board to consist of five members, each who serve a five year term, with one term expiring each year. Von Allred's term expired and the mayor reappointed him to another term. Ned Allred's term expires in January 2005, but he was appointed to the Planning Commission, and Mayor Butler appointed Jay Miller to fill the time remaining for that position. Ned Allred replaced Scott Van Leeuwen on the Planning Commission, with his term ending December 31, 2005. Mr. Van Leeuwen vacated that position to take his place on the City Council, as Councilman At-large, following his November election win. The council gave its advice and consent to the Mayor's appointments, unanimously approving them. Other appointments included the reappointment of Mr. Kim Slater to the Mosquito Abatement Board. Mayor Butler will replace Joe Deru on the Bona Vista Water Improvement Board, at the request of other mayors in areas served by Bona Vista. He expressed his appreciation of Mr. Deru's fine work on the board over the past years. In 2004 Mayor Butler will serve a one-year rotating term on the Weber County Fair Board. Mayor Butler is still not a voting member of the sewer board, but he does have input, and feels that they listen to his suggestions, and that relations have improved through his association with other mayors on the board. He has finally persuaded the sewer district to put Marriott-Slaterville on its documents instead of Ogden. The sewer district purchased property across the street from the facility as a buffer area and other like property will be considered in the future.