FARMINGTON — January 27, 2026 — The Davis County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday morning, addressing election-related concerns, routine county business, and procedural issues that arose during public comment.
The meeting was chaired by John Crofts, with Bob Stevenson and Lorene Kamalu also in attendance. County Clerk Brian McKenzie was present on behalf of the Clerk’s Office.
Public Comment Raises Election Integrity and Rhetoric Concerns
During public comment, Nate Affleck of Syracuse raised concerns regarding Utah’s 2024 election cycle and the candidate signature verification process. Affleck cited multiple audits of the Davis County Clerk’s Office, questioned the consolidation of signature verification responsibilities, and criticized the cost of audits to taxpayers. He alleged irregularities related to certification timelines and accused the County of failing to adequately address election integrity concerns.
Jennifer Garner of Layton also addressed the Commission, thanking the Commissioners for their service while expressing concern about fiscal pressures facing residents. Garner urged restraint in political rhetoric and cautioned against name-calling, including portraying individuals as “extremists,” stating that such language contributes to harmful and unnecessary rhetoric. She referenced comments by a past president that characterized Utahns who store food as extremists, saying the remarks were divisive and harmful and contributed to stigmatizing lawful, culturally rooted preparedness practices in Utah. Garner emphasized the importance of respectful public discourse, particularly during politically charged periods, and also raised concerns about public confidence in election audits.
Clerk Responds During Public Comment; Chair Notes Time-Limit Issue
At the beginning of public comment, Chair Crofts outlined participation rules, including a three-minute time limit for speakers and a request that individuals approach the podium and state their name and city of residence.
Following the public comments, the County Clerk requested recognition from the Chair to respond. No request had been made in advance to place the matter on the agenda, nor had the Board of County Commissioners been advised beforehand that the Clerk intended to offer a response. By past practice under the previous Chair, Commissioner Kamalu, the Clerk has traditionally been offered time to speak at the conclusion of meetings when responses are requested.
In this instance, the Chair allowed the Clerk to speak during public comment. The Clerk remained seated at the Clerk’s desk rather than approaching the podium and did not state his name or city before speaking.
During his remarks, the Clerk did not comply with the Chair’s request to keep comments to three minutes. When Chair Crofts attempted to interrupt and bring the remarks back within the established time limits, the Clerk continued speaking and completed his statement. The Clerk’s comments lasted just under five minutes. Afterward, Chair Crofts noted on the record that the Clerk had exceeded the requested time limit and thanked those who participated in public comment.
During public comment, the Clerk’s Office typically enforces a strict three-minute time limit and interrupts speakers who exceed it. In this instance, the Clerk exceeded that limit himself, speaking for nearly five minutes. When the Chair attempted to interrupt and enforce the time restriction, the Clerk spoke over the Chair and continued speaking until he completed his remarks, resulting in an exception to the rules ordinarily applied to members of the public. The Chair may have been overly accommodating in allowing the Clerk to respond during the public comment period, rather than reserving such remarks for the end of the meeting or a future agenda item. Additional procedural departures included the Clerk not being asked to approach the podium, state his name, or identify his city, as other speakers were required to do. Taken together, these actions represented a departure from established public comment procedures and decorum.
In his remarks, the Clerk acknowledged three audits of his office and stated that their findings had been misunderstood. He outlined changes implemented in response to recent legislation and updated administrative rules, emphasizing improvements in transparency, quality control, and chain-of-custody procedures. He stated he welcomed additional audits and expressed confidence in the integrity of future petition verification processes.
Routine Business and Approvals
The Commission received a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) check from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in the amount of $490.30 for state-owned properties within Davis County. Commissioners thanked the agency for its stewardship of wildlife and recreational lands.
The Commission approved several routine items, including:
- A $16,000 sponsorship agreement related to the Sports ETA Symposium,
- An amendment to a Utah Department of Health and Human Services contract supporting childhood lead poisoning prevention,
- Consent items related to public safety monitoring programs and senior services,
- Property tax adjustments through the Board of Equalization.
The Commission also considered a $287,524 cooperative agreement with Utah State University Extension Services to support programs such as 4-H, water quality, and horticulture. Prior to the vote, Commissioner Crofts asked County Controller Scott Parke whether the County was contractually obligated to approve the agreement. Parke responded that the County was not required to do so. Knowing the item had sufficient support to pass, Crofts abstained from the vote, while Commissioners Kamalu and Stevenson voted in favor of the agreement, approving the expenditure.
Closing Remarks
In closing comments, Commissioner Kamalu highlighted the start of the Utah legislative session and cautioned residents to monitor property tax legislation and potential unfunded mandates affecting counties. Chair Crofts thanked residents for attending, acknowledged the difficulty of attending meetings during work and school hours, and recognized the League of Women Voters for their consistent civic engagement.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.