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History of crooked or kooky commissioners helps fuel effort to change Utah County’s form of government

Utah’s second-largest and fastest-growing county appears likely to let voters decide whether it has outgrown its traditional commission form of government, where three elected leaders function as both the executive and legislative branches.

Among the things motivating supporters of the proposed switch to a mayor-council form of government is a desire for greater transparency, more accountability and Utah County’s history of commissioners with serious character flaws.

David Gardner, who served from 1995-2003 and died in 2013, was twice busted for drunken driving during his second term in office and pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct involving a 9-year-old neighbor.