You Have More Influence Than You Think

By Rod Mann, Utah County Auditor

Tips for Affecting County Commission Decisions

Many residents underestimate their ability to shape county commission decisions. With preparation and thoughtful communication, your influence can be greater than you think. Here are some practical ways to get started:

1. Become Informed

Understanding all sides of an issue strengthens your position and helps you respect those who disagree. Reliable sources of information include:

• Commission agendas and minutes
• Commission meeting videos
• Annual county financial reports
• Adopted county budget documents
• State Auditor’s transparency site where you can find information on government entities (i.e. cities and counties) spending,

2. Develop Your Message

Clarity and accuracy are key. Keep your message concise and focused on the most important points.

• If you prepare a position paper or PowerPoint, make sure your facts are correct. Even one error can undermine your credibility.
• Avoid personal attacks. A respectful tone makes your message more persuasive.

A few timeless reminders about communication and persuasion:

“Criticism is futile because it puts a person on the defensive and usually makes him strive to justify himself. Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person’s precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses resentment.”—Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People,  1937  

“So numerous indeed and so powerful are the causes which serve to give a false bias to the judgment, that we, upon many occasions, see wise and good men on the wrong as well as on the right side of questions of the first magnitude to society. …  A further reason for caution, in this respect, might be drawn from the reflection that we are not always sure that those who advocate the truth are influenced by purer principles than their antagonists. … Were there not even these inducements to moderation, nothing could be more ill-judged than that intolerant spirit which has, at all times, characterized political parties. For in politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword.”—Alexander Hamilton, Federalist #1 (starts in the middle of paragraph 4), 27 Oct 1787  

See also the Aesop Fable, “The North Wind and the Sun.”

3. Communicate Your Message

Timing matters. Influence is strongest before the final commission meeting on an issue, as opinions are sometimes settled by then.

• Reach out early. Some issues are discussed over multiple meetings or in work sessions.
• Contact commissioners directly. Their phone numbers and email addresses are available on the county website. Complex issues are often best discussed in person or over the phone. Face-to-face meetings also help build long-term relationships.
• Keep it brief. Short, well-crafted letters are more effective than lengthy ones. If emailing, include your message in the body—not as an attachment. On mobile devices, this makes it easier to read and respond.
• Use text wisely. A short, polite text is often more effective than a long email.
• Show gratitude. Always thank commissioners for their time, whether or not they agree with you. Relationships matter, and today’s “no” could become tomorrow’s “yes.”.

4. Follow-up

Your work doesn’t end when the issue is resolved.

• Send a thank-you note.
• Offer to help with next steps. Even if the initial outcome wasn’t what you hoped for, continued involvement allows you to shape future decisions.

5. Stay Engaged

Influence is most effective when it’s consistent.

• Review commission agendas regularly to spot issues of interest or concern. Agendas are usually posted on the county website at least 24 hours before meetings (per Utah law).
• Commission meetings are currently held Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
• You can sign up for email notifications on the state's public meeting notice site where agendas and minutes are posted for public meetings.

Final Thought

By staying informed, engaging early, fostering relationships, and communicating respectfully, you can effectively influence commission decisions and contribute to meaningful change in your county.

If you have questions, please reach out.

📧 rodm@utahcounty.gov
📞 801-851-8124
🌐 auditor.utahcounty.gov