Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby has announced plans to improve communication between his office and the Wasatch County Council. He proposed a quarterly meeting to provide updates, answer questions, and discuss ongoing projects. Rigby aims to foster transparency and collaboration through these meetings. The initiative is not intended to replace the Deputy Sheriff’s Merit Commission, which Rigby established in January 2019 to ensure fair hiring, promotion, and disciplinary practices. Rigby emphasized the importance of open discussions, inviting the council members to engage directly with his office. This announcement follows an independent investigation led by retired Judge Richard McKelvie, which revealed several alleged issues within the Sheriff’s Office, including misconduct and retaliatory actions against employees. The investigation was initiated due to public safety complaints brought to the County Council earlier this year. McKelvie’s report, released in September, highlighted “shortcomings” within the Sheriff’s Office and deemed the Merit Commission “dysfunctional.” It recommended changes to address the alleged favoritism and misuse of county resources. In response, the County Council has begun implementing McKelvie’s recommendations, including amending the Merit Commission guidelines to enhance its role. The updated guidelines now require the Merit Commission to provide regular reports to the County Council, and a quorum of two members can now pass motions. Rigby has consistently denied any wrongdoing on his part or that of his office. To further improve the Sheriff’s Office, Rigby has appointed former Merit Commissioner Leo Lucey as the director of administrative services and recently hired retired Washington City Police Chief Jim Keith for additional insights. Rigby believes that external perspectives can help identify areas for improvement. Additionally, Rigby suggested that the County Council participate in informal gatherings, such as lunches and dinners, to strengthen relationships with employees and create an environment where concerns can be openly discussed. In tandem with these developments, the County Council approved a $129 million budget for Wasatch County for the upcoming year, which includes a $2 million increase for the Sheriff’s Office, facilitating the hiring of a new professional standards director.