BYLAWS OF THE UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY
(Download PDF Version)
Article I Organization
Article II the Board of Trustees
Article III the Local Advisory Council
Article IV Executive Director
Article V Committees
Article VI Meetings of the Board and Advisory Council
Article VII Conducting Business
ARTICLE I - ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Creation.
The Utah Transit Authority (the “Authority”) was created pursuant to the Utah Limited
Purpose Local Government Entities - Special Districts Act, Title 17B, Chapter One – and the Utah
Public Transit District Act, Chapter 2(a), Part 8 of the Utah Code Annotated 1953, as amended (the
“Act”), and is a public transit district organized under the laws of the State of Utah. The Authority is
comprised of its Board of Trustees, which may hereinafter be referred to as the Board and its
appointees shall be referred to as Trustees; the Local Advisory Council, which shall hereinafter be
referred to as the Advisory Council and its appointees shall be referred to as Members; Officers;
management; and employees. It is a political subdivision of the State of Utah with those powers
specifically granted in the Act and with implied powers necessary to carry out the objectives and
purposes of a public transit district.
Section 2. Duties.
- Trustees, Members, and Officers of the Board shall act in the best interest of the Authority and in accordance with the Constitutions and laws of the United States of America and the State of Utah, the Act, as well as adopted policies.
- Trustees, Members, and Officers of the Board have a duty to exercise due care, to act with reasonable skill and diligence, and to perform the duties of their office honestly, faithfully, and to the best of their abilities.
- Trustees, Members, and Officers of the Board have a fiduciary duty to the entire transit district. They have a duty of loyalty and shall articulate and consider the interests of constituencies in the district and take actions based on the best interest of the entire transit district.
- Trustees, Members and their alternates, and Officers of the Board have a duty to complete an annual Financial Disclosure Report, sign an annual Code of Conduct form, provide prompt disclosure of conflict of interests, and recuse themselves from discussing or voting on issues for which they have a conflict of interest.
- Trustees, Members, and Officers of the Board have a duty to comply with the State of Utah Government Records Access and Management Act and to maintain records consistent with applicable retention schedules adopted by the Authority (Utah Code Sec. 63G-2-1 through 63G-2-9).
- Trustees, Members, and Officers of the Board have a duty to comply with the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act (Utah Code Sec. 52-4-101 through 52-4-305).
- Trustees, Members, and Officers of the Board have a duty to comply with the State of Utah Public Officers’ and Employees’ Ethics Act (Utah Code Sec. 67-16-1 through 67-16-15).
- Trustees, Members, and Officers of the Board have a duty to comply with the Utah Public District Transit Act (Utah Code Sec. 17B-21-801 through 17B-2a-827).
- Trustees, Members, and Officers of the Board have a duty to maintain the confidentiality of non-public information obtained in their official capacities. They shall not disclose or improperly use non-public information for actual or anticipated personal, economic, or political gain, or for the actual or anticipated personal, economic, or political gain of any other person. They shall not rely on non-public information obtained in an official capacity to acquire a pecuniary interest in any property, transaction, or enterprise.
- Each Trustee and Member shall report the business of the Authority to their appointing jurisdictions.
Section 3. Oath of Office.
The oath of office shall be given to all Trustees, Members, Officers of the Board, and Officers
appointed by the Executive Director before commencing the duties of the office. Oath of office
records must be filed by the Board Secretary in the official governing records of the Authority.
Section 4. Indemnification.
Trustees, Members, and Officers of the Board shall be defended by the Authority against any
action, suit, or proceeding arising from an act or omission alleged to have been committed within
the scope of official capacity with the Authority to the full extent allowed by applicable law.
Section 5. Attendance.
Each Trustee and Member is expected to serve faithfully, attend all meetings, and perform
other assignments in compliance with Board of Trustees and Advisory Council policies.
ARTICLE II - THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. Qualifications, Appointment, Number and Terms of Office.
The required number of Trustees, the terms of office, qualifications, and the process of
appointment to the Board of Trustees, shall all be as set forth in the Act, as amended.
Section 2. Powers.
The Board of Trustees shall have the powers provided in the Act, these Bylaws, Board
Policies, and other applicable law.
Section 3. Compensation.
The Advisory Council shall set the compensation of the Board of Trustees in accordance with
Utah Code Sec. 17B-2a-808.2.
Section 4. Officers.
The Officers of the Board of Trustees shall consist of all Trustees of the Board, Executive
Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Internal Auditor.
Section 5. Appointment of Officers.
The Chair of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed by the Governor of the State of Utah.
The Board of Trustees shall appoint the following Officers of the Board by an affirmative vote of a
majority of the Board of Trustees: Executive Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Comptroller, and
Internal Auditor. Officers of the Board, with the approval of the Board Chair, may temporarily
delegate their responsibilities to another Trustee or administrative staff during a short-term
absence of the Officer. The Chair of the Board or a Trustee may only delegate their responsibilities
to another Trustee.
Section 6. Responsibilities of Officers.
- Board Chair.
The Chair shall: preside at all Board of Trustee meetings and all joint meetings of the Board and the Advisory Council; set the agenda for Board of Trustee meetings in consultation with the other Trustees; coordinate the agenda for Advisory Council meetings with the Advisory Council Chair; and establish the duration and timing of public comment. The Chair shall also ensure the proper administration of the Utah Transit Authority Employee Retirement Plan and Trust Agreement. - Board Secretary.
The Secretary shall maintain the official governing records of the Authority; attest to all resolutions, ordinances, policies, or orders passed by the Board of Trustees or Committees; and shall ensure that all necessary documents are filed with appropriate entities. - Treasurer.
The Treasurer may be chosen from among the members of the Board of Trustees except that the Board Chair may not be appointed as Treasurer. The Treasurer shall serve as custodian of all money, bonds, or other securities of the Authority and, in consultation with the Advisory Council and Board, shall ensure that the Authority complies with the requirements of the State of Utah Money Management Act. - Comptroller.
The Comptroller shall meet the minimum requirements of the Act and shall oversee the Authority’s accounting and financial reporting. - Internal Auditor.
The Internal Auditor shall: meet the minimum requirements of the Act and shall objectively review the Authority’s key processes and related internal controls; evaluate and improve the Authority’s risk management, control, and governance processes; and report audit results and recommendations as required by the Act. The Internal Auditor shall also serve as the Authority’s Ethics Officer and investigate complaints of ethical violations. The Internal Auditor must operate within the scope of responsibility outlined in an Audit Committee Charter as prescribed in Article V of these Bylaws.
Section 7. Appointment of Staff.
The Board of Trustees shall hire qualified individuals, set salaries of all Officers and
employees, and develop performance targets and evaluations for the Executive Director, Internal
Auditor, and any chief level officer.
Section 8. Removal of Officers.
Trustees shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor of the State of Utah. The Executive
Director may be removed pursuant to the terms of the Act. All other Board Officers serve at the
pleasure of the Board of Trustees and may be removed by a majority vote.
Section 9. Voting Rights and Quorum.
Each Trustee may cast one vote on all questions, orders, resolutions, and ordinances coming
before the Board. A majority of all Trustees constitutes a quorum for the transaction of Board
business. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or applicable State law, a majority vote or
more of a quorum is sufficient to carry any order, resolution, ordinance, or proposition before the
Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE III - THE LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Section 1. Qualifications and Appointment.
The required number of Members, the terms of office, qualifications, and the process of
appointment to the Advisory Council shall all be as set forth in the Act, as amended.
Section 2. Powers.
The Advisory Council shall have the powers provided in the Act, these Bylaws, policies, and
other applicable law.
Section 3. Compensation and Reimbursement.
Advisory Council Members shall be compensated at the same rate published in Utah
Administrative Code R25-5 Payment of Meeting Compensation (Per Diem) to Boards. Members shall
be reimbursed at the Internal Revenue Service rate for mileage associated with travel to official UTA
meetings and functions. Members shall be reimbursed at the State of Utah reimbursement rate for
meals purchased when representing the Authority in their official capacity as Advisory Council
Members.
Section 4. Officers.
The Officers of the Advisory Council shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Second Vice-
Chair. Officers, with the approval of the Advisory Council Chair, may temporarily delegate their
responsibilities to another Member during a short-term absence of the Officer.
Section 5. Election/Appointment.
Members of the Advisory Council shall nominate and elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Second
Vice-Chair by majority vote of council membership.
Section 6. Term of Office.
Officers of the Advisory Council shall serve for a period of one year. The Advisory Council
Chair may serve a maximum of two one-year terms.
Section 7. Duties.
- Advisory Council Chair.
The Advisory Council Chair shall preside at all Advisory Council meetings. The Advisory Council Chair shall ensure that the Advisory Council carries out its duties under the Act and shall coordinate the agenda with the Board Chair. The Advisory Council Chair shall serve as the liaison with the Board. - Advisory Council Vice-Chair.
In the absence of the Advisory Council Chair, the Advisory Council Vice-Chair shall carry out the duties of the Advisory Council Chair. - Advisory Council Second Vice-Chair.
The Advisory Council Second Vice-Chair or the Board Secretary shall attest to all resolutions, ordinances, or orders passed by the Advisory Council.
Section 8. Removal from Office.
Advisory Council Officers may be removed by a majority vote of the Advisory Council.
Advisory Council Members may be removed by a majority vote of the Advisory Council for ethical
violations or criminal conduct.
Section 9. Voting Rights and Quorum.
Each Member may cast one vote on all questions, orders, resolutions, and ordinances
coming before the Advisory Council. A majority of all Members constitutes a quorum for the
transaction of Advisory Council business. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or applicable
State law, an affirmative vote by fifty percent (50%) or more of a quorum is sufficient to carry any
order, resolution, ordinance, or proposition before the Advisory Council. A quorum is not required
for the adoption of a motion to adjourn.
Section 10. Alternate Council Member Representation.
Each appointing authority shall have the right to select alternative representatives
(“Alternate”) to the Advisory Council so that each appointing authority may be adequately
represented. Each appointing authority desirous of selecting an Alternate shall do so in accordance
with the procedures for selecting Council Members. If the appointing authority’s Member is not
present at a meeting of the Advisory Council or a committee meeting, then a properly designated
Alternate may participate in the meeting, make motions, count toward a quorum, and vote in
matters before the Advisory Council. Alternates should take steps necessary to be fully informed on
actions to be taken at meetings in which they represent their appointing authority.
ARTICLE IV - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Section 1. Powers.
The Executive Director shall have all of the powers, duties, and responsibilities granted and
imposed by the Act and those assigned by the Board of Trustees. In the event the position of
Executive Director is vacant, an Interim Executive Director may be given an interim appointment by
the Board of Trustees until the position is filled.
Section 2. Compensation.
The compensation of the Executive Director shall be established by the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. Removal of Executive Director.
The removal of an Executive Director shall be governed by the Act.
ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Committees.
The Board of Trustees may establish standing or ad hoc committees (“Committees”) deemed
appropriate and shall designate their functions. Committees shall be established, amended, or
disbanded by adoption of a Board Resolution at a duly noticed Board of Trustees meeting.
Committees shall meet as needed or as determined by the Board Chair and once established, by the
Committee chair. Members of Committees shall be appointed by the Board Chair and serve at the
pleasure of the Board Chair.
Section 2. Audit Committee.
The Authority establishes an Audit Committee to direct the Internal Auditor to conduct
audits determined to be most critical to the organization and to hear reports from the Internal
Auditor and external auditors. The Audit Committee shall consist of the Board of Trustees, the Chair
of the Advisory Council, and the Vice-Chair of the Advisory Council. The Chair of the Board of
Trustees shall serve as the Chair of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall function under
the terms of an adopted charter, which it shall review annually.
ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND ADVISORY COUNCIL
Section 1. Open and Public Meetings.
All meetings of the Board of Trustees, Board Committees, and the Advisory Council shall be
open to the public and comply with the State of Utah Open and Public Meeting Act.
Section 2. Meeting Schedule.
At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council shall
establish a regular meeting schedule by resolution.
Section 3. Special Meetings.
The Chair of the Board of Trustees shall call Special Meetings of the Board of Trustees and
joint Special Meetings of the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council, as necessary. The Chair of the
Advisory Council shall call Special Meetings of the Advisory Council, as necessary.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings.
Notice of all regular meetings, special meetings and emergency meetings of the Board of
Trustees and Advisory Council shall be by electronic means to Trustees and Members at electronic
mail address as shown in the records of the Authority. Notice of emergency meetings shall be given
to Trustees and Members at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting, if possible. In the
event twenty-four (24) hour notice is not possible, each Trustee and Member shall receive the best
notice which practicably can be given. Notice for emergency meetings may be oral, written, or
electronic. Notices of meetings shall contain the date, time, place, and an agenda for the meeting.
Notice of meetings shall be posted on the Utah Public Notice Website.
Section 5. Minutes of Meetings.
Minutes of meetings shall be prepared and available to the public as required by the State of
Utah Open and Public Meetings Act.
Section 6. Electronic Attendance at Meetings.
A Trustee or Member may attend a meeting via electronic means if:
- The Trustee or Member provides twenty-four (24) hour advance notice to the applicable Chair. A Trustee or Member attending a meeting electronically shall be counted as present for purposes of a quorum and may fully participate and vote. Only one Trustee or Member is required to be physically present at an anchor location for meetings that other Trustees or Members attend electronically; or
- The Chair of the Board determines an electronic meeting is necessary due to substantial risk to health and safety as authorized in the State of Utah Open and Public Meetings Act.
Section 7. Order of Business.
The business of all meetings of the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council shall be
transacted as far as practicable in the order of business set forth in the agenda. At any meeting
where a new Trustee and Member is to take the oath of office and be seated, such ceremony shall
be conducted prior to the determination of a quorum.
ARTICLE VII - CONDUCTING BUSINESS
Section 1. Resolutions, Orders and Ordinances, and Motions — Vote Recorded.
Every formal action by the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council shall be taken by the
passage of a resolution, order, ordinance, or motion by the Board of Trustees or Advisory Council.
Resolutions and Ordinances of the Board of Trustees shall be by roll call vote with each affirmative
and negative vote recorded; all other actions of the Board will be taken by acclamation with each
affirmative and negative vote recorded. Resolutions and motions of the Advisory Council may be
taken by acclamation with each affirmative and negative vote recorded. Proposed resolutions and
ordinances shall be forwarded to each Trustee and Member by electronic means at least twenty four
(24) hours before the ordinance is presented for adoption. All resolutions and ordinances
passed by the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council shall be authenticated as soon as practicable
after their passage by the signature of the applicable Chair and attested to by the Board Secretary
or Advisory Council Second Vice-Chair and kept in the official records of the Authority. A record of
meetings of the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council shall be made and retained as provided by
law.
Section 2. Adoption and Amendment of Bylaws.
These Bylaws may be adopted and amended by an affirmative vote by a majority of the
Board of Trustees after consultation with the Advisory Council.
Section 3. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Authority shall commence on January 1 and end on December 31 of
each calendar year.
Section 4. Principal Place of Business.
The principal place of business for the Authority, and the location of all offices and
departments, shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Trustees. The
Board Secretary shall publish the location of the principal place of business in the Government
Entity Database maintained by the Division of Corporations of the State of Utah.
Section 5. Budget.
The Authority shall prepare an annual budget for the consideration of the Board of Trustees
each year in compliance with applicable law. After analyzing the proposed budget and making any
corrections or revisions that it may find necessary and after consulting with the Advisory Council,
the Board of Trustees shall adopt a final annual budget prior to the end of each fiscal year.
Section 6. Audit Reports.
- Annual Audit.
The Board of Trustees shall cause an annual audit of the Authority’s financial statements to be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards following the end of each fiscal year and in compliance with the Act. The audit shall be performed by an independent certified public accounting firm selected by the Board of Trustees. The auditor shall provide a signed auditor’s opinion as to the fair presentation of the financial position of the Authority and the results of Authority operations and changes in its financial position for the fiscal year ended. The audit shall be made available in compliance with the Act. - Other Audits.
In consultation with the Advisory Council, the Board of Trustees may cause audits other than the annual audit to be made, which shall be made available in compliance with the Act.