ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
Salt Lake City councilwoman announces her resignation
May 30, 2023, 8:30 PM | Updated: May 31, 2023, 10:55 am
Councilwoman Amy Fowler was arrested in Utah County for allegedly driving under the influence. Fowler announced her resignation on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Her resignation is effective July 3, 2023. (Ivy Ceballo /Deseret News)
(Ivy Ceballo /Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Nearly a month after being arrested for allegedly driving under the influence, Salt Lake City Councilwoman Amy Fowler has announced her resignation.
In an email sent Tuesday, Fowler announced her decision and says it will be effective July 3.
“After much thought and consideration, I announce my resignation from the Salt Lake City Council,” the email read. “My resignation will be effective Monday, July 3 in order for District 7 to be fully represented during the remainder of the FY24 budget process. Thank you to the residents of District 7 for twice electing me to serve. It has been an honor.”
In early May, the Utah Highway Patrol responded to a call from Fowler in Springville after she was allegedly involved in a hit and run incident earlier that morning.
Upon arrival, the officer found Fowler sitting in her vehicle and could smell alcohol on her breath. After a field test and a breath test were conducted, police determined she was more than double the legal limit.
According to Whitney Gonzalez Fernandez, public information officer for the Office of the Salt Lake City Council, the council will need to select a replacement for Fowler within 30 days (Aug. 2) because of the time left in the term. Additionally, District 7 will have an election in November to select a replacement. The person elected will serve the final two years of the term.
Reaction to Councilwoman Fowler’s resignation
KSL reached out to Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and was provided with the following statement from the mayor.
“I trust Council Member Fowler’s decision to resign was made after careful thought and consideration to the needs of Salt Lake City and her district and her own wellbeing.”
Additionally, the City Council issued a statement Tuesday evening regarding the resignation of Fowler.
“The Council would like to express our support for Councilwoman Amy Fowler in her decision to resign,” the statement read. “We know this was a difficult decision and we trust it was made with the best interests of District 7 constituents and her personal wellbeing at heart. We thank Amy for her years of dedicated service to our City and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
