Travis Bartonears winked out multiple eyes as West Jordan City recognized City Recorder Tangee Sloan for being named 2023 Recorder of the Year by the Utah Municipal Clerk Association.

City officials commemorated its city recorder at a council meeting in October for not just the award, but Sloan’s overall influence on the city’s government. 

She was described as “pretty much everyone’s favorite,” “smart,” and “positive” along with many other superlatives by both councilmembers and city staff. 

Chief Administrative Officer Korban Lee nominated her in an almost three page submission, waxing lyrical about the job Sloan has done since being named city recorder in 2020. 

“Tangee is a critical part of the team at West Jordan and an invaluable public servant,” Lee wrote. 

Lee identified how Sloan also oversees the customer service office and its seven employees and is the chief elections officer supervising council redistricting, candidacies and financial disclosures. 

Councilmember Pamela Bloom remembered Sloan’s influence as she nervously filed to run for office. 

“I remember the joy you have when people come in to file as a candidate,” Bloom said as emotion bubbled to the surface. “Thank you for everything you do.” 

Sloan spearheaded the opening of a passport office which has brought in $250,000 in revenue dealing with over 6,000 applicants per year. Administrative Services Director Danyce Steck noted Sloan’s work has probably saved a few property tax increases. 

Sloan, a Spanish speaker, started working for West Jordan almost 26 years ago, initially in the IT division before moving to deputy city clerk and then city recorder. 

“Tangee’s breadth of knowledge about the community, the organization has been an asset as she oversees every type of call that comes into the organization,” Lee wrote. 

In 2020 when Sloan took over the recorder role, it was shortly before the city changed its form of government which meant a reshaping of responsibilities and job functions, figuring out who does what. 

“Tangee had to have many difficult conversations about scope of work and effective outcomes,” Lee wrote. “She always remained professional, focusing more on what is best for the city rather than what responsibilities remained within her authority.” 

That transition period saw Sloan endure frequent turnover, working with what Steck estimated to be five different directors over her department. 

“She’s rolled with the punches with a positive attitude every day,” she said. 

Officials pointed toward an improved customer experience amid her mentorship of the customer service team as further evidence of her citywide influence. Doing so all while West Jordan City Hall is remodeled, Lee wrote, forcing Sloan and her team to relocate the passport application center three times and also work during construction periods where her team operated without heat for several weeks. 

The can-do attitude continued in recent months when Sloan voluntarily offered to help public works with its process of receiving and tracking dumpster reservations, a task dreaded by public works officials.  

“She noticed a need in public works, saw a solution that would help the overall community and suggested she and her staff take on an added challenge with no additional recognition or resources,” Lee wrote. 

Then-councilmember Melissa Worthen, who recently moved to Colorado, wished to take Sloan with her, noting she’s “super smart and can figure anything out.” Worthen also pointed out that council meetings rarely see much attendance unless people are angry about something, but on the night Sloan was recognized the place was packed. 

“I’m going to miss you,” she said. 

 Officials said her influence reaches beyond West Jordan as she assists recorders in other cities. 

Councilmember Chris McConnehey said the recorder position is one of the most important in the city and involves so many touch points with city staff, elected officials and residents. 

“Thrilled that the state of Utah has recognized how valuable she is not only to our community but to other recorders throughout the state,” he said. 

Sloan was quick to thank her family, administration and council. Even getting choked up when thanking Steck, Lee and Mayor Dirk Burton. Most importantly, she said, it was her staff she needed to thank. 

“I have a wonderful staff…I couldn’t accomplish any of this without them.” λ