Recorder

For General Inquiries and Questions please email or call the City Recorder: bsmith@murray.utah.gov or 801-264-2662

If you have an appointment please come to the NEW address: 10 East 4800 South, Room 155, Murray, UT 84107

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The Recorder Division is part of the Finance & Administration Department. Click HERE to be redirected to the Finance & Administration landing page. 

2025 Meeting Schedule

City Incorporation

After a riot and fire started by a rowdy group of smelter workers in a local saloon, the fight for incorporation was begun by a local newspaper editor. The final incorporation committee drafted a petition in 1901 and created an intense campaign on both sides of the incorporation battle. The election took place on November 18, 1902. Those in favor won and C.L. Miller was elected as Mayor by three votes. Salt Lake County recognized the election results as official on November 25, 1902, and the City was officially recognized as a Third Class City by the State of Utah on January 3, 1903.

Form of Government

Murray City initially created a Mayor-Council form of government. In 1911, a State law changed the form of government for cities of the First and Second Class in Utah from the old Council form to the Commission form of government. This form of government was again reversed in 1981. The City adopted the Mayor-Council form of government, which included an elected Mayor and five City Council members. To ensure staggered terms of the Council, an election is held every two years for half the Council members for four-year terms.

Records Overview

The Murray City Recorder's Office has been responsible for maintaining the public records since 1903 when Murray City was incorporated.

Responsibilities

City Recorder

• Maintaining permanent records for the City
• Maintaining special event records for the City
• Acting as the Election Official for all official municipal elections for the Murray City Mayor and City Council offices
• Administering the countersignature on official City documents
• Providing administrative support to the Mayor, along with the municipal council

Deputy City Recorder

• Acting as the City Recorder in his/her absence
• Conducting formal public bid openings and attending pre-bid conferences
• Evaluating bids, sources of supply, and goods in terms of cost, service, quality, and suitability
• Negotiating terms with vendors
• Acting as the purchasing agent
• Providing ongoing consultation, assistance, and training to City department managers and employees concerning purchasing policies and procedures

ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE

2024 Annual Meeting Notice (PDF)

City Recorders through the Years

Photos and Documents: 

"April 10, 1903

Dear Sir: 

I herewith tender to you my resignation as City Recorder same to take effect immediately. 

Very Truly, 

M.A. Willumsen"

The American Eagle

"Advertising is the Key, keeping everlasting at it leads to success. A business without and "ad" in the paper is like a railway train minus a locomotive" 

Charles Brown 1903-1903 Charles Brown (mayor) - Wikipedia Charles Brown was mayor of Murray, Utah from 1906 to 1909.[1] He was the first mayor of Murray to serve two terms. From 1898 to 1933 he engaged in the grocery business in Murray. He was active in the LDS Church serving a church mission to California from 1896 to 1898.[2] He was a graduate of Murray city public schools and Brigham Young University. During his tenure in office Murray started construction on sidewalks, street lighting, roads, and a city hall.[3].  Prior to serving as Mayor, he was the  City Recorder for Murray
W. J. Warenski 1908-1933 http://www.murray.utah.gov/290/Museum
Alvin W. Wahlquist 1951-1971 Alvin Wahlquist (1906-1982) - Find a Grave Memorial
LaRell Muir 1972-1977 https://prabook.com/web/larell.muir/2539047 During his administration, Murray constructed its previous city hall, (essentially renovating Arlington Elementary School). He was noted for increasing Murray's presence in the arts, especially its sponsorship of the Murray Symphony Orchestra. He was also noted for his opposition of annexing then unincorporated Taylorsville, Utah into Murray which would have doubled its population. Born in Randolph, Utah, he served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Holabird, Maryland. Muir served the city of Murray as its Recorder prior to being elected Mayor.
https://www.murrayjournal.com/2021/03/10/350309/former-mayor-larell-muir-dies
Ludell Pierson 1978-1998 https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ saltlaketribune/name/ludell-pierson-obituary?id=2074441 Quickly after graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Japan for three years.  Upon returning home, he enrolled in the University of Utah to further his education.  A while after, he landed a job at Murray City as a Deputy Auditor, which would eventually lead him to becoming the Murray City Recorder from which he retired from.