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Murray Journal

Murray Thanks Chief Administrative Officer for 18 Years of Service

Oct 04, 2016 02:04PM ● By Tyler Warren

The City thanked Jan Wells for 18 years of service at the August 24 meeting of the Murray City Council. Photo credit –Tyler Warren

By Tyler Warren  | [email protected]


Murray said goodbye to an important member of its administrative staff in the August 24 meeting of the City Council. Jan Wells, chief administrative officer in the Mayor’s office, worked for the city for 18 years. She chose to retire on September 15. 

“This is going to be hard for me to do,” said an emotional Mayor Ted Eyre, who fought back tears at several points during his speech. He said Wells spent “years of service on legislative efforts, lobbying for legislation for the betterment Murray City and keeping an eye at all times for issues that could be harmful to its betterment. Jan is well known as a Murray City advocate, and is respected and admired by all.”

Wells took on a range of additional responsibilities during her career. She served on numerous boards, including the Utah League of Cities and Towns, the UTA board, and the Legislative Policy Committee. She was instrumental in creating the Salt Lake County City Managers Group, and helped lead many meetings over five years of the group’s operation. 

Within the Mayor’s office, Wells went far beyond what was expected of her. She implemented programs that strengthened relationships and encouraged communication between city staff. She even took her own time to show appreciation for the office.

“Jan has baked an endless amount of chocolate chip banana bread and other wonderful treats,” the Mayor said. 

Each of the council members took the time to thank Wells for all her hard work. They mentioned how she has been something of a bridge between the administration and legislation branches of the Murray City Government. She has also helped acclimate new council members to their job. 

“We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, really good times for the city, financially, and some really tough ones, and Jan has been there and helped guide us through that. And times when the administration and council weren’t on great terms I could sneak upstairs and we could chat,” said Councilman Jim Brass. 

Councilman Brett Hales added to the sentiment. “You see some cities that are just struggling with administration and council and we have been so blessed to not have that. I love it that, any time I want, I can go up to administration and hang out.” 

Wells exuded gratefulness and love for the City and its staff. 

“I am a really blessed person…to have Murray as one of my hometowns. Whenever I am out and about and I hear or see something about Murray it gives always me a sense of pride,” Wells said.

Wells worked for two mayors during her career. She described them both as creative and energetic, and said that they both loved Murray. She was grateful for the council, who she described as dedicated. She said she wished every resident of Murray could come in and see all the hard work they do. She also thanked the department heads, any one of whom she trusts completely.

Finally, Wells thanked the City employees. She called them “the face of the city,” the ones who residents interact with every day. They are an inspiration for her, for all the hard work they do. During her time in the Mayor’s Office, Wells was known for thanking city employees with a handwritten note.

Wells has been equally busy at home as at work, with five children and 14 grandchildren to take care of. Her family came out in force to support her at the meeting. Wells is looking forward to spending her retirement with her husband, Gordon. 

“My children have all let me lecture about government,” Wells said. “I’ve told them, ‘I don’t care what you think about federal government or state government… you can always go to local government and tell people how you feel about things and they’ll help you.”