Enoch (Utah)

Entity: 348
Entity Type: Municipality

Abstract

Enoch was settled in conjunction with Cedar City and Parowan as part of the iron mission, a movement to mine and process iron in southwestern Utah. The earliest settler, Joel H. Johnson, built a stockade and used the area as a herd ground for cattle belonging to residents of Cedar and Parowan. This area of green meadows fed by a spring became known as Johnson Springs. In 1869 John P. Jones build an iron foundry in the area, which he operated with his family for the next twenty years. In 1890, the name Johnson Springs was changed to Enoch because another Utah community also bore the name Johnson. Enoch was named after the Mormon United Order, or Order of Enoch which had been organized by Jones. Enoch was incorporated on 10 January 1966, and at that time a number of small settlements (Grimshawville, Enoch, Stevensville, and Williamsville) came together and incorporated under this name. At the time of incorporation Enoch had a scattered population of 102. Subsequently, subdivision development in the area has increased Enoch's population to more than 2,000.

Biography/History Notes

Utah municipal governments perform numerous functions, including the maintaining of law and order, guarding public health and sanitation, managing public services and promoting community development. Enoch originally incorporated for the purpose of establishing a municipal water system. Since incorporation, significant growth has created the need to extend the water system and to provide other services as well. Enoch city government has worked to facilitate rapid growth in their community in the late 1900s.

The mayor and four city councilmen provide leadership for Enoch government. The mayor, who is elected by general municipal election, is the chief executive officer. He presides over the city council and supervises all other city officers. He signs all city ordinances and official contracts on behalf of the city. The city council functions as a legislative governing body for the community. Its members are elected for 2 or 4 year terms. The council is responsible for all aspects of community management, such as appointing officials and setting their salaries, levying taxes, establishing a budget, maintaining public services and utilities, and regulating activity within the community.

The city council appoints a number of town officers and defines their responsibilities. Some city officers appointed by the Enoch city council include: a city recorder to attend council meetings, record ordinances and all other official city documents; a city treasurer to receive and keep an accounting of moneys; a deputy sheriff to enforce the law; a city attorney to offer legal advice; an animal control officer to receive complaints and handle stray animals; a zoning administrator and a city manager to coordinate issues related to growth. Enoch created a planning commission in 1980, which assists in the management of city growth and development. The city of Enoch has chosen to contract with Cedar City for some functions, including fire protection.

Hierarchy

Enoch (Utah)

Functions

Public administration