Dec. 2024| Vol. 21 Iss. 12
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SALT LAKE COUNTY COUNCILWOMAN ANN GRANATO REFLECTS ON HER TENURE, CHALLENGES AND LEGACY By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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s Ann Granato prepares to step down from her role on the Salt Lake County Council, she reflects on a term marked by both personal challenges and public triumphs. Appointed in June 2018, her entry into office followed the unexpected passing of her husband, Sam, a prominent figure in the community and the family business they shared, Granato’s Italian Deli. “The transition was one of coming into public view,” she recalls. “Sam and I had always had a collaborative relationship, both in business and our public and private life. We discussed everything about our respective endeavors.” Indeed, Sam’s extensive involvement in community and state boards left a lasting impression on Granato. “He worked on the Salt Lake Valley Health Department Board, on the Microloan Fund, the Board that oversaw the DABC, and several other boards. We always discussed issues in these areas as they came up,” she notes, crediting this foundation as one that shaped her approach to public service. For over 60 years, Granato has called
District 4 home. District 4 spans much of the county’s east side, encompassing parts of Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake and Murray, as well as all of Holladay, Millcreek and Emigration Canyon. This deep-rooted connection has been both a guiding force and a balancing act during her time on the council. “On the one hand, I would wish to advocate for everything possible for my district,” Granato said. “On the other hand, I had to be fair in allocations of public money across the county.” She points to the recent restructuring of the Unified Police Department (UPD) as an example of this delicate balance. “Individual jurisdictions had issues, and the sheriff’s office had issues,” she said explaining that it required a fair allocation of resources across the county. Granato’s professional background as a Medicaid specialist has also informed her legislative priorities, particularly in health and social services. “Serving on the Salt Lake Health Department Board and the Behavioral Health Advisory Council offered me the opportuni- Salt Lake County Councilwoman Ann Granato address the Salt Lake County government. (Photo courtesy ty to express Continued page 16 of Ann Granato)
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