Utah County officials Burt Garfield and Brandon Gordon continue to lead critical administrative and developmental functions for the county, overseeing responsibilities ranging from property taxation assessments to the management of public works and community development.
Garfield Leads Assessment Reorganization
As County Assessor, Burt Garfield is responsible for determining the value of properties for taxation purposes. According to Utah County Government, Garfield has been a central figure in the Assessor's Office since 2010, where he initially served as a part-time data analyst before being promoted to Chief Deputy Assessor in 2015.
Garfield, who was elected Assessor in 2023, is currently focused on reorganizing the Assessor's Office to keep pace with the rapid growth of Utah County. His administrative strategy involves leveraging technical advancements and statistical modeling to increase office efficiency. The effectiveness of these technological implementations has drawn interest from other Utah counties, which have visited the Utah County Assessor's Office to study their processes.
Professional Background and Recognition
Garfield's professional background includes 30 years of diverse work experience across corporate leadership, small-business ownership, and public service. His previous roles include positions at American Express, Discover Card, Zions Bank, and FranklinCovey.
In the field of professional assessment, Garfield has been recognized by the Utah Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), which nominated him as the Assessor of the Year in both December 2023 and 2025. He has also served as an appraiser instructor and developed continuing education classes that have earned approval from the Utah Division of Real Estate.
Gordon Manages Public Works and Development
Utah County Commissioner Brandon Gordon oversees a broad portfolio of county departments, including Public Works, Community Development, and the Treasurer's department. His role focuses on strategic development and ensuring efficient public service delivery throughout the county.
Before his election as a Utah County Commissioner, Gordon spent 11 years serving on the Spanish Fork City Council. He holds a degree in business management from the University of Phoenix, which he completed in 2007.
Local Roots and Education
The personal lives of both officials reflect deep roots within the Utah County community. Garfield, who was raised in Utah County, holds a Bachelor's degree in Statistics from Brigham Young University and a Master's degree in Industrial Administration from Purdue University.
Garfield and his wife, Leilani Harris Garfield, have four children. Their children's educational backgrounds include graduations from Utah Valley University and the University of Utah, with one child currently attending UVU.
Gordon Family and Agricultural Ties
Commissioner Gordon was born and raised in Lake Shore, Utah, as the son of Randy and JoAnn Gordon. A 1995 graduate of Spanish Fork High School, Gordon resides in Spanish Fork with his wife, Rachel Boyer of Pleasant Grove.
The Gordon family maintains active involvement in local agriculture, working together on his father's farm to grow produce for sale at local grocery stores and farmers markets.
Governance and County Growth
While Garfield manages the technical complexities of property valuation and taxation, Gordon directs the physical and developmental infrastructure of the county. Both officials utilize their extensive backgrounds in business, public service, and local governance to manage the evolving needs of Utah County's growing population.
