Senior Policy Advisor
Senior Policy Advisor 1/2021 - 9/2024
Senior Policy Advisor for Commissioner Tom Sakievich.
Utah County Government.
Commissioner's Portfolio: Justice Court, Attorney, Public Defender, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Indigent Defense Commission, Children's Justice Center, Assessor, Utah Lake Authority
Conduct research, develop research formats, collect data, formulate results, and compile research reports and papers. Assist the Commissioner with administrative and analytical details; draft proposals, executive summaries, and other documents. Provide information and assistance to department heads, county employees, and the public; manage complaints and refer concerns as appropriate. Review grants, funding requests, and various intergovernmental service agreements for completeness and adherence to policy. Prepare board agenda items of importance to the Commissioner/portfolio departments. Organize workload, meetings, and travel.
Interact and coordinate with representatives from various federal, state, county, and local entities. Attend meetings; compile reports of meetings; summarize materials presented and advise Commissioner on potential actions to be taken. Coordinate with County lobbyists on matters of importance to the Commissioner/County. Gather information for the annual budget review. Coordinate with Commissioners, Policy Advisors, and Department Heads regarding budgetary requirements; assist in reviewing and evaluating budget requests from all departments and elected officials. Attend meetings with the Commissioner. Review various County departments and programs; present status reports to the Commissioner. Review and answer incoming correspondence; work with the Commissioner to identify action items; follow up on correspondence on behalf of the Commissioner. Respond to work-related emergencies at all hours. Analyze county ordinances, and countywide policies/procedures. Develop and advance the Commissioner’s policy goals. Assist in developing and drafting County ordinances as directed by the Commissioner. Maintain strict confidentiality with the Commissioner.
Strengthen the Criminal Justice System
Lisa's Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with an emphasis on Public Law and a minor in Constitutional Studies, coupled with nearly four years as the Senior Policy Advisor for Commissioner Tom Sakievich, Lisa brings her Criminal Justice System (Law enforcement, Court system, Corrections) knowledge and experience to the State Legislature.
Lisa’s well-rounded understanding of the criminal justice system, gained during her time as a senior policy advisor, provides valuable insight in her role as a member of the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee.
- Justice Court
- Indigent Defense Commission
- Public Defender Association
- County Attorney (Prosecution, Civil)
- Children's Justice Center
- Family Justice Center
- Utah County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council: The council coordinates to improve components of the county's criminal justice system. We have developed and are implementing a strategic plan for the county criminal justice system including mapping of all systems, resources, assets, and services within the county criminal justice system; a plan for data sharing across the county criminal justice system; recidivism reduction objectives; and community reintegration goals.
Additional responsibilities included:
- Elections Canvassing Board, Utah Lake Authority, Utah County Winter Response (for Homeless) Task Force, Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) (MPO), Wasatch Behavior Health, Utah County Fair, Utah County Fairgrounds, Tourism Tax Advisory Board, County Clerk/Auditor, Sheriff Department, County Recorder, County Assessor, and the Utah County Veteran's Services, Utah Lake Authority
