CACHE COUNTY – As predicted by many in local legal circles, County Attorney K. Taylor Sorensen has announced that he will exit that office on Sunday, Feb. 8.
“I can say with firm resolve that I have given my all to the improvement of the organization and the administration of this county government,” Sorensen wrote in a wide-ranging and lengthy letter of resignation released on Jan. 9.
Sorensen added that his decision to step down from the county post in order to return to private practice was based primarily on financial considerations and his need to adequately support his young family here in Cache County.
After serving as interim county attorney since January of 2024, Sorensen was officially sworn into office as county attorney on Jan. 8, 2025 along with nine other county officials.
At that time, he explained, there were still many lingering questions regarding the vacancy in that office created by the departure of former County Attorney James Swink in July of 2021, about high turnover among attorneys and the resulting instability in the office.
“In the two years since,” Sorensen emphasized, “the office morale, performance and culture are now better than they have been in decades.
“The County Attorney’s Office and the county as a whole are now on a solid foundation to continue to mature and develop as the population grows and the needs of our community continue to increase.”
In his letter of resignation, Sorensen lists the top accomplishments of his office during the aforementioned 24-month time period as overseeing the creation of the Cache Open Space Advisory Board; the acquisition of the former Sherwood Hill property in Sardine Canyon; overhauling the structure of the Bear River Health Department; restructuring agreements on the Logan-Cache Airport; renegotiating agreements governing the Bear River Association of Governments; bringing county departments into compliance with state laws; among others.
Sorensen’s letter also included some criticism of the county government and advice to county residents.
“I am deeply concerned about the recent decisions to cut hundred of thousands of dollars from the public safety budget of the county …” he wrote.
“While I understand to pressure to save money, cutting the public safety budget in the already lowest taxing county in the State of Utah is a dangerous mistake…
“The cream of our law enforcement is actively being skimmed by Box Elder and Weber counties, drawn away by higher pay, better conditions and more reasonable workloads.”
The departing county attorney also strongly recommended that his former office and those of the other elected officials – including the county executive, sheriff, auditor, treasurer, recorder and assessor – be allowed to function independently.
“A county where every official can do their job without interference is a county that functions with honesty and transparency,” Sorensen advised.
Finally, he urged all Cache County residents to actively take a participatory role in the county’s governance.
“Elected officials are more likely to listen to their constituents when their feedback is reasoned, principled and given in good faith,” Sorensen added.
Under Utah State Code 20A-1-508 (4)(b), qualified party candidates must signal to intent to run for office by filing an application with Cache County Clerk Bryson Behm.
During the filing period for candidates in the upcoming 2026 election that closed Jan. 8, local attorneys J. Brett Chambers, Dane Murray and Chris Daines signaled their intent to replace Sorensen as county attorney.
All three of those candidates filed as Republicans.