Jamie Davidson, the former city manager, turned in his resignation on Dec. 13. After the City Council meeting that night, Brenn Bybee, assistant city manager, was asked by Mayor Dave Young to be the acting city manager.

Bybee was hired as assistant city manager with the expectation he would be the acting manager if the manager were to leave or was unable function in the capacity for a period of time. Once a new city manager was hired, Bybee would the return to being assistant city manager.

“I have complete confidence in him,” said Jeff Lambson, council member and mayor pro tempore, of Bybee. According to the posting, the new position will be for 9 to 18 months. The pay would be between $162,560 and $243,840 in annual wages, depending on education and background.

One reason for seeking an interim city manager, rather than a full-time replacement, is if the city of Orem were to change its form of government.

Young has never been shy about his desire to do an in-depth study on various forms of government that might work better for Orem, according to Bybee, though the mayor has remained open to keeping the same form of government – city manager/council — that is currently in place.

“The mayor has always been open with me and Orem residents that he wants to study forms of government the city can adopt,” he said.

However, some members of the council say they have just heard rumors and there have not been formal discussions about a change in the form of government.

“The mayor has not spoken to me about a change of form of government,” Lambson said. “I personally don’t remember the council talking about a study or talking about a change in the form of government with the mayor or council.”

Councilman Tom Macdonald said he does not remember discussing having a committee, and therefore doesn’t have a position.

“I can’t be for or opposed to something I haven’t discussed,” Macdonald said. “The mayor has never talked to me about changing the form of government.”

Orem has been a city manager/council form of government for decades. As the city has grown in population, and the legislature no longer grants manager forms of government – Orem is grandfathered in — rumors of a change have continued.

“It’s difficult to recruit for a permanent city manager if that title is potentially going to change after the study is done,” Bybee said.

In a letter announcing Davidson’s departure and Bybee’s acting title, Young emphasized and reiterated his and the council’s trust and confidence in staff to continue forward in serving the Orem community.

“Our Mayor and Council are committed to communicating with staff and further building our relationships with them moving forward,” the letter read. “We know we have jointly made significant strides on a number of critical operational efforts and large capital projects over the course of just the last 12 months.”

Other high-level positions remain open in Orem, as well. All of them indicate they are “open until filled.” Those include besides the interim city manager: assistant city attorney; senior engineer; city recorder; three police officers; firefighter/EMT; and various others.