As 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 opportunity to express ‘boots on the ground’ observations about the availability of mental health treatment,” she said. According to Granato, she has long championed the importance of mental health services and affordable housing as interlinked issues. 

Reflecting on the projects closest to her heart, Granato highlights the recognition of Juneteenth as a county holiday and the Cox-Granato Apprenticeship funding program. “The Juneteenth ordinance was a significant milestone in our history,” she said. In partnership with Councilor Richard Snelgrove, Granato spearheaded the apprenticeship initiative, aimed at addressing a pressing community need. “The apprenticeship funding is vital in getting young people into trades where they are desperately needed,” she explains.

Granato’s business experience has given her a pragmatic outlook on government spending. “The importance of budgeting is key to running a successful business and a successful government,” she said. Sam’s philosophy on fiscal responsibility left an indelible mark on her. “Sam always said, ‘I am a businessman, not a politician.’ If you spend public money like you’re spending your own money, that’s the correct approach,” she said.

The challenges that lie ahead for District 4 weigh heavily on Granato as she steps down. Affordable housing and public safety emerge as key concerns, particularly with the restructuring of UPD services in her district. “The change in UPD will be a big issue for my district. There will be a lot of expense involved, and much of my district is adjacent to the canyons, which involves the Sheriff’s Canyon Patrol,” she said.

Addressing affordable housing, Granato notes that while there is an urgent need, solutions must also be balanced with the character of existing neighborhoods. “The county supports solutions including allocations into the Housing Trust Fund, collaboration with developers to help fund deeply affordable housing, and funds to make repairs to older homes so people can age in place.”

Granato’s legacy may be defined by her dedication to economic opportunities and infrastructure for the future. “The Cox-Granato Apprenticeship funding is very important to me. It provides a career path that has longevity, benefits and chances for advancement,” she said. She urges her successor to consider the long-term expenses tied to the UPD, maintenance of county-owned assets, and the restructuring of downtown areas around the Salt Palace and Abravanel Hall.

For incoming council members, Granato has one piece of advice: “Work collaboratively!” she said. Democrat Ross Romero who won county District 4 November’s election, will take her place in January 2025.