UTAH DIVISION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY

Agency History #1107

CREATION

The Division of Surplus Property, originally known as the State Agency for Surplus Property, was created by the Thirtieth Legislature in March 1953 to acquire from the federal government such property as may be usable for educational or public health purposes.

Today, the mission of the division is to manage a consolidated state and federal surplus property program which allows state agencies and units of local government to expeditiously dispose of and acquire surplus property.

Since its inception as the State Agency for Surplus Property, the agency has also been called the Division of Hill-Burton and Surplus Property (1953-1954), the Bureau of Surplus Property (1954-1963), and the State Agency for Surplus Property (1963-1984). The current name was adopted in 1984.

FUNCTIONS

The agency provides an economical service to state agencies and units of local government by offering an opportunity to obtain usable surplus property at reasonable prices from one central location. Surplus state property is picked up, displayed, and sold. Governmental entities, other tax-supported agencies or political subdivisions, and some non-profit, tax-exempt health and educational institutions within the state are given every opportunity to purchase this property before it is offered to the general public.

The division also screens, receives, and distributes federal surplus property to eligible donees under the Federal Property Assistance Program.

ADMINISTRATION

A director appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of Administrative Services administers division operations. The division is composed of sections for state surplus and federal surplus. The division is authorized and empowered to appoint advisory boards or committees.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

When the Agency for Surplus Property was originally created within the Department of Health (Agency #483) it was called the Bureau of Surplus Property. While a part of the Department of Health it was called the Bureau of Surplus Property. The Agency for Surplus Property was transferred to the Department of Finance (#390) in 1963. The newly formed Department of Administrative Services (#270) absorbed the Department of Finance in 1981, assuming direct responsibility for the Agency for Surplus Property as well. Management of the federal and state surplus property programs were consolidated in 1981, while the merchandise, accounting procedures, etc., have remained separate and distinct. Surplus Property achieved independent division status within the Department of Administrative Services in 1984.

PRIOR NAMES

State Agency for Surplus Property, 1953, 1963-1984

Division of Hill-Burton and Surplus Property, 1953-1954

Bureau of Surplus Property, 1954-1963

Division of Surplus Property, 1984-

MANAGERS AND DIRECTORS

Clifford J. Rampton, (Manager)	1963
Lou Jenkins,	1965-1967
Lyle B. Nicholes,	1968
Robert L. Draper,	1968-1980
Courtney K. Larsen,	1980-1984
Frank Jex,	1984
William A. Arseneau,	1985-

COMPILED BY: W. Glen Fairclough, Jr., October 1989

SOURCES

Audit Report 1962-63; 1966-67; 1968-71; 1975; 1979; and 1979-80.

Annual Report 1961; and FY 1961-62.

Annual Report July 1, 1981 to June 30, 1982 (DAS).

Annual Report July 1, 1982 to June 30, 1983 (DAS).

Appropriations Report, 1987-88 (Salt Lake City: Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, 1987).

Appropriations Report, 1988-89 (Salt Lake City: Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, 1988).

Biennial Report, 1952 to 1954 (Dept. of Health).

Biennial Report, 1954 to 1956 (Dept. of Health).

Biennial Report, 1956 to 1958 (Dept. of Health).

Draper, Robert L., former director, conversations and memos, August 1989.

Financial Statements for 1975-1976.

Laws of Utah, 1953, Chapter 40 (Agency for Surplus Property created).

Laws of Utah, 1963, Chapter 153 (Surplus Property moved to Finance).

Laws of Utah, 1981, Chapter 257 (DAS created; Senate Bill 191, passed 10 March 1981).

Laws of Utah, 1984, Chapter 65 (Division of Surplus Property).

Service Plans for FY 1982-1983 (DAS).

State Organizational Charts (Salt Lake City: Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, State of Utah, March 1989).

State and Local Government in Utah (Salt Lake City: Utah Foundation, 1954).

State and Local Government in Utah (Salt Lake City: Utah Foundation, 1962).

State and Local Government in Utah (Salt Lake City: Utah Foundation, 1973).

State and Local Government in Utah (Salt Lake City: Utah Foundation, 1979).

Utah Code, 63-17-1 through 8 (Surplus Property).

Utah Official Roster, 1983-84 (DAS/USARS).

Utah Official Roster, 1985-86 (DAS/USARS).