Anderson and 19 of her supporters have filed a lawsuit against the five-member City Council for its vote Tuesday night to diminish her administrative powers. That council action, which turned those powers over to a city manager, was unanimous.

Bluffdale City Attorney Todd Weiler represented Anderson in the lawsuit - until Friday afternoon.

During a hearing, 3rd District Judge L.A. Dever directed Anderson to get different counsel - and to reach beyond the firm of Parry Anderson & Gardiner.

Anderson is set to marry former Bluffdale City Attorney Dale Gardiner in November. In June, because of the romance, Gardiner relinquished his legal role with the city to Todd Weiler, a partner in the same law firm.

Also named as a defendant in the mayor's lawsuit is Brent Bluth, Bluffdale's administrative-services director. Anderson had put Bluth on paid administrative leave in early September. That act led to the council's recent action.

Attorneys from the Salt Lake City law firm of Ray Quinney and Nebeker are representing Bluth and the City Council.

"Our attorneys made the case [Friday] that the city attorney represents the council as well," says Bluffdale Councilman Bill Maxwell. "The judge said the city attorney couldn't represent just the mayor."

Throughout September, the issue of how much power Anderson can wield has sharply divided this city of 6,500, driving a sharp wedge between the Mayor's fans and foes.

Anderson, whom many describe as having a strong personality, receives part-time pay as mayor and personally chose to commit herself in a full-time manner. Since taking office in January, significant staffing changes have occurred.

"There have been a couple of hires, but otherwise we're down considerably in staff," Maxwell said.

Weiler disagrees that his representing Anderson posed a conflict of interest.

"We had talked about it with the City Council a couple of months ago," Weiler said. "I told them they'd have to get their own attorney because I would side with the mayor."

After all, he said, voters elected Anderson to serve as the city's chief executive officer. Any change in Anderson's powers should be put to a vote of the people.

In essence, the lawsuit seeks just that, asking that Anderson's powers remain intact while referendum action gets under way.

As council member Maxwell understands it, 474 signatures for such a referendum would need to be gathered within a 45-day period. The county would verify those signatures and, if valid, the issue would go on a special-election ballot.

In the meantime, Maxwell said Bluth is serving as Bluffdale's city manager. The judge's ruling Tuesday will determine if Bluth can continue in that role.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com