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Russ Wall is leaving as Salt Lake County's director of public works on May 6 "to pursue other professional opportunities," county Mayor Ben McAdams said Friday.

Wall, a former Taylorsville mayor and a Republican, has been part of the Democratic McAdams administration since its early days in 2013.

He confirmed his imminent departure, saying only "I'm looking at a couple of things, but I can't say what they are."

A search for his replacement will begin shortly, McAdams said.

Wall's departure comes at an important time for the public works department.

The county's remaining unincorporated areas will become five metro townships on Jan. 1, 2017, set up to receive municipal-type services (such as snowplowing and animal services) from county public works crews through a newly created Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District.

The concept now will be implemented without participation of the two county officials most directly involved in its early planning. Patrick Leary, the township services director, left earlier to become chief of staff for Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski. He was replaced by former Salt Lake City public services director Rick Graham.

McAdams informed public works and township services employees of Wall's departure in a short note.

"Russ maintained a steadfast commitment to the critical services you all work hard to provide," he said. "I am confident he will continue to find opportunities to give back to the community and make Salt Lake County a desirable place to live, work and play."

McAdams later praised Wall in a statement to The Tribune, noting that "Russ and his [265] employees have managed events from flash flooding to blizzards efficiently and effectively."

Another accomplishment was maintaining the "no kill" rating at the county animal shelter, he added, noting separately that Talia Butler is that division's new leader. She has been its operations and programs manager since 2013.

"She knows the job involves being both an advocate for animals and public safety officers, all the while managing in a fiscally responsible manager," McAdams said, citing her management experience in overseeing a division whose 54 employees cover the unincorporated areas and five contracting cities.

A Riverton resident, Butler has a bachelor's degree in social and behavioral sciences from Weber State University.

"I'm excited to lead the largest no-kill shelter in Utah," she said. "Our agency is an industry leader with amazing programming like humane education, free vaccines and micro-chipping."

That involves implanting computer chips in adopted animals so that they can be returned quickly to their owners if lost.