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The Utah Transit Authority has been without a permanent leader for exactly a year now — since former President and CEO Michael Allegra announced his retirement last August.

UTA Chairman H. David Burton said Monday that the agency is finally nearing naming a permanent replacement.

"We're close, very close," he said. "We have concluded interviews."

He said UTA not only conducted a national search, but also "it was an international search." He said the hunt is taking so long, in part, because "we certainly want to get it right."

Jerry Benson, who previously was the vice president for operations, has been acting as the interim director.

Burton said in an earlier interview in May that the agency was taking its time to ensure it finds "the right kind of individual who can continue the thrust for gaining public confidence. That's what it's all about for us."

Allegra announced his retirement last year just before voters considered Proposition 1 to raise sales taxes for transportation.

It also came as UTA sought to assure voters that it had fixed problems identified in a 2014 state audit such as high salaries for top officials, extensive international travel by executives and sweetheart deals with developers.

Allegra's total compensation (including pay and benefits) was $402,187 in 2013, including a $30,000 bonus. Amid flak, his compensation in 2014 dropped to $367,579 — mostly because he received no bonus.

Prop 1 failed in Salt Lake, Utah and Box Elder counties, with many officials blaming the defeat on distrust in UTA. It passed in Davis, Weber and Tooele counties.

Burton told the Legislature's Transportation Interim Committee last month, "There is no question that public confidence is challenge No. 1, by a large measure" for his agency. "It is probably challenge No. 1, 2, 3 through 10."

He said UTA has tried to improve that through changes in key personnel, and revising policies to create higher ethical standards and make the agency more transparent.

Allegra announced Aug. 12 last year that he was retiring effective Aug. 28. UTA said he remained available as a senior adviser to Burton through March, continuing to receive his salary until then.