These new faces, along with plenty of familiar ones, will guide their cities the next four years as northern Utah continues to grapple with growth and the hopes and headaches it can bring.

Salt Lake County: Despite the six new mayors in Utah's most-populous county, plenty of long-timers remain.

Sandy's Tom Dolan took the mayoral oath for the fourth time after surviving a stiff challenge from political newcomer Gary Forbush last fall.

"We have some exciting challenges ahead of us," Dolan said. "We've got Major League Soccer coming, and we're building a new stadium. We've got new office buildings in the works, and we're moving forward with our parks and rec plan."

Dan Snarr launched a third term in Murray, and Dennis Nordfelt began his first full four-year term in West Valley City. Other incumbents continuing their mayoral tenures included Holladay's Dennis Webb, Draper's Darrell Smith, Herriman's Lynn Crane and South Jordan's Kent Money.

But the tiny resort town of Alta got a new mayor for the first time in 34 years as Tom Pollard, a former councilman, replaced retiring Bill Levitt.

Three other former council members also moved up to mayoral posts: Riverton's Bill Applegarth, West Jordan's David Newton and Taylorsville's Russ Wall, who succeeded Janice Auger in Taylorsville.

Despite Auger's exit, Salt Lake County continues to have two female mayors: Bluffdale's Claudia Anderson took the top job for the first time, and Midvale's JoAnn Seghini started her third term.

In South Salt Lake, a former police officer and councilman, Bob Gray, was treated to a hearty show of support Tuesday as he replaced Mayor Wes Losser. Gray's first official act: Fire Police Chief Theresa Garner.

"We have many plans we will try to put into effect, which will take coordination with the council and the citizens," Gray said. "Give me a little time. It won't happen this week."

Salt Lake City had no mayoral election last fall, but four of seven council members were sworn in Tuesday, including the lone newcomer, Soren Simonsen. The architect used a slide show in his speech after the ceremony, showing a photo of a quaint street in Germany and comparing it to one showing a street full of cars and strip malls.

"Are we satisfied with this as an expression of who we are as a community?" Simonsen asked the packed council chambers.

The capital's newest politician didn't offer a to-do list for the next four years. Instead, he provided the principles he says will guide him: environmental responsibility, economic opportunity and social equity.

Three freshly re-elected council members also took the oath: Carlton Christensen, Eric Jergensen and Jill Remington Love.

Davis County: Nine of the 15 cities in Davis County have new mayors after November's political overhaul.

Sunset kicked things off Monday by swearing in Tim Isom as the county's first black mayor.

"With Legacy Highway and commuter rail coming, there are so many things we have to prepare for and adjust to," Isom said. "I'm just excited for the opportunity that is here to expand our tax base."

Another first: Former Councilwoman Neka Roundy took the oath Tuesday as Kaysville's first female chief executive.

Clearfield Mayor Dan Phelps will begin his term in office by hiring a new city manager after longtime city worker Jack ÂBippes resigned.

Businessman Scott Harbertson took the helm in Farmington while James Behunin, a state finance worker, took the oath in West Bountiful. Woods Cross' new mayor is Kent Parry, who owns his own office-supply outlet.

Attorney Ron Russell will try to help Centerville recover from its long Wal-Mart controversy. Former Councilman Todd Stevenson takes over in Fruit Heights, while Layton's new mayor is Steve Curtis, also moving up from the City Council.

Utah County: In Provo, mayors of past and present took oaths Tuesday as Lewis Billings began his third mayoral term alongside former Mayor George Stewart, the new citywide councilman.

Billings highlighted accomplishments from 2005 and plans for his upcoming term.

"We are in good standing," Billings said. "But we can do better."

At his swearing-in ceremony, Orem Mayor Jerry Washburn pledged to do his best the next four years and, when his political journey ends, to "pass that baton to someone else,"

Washburn, who did not say whether this third term will be his last, thanked city staff for running a tight ship. He also pointed to the re-elections of council members Dean Dickerson, Karen McCandless and Shiree Thurston as evidence most residents like the direction Orem is heading.

In northern Utah County, Alpine, Highland, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Eagle Mountain and Lehi all have new mayors. After serving out the final 19 months of Brad Sears' term, Cedar Hills Mayor Michael McGee began his first four-year term.

In most southern Utah County cities, residents have their eyes on first-time mayors as well this week.

Only two incumbents - Mapleton's Dean Allan and Woodland Hills' Toby Harding - kept their seats.

James Degraffenried began his administration Monday in Santaquin. On Tuesday, Gene Mangum took office in Springville, and Joe Thomas did the same in Spanish Fork. Payson Mayor-elect Burtis Bills will be sworn in today in Payson as will J. Lane Henderson in Salem.

Elk Ridge's Dennis Dunn, Goshen's Dorothy Sprague and Genola's Eric Hazelet will begin their mayoral tenures next week.

Weber County: In its very first vote, the new Ogden City Council showed Tuesday that the balance of power has shifted.

Councilman Jesse Garcia, now into his fourth term, was elected chairman and Amy Wicks, halfway through her first term, was elected vice chairwoman.

Unlike others on the former council, Garcia and Wicks frequently voted against initiatives proposed by Mayor Matthew Godfrey, whose second term expires in 2007. With the three new council members sworn in Tuesday - Doug Stephens, Bill Glasmann and Dorrene Jeske - the new council will be less likely to go along with Godfrey's ambitious plans for Ogden.

Meanwhile, in South Ogden, the state's first black mayor, George Garwood, is starting his second term.

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Tribune reporters Lori Buttars, Mark Eddington, Todd Hollingshead, Heather May, Cathy McKitrick and Kristen Moulton contributed to this story.