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The Salt Lake County Council's Democratic majority,... (Trent Nelson / The Salt Lake Tribune)

Order up: Burger, fries and a side of democracy.

That's how Democrats began their first full day of governance on the Salt Lake County Council, sipping sodas and munching lunch at the quaint Millcreek Café in a caucus meeting that the county's new progressive majority opened to the public.

So with Sheriff Jim Winder on one end of the table, Mayor Peter Corroon seated beside him and four members of the council's incoming Democratic majority chatting within straw-shooting distance, the caucus played out informally with several Mount Olympus residents, a Jordan River advocate and a table of journalists looking on.

The Dems bantered a bit, strategized about plans to form an independent redistricting commission (at least one Republican asked to postpone it) and applauded the county's Democratic chairman, Weston Clark, who announced that he would pursue a second two-year term.

After the checks were paid, Democrats relocated to the County Government Center, where Democratic Councilman Joe Hatch was named chairman in a largely party-line 6-3 vote. Republican newcomer Max Burdick cast the lone GOP vote for Hatch.

"I said I would enjoy having Joe as the chair," Burdick said, referring to his inauguration speech the day before. "I need to stay with that."

The rest of the Republicans -- as a lighthearted jab at the Dems -- voted unsuccessfully for minority leader Jeff Allen.

"We have darkened times in this room now," joked Allen, who then glanced up at a burned-out light fixture above the Democratic side of the dais.

As promised during the campaign, Democrats then urged the creation of an independent commission for redrawing council districts. But they didn't approve it. Instead, they delayed their decision for four weeks to tweak the language to win GOP support.

"This is the first time Democrats are in control of the process, and we decide to farm it out to an independent commission," Democratic Councilman Randy Horiuchi said. "It just shows how cool we are."

Republicans appear willing to go along with the measure. But they want to ensure that the council retains final authority over commission decisions and that steps are taken to keep the commission from becoming a partisan animal.

jstettler@sltrib.com