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Show Lincoln, Nob. oui.ot County lowers mill levy; looks at in-lieu nmoGiey The county commission has lowered the mill levy for the coming year from 16 to 14 mills, and is discussing possible utilization of ncurly $200,000 expected in in-lieu tux money. The lowering of the mill levy, according to County Clerk Bobbie Domenick, will result in a revenue loss of about $50,000 in the county general fund. I he action was tuken on recommendation of the Utah Taxpayers' Assocation, and will bring the county budgeting procedures proce-dures into conformance with state statute. The loss in revenue will be made up in the following year's budget, she said. The Utah Association of Counties last week issued a report on budgeting recommendations for payments-in-lieu of taxes money, along with an estimate of 197S appropriations as of Aug. 5. It was written by L. Brent Gardner, field administrator for the UAC. Grand County's share is estimated to be $192,000. Said Gardner in his memorandum, "During the NACo (National Association of Counties) Annual An-nual Conference held this past week some specific recommendations were offered by Jim Monroe, Assistant Director for Legislation and Plans, Bureau of Land Management, and Jim Evans, NACo's staff person in charge of payments-in-licu." He continued, "We urge that you follow these recommendations very carefully. Although the payments-in-lieu bill has been signed into law, both Congress and the President will be closely examining our handling and use of these funds." Gardner warned, "Any unintended usage will result in the failure of Congress to reappropriate these funds in 1978. This message has been explicitly voiced by our Congressional Representatives." Representat-ives." Lower Taxes A major recommendation is to use the money to lower the mill levy, thus lowering taxes. Said Mrs. Domenick, Grand County could lower the levy about 7 mills. She said this would save the owner of a $40,000 home only about $56 in taxes. It would, however, have a much grea' r impact on industrial taxpayers, ; a- ' tlas Corporation. A 7 mill cut would result in nearly S26.000 tax savings to Atlas on its mill property near Moab, she said. Gardner said in his memo, "Due to insufficient funding by Congress, appropriate ap-propriate only 80 per cent of your expected first year payment. Should you receive more than this amount you can reopen your budget and follow the normal procedure for appropriating such an excess." The Grand County appropriation is listed at $240,000, but because of this recommendation, only $193,000 will be budgeted. Although tax cuts are the most recommended use of the in-lieu money, they are not mandated by the law. Said Gardner, "The law specifically requires counties to make a 'wise use of these funds.' This means no: a. Across the board pay increase, b. Purchasing fleet of cars. c. Any other non discrete expenditure." Other Uses The Grand County Commission, while considering tax cuts, is also studying capital expenditures with in-lieu money. Some projects which have been put forth include an addition to the courthouse, senior.citizen and community buildings, and a fire station in Spanish Valley. Gardner warns against allocating in-lieu money to other entities. He said, "The law states that this money is being appropriated to counties and shall be spent 'by such unit.' " He continued, "Legally this language may prohibit us from giving any of this money to other governmental units such as school districts, cities, etc." "If we do share this money we will open ourselves to the possibility that Congress will assume that we do not need it. Best action is for the county to use the money since there are more than enough places to spend it," he concluded. Under the 80 per cent recommendation, recommenda-tion, allocation of surrounding counties are as follows: Carbon, $258,400; Emery, $184,000; San Juan, $233,600. IMMUNIZATION CLINIC SET On August 15 there will be an immunization clinic at the Community Health Office from 1:30 through 3:30 p.m. The Health Office will also be conducting another Cancer Screening Clinic for the women of Grand County. This clinic will be held on August 18 and will include a pelvic examination, pap smear, and breast examination. There will be no charge for the clinic, but appointments are necessary. |