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Show JANUARY 12, 196 Wy Hory Honitar Whoa! Wait justa minute! This is Beaver County- not Washington, D.C. ; By Alice Smith, Milford Monitor Editor, in the January 8, 1996, Public Safety Building Hearing _ Commissioners, | respectfully request that one more alternative be added to your list of options regarding a fis safety building for Beaver County: additional study with emphasis on a facility this little county can afford! You. as commissioners. have been working with one team of experts toward this moment for approximately 18 months. As a resident. I would like cost estimates from additional sources. It is with some apology and embarrassment that I present this request at such a late stage in the negotiations. The first rule for a reporter is to investigate through alternative sources - yet, J did not until the final week of December, 1995, when official stance on this project could no longer be accepted as credible. I assure vou that this came about quite innocently. and without design. Inthe course of preparing an article for the January 2 issue of the Monitor, I contacted Doug Carriger. County Planner. to verify my notes from the public information meetings regarding the estimated tax increase for individual property in relationship to each of the options as discussed in the public meetings. Interviews with a number of residents throughout the County mdicated this to be the figure responsible for swaying their decision in favor of the 152 bed option. In my naivety. I thought it would be a public service to include those estimates in my report. To my surprise, Doug was unable to give verification. Next, I called Max Limb, County Assessor. You all surely remember: Max, don’t you? He’s the fellow voters elected to deal with tax assessments in the County. As of December 27, no one had contacted him conceming tax projections. He did. however, very firmly inform me that calculating cost to individual taxpayers is a complex procedure which can noi be done with'any degree of accuracy until final cost totals are available. He then suggested contacting Paul Barton, County Clerk/Auditor, to see if the increase estimates were generated in that office. No. not Paul’s figures. but he did know the source. Jon Bronson, Zion’s Bank Financial Consultant (once removed from the local political scene), calculated those persuasive estimates. Does he stand behind them? Absolutely not! Ina late December telephone conversation, Bronson even advised caution in using them as a guideline. The convincing factor in the public HSCUNGHOR meetings was based on simple conjuncture! — PAGE 6 ® J aa il (continued from page |) Financial impact of bonding through the building authority is also a variable. Legal limit for County GO bonds, previously estimated at $7 million. is actually $6.2 million. The county currently has no outstanding GO bonds. It does have revenue bonds. scheduled to retire in 2005 or 2006, for the swimming pools. School district GO bonding capability is 4% of county evaluation. or slightly in excess of $12 million. In addition to the recent $8 million bonds for the two new high schools. the district has an outstanding $3 million bond which will retire in two to three years. If commussioners decide - through the building authority - to,issue lease revenue bonds in the amount of $11 million for the jail. this technically does not bind the county to pay the debt. There's more....... Information released to the public portrayed such a need for prison beds that the nsk of CONGRATULATIONS 0 THE NEW YRAR'S BABY! an empty facility was almost nonexistent. However, from your own assertions, there will be no guaranteed number: of prisoners if the jail is built. Like most other residents, I accepted this at face value until I received the “Leavitt Update.” It is general procedure for Governor Leavitt’s Office to send news letters to all media agencies on a biweekly basis. The December 22 letter is a brief overview of the Governor’s proposed $5.4 billion budget for FY 1997. Criminal Justice recommendations, in the $72.5 million crime package, include: ; ¢ expanding alternatives to confinement * increasing bed space in adult prisons and youth correction facilities as follows: currently under contract.) ¢ 10 detention and 10 shelter youth beds at the Carbon/Einery Youth facility. In addition to the above mentioned 656 beds. the Uinta 4 Unit at Draper is scheduled for occupancy in 1996. Whether it contains 192 beds or 142 beds will be determined by the demand for maximum security single cells. It will be followed in early 1997 by Uinta 4A. with 192 beds. A 6-month remodeling project of the Wasatch Facility, Block B, will begin as soon as the 120 prisoners housed there are temporarily relocated. 74 Beds will be added to make this a 194 bed unit. housed in county jails: Millard-14: San Juan-55: Davisstate is negotiating for 15 beds in Juab County, and an The proposed2,000 bed facility in Salt Lake County i is operation, with that number dropping by 100'every year. State will not build another large prison facility until after the 2002 Olympics, it is.also pertinent to note that infrastructure already in place at the Gunnison Facility is designed to accommodate added units. As reported in the public information meetings, prison population increased in 1995 at the rate of 11 ae With a slight drop in December. total inmate increase was approximately 550 for the year. ope Annies, Anytime, Arby's, Arshel's, Beaver heel Beaver Valley Medical Clinic, Beaver Valley Cleaners, Beaver Drug, Beaver Press, Beaver Sport and Pawn, Beaver Nursery, Beaver Valley Chevron, Bradshaw Coal and Lumber, Discount Groceries, Black Steer, Bradshaw Auto, Cottage Inn, Country Inn Motel & Fuel Stop, Dan's Garden of Eat'n, El ¢ 264 beds at the Draper women’s facility ¢ 100 beds contracted with a private facility in Texas (in addition to the 100 beds per week. Beaver Hospital welcomed the new years baby on January 4th 1996 when Marrissi Kimberly made her appearance,weighing in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measuring 19 1/2 inches long. The proud parents, Miles and Sabrina Kimberly are from Parawon, Utah. The following merchants provided prizes for the New Year’ s.Baby: From Beaver: * 100 adult beds at the Promontory Pre-Release facility’ in Draper ° 192 adult beds at the Gunnison facility— As of January 3, 1996 there were 186 state prisoners 47; Sevier-70. 100 prisoners are housed in Texas. The ‘undetermined number- less than 20 - in Wasatch County. ‘expected to house 700 state inmates during its first year of * With reference to the Governor's reported statement that the Nor does it restrict the county from additional borrowing up to the $6.2 legal limit in GO bonds. However. according to Dick Fox, bond attorney with Ballard, Spahr, * Andrews & Ingersoll. lease revenue bonds through a building authority- or even industrial bonds induced by a county become a part of that county's portfolio, In the event that such county, or related school district, needs to issue General Obligation Bonds, the agent selling those bonds is legally obligated to disclose all items in the portfolio. “Interest rates are so low for General Obligation bonds that no risk is tolerated. Overlapping debt creates a financial philosophy of caution.” he explained. Even though GO bonds have first claim on property tax with no limitations, they become less attractive to investors if a county is morally obligated for other bonds. This translates into higher interest rates and higher taxes. Commussioners clarified that they have retained Abe Gillies and Ken Shulsen for $12,000. to conduct a study only. They did not put the study out for bid because these justice consultants have been involved with 90% of the largest and newest correctional facilities. Jones and DeMille Engineering Firm was hired to do “certain things”, including help with CIB applications. Their bill has not been submitted, and Barton said he isn’t sure just how much work they have done. Commissioners interviewed various financial consultants before choosing Jon’ Bronson. He will be paid on a commission basis when the bonds are sold. Meanwhile, the jail is overflowing. Two prisoners- one male and one female- are currently housed in Millard County. Sheriff Yardley related that there are at least two other individuals who technically should be incarcerated. Deputies have done an admirable job of protecting the county within the limit of these constraints. If a jail plan is approved January 17. it will be approximately 2 years before it is ready for occupancy. Denial creates a completely different scenario. No contingency plan for immediate relief was discussed in the ee When asked what he plans to do with prisoners. Yardley answered, “That’s a damn good question.” Bambi, Ellen's Video, First Security Bank, Fishlake Lumber, Headquarters, High Country Shell, IFA, Indian Creek Vet, Kevin's Conoco, Kountry Side Krafts, Lee's, Lonetree Custom Embroidery, Mary Lowe, Maxtype, Mike's, Hal Murdock, Paice Variety, R & R Upholstery, Ray's 66 B-Store, Rick's Beauty Shop, Sam's Furniture, Spanish Rose, Southcreek Texaco, State Farm, Subway, Timberline, Utah Independent Bank, ‘Valley Pack, Village Beauty sep Wendy's. From Minersville: Bill's Chevron From Parawon: M & D, Shady Del, Parawon Cafe, J.J.'s Day's Inn, Revs Crafts, La’Villas, Dairy Freeze, The currnt crisis is due, at least in part, to the enactment of the Crime Bill, which put additional officers on the street, aid additional judges on the bench. In 1994 total net gain of prisoners was about % of that amount. Yes, Beaver Couny could contract for 120 state prisoners if the jail was ready for occupancy today. It is not- and will not be for at least 24 months. AND Utah’s leadership is not - as it has never been - shortsighted. Did you evaluate these oe Commissioners? Alternatives to Incarceration: Utah is a progressive state that has always had an eye turned to the fees leadership in criminal justice is no exception. The Governor’s FY 1997 budget also calls for expanding alternatives to confinement. Simply stated, incarceration for individuals who do not pose physical threat to society is not a good value for taxpayer dollar. Future programs through the State Office of Corrections will serve the estiniated 70% of the prison population capable of becoming productive citizens. These prisoners will not be housed in county facilities because it is unrealistic to expect the quality of training and education required as Utah steps into this examplatory position. You will be hearing more about this as 1996 unfolds- but. rest assured. gentlemen- the players are already in place. This is not a “bleeding-heart” program to help the “poor” inmate. If is based on sound fiscal sense, and designed to strengthen society. Rights of Families: Upon conviction, inmates loose a number of their rights; their families do not. ‘Thoe families have every right to expect reasonable access to their loved ones throughout the period of incarceration. Wit the greater percentage of prisoners | | BATTERY/BOOSTER CABLES 10 gauge, 12' length, #08115 $399 6 gauge, 12’ length, #08565 generated from the Wasatch Front, travel and telephone expense is considered an undue hardship for families if prisoners are housed in a remote location. This, of course, makes a jail in oe County less desirable, There is, however, one category of inmate the state is constantly struggling to house: females. Sheriff, if male inmates are not available and the dollars get short. are you willing to house state female prisoners? — Financial Impact on the County: ENGINE Legal bonding limit for the County is 2% of property market value - or Saves wear and tear o i engine. Easy to install. #KHS, 6. 7 and8 ' times state guideline limits) to cover the $8.9 million project plus finance charges for this proposed public safey building. Your financial consultant. Jon Bronson, has indicated in at least one open mecting that selling the boncs should pose no problem. Bonding for the public safety building through the Building Authority leav es Beaver C ounty Commissiones the option of pursuing a possible addition of up to $7 million debt through County General Obligation or Revenue Bonds for other projects, such as roads to service industry. (Commissioners Sullivan says he knows of no plans for such bonding - but, as he leamed last Friday, he isn't always invited to lunch.) With Beaver County inadvertentlythrough the Building Authority - already bonded at 1.5 times the legal limit, who would buy additional bonds - and. at what rate? Or, would the County be forced into a contract with industry for interest buy-downs which would restrict future taxing revenues? Source of Cost Estimates: Why were expert services not put out on bid? It simply defies logic to expevt experts to be cost effective if they undertake a project without the good old American principle of competition. If these experts are working on commission of the gross dollar - and they are guaranteed the job if they can sell the project 0 the public - what is the incentive for thrift, or even common sense! Gentlemen. | respectfully suggest that you were negligent in your duty by refusing to supply the people - yes, those voters who placed vou in this office - with cost ard design comparisons from competitive entities. Conversation in the January 5 meeting made it quite clear that figuris : BATTE E S UB etd clan gaps, Available in group sizes 24, 24F, 26, E _26R, 55, 58, 70 and 74. FOG LAMP - OR DRIVING KIT LAMP KIT Stainless steel construction A 12V 55W halogen bulbs. #64753-5, 64761-5 $A. 499 HEAVY DUTY DUAL-RATE WHEEL BATTERY CHARGER Features10-amp continuous charge, 40-amp fast charge, 200-arap engine start. #PM1040 14 24°° CHARG ER Features 2-amp slow charge, 6-amp rate for most everyday charging needs. 15° EMERGENCY ay 7 TOW Sy 0 Se ae f #PM6200 $9399 A & F ENTERPRISES 560 NO. MAIN MILFORD, UT 387-2496 We Peon suum a Meer usta Ul oie STRAP Designed for towing stuck vehicles, 10,000-Ib. capacity. #2815 by the fact that he has been able to put young men on the street in very classy vehicles- and still manage to avoid tle ‘law enforcement arrogance” that can damage a community. It’s a good department. and deserves support witha proper public safety building. Public intimidation: Individuals who previoush spoke out against- or even questioned - the public safely building have experienced ndicule: “Itisjust. =. ss He’s against any kind of growth.” (Even if an individual property owner is expecting growth in the County to enhance his property, what happens to real estate values if taxes are out of proportion?) Or. doesn't know the facts ~ (Gentlemen, I respectfully ask - do you} My comments today are not to be misconstrucd as opposition to a public safety building. “There ts to question that the present facility is becomung more inadequate with each passing day. i simply request further study before making a commitment that Beaver County may be unable to oe Ri Each for.a 50 bed option to be available for this hearing - from the same team of experts - would be designed as support for a 152 bed facility. Beaver County has excellent law enforcement through the Sheriff's. Department. Sheriff Yardley is 0 be commended for the fine force he has put together. The Sheriffs administrative expertise is further domonstratd Jenn Lower Radiator Hose Style somewhere in the neighborhood of $7 million. Through the newly established Building Authority, you - 2 Commissioners - apparently intend to issue revenue bonds up to a possible total of $11 million (approximatelyI Don’t build too small: Voters have repeatediv been advised to avoid the pitfalls of building a facility thit is too small to service future growth. One statement stressed in each of the public information mectings was, “Ore aggresscive officer can make a great difference in your inmate population.” Law enforcement is to protect and to serve. Just how aggressive do we want it to become? Suit Against the County for Jail Conditions: Yes. it could happen. t could also happen $11 million late, as it most certainly has in other locations. re HEATERS — State Station, P.J.'s, ‘Bank of Southern Utah, Pizza Barn, The Wave, First Security Bank, Burton's Partners, M & D Foodtown, Pit Stop, Wild Bills, Miss P?, H & R Hardware. Thanks to Linda Carter at Parawon Clinic, who did a super job. |
