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Show Utah Press Assoc. K(7 E. nr, :c. Salt 25cents Thursday March 3, 1983, Number 9 Lake City, Utah Volume 94 Rodney Watkins becomes new Pay son City Administrator A Pocatello, Idaho man assumed the duties of Payson Administrator City Tuesday. Rodney Watkins reported to work at the Payson City Center and of began learning the ropes Payson City. Watkins replaces Glen Vernon who resigned as city administrator to accept a position as the administrator of Craig, Alaska. W atkins has worked for the past ten years for a Council of Governments centered in Pocatello. For the past six years he has been the director of the Council of Governments. His duties included managing 23 employees, operating a transit system, manpower planning for CETA, economic growth planning and assistance, managing the aging agency ior senior citizens, and some environmental planning. lhe Council of Governments was also a clearing house for government loans. As director, Watkins annually oversaw the million in disbursement of loans. His agencies operating budget was $400,000. m $9-1- 0 1 seven-count- y Students at Wilson Elementary School enjoyed impromptu water sports during recess on Monday. The water flooding the playground came from a very wet, heavy snowstorm Sunday night. Scenes of flooding could become common in Utah County as warm spring weather begins to melt heavy snowpack and runoff flows into a valley with saturated ground and an already over-fu- ll Utah Lake. Council approves Council Payson City a new city administrator, maintenance plans for Memorial Park, and a primary election for this years municipal election during the council meeting February 24. Rodney Watkins of Pocatello, Idaho, was named the new city administrator for Payson City. (For more information see additional story on this page.) Blair Park superintendent, Andreason, presented letters from experts in horticulture and entomology. The letters confirmed the problems of insect infestation and diseases in the trees at the park. Andreason recommended that an intensive maintenance program, The approved approved Payson approved including spraying, trimming and, where necessary, removal for the trees at the park. After some discussion, Councilman Bob Sonju moved that the council authorize to Andreason Superintendent mainwith necessary proceed tenance of the trees at the park. The motion stipulated that each tree removed must be replaced with another tree either at the park or the property. All the diseased trees will be buried at the city landfill to prevent the spread of the disease. The motion passed unanimously. The council voted to have a primary election for municipal in Payson this year. The council had the choice of holding a primary election and a general election, a Bon-To- n Payson property tax lower than ,i The property tax on a $75,000 home located in Payson would average $485.58, or about 0.65 of its current market value last year. This compared with a statewide average property tax burden of $547 on a $75,000 home, or of current market value, 0.73 during 1982. r These were some of the facts disclosed by Utah Foundation, the private tax research organization, in their latest analysis of comparative property tax loads in the state. The report shows the average property tax in about 137 different communities located in the 29 counties of the state. According to the study, the differences in the property tax on similar properties located in different areas of the state is the results of (1) differences in the value at which the property is assessed for tax purposes and (2) differences in the tax rates which are applied by the various units of local governments. on The assessment levels improved property in Utah ranged in Piute from a high of 20.29 County to a low of 12.04 in Juab County last year. The total tax rate varied from a high of 93.75 mills ($93.75 per $1,000 assessed valuation) in one area of Draper City to a low of 37.83 mills in an unincorporated area of Garfield County. This combination of different assessment levels and different tax rates results in a considerable range in the tax load on an identical home in different areas of the state. indicates that The study property taxes are equal to less 1 of the current market i than it value of a home in all areas of the p state with the exception of four municipalities in Salt Lake County. A Draper (1.05), South Jordan ;i (1.03), Sandy (1.03), and Riverton (1.01) are the only average places with property taxes exof current market ceeding 1 value. This tax load ranges down from this level to a low of 0.36 in the unincorporated area of South Summit School District. five-bu- s tree removal general election only, or holding mass meetings and a general election. The council indicated they felt the primary and general election offered Payson citizens the best opportunity to get to know candidates. The primary election will be October 4, if more than six candidates file for the three council slots which face election this year. The council voted to have the Payson Racing Association collect stall rentals for the new horse stalls to be built this spring at the Payson Race Track. The association will collect the rent and be responsible for meeting the bond payment on the building for the city. The council also voted to allow the association to continue using the existing stalls until the new building is completed or until May 1, whichever comes first. The Payson City Youth Council met with the council to propose an improvement project for the restrooms at the city park. The youth city council proposed that the city clean up and repair the interior of the building. After the insides are renovated the youth council will paint the exterior. The council directed the park superintendent to review the possibility of renovating the restroom at the park and thanked the youths for their offer. The council approved $2,000 for the summer band concerts on the city park. The council thanked Lew Huff, director of the Payson City Band and the seasonal concerts, for his efforts. The council approved a request by Duane Curtis to move a home to a lot at 722 West 700 South. The move-i- n home was inspected at its present location in Orem by the Payson building inspector and the electrical and water superintendents and found to meet the building code requirements. The vote was two for (Sonju and Riley) and two opposed (Wilson and Christiansen). Councilman Don LaLLford was absent because of a of Association Mountainlands so Governments meeting, Mayor Gary Tassainer cast the deciding yes vote for the move-in- . The council set March 24 as the date for a hearing on a zone by Merlyn change request Phillips. When the new master plan was adopted, the property owned by Phillips at and near his mobile home park in northeast Payson was zoned from commercial to residential. Phillips is requesting the property be returned to a commercial zone. The mayor and city council recently decided to review the entire street program of Payson City. Because of proposals under consideration and the reevaluation of the street program, several people have been relieved of duty in the street department. Watkins is originally from is Idaho. he However, Nampa, familiar with Utah Valley, having attended BYL. He graduated from the Y with a degree in Recreation Administration. When asked what his plans were in Payson, Watkins said, Til be taking my lead from the mayor and city council. He noted that he was interested in economic development. One thing would be interested in would be finding a new tenant tor the American Greetings Plant, Watke s said. Doing everything he can to get a feel tor the community, Watkins said he has already reviewed the Payson City Master Plan which was recently adopted, lhe plan has been well prepared and there is a great deal ot iniormation in it, he noted. Watkins also visited the CHRONICLE office to review recent back issues ot the paper. Watkins and his wile Annette are the parents of three children: Kimberly 10, Christopher 8, and Lana City Administrator Rodney Watkins 5. The tarmiy will join Watkins as soon as their home Pocatello is sold. in Santaquin officials start celebration planning by Michael Olson Sandra Mayor Armstrong reports that work has begun on the organization and preparation for the Santaquin celebration, scheduled for August 4, 5, 6, and 7. met with Mayor Armstrong leaders of several civic organizations recently and notes that there is a great deal of enthusiasm being generated once again for a Santaquin celebration that will involve the entire community and benefit many of its organizations. Another meeting is scheduled for March 9, and Mayor Armstrong hopes to hear from individuals and organizations within the community who wish to work toward making this year's celebration a success. The Fire Department was the first to step forward with a cash donation, something Mayor Armstrong said is essential from many sources for the achievement of a high quality celebration. This year, it's not just cash donations but brainpower that will be needed from members of the community. In tact, cash will be given for the best ideas having to do with float design and coming up with a name toi the celebration. Contact City Hall with your ideas for one or the other, or both. One ot Mayor Armstrong's main concerns is that enough funds be raised to build a high quality Last year's float was Boat. she said, funded by donations, noting that the same kind of community involvement would be needed this ear. One o! the fust events in conjunction with the town teleorauon is the Queen Contest, which is to take place April 9th. Once again, Wasatch Bank is sponsoring the contest, with hard work by bank employees Eileen Butler, Pat Neff, Judy Gonzales, Nan Taylor and other staff members at the bank a big part ot it. We hope everyone in town will get involved," Mayor Armstrong said. She invites all interested citizens to call her at 754-323- Several years ago, legislation was enacted which requires that local property valuations be rolled back to 1978 levels for tax purposes. According to the Local Valuation Division of the State Tax Commission, property values have risen about 50 between 1978 and 1982. Thus, a home selling for $75,000 in 1982 would be valued at $50,000 after applying the roll back factor. In addition, legislation in effect last year provided that of valuations property should be reduced by an additional 20 to allow for selling and related costs in disposing of a property. in effect, the application of these two provisions resulted in residential property being valued for tax purposes at about 53.33 of current market value. A home that sold for $75,000 in 1982, therefore, would show a listed market value of only $40,000 on the tax rolls. It then would be assessed at 20 of this figure or locally-assesse- d $8,000. Enactment of new legislation by the 1982 Legislature and approval of a constitutional amendment by the voters in November 1982, will change property assessments for different types of property in 1983 and subsequent years. Under the new law, residential property will be assessed at 15 of reasonable fair cash value while other property will be assessed at Thus, the tax load on residential property generally will be 25 less than the tax load on commercial, industrial, and other types of property. locally-assesse- d 20. Honors given at band banquet Last Saturday evening, February 26, marked the fifth annual Payson High School Marching Band awards banquet. As well as honoring those persons who have made special contributions to the success of the band, the banquet provided the chance to announce the Booster Club officers and drum major for the coming year. When we give special commendations to Band Boosters officers, we have to commend their spouses, too. The time these people spend on helping the band is often time spent away from their families, or else they bring their families along. (During this year, Jack and Kelly Etherington, Carol's son, has been the PH8 band's drum major, so they brought their family along.) Jack and Carol have been great supporters of the PHS Band for the past three years, Chatwin and we appreciate continued, them. Kathryn Pierce was named as Carol's successor for 1983-8- This year's drum Major, Kelly Etherington, turned over the mace of office to Ray DeGraw, son of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis DeGraw of Santaquin, during the awards banquet. DeGraw will lead the marching band in competition school year. during the 1983-8- award During this years presentations, over 45 plaques were given to students who had excelled in leadership, musician-ship- , and marching skills. Four special community commendations were also awarded to Fay Paul Angus, Bert Murdock, Andrus, and to Jack and Carol, Etherington. Mrs. Angus has served for five years as the judging tabulator for the Nebo of Bands, Tournament Bert Murdock of Bert Murdock Music in Orem has donated many band instruments as prizes at the Nebo Tourney, and Paul Andrus has acted as the Band Boosters treasurer for the past two years. While Carol Etherington has served the past year as Band Boosters president, the community award was given to both Carol and her husband Jack. Explained band director Jerry Chatwin, ington, who has served as the drum msjor for the Payson High School Band this past year. DeGraw was named as the drum major for the coming year during the annual band banquet Saturday. 4 ,111 |
