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Show Mround April 30, 1999 Page 7A County Court System Discussed - Decision Tabled Red Barn Continued from (age3A seated. There may be a few weeka Amy Shuell, another homeowner was quick to point out that this pro- we will need to prepare for, but ject is the only one that will be around here preparedness is a way of allowed, because of its unique situation- this is not a precedent for life for most residents.1' The Commissioners thanked changing faces. Commissioner Dallin for the work her department' has done. LOT 21 FROM BRIDGE HOLLOW Commissioners voted to approve an ordinance to vacate lot 21 from the Bridge hollow Subdivision, after applicant, Sheldon Smith made the request to vacate the lot which contains 28.81 acres, except one acre which bolds the water tank for the Wanship Mutual Water Company and a 30 foot easement for an access road to the tank. Jennifer planning staff member, told the board that if approved, the applicant would have to follow code requirements for any project. There was also some concern that others in the development would also try to rezone. Charles Willis, Vice Pres, of the Duane-Guetscho- Bridgehollow tm f The Summit County Bee Homeowners Association, said that after speaking with homeowners and with the applicant, concerns had been addressed" and it was felt the project could move forward. jldlh. Schifferti fold the homeowners that although future Commissioners could change the area through rezoning, they would be protected by the rights of the homeowners. EMS SERVICES Members of the East side Fire and Ambulance Services met with the Commissioners to discuss their future needs. After a discussion session, it was agreed to form a committee consisting of one person from each of the North and South region Ambulance and fire boards, 1 or 2 law enforcement officers and 2 or 3 lay persons from the community. They will be charged with making determinations for the future needs of residents, due to growth on the East side. Sandy Marsh, who was recently appointed as interim director of the North Summit Ambulance service after Christy Moore handed in her resignation, said she was learning daily about her job which she con-siis challenging but rewarding. de jrflllltlh. dL. BY PAMELA ROBBINS Bee Editor Although there have been discussions held in the past several months concerning the proposed building of a District Court facility adjacent to the Justice Center Complex, designate which cases would be held in Coalvillc-somethin- g not easily definable. Previously State Representatives had the current announced its intention to fix-u- .jtlhi. F 1 A 1 J t County Commissioners still expressed their concerns and uneasy feelings at yet another session held on Monday. Commission Chair, Sheldon Richins, stated once again that his main objection comes from wanting to make sure, as we make a decision, that we do not abandon the courtroom here in the Court House we need to keep it viable, not only keeping a sense of historic value, but to add a feeling of stability here. Judge Noel, one of the rotating judges for the County, was present at Mondays meeting to discuss a recent letter sent to the board listing the requirements and basis on which they felt a new Court Facility would help not only the County, but attorneys and residents alike. One of the main arguments being the fact that because of availability to file cases in the Park Gty area, those needing an attorney would have less financial expenditure due to lawyers not having to travel closer so far. Time is money for lawyers-filin- g will be a savings to them stated Judge Noel It would be a big change from the way things are handled now commented County Attorney Robert Adkins, adding there would be no criminal case loads handled here. There is a need to p" courtroom but then decided to only give it some cosmetic attention in favor of building the new facility. The County had been under the impression, until recently, that the courtroom would be renovated more extensively than just being painted and carpeted. Another point of discussion focused on the fact that if a new Court Facility is built in the Silvercreek region, the Park City court would willingly close and refer cases to the new facility. Adkins mentioned that after getting together with County Clerk Kent Jones and other County Deputy Attorneys they felt the July 1 date to begin was not a realistic approach, saying it would be almost impossible to enact a transition by that date. Commissioner Eric Schifferli stated that he thought the Judges concern over safety issues was justifiable". It is obvious that having the court near the prisoner rather than having to transport them and keep them in a holding area would be more productive and safer for everyone, but we still need to make a decision about what cases could be referred to the Courthouse. We need to make sure we don't decrease service to this side of the County" added Commissioner Cone. Joe Tesch from the Park City Bar Association told the Commissioners that the Bar has grown to include 83 members presently. 1 tried my first case under Bob ( Co. Attorney) in 76-7- 7 when Beck was tried for killing a Trooper-- 1 too feel a concern for keeping the Court here (courthouse) alive." "However, 1 can also see a need for accessibility to the courts especially for clients on a moderate or below income-somethin- g a court near the Justice Center could provide. Continuing Tesch added most small claims are for cases under S3.000.00 and driving to Coalville would be inconvenient for both the client and attorney and loss of lawyer time. Trading off cases is something Tesch said isn't a good idea-- I really believe that this issue deserves more discussion." Chuck Klingenstein from Park Gty, said that -- after viewing the renovation of the Court House he was proud of the work done and could see why the Commission wants to continue to keep a working court system in place. He added, however, that because 23rd of the County population now lives in the Park City area, it would appear to be more practical to have a court located closer to those using it more. His solution? get a cross section group of those interested to sit around a table and discuss in detail a viable solution to the issue. Bringing up yet another topic. Shelly Weiss stated her concern over speaking residents. We need to be careful in dividing cases, because it would add to confusion in or the Justice knowing just where to sure an education system is in Center place. Judge Noel, in answering a question posed by Commissioner Richins, suied that the process of determining which of the 20-3- 0 judges would be coming to the Summit County area, the Judges would soon be classed into two divisions criminal and civil" -- hoping to give belter service to the public. Those coming to the County would be assigned from the civil area, on a rotating basis, with those assigned open to changing off with another judge, as is presently done". Although coming from the civil division" they would handle all cases, except juvenile ones, which are held in the Justice Court on Fridays. Tense security in criminal and domestic cases with the later having the more violent episodes, call for more beefed-up- " security measures, according to Judge Noel. We are willing to cooperate with the County in their dccision-w- e just want to do what is best for those involved. The Commission Board decided to table making a decision saying they need more time to discuss the issue. non-Engli- sh site-maki- rft Subscribe Taxpayers Association Oppose 4 old nnamrsD HAHBUBGEBS., Full-tim- e , j Assistant i in Fast-Foo- d f I Summit County ir Just $16 Dee!! In-Cou- nty L Managers Experience A Plus! Plus Commission Health & Dental Insurance Paid Vacations 401k Flexible Hours Send resume or apply within: 800 South Main Street Hebei; Utah 84032 A to the Proposed .0006 Voted Leeway Submitted by THE UTAH TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION Approval of the proposed voted leeway will provide South Summit School District a blank check, according to the Utah Taxpayers Association. The Taxpayers Association has serious concerns about voters approvprojects," ing a tax increase for said Greg AFredde, Vice President. Prudent tax policy dictates that any increase in tax burden must be accompanied by a viable plan detailing the use of the increased revenues, Fredde said. , South Summit School District officials are asking voters to authorize a voted leeway tax increase of .0006, with intentions to initially impose .000138. The .000138 will raise approximately $174,000 in revenue to hire four additional teachers and to bring in two portables each with two classrooms to the elementary The school. the of impact .000138 voted leeway on a $100,000 home would be: residential $8.69, t r k commercial $13.80. Voters should keep in mind that they are not just authorizing the amount school officials intend to initially impose but rather the foil .0006 voted leeway," Fredde said. The foil impact of the proposal on a $100,000 home would be: residential $33, commercial $60. School officials say the money is necessary to address problems related to class size in the primary grades as well as improving the reading program. The plan includes the hiring of four additional teachers to implement the reading programs as well as reducing class sizes. South Summit's overall student teacher ratio is very favorable at 18.31 while the states average is 22.24, Fredde noted. In addition, school officials indicate that the school district's tax rate is 33rd lowest of 40 and that this puts them in a favorable position to be able to raise taxes. Taxpayers should be aware that the comparatively lower tax rate is a direct result of a high tax base, resulting from large commercial activities, such as oil field, and higher residential property values, noted Fredde. The result is that statewide. South Summits current school levy brings in the second highest property taxed per student of $4,407, second only to Park City, he said. Comparatively, the average per student property taxes generated by all school districts is only $1,202. South Summit, as is demonstrated by their per pupil property taxes of $4,407, does not face the same property tax challenges a other school districts. Lastly, in a special election, proponents of the tax hike are counting on a low voter turnout to enable a few special interest to force this permanent tax hike on all taxpayers," said Fredde. The Taxpayers Association has recommended that the district produce for taxpayers a comprehensive plan detailing how the district plans to use the remaining voted leeway, said Fredde. Short of a comprehensive plan, the Taxpayers Association urges voters to reject the proposed .0006 voted leeway tax hike, Fredde Mi City Nursery's 7th Annual Truckload Sale Colorado Spruce Delivery Available! Highest Quality Plantsl No Better Prices Anywhere! 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