OCR Text |
Show PAID Salt Lake City, UT 467 Mayors Supportive -- But Skeptic; - The county has been involved in a feud with the cities for some time, trying to get the cities to pay and the cities refusing, claiming housing such prisoners is the responsibility of the county. The county cities a Utah Supreme Court ruling that says cities can be billed for housing costs. Disagreeing with the ruling, the cities have refused to pay. In many cases city councils have budgeted the money, but have banked it until a mutually agreeable solution can be reached. An attempt to get the state legislature to address the problem failed in the last session, leaving the county with few options. Prime among them is suing each city for the amounts owed. Commissioner Stewarts plan is an attempt to end the arguing once and for all. The mayors of Sandy, Murray, West Valley and Midvale are voicing support for the proposal, with reservations about a few of the specifics. All agree it is a good starting point for a constructive dialogue, if not an outright solution to the stalemate. However, they also agree that the success of the plan depends on Salt Lake City, and few believe Salt Lake will go along . . . but they hope so. The proposal is, "on the right track and knowing my council, I think they would approve it," said Sandy Mayor Steve Newton. by Ray Friess Green Sheet Stiff Writer SALT LAKE. Most valley mayors favor a forward by County Commissioner Michael Stewart "designed to resolve a g dispute between the county and the over payment for misdemeanor jailing costs. The concensus of opinion of those questioned is the proposal represents a good starting point for discussion, if not a good solution, provided the county also agrees to leave them alone in the future and never again bring up the subject of who will pay. Under the proposal, each city which sends prisoners to be housed at the jail, with the exception of Salt Lake City, would contribute a ' seed amount" for construction of a minimum security facility for misdemeanor prisoners. In return, the county would agree to stop billing the cities for costs incurred for such housing and would halt all collection efforts. Salt Lake Citys contribution would be in the form of land, rather than cash. That represents approximately a $2 million price tag on Salt Lakes part and could be what ends up dooming the whole plan, the mayors long-standin- say. v E. 300 SALT LAKE, SO. UT 84111 into the budget, probably for road repairs and the city would save $40,000i a year in the future. Murray Mayor Lavar McMillan said his city would be in the same position. Murray council members have banked some $30,000 so far, and while Murray would be asked for $110,000 toward the new facility, the mayor believes the council could come up with the extra without much effort. The city will see an approximately four percent budget reduction if the council adopts the mayors budget, dropping from a $37,200,000 budget to "Its a positive step, but it seems too good to be go Data, true," Newton continued. His skepticism comes from the fact that Salt Lake is being asked for more than any of the other cities. "Its a good deal for all the cities except for Salt Lake and so to me it seems almost designed to fail." Newton said he doesnt want to holler too loudly about the plan and hopes it will work, but "Im wondering if its a real offer, or one that is designed to fail in order to take the heat off the county." Newton said if the plan falls through because of Salt Lakes refusal to go along, the county will then be able to say, "We tried to resolve the situation, but Salt Lake wont go along with it so we cant do it." Still, Newton is enthusiastic, saying "the county is taking responsibilty for the jail situation and that is excellent. That is tremendous progress." Sandy, as well as many of the other cities, will come out ahead under the proposal because the city would have to kick in only $60,000 toward the new facility. While the feud has been going on, the Sandy Council has been budgeting and banking some $40,000 a year to pay the jail bills, waiting for some kind of resolution and in case a lawsuit went against the cities. Sandy has about $80,000 in the bank now and the remaining $20,000 would one of $35,669,000. McMillan said he would be glad to have Murray, "pay a fair share to build a new facility. However, I do not want our contribution related to the current incarceration dispute because that would make people believe I and other mayors admit to a liability of jailing costs, which I do not admit to." West Valley Mayor Brent Anderson concurs with McMillans sentiments and also favors the proposal. If carried out Anderson said the county will have to agree to leave the cities alone in the future. "Its a workable solution, but I have certain conditions I would attach. Those include an agreement that what we pay will go toward the Continued on page 7 A A Single Copy 25 c f Council Gets Some Grim Figures - Lawsuit Threatened By Land Developer City Budget Is No Laughing Matter "increase" vanishes into thin air. In the first place, about $1.3 million consists of revenues and lease money received by the city, which will be used entirely to pay off bonds and other costs associated with land acquisition at Hercules and for payment of a bond on the new circuit courts complex. Although West Valley lurrently, annual garbage pick by Steve Warren Green Sheet Staff Writer WEST VALLEY. Late last week City Manager John Newman handed over his proposed 1988-8city budget to the West Valley 9 City Council. This week, Newman left town. Were the two actions related? Probably not. Obviously, the two-da- y convention in St. George of the Utah City Managers Assn, which Newman attended, had been planned long ago. On the other hand, no one who looks at the citys proposed 1988-8- 9 budget could really blame Newman if he decided now was a good time to get away for a while. The major difficulty posed by the proposed budget is that the city must deal with a revenue shortfall of $852,000 in order to keep services at current levels. To cover the shortfall, Newman has incorporated a $4 per month garbage collection fee which would raise $922,000 annually. When the $922,000 is plugged in, the city would show a balanced budget of $13.9 million in its general fund for this fiscal year. The $70,000 difference between the $852,000 shortfall and the $922,000 in garbage receipts would be used to pay for costs associated with collecting the fee. from ip costs of $852,000 come ales tax proceeds. With a fee issessed for garbage collection, he sales tax money is applied to ither general fund expenditures. Although a quick glance at NEWS Ptfel.r. VIST - facilitated construction of the circuit courts part of the new city hall by issuing a bond, the state makes lease payments to the city which are identical to the bond payment. The Hercules and circuit court monies simply enter and leave the city without showing up either as a plus or minus on the overall balance sheet ANALYSIS budget figures appears to show a $1.6 million increase in revenues and expenditures, from $12.3 million in 1987-8to the $13.9 million proposed for this year, upon closer examination that 8 , Moreover, when the $922,000 in garbage fee money is totalled with the above amount of $1.3 million and subtracted from the proposed $13.9 million budget, that leaves only $11.7 million for fiscal 1988-8- 9 compared with $12.3 million of last year. Why the $600,000 difference? Finance to City According Director Russ Sanderson, that amount stems from the absence of e revenues $364,000 in one-tim- used to balance last years budget combined with a decline of more than $200,000 in building permit collections and other revenues in 1987-8- only-optio- d acrcss-the-boar- one-thir- . . . April has been A Litter Month In Utah, going Prevent as designated make people along with a national effort designed to d Continued on page 3 what is an overwhelming problem. "The only way to reduce the unwanted Utters is through spaying and neutering," she stated. She pointed out some ways area residents could become involved in the effort. "If you have a friend, neighbor or relative who needs transportation to a veterinarian or help transporting a pet, give them a hand. If you live near someone who has an unsteriUzed pet, talk to them about the advantages of sterilization and the benefits they receive." The campaign has been helped along by local animal control agencies, the Humane Society and other animal welfare organizations. Aprils Ides Bring Key Deadlines MURRAY. Beware the Ides of April! Tomorrow -- - Friday, April 15, is the deadline for an 1988 incredible array of activities. Not only is it the day on which motorists have to have removed the studs from their snow tires and the day which the IRS awaits with gleeful anticipation, it is also the filing deadline for those seeking a number of local and state offices. Area residents who have political aspirations have until 5 p.m. tomorrow to file papers with either the County Clerk (for county offices) or the Lieutenant Governor (for state posts). On the county level, both a four-yeand two-yeCounty seat are up for Commission - ar A POUND OF CURE WEST VALLEY. The City Council has decided to stand pat on its Feb. 18 ordinance affecting 16 acres of property owned by Bettilyon Joint Ventures. In a unanimous vote last week, the council reaffirmed its master plan change of the Bettilyon property from general commercial 8. April Designated Prevent A Litter Month SALT LAKE. A campaign aimed at making Utah residents aware of the problem of pet overpopulation is under way. has signed a Gov. Norman Bangerter proclamation designating April as "Prevent A Litter Month," in conjunction with a nationwide program. A spokesman for Salt Lake County Animal Control said 70,000 puppies and kittens are bom each day in the United States, far more than could possibly be adopted. About two in 10 will ' find a home. Peggy Hinnen, director of County Animal Services, is urging county residents to help with Newman notes that collecting a garbage fee is not the available to the City Council as it attempts to produce a balanced budget. include an Other options cut in city services of about 6.8 percent which would translate to the loss of the Slurry Seal of repair of city streets together with the loss of approximately nine policemen, five streets workers, four firemen, two planners, two accountants and one attorney. Concerning the possibility of cutting services, Newman said "our present level of service delivery is below what the public wants based on our load of calls' for service, the backlog and quality of infrastructure. Another option listed in the budget proposal is increasing the property tax rate by 3.1 mills. A final option is adopting a combination of the foregoing measures. Newman has observed, however, that with the business community currently subsidizing residential garbage collection in the city, "a garbage fee would serve to equalize the financial or tax impact on business and residential alike." aware of the need to spay and neuter their pets to help animal control shelters avoid putting so many beautiful animals to sleep. ar election this year. State Senate districts 4, 5, 6 and 8 are also up for grabs, as are all State Representative posts. Those choosing to run for the 11 positions up for election this year in the four Salt Lake County school districts must also meet this same filing deadline. In the Murray district, Precincts 1 and 5 are up for election this year, Precincts 4 and 5 in Jordan, Precincts 1, 2 and 3 in Granite, and Precincts 1, 3, 5 and 7 in Salt Lake. On the the state level, Governors office is up for election this year, as is the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Orrin Hatch. While the seats held by all three of Utahs U.S. Representatives are also open, only Congressional Districts 2 and 3 represent portions of Salt Lake Continued on page 3 "TOUCH IT" ... Lee displays a ence taste zack for sci- as he encourages participation in science fair project at Stansbury a cows elementary with tongue. For details on the fair see page 9B. "hands-on- " to low density residential. The property, at about 5900 W. 4100 South, is situated between a Utah Power and Light complex and Beehive Clothing. It also is near Hillside elementary and Hunter school now under high construction. Although the latest decision marks the sixth time in a two month period that the matter has been discussed in council session, it appears almost certain the city hasnt heard the last of it. Were not going to develop it Vice Bettilyon residentially," President John Langley told The Green Sheet Tuesday. Langley said his company is meeting with legal counsel to determine how to proceed. "Our position now," asserted Langley, "is that the City Council has been advised by our attorney that they have exercised select discrimination. This is a violation of the Constitutional rights of private property owners." At a March 17 reconsideration of the matter, the council heard attorney Robert S. Campbell, Jr., representing Bettilyon, say that a general commercial use for the property is consistent with what already is there. He argued that master planning should be not piecemeal. comprehensive, Singling out Bettilyons 16 acres would constitute "a spot master plan," Campbell declared. Langley informed the council that Bettilyon had purchased the property 20 years ago intending to turn it into a commercial development. By giving the land a residential designation, the city effectively makes it an island because it is not connected to any residential development on its four sides, he observed. But City Attorney Paul Morris told the council in its April 5 study session that he believes the city is on firm legal ground as long as it can show that its Continued on page Inside NOMINEES : The first batch of nominees for the annual Green Sheet Performng Arts Awards are revealed in todays paper. More will appear next week. See Page 2B. OPINIONS : Green Sheet readers share their thoughts, including a reader who feels our "Devil Worship" information indicated condemnation of many good teens. See page 2. HAPPENINGS: Hale Center Theatre opens a new productioin toniht. For details on the musical and other exciting events throughout the valley, check out Green Sheet Happenings. And if you want to be a part of it, the deadlne is Monday at 3. 3 |