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Show The Newspaper Thursday, Jane 10, 1982 Page A3 iirf ILBttttBirs ttn itDne IEdlfiitoii Letters Policy The Newspaper welcomes letters let-ters to the editor on any subject. However, we ask that those letters let-ters adhere to the following guidelines: They should be submitted to the Newspaper office at 419 Main Street, or received in the mail (P.O. Box 738), no later than noon Tuesday. They must be signed. They must not contain libelous material. We reserve the right to edit letters let-ters if they are too long for the space available, or if they contain statements which we consider unnecessarily offensive or obscene. Thanks, volunteers Editor: Kimball Art Center would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who helped with our successful Garage Sale on Saturday. Many thanks go to Betty Keith Carry, Bette Snyder, Beverly Maw, Suzanne Thomas, Sherry Holmes, Shirley Smith, Julie Manwaring, Sydney Reed, Ute Ruzicka, Lisa Warr, Ve Dawson, Cindy Huseth, Hazel Gunderson, Moire Rosal, Marjorie Sowards, Connie Marolt, Raye Ring-holz, Ring-holz, Deanna Carpenter, Catherine Carpenter, and Carlyle Morris. We couldn't have done it without you! Also, many thanks to all of you who donated merchandise for the sale, and to those of you who bought items. The community involvement was super! Many thanks to all from the KAC staff, Carol Calder Development Correction to last week's lament Editor: Not wanting to give credit where it isn't due, I must report that there is not even one new tennis net on the community courts as I reported last week... that bad eyesight must be what's wrong with my game! The fact is, no maintenance has been done on the courts in the three years we've been here. $1,000 was allocated by the City Council last year to bolster the fences so that windscreens (which we already have) could be put up, but no action was taken. Such lethargy is disappointing disappoint-ing to the many tennis players who enjoy the three courts, but lament their neglect. Wind prevented us from playing all but two days last week because of the missing windscreens. And the Recreation Department's ambitious tennis instruction program began today with balls sailing through gaping holes in the nets. Imagine trying to teach or learn the game with two of the three courts having no net tightening crank to regulate height; this guarantees a Grecian drape. The courts benefit the whole town because they bring in people who spend money in restaurants, shops, and lodges. Before this town embarks on new projects, we implore that those assets we already have be made fully operational. The cost is minimal, and the money has been allocated. Are we asking too much after waiting three years for improvements? Suzanne Rowan C(Dimitnimiifl(Bdl ffnmm . Bones from 1 collected, and how the money is proposed to be spent. Loble commented commen-ted that a total proposed annual budget of $8 million is "substantially more than for other communities this size; but it is substantially less than what is spent on comparable services in other communities." Resident Tom Distad, who said he represented a number of local businessmen, said it was ironic that the same citizens who complain about construction and tourism are now complaining that property taxes will have to rise because there is an anticipated an-ticipated downturn in those activities. "We're not afraid to have you raise property taxes," he said. He discouraged the council from turning to a system that might discourage local business by overburdening the tourist with higher prices and user taxes. Dale Nelson, an Old Town property owner, asked if all of the $1 million tax increment expected to be collected by ; the Redevelopment Authority next year has to be plowed back into the area for capital improvements. He wondered if property taxes could be held down by diverting some of that money into the general fund and slowing down on proposed projects in the Redevelopment Area. Loble said that slowing down would be an option, but added that the faster improvements are made, the more valuable land in the uptown area will become, and the sooner local taxpayers will feel the relief of a higher assessed valuation and mill value. Councilman Bill Coleman also noted that the tax increment in-crement spent in the Redevelopment Area is actually more valuable to Park City residents in the long run, since it goes to make improvements in the city, rather than being shared by the rest of the county. Nelson also emphasized to the city the need to work with the county and state to reassess property values in the newer areas of the city to make them more equitable when compared with Old Town. He noted that he was not suggesting that Old Town be taxed lower, but that all property be taxed equally, z Council members acknowledged the discrepancy, and said efforts have been made to have property reassessed by the county. Ruth Gezelius cautioned the council about raising property taxes so fast that it causes the city to lose permanent per-manent residents and become a tourist-only community. She agreed with Nelson that property reappraisal could not be over-emphasized. Old Town business owner Jim Carr complained that the nation is in a recession, yet Park City is raising taxes. He noted that his taxes had gone up five-fold in recent years. But Coun-cilwoman Coun-cilwoman Helen Alvarez pointed out that the city has not been responsible for that large increase. A revaluation of property two years ago by the state caused a dramatic change, she said, adding that Park City's property taxes did not increase at all last year. Loble commented at the close of the meeting that the city is directing its attention at-tention to convincing the state legislature that recreation areas such as Park City need options not currently available to raise more money. By allowing the city to do such things as raise the sales tax and collect a real estate transfer tax, the burden could be lightened on the local taxpayer and shared with the visitor who demands services from the city. School district estimates new 1982-83 budget The Board of Education Tuesday will begin study of the new 1982-83 budget totaling $3,119,291 an increase of some 10 percent over this year. The estimated budget, based on the county's assessed valuation figure of $65,676,334, represents a mill levy of 44.21, an increase of 3.9 mills over the 1981-82 fiscal year. Dr. Richard Goodworth, district superintendent, explained that 3.42 mills of the increase is required by the state, with the remaining .48 representing a district increase. The two major portions of the school district's budget include maintenance and operation, covering teachers' salaries, the basic education program, and day-to-day operation of the schools, ana capital outlay and debt service, covering capital expenditures, expen-ditures, retirement of debt and new buildings. Next year's maintenance and operation will cost an estimated $1,439,843, or a total of 20.17 mills a levy required by state law. Goodworth explained that the minimum levy required by state law is 23.75 mills, but when the county went through a revaluation process three years ago, the mill levy dropped and districts were given four years to go back up to the 23.75 figure. The Park City district now is in the third year, and next year will rise to the minimum figure. The district levies .87 mills under a "voted leeway" established in 1954, representing 16 percent of that year's budget. The .87 mills contributes $56,825 to the total maintenance and operation budget, for the total of 20.17 mills. The basic program budget also covers an approximate 8.5 percent increase in teachers' salaries. Goodworth said the new estimated budget represents a general 10-percent increase overall, with no major changes in any one category except for the addition of 2.7 new teachers. The district's capital outlay and debt service budget calls for estimated expenditures of $1,449,469 generated from a levy of 22 mills. Of that total, $551,950 will go for interest payments on the new $6 million Treasure Mountain Moun-tain Middle School, with bonded indebtedness indeb-tedness on other buildings totaling $397,844. Some $1.35 million still is owed on the new middle school, with several months still remaining in which the district can issue bonds for that amount. The capital outlay budget includes $6,000 for two new computers for the high school math department, and some $12,000 in state grants for business department computers. Four minor areas of the total budget include: Special transportation, covering field trips and activities, for a total of $65,676, generated from a one-mill levy. Tort liability, or insurance, totaling $2,627, or .04 mills. Recreation fund, a one-mill levy for $65,676 for equipment and maintenance main-tenance of school recreation facilities. -Food service totaling $96,000, paid for by food sales and state and federal funding. Goodworth explained that the new budget is based on estimates according accor-ding to assessed valuation figures, and the percentage of that valuation the county expects to collect. He noted that tax collections in the county have been running around 83 percent, and the district's budget is based on 85 percent per-cent of the total valuation figure. The mill levies are firm, he said, but it won't be determined until later if the total 44.21 mills will produce the hoped-for hoped-for revenue. Assessed valuations in the county now total $9! ,983,121, but some $25.4 million of that is earmarked to produce tax revenues to finance the Redevelopment Agency and its improvement im-provement projects on Park Ave. and Main Street. Goodworth said the public is welcome at the 7 p.m. school board meeting Tuesday, when he will be on hand to present figures and answer questions. Summer '82 PARK CITY 1 tlITPA IB) Free 15 minute computer engine analysis. Complete with 36 point (computer) printout featuring the Allen Smart Scope. Return within 30 days with printout and get 15 discount on parts and labor. By appointment please Foreign or Domestic Friday, June 18th 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gas, Turbo or Injection Saturday, June 19th 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sign up now for our FREE engine analysis including a complete check of your cranking, charging, ignition and fuel systems. We can electronically pinpoint those fuel and performance robbing parts. We can probably save you the price of a standard tune up on your vacation this summer. Anderson Emporium Lumber THE SHOP 1 block east of Anderson Lumber 649-1262 Hwy. 248 7 N Presented by Park City Performances Starring Ralph Carlson Steve Stanczyk Richard Scott Larry Sheldon Carroll Horton Featuring Katherine Janka LizNesi Ruth Ann Fitzgerald Robin Riley Leslie Luyken Madeline Smith Andrea Metos Val Thurnell DirectorChoreographer Susan Jarman Thurs.-Sat, June 10, 11 &12 Showtime 8 p.m., Egyptian Theatre for reservations call 649-9371 Book by Joe Masterolf , based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood. Music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb Broadway production directed by Harold Prince. Produced by arrangement with TamsWitmark Music Library, Inc. Tickets: $6.50 General Admission, $5 Members of Park City Performances. is here |