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Show """f w , Police chief i UK Jordan resigns f Midvale Police Chief Louis Fetherolf Tuesday informed the mayor and city council that effective April 1 he would resign from the position that he has held for the past four years. (i In his letter of resignation Chief Fetherolf said, "I feel we have accomplished much in. the past four years and further hope that the city council will address the critical issues facing the department in terms of turnover and the high cost the city pays in losing highly trained and motivated young men and women to other police III Clifford Mousley and Margie Pace were selected as March Teachers of the Month by the Jordan Valley Kiwanis Club. At the far left is past club president Les Jensen and at the far right club president and JEA Executive Secretary George McKay. Mousley has been in education for 34 years and is currently at Sandy Elementary and Mrs Pace, now at South Jordan, has taught for 24 years. agencies." He resigned in favor of public sector employment. Valley Sentinel Volume 51 Number 12 Thursday, March 22, 1984 Continuing The Midvale Sentinel (USPS 347-940- ) Published weekly at 125 W. Center St., Salt Lake County Utah by Midvale Sentinel Inc. Second-clas- s postage paid at Midvale Utah. Subscription rate $6 per year in Jordan School District. This issue two sections. Utah Foundation reports ... Old Town Merchants Property fax increase could happen Property taxes charged on a home in Utah last year averaged $558, or about 0.76 percent of current market value. This tax load, however, could increase in 1984 as a result of a State Supreme Court decision rendered last week. These were some of the facts disclosed in an of comparative analysis residential tax burdens prepared by Utah Foundation, a private tax research organization. The average property tax for area cities is shown in the table. The foundation report lists the average property tax in 1983 on a $74,000 home in 137 different communities throughout the state. This tax ranged all the way from "a low of $333" (0.45 percent) in the unincorporated area of Summit County to a high of $738 (1.00 percent) in Sandy City. Foundation analysts explain that the property tax imposed on is a property specific two main determined by factors: (1) the value at which the property is assessed for tax purposes, and (2) the total tax mill rate applied against the assessed value by the various levels of local government. Variations in the property tax burden are the result of differences in assessment levels among the counties as well as differences in the mill rates imposed. Several years ago, the Utah Legislature "froze" local assessments at 1978 levels. The State Tax Commission determined that 1978 values were equal to about 67.56 percent of 1983 values. Thus, a home appraised for $74,000 in 1983 would have a 1978 adjusted value of approximately $50,000 for tax purposes. $74,000 Court A State Supreme decision filed on Mar. 13, 1984 declared that the practice of "freezing" the value of some properties at a given point in time, and not others, results in nonuniform assessments and is unconstitutional. Because of this decision, local assessments will have to be raised by as much as 48 percent to bring them in line with state assessments. The foundation notes that some of this increase in local assessments could be offset by reduced mill levies. If no change were made in local mill rates, the average tax on a $74,000 home in Utah could rise from $558 in 1983 to $826 in 1984. Similar increases would occur d on all other of requiring property. The issue local units to reduce mill rates to offset the increase in assessments probably will be brought before the special session of the Utah Legislature scheduled for locally-assesse- schedule activities The Midvale Old Town Merchants Club has announced a schedule of activities for the spring and summer months. On April 14 the club is encouraging members to help cleanup the Main St. area. Last year the group had good participation with their cleanup and look forward to doing it once again. On May 19 and Sept. 18 the Old flea market Town will be held. In August in conjunction with the city's Harvest Days the Main Street group will hold an Arts Festival. Dates are Aug. 3 and 4 with activities on into the evening both days. This Friday the group is holding a pot luck dinner at the Cookery, 56 North Main. All merchants and property owners are invited along with the city Mar. 26. Because of the ratification of Proposition 1 by the Utah voters in 1982 and legislation approved 1982 1983 the and by residential Legislatures, property in Utah is assessed at 15 percent while other property is assessed at 20 percent. Until last week's Supreme Court decision, these assessment rates d on property applied to the current fair market value as rolled back to a Jan. 1,1978 level. In 1983 the legal 15 percent assessment on a home appriased at $74,000 would apply to the rolled-bac- k 1978 value of $50,000, in an assessment of resulting $7,500, or 10.14 percent of current value. Under the Supreme Court decision, the assessment on the same $74,000 home would apply to the current value and would result in an assessment of $11,100, or 15 percent of current market value. semi-annu- locally-assesse- . Draper Midvale Murray Riverton Salt Lake City Sandy South Jordan South Salt Lake West Jordan West Valley st. Uninc.-JordanDi- st. After rolling value Property $634.67 674.00 706.56 643.53 544.67 669.16 629.75 738.44 704.92 570.22 638.17 649.94 626.02 651.28 0.86 0.91 0.95 0.87 0.74 0.90 0.85 1.00 0.95 0.77 0.86 0.88 0.85 0.88 Taxes Charged Bluffdale Uninc.-GraniteDi- Property Bids for the two new fire stations in Sandy have been subr mitted and the lowest bid is $95,000 over the amount of funds remaining for the project. During last week's council meeting, David Dixon, city administrator, reported that the budget appropriation for both buildings was $872,630. After deducting land and architect fees, the balance is $790,646. From bids of eight contractors, the low was $885,674. In order to begin construction immediately, the staff has recommended three sources of . action to the council. First, the Hillcrest PTSA Arts night is this Thursday (Based on a home with a 1983 Sales Value of approximately $74,000) COUNTY City or Area SALT LAKE COUNTY council. al Sandy fire station bids high; staff plans budget adjustments "1 back to 1978 in order to comply with Utah law, Canyon - County Flood Control has announced the early opening of the canal systems to help with the anticipated high spring run off. This coupled with the higher water table will maximize the water danger this spring. Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Patrol will begin its annual water hazard identification program this weekend. Crews will check potential problem areas and attempt to have owners or persons responsible repair winter damage and alleviate situations where dangerous possible. In other business, Robert Copier, city attorney, and other staff members are receiving cable television laws following a public hearing on the matter. . Further information will be discussed in upcoming meetings when it becomes available. Council members voted to repeal an ordinance regarding fire district and fire zones. The fire department requested the ordinance be repealed because it is outdated and not applicable to present building codes. The 1979 and 1982 Uniform Building Code no longer recognizes fire zone. The council also voted to authorize the sale of $1,045,000 general obligation bonds for the 10600 South interchange. the legally appraised value of a $74,000 home would be approximately $50,000. The actual assessed value would be 15 percent of c that figure of $7,500. Commissioner Stewart Sheriff's patrol Heart attack claims attempts to 85 year old postman hazards identify Little Cottonwood In the spring of 1983 the Sheriff's Search and Rescue Patrol identified over one hundred water hazards in the Salt Lake Valley. Although many of the problems were rectified, unfortunately some were not. Also the winter months have taken their toll on fences, gates and other protective structures and we are sure many hazards exist that were not reported last year. After the staff supplies the council with additional information this week, a final decision will be made. a cable MISCO, Inc., television company, requested the hearing to review requirements for franchises. "Flying High" Hillcrest High School's version of The Festival of the Arts will be held Thursday, Mar. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. The program for the evening will consist of a fashion show by the home economics department, Reflections winners will perform their pieces, a jazz band concert, the swing choir will perform and there will be dramatic readings. The PTSA scholarships will be presented that evening and the Reflections winners will receive recognition. The foyer and faculty room at the school will house displays from most departments of the school. Refreshments will be served following the program. Tax Level administration will use excess funds from the capital improvement budget. Second, the administration will seek Community Block Grant funds to cover any shortfall. Third, the 1984-8- 5 budget will appropriate funds sufficient to complete the projects. routinely plays host to thousands of visitors each day, but residents there, no doubt, found it a lonely place to be this past Mar. 7. For the first time in 62 years Elbert Despain would not be bringing them their mail. According to postal officials, Elbert carried his route as usual on Tuesday, Mar. 6, making some 30 stops along the way. That same evening he was struck down by a heart attack. He was 85. Friday, the postal service paid tribute to his years of faithful service with the presentation of a plaque posthumously. His wife, Mirian Despain of Sandy received the plaque from Sandy Postmaster Ernest Maes in ceremonies conducted at the Sandy Post Office: Despain was a highway contract driver, which means he was an independent contractor hired by the Postal Service to deliver the mail. He spent all 62 years on the same route in Little Cottonwood Canyon. His length of service is probably a record in Midvale both in Utah and in recent United States history. Saying the Tuesday Salt Lake County Commissioner Mike Stewart will attend the Midvale City council workshop TO word "dependable" was the best one to describe Despain, Postmaster Maes said that about the only time Elbert couldn't get the mail through was when there was an avalanche. "And Elbert would come back to the office pretty upset when that happened," recalled the ' postmaster. Despain started delivering the mail in 1922 when the only way n up the canyon was by wagon or a steep narrow-guag- e railroad that served the mines. Sometimes he went "above and beyond the call of duty" while on his route, such as the time he spent six hours digging out two men buried under a snowslide. He was able to reach one man in time, but not the other. It took Despain about half a day to complete his route. He said that it could' ve probably been done faster if he didn't stop to visit with his many friends along the way. I meeting next Tuesday. The commissioner will be prepared to answer questions from the city council and any citizens that would care to attend the meeting. The city council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Backyard Singers will entertain at Old Towne horse-draw- , Miriam Despain, widow of recently deceased mail carrier Elbert Despain, receives plaque in honor of her husband from Sandy Postmaster Ernie Maes in ceremonies conducted at the Sandy Post Office Friday. Elbert delivered mail in Little Cottonwood Canyon for 62 years until his death from a heart attack on Mar. 6. store A lot of kids who like to sing make up the Backyard Singers, who will entertain during the open house at Old Towne Originals, Saturday, Mar. 24. Singers range from age 4 to 14 and come from Midvale, Sandy and Salt Lake County. The group is divided by age into three classes which meet once a week. During a class session, the songsters review past favorites and usually learn a new song. Many children like to share individual talents during a "Movie Stars" time when they get to use a professional microphone. I' fcilfeiiifcfcilSir&J |