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Show Public comments on $4,435,605 County budget There was some good news and some not so good news presented at the annual Sevier County budget hearing. The good news was that there would be no tax increase this year. The not so good news was the commission felt good about the budget and didn t think there would be any changes from the suggestions made at the meeting by the public attending. The no tax increase statement was good news for the fifty plus in attendence on Thursday, December 5 in Richfield. The commission expressed their feelings that even for the next couple of years they would cut budget rather than raise taxes. From there the public was invited to ask any questions about the budget that was handed out that moning to most in attendence. The $4,435,605 county budget allows for an eight percent raise to the county full time employees. This follows a cut in pay three years ago and then two years of no increase in salary. A discussion followed where it was pointed out that benefits to the employees amount to about 40 percent of their salary and that with the present budget the employees would get an eight percent raise along with benefit increases. Many argued this was too much in the present economy. Benefits include such items as full health insurance coverage, social security, other taxes and retirement. Total wages proposed for 1992 for permanent employees total $1,616,808 with another $744,207.00 to be spent for benefits. Discussion from the public asked the commission if they could look at benefits and bring them more in line to the private sector. The commissioners explained that they were looking at a self funding insurance program that could bring the cost of insurance down. Presently they are paying approximately $400 a month for a family plan, $300 a month for a couples plan and $200 a month for an individual. A question came from A1 Rinsaker asking the commission whether or not the hearing today was legislative or administrative? Upon the advise of the county attoumey, Don Brown, the commission did not answer the question. This raised comment from the g oup where several got up and left stating that the budget was already set and they were wasting their time by attending. Further discussion by the group involved such subjects as mosquito abatement, emergency services, landfill, and the jail. There were some m attendence that disagreed with using the chemical malathion and asked why the commission was going ahead this year without looking at other possibilities as they were directed by the committee that looked into these matters. The commissioners explained that they had received no report from the committee and proceeded with the same program as they always have. They were told the committee had met and made recommendations and that these recommendations would be resubmitted to the commission pronto. In the Emergency Services department their budget went up about $100,000 this year. Shernff Meacham explained that everybody is already being charged on their phone bills and Emergency 911 fee. This will go on line in July of 1992 and this figure was apass through account that is collected by the phone company, passed through their office and then paid back to the phone company. The commissioners explained to the group that they only had one year left on their p esent landfill sight and they are having to put some money aside Continued on page 2 Redmond explains new sewer rate increases Redmond Town residents received notice of upcoming sewer rate increases to cover revenue shortfalls in that department. Raising the sewer rates is not a new subject of concern for Redmond as rates were altered in the summer when the town council recognized they were bringing in less money than what was needed to pay all related bills. Only there was a , problem with their figuring at that time. Yearly, the Town of Redmond pumps a little more than 42 million gallons of water into their water n lines. Of this amount about 28 gallons is used by residents in household usage and thus ends up in the sewer ponds. The remainder goes to stockmen and farmers for watering livestock and the watering of the parks and cemetery and whatever leaks the system has. The Town of Redmond has annual expenses of $46,000 a year. This amount needs to be figured on 28 million gallons used not the 42 million gallons that was figured last summer. For this reason the council is now proposing to raise the base minimum charge from $5.00 a month to $9.00 a month and up the rate for gallons of water used in excess of 4,500 gallon per month to $1.50 per thousand gallons. With these new figures, based on 212 connections, if a home uses mil--lio- 10,000 gallons a month their new bill will be $18.14 a month. If a flat rate were charged to a connection this would be your bill. As was passed by the council bills will reflect usage. According to Mayor Gene Honeycutt, the increases are based on usage. They still have a reasonable base minimum and if the household uses the water then they pay for the gallons used each month. This problem of shortfall in revenues is not new to Redmond. To meet the existing debt payments on the present system Redmond has had to borrow $75,500 from other Town accounts. This amounts to a shortfall of about $20,000 a year for the past two to three years. The problem the council has not is that they need to pay back the other Town accounts as well as cover the shortfalls. Another problem with the system are the lift stations. They were the best money could buy at the time they were installed but they have not lived up to the expectations and are in need of more repairs or replacement. The Town has received a $140,000, 3 loan from the Community Impact Board repayable over 10 years to replace the existing wet well lift stations and replace them with new dry well stations. These changes will change Redmonds monthly sewer system income from only $2,200 to $2,400 to the needed $3,850. This amount will pay off the $7 5 ,000 plus loans to other city departments, it will also pay off the community Impact Board $140,000 loan that will start in January of 1994, plus generate a little extra income for unplanned for repairs and service to the system. Residents will see the increase after their December water usage or on their bill they will receive January 2, 1992. Aurora looks at sewer system Officials of Aurora City and residents are looking into installing a sewer system for the town. In order to continue with the project, a public meeting will be held January 13, 1992 at the City offices of the Aurora Fire House beginning at 7 p.m. At the meeting, the first draft of the Aurora Wastewater Facilities (Sewer) plan will be discussed, as well as possible funding options for a Municipal Wastewater (Sewer) system. Around the Towns Redmond Lighting Contest TV Redmond Town and Redmond Beautification Committee are joining together to sponsor an Outside Christmas Lights Contest for all Redmond residents. There are four categories so everyone who decorates their home will be eligible to win. Judging will be done the week of December Prizes will be awarded A list of categories and rules are available at the Town Hall. 16-2- 0. Solina Legion Post Christmas Party Salina Post and Auxiliary Unit 36 are hosting a Christmas Party and Dinner for all Veterans, Legionnaires, and Auxiliary members or potential members. The dinner will be held December 2 1 , at 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall. Cost is a can or package of food. The food will be given to a needy family. We need your help. Wont you come out and support us and help someone less fortunate at the same time. We hope everyone will come out and support us and make our Christmas Party a success. School Christmas Concerts slated Don't forget North Sevier High School and middle School Christmas Concerts. NSHS will hold their concert on Tuesday, December 17 at 8:00 p.m. The Middle School's concert will be Wednesday, December 18 at 8:00 p.m. Both Concerts will be held in the High School Auditorium. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the holiday programs. Uniques set Christmas Home Show The North Sevier Uniques Drill Team is sponsoring a Christmas Home Show, Monday, December 16. There will be many different homes with their different traditions. It will be form 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the cost of $3.50 for all homes. The list of homes will be posted in businesses throughout Salina. or For more information contact Penny Christensen, 529-363- 6 Dana Jones, 529-3466. t Discussion at the meeting will include preliminary findings for the Aurora sewer system; financial information; monthly rates that would be charged to residents; and timetable for getting the sewer system into service. i l UWUUU utiu UliJ Vt OVOOilll ill be held and options for funding the project will be presented for public comment. Options for funding include: State of Utah funding assistance loan Permanent Community Impact Board Grant andor loan Farmers Home Administration Grant andor loan. The first draft of the proposed facilities plan, along with all pertinent information is now available for public review at the home of City Recorder Kent Freemen, 40 West 100 North, Aurora, Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to go over the proposed plans during those hours and become familiar with the first draft of the sewer plan. You may also contact Mayor Larry Cosby or members of the city council for further information. in: TT Sino Aloud am Braithwaite, Monica Christensen, Karen and Glover T eresa Sperry spent some time on Saturday to carol to Salina business shoppers. Olsen found incompetent; committed to state hospital The Salina man charged with the murder of William Paul Jensen, Salina, has been found incompetent to stand trial. Brett Allen Olsen, appeared before Judge Don V. Tibbs following his arrest, and was ordered to undergo a 30 day evaluation at the Utah State Hospital to determine if he was competent to stand trial for the crime. November 20, after reading reports from the hospital, Judge Tibbs ruled that Olsen was not competent to stand trial, and committed him to the Utah State Hospital until he is found competent to stand such trial. Psychologists examining Olsen listed limited intellectual talent, and added that Olsen is so depressed that he has a very difficult time in focusing on anything other than the alleged crime. Olsen claims that the murder victim was his best friend, and says he has no memory of the stabbing which claimed the life of William Paul Jensen, October 13, 1991. Olsen was taken to Sevier County Jail where he overpowered a guard, and escaped. Law enforcement officers conducted a search for Olsen, but he remained at large until October 17th. Police officers made the arrest at the home of a Salina girl friend. Olsen has a long history of crimi nal misconduct, and had appeared 26 times in juvenile court. He also has had a history of problems with drugs and alcohol. Olsen also served time m prison for beating a man with a pair of brass knuckles. While serving time for this offense, Olsen spent three days at the University of Utah Hospital, threatenrecovering from a non-lif- e ing stab wound. Dr. Richard R. Wootton, said that after a short period of treatment, it is possible that Olsen will be able to stand trial. He says that with treatment by medication and psychotherapy for depression and other behavior, he could become competent in as little time as one year. Salina City resumes dump maintenance The Salina City Council made a decision to take over maintenance of the Salina landfill at their December 2, 1991 meeting. The landfill has been under the care of Kim Gates, of Salina, since February, 1991. In other business, Denise Hafen, Jan Butrymoweiz, and Lisa Willden were present at the meeting to ask the support of the Council in reopening the Water Hole Bar. The motion to approve the by the council. was passed Billy White explained to the council the business he has established in Salina. He passed out literature on the services he has available. The Council thanked White for his information and said they were only studying the problems with sanitation at this time. Lloyd Mullican was present at the meeting to ask questions about WWW his new assignment as Animal Control Officer for the city. He asked how many dogs were allowed before it would be designated as a kennel. After some discussion, the motion was made to repeal the resolutions of February 17, 1988 and February 7. 1983, regarding kennel licensing. The motion was approved that all dogs will now be licensed individu- ally. The Salina City Library will be closed the week of December Chief of Police Gordon Kiesel 23-2- will be attending 8. Executive Development Institute in Provo on December 12 and 13. The next meeting of the Salma City Council will be held Monday, December 16, 1991 at 7 p.m. ,n the city chambers. Anyone with questions or concerns for the council is welcome to a'tend. |