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Show r r-- ;- OCJia 3NWD woiiniooss 'TrIr,ii'fJi'ltrrtimifi'iviiriMii'ti4iitrniVfin,iifrtTJ1lliTi,ii' OltrS -- Liia ssayd Hdin 66 s giFtmeyjw? 3Hi 1 t 0. I f 1 Thursday 0 Q Thursday, August 21 , 1997 Q 105th Year - No. 66 500 Price, Utah County reports slightly increasing taxable sales Carbon County experienced a modest increase in gross taxable retail sales and business purchases in May 1997. The latest statistics compiled by the Utah Tax Commission indicate that local sales and purchases edged up 1 percent compared to the figures registered by Carbon County in 1996. The number of retail outlets operating within the county climbed from 142 in 1996 to 156 in May 1997. Retail outlets transacting business in Carbon County gen- erated $17,058,770 and $16,882,041 in sales activity in May 1997 and May 1996 respectively. Retail trade accounted for $8,414,072 of the taxable sales revenues reported by Carbon County in May 1997. Local business investments in the county generated an additional $7,622,477, followed by taxable services at $993,543 and all other sales at $17,415. Although Carbon County witnessed a slight overall increase in activity, gross taxable sales and purchases declined within Price city, registering at 3.2 -- percent in May 1997 compared to 1996. Although sales and purchase transaction totals dropped in Price, retail outlets reporting related activity within the city increased from 58 to 63 during the designated one-yeperiod. Retail trade accounted for $6,778,216 of the sales revenues registered by Price in May 1997. Taxable business investments generated an additional $4,433,937 in the city, followed by services at $726,036 and all other sales at $3,925. Gross taxable sales and purchases fell 14 percent in Emery Cqunty. ar Emery registered a total of $4,407,675 in taxable sales activity from 81 outlets in May 1996 and $3,782,876 from 89 outlets in May 1997. In Emery County, retail trade transactions generated $1,732,801 in taxable sales enues in May 1997. Business investments revac- counted for $1,625,249 of the total related revenues reported in Emery County. Taxable ser vices registered at $407,411, followed by all other sales at $17,415. At the state level, May 1997 retail sales and business purchases by Utahs large monthly taxpayers increased by 1.1 percent, totalling $1.63 billion. Retail trade, the states larg- est major sector, reported $1,036 billion in adjusted sales for a 4.7 percent increase. Nationally, retail trade activity climbed by 3 percent. Utahs service sector ex- panded percent, ending two straight months of declining 9 activity. And despite falling new permit values, construction purchases across the state climbed 44 percent. Geographically, May 1997 taxable sales dVopped in 12 Utah counties located off the Wasatch Front, which reported relatively weak activity. Unadjusted gross taxable retail sales and business purchases fell by 19 percent in Iron County, 7 percent in Sevier County, 7 percent in Washington County and 3 percent in Cache County. Living plants thrive, while dead stumps collapse Precipitation from a wetter than normal July August has resulted in water saturated in damp soil soil, causing old tree stumps to become earthed at numerous locations in the area. un-an- d Cannon indicates energy belt targeted in land swap Wilderness in remote areas of the state may impact Carbon County in a dramatic way, regardless of any such designation in the county itself. Wilderness was a major topic during a Town Hall Meeting Monday, conducted by U.S. Congressman Chris Cannon. Other topics Cannon talked about include balancing the federal budget, methane gas development, roads and taxes. parcels of land throughout the state which is dedicated to raising money for public schools. When and if BLM land is des- ignated wilderness, the BLM will be required to trade the state for these parcels. The energy belt of Carbon and Emery counties is a prime target for trade, Cannon explains. The state has already leased a considerable amount of land in Carbon County to methane The problem for Carbon gas recovery companies. The County when part of San Juan county, explains Carbon County Commissioner Mike Milovich, County is designated as wilderness, explains Cannon, is that is left with responsibilities asthe state may end up with a consociated with the gas developsiderable amount of property in ment, such as roads and law Carbon County. He state owns enforcement. when he went into the BLM office in Price several months ago and saw a map which designated possible trade sites mostly in Carbon County. Cannon said the recent ap The problem, said Cannon, is to see that the county is some- how adequately compensated for these services. Milovich asked Cannon to come to the aid of the county to -- T he problem is after being a county commissioner, you couldn't get elected to a dog fight. -- make sure conversations about land trades involve county officials. He said he became aware of the possibility of land trades Commissioner Mike Milovich pointment of Pat Shea as director of the BLM should be good for Utah. Shea is an attorney from Utah who has shown sen- - sitivity toward land use issues. He may just be the person to finally get the wilderness issue settled, Cannon said. Cannon said he is very optimistic about the balanced budget, being good for the country. He said the recent growth in tax revenues of 7.3 percent will make it possible to balance the budget without devastating impacts to programs. Cannon is exuberant about the economy. There has been basically no inflation in consumer goods in several years. The only inflation of any significance has been in the areas of health care and fuel. While the recent fuel tax in crease of 4.3 percent was offset by a decrease in sales tax, it doesnt workout equally for everyone. The problem is, rural Utah just got creamed, Cannon said. Thats because people in rural areas tend to drive a lot more than people in urban areas. The other problem with the gas tax is that all the money will go toward the construction of and other roads in Salt Lake Valley. Meanwhile, renovation of Spanish Fork to Helper doesnt get funded. The discussion turned to U.S. 6 from property valuation increases Continued on pae 2A Candidates file to run for city offices Candidates from throughout the Carbon County area are gearing up for the upcoming municipal elections. The local city government races will be decided by voters casting ballots at the polls in November. cal arena for Wellington council seats are incumbents William Bates and Arvil Wilson. Jeff Addley also filed to fice. run for of- East Carbon looks to be the city to watch for election results. Three East Carbon residents In Helper, Mayor Mike have filed for the mayors position - incumbent Paul Clark Dalpiaz has filed for to lead the city for another term along with election hopefuls in office. Helpers incumbent David Fryer and John Krauss. to seats mayor will appear on the ballot Filing for East Carbon on the unopposed. City CounIn addition to Dalpiaz, sev- cil are Darlene Kuhns and Don eral new faces have opted to run McCourt. for the seats on the Helper City Challenging the incumbent Council. Candidates beating last Fridays deadline and filing for Helper council positions are Ri- Motorists cautioned to obey speed limits, stop for school buses with flashing lights Carbon County students board buses Wednesday to travel to 8 for the first day of the school year. Lo- cal law enforcement agencies caution motorists to obey the 1997-199- i! posted speed limits at crosswalks and school zones. ing driver not only create a traffic danger, but face criminal prosecution for failure to obey school zone speed limits. POOR COPY Speed-classroo- ! chard Sherman, Eldon Miller, Kelly Fossat Santistevan and Reid Olsen. In Wellington, Mayor Paul Childs has filed for Challenging the incumbent mayors bid for elected office wiRbe Edward Rawski. Tossing hats into the politi 1 East Carbon council members bids will be Charles Abeyta, Earl Gunderson, Kent Hintze, Jaylene Marakis, Samuel Sanderson and Andrew Urbanik. In the Sunnyside municipal race, Bruce Andrews filed to fill the citys mayoral office. r Two seats on the Sunnyside City Council will be four-yea- Continued on page 2A |