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Show - By TOM BUSSELBERG LAYTON tion that is our number one concern. Deterioration of the value of the dollar, pushing up the cost of paying for state services, has become the primary problem facing the state legislature. IN FACT, that body approved a budget of $1.5 lion in its d bil- recently-complete- budget session. That com- pares to less than 20 years ago when the legislature passed its first $100 million budget in 1962, said Sen. Haven Barlow, in an address to the Layton Chamber of Com- merce last week. The spiraling cost of doing state business has come in the face of a fairly conservative lawmaking body, the senator said. To show what has happened to the dollar deteriora WE HAVE to be able to keep qualified people on the state payroll and that is very frustrating as ways have to be found to provide competitive salaries with those offered in private industry, he continued, noting this years raises of about percent for many state employees and about six percent last year averaged out to equal or better than increases offered in the private sector. Touching on a variety of topics, the senator strongly e supported the states legislature. If a professional legislature was authorized, taxpayers would be called upon to pay a regular wage. You take nine months out of the year (for the legislature) 1 1 part-tim- and you can't expect legislators to leave their jobs, he added. YOU GET a lot of young attorneys out of law school and the a lot of retired people, g state senator said. That doesn't allow for the proper mix the nations longest-standin- forefathers intended when they outlined government. Utahs legislators currently receive $25 a day and $15 for expenses, during legislative sessions, a stipend that hasnt been changed in 2 years, he said. "Youre depriving people of serving in the legislature. We should not make serving in the legislature a financial burden. 10-1- THE PRESENT salary makes it difficult to meet expenses, especially for those 111 legislators from outlying areas who must travel to Salt Lake City and find lodging during the session, the Layton insurance official said. Speaking along those same lines, he said the budget session held every even year, such as this one, should be expanded from 20 to 30 (calendar) days. The 17 working days available during the financial session are killing us, Mr. Barlow said. bates although provisions have been made to provide property owners with $100 and renters "at least $65 next year. That amount can be taken as a credit w hen income tax is filed in early 1981. well be able to continue. Were noting a slowdown," he said, in revenues coming to the state coffers I DOUBT from such traditionally lucrative sources as homebuilding and automobile sales. regular" session should remain at 60 calendar days. Go longer than that and the legislature begins to become professional, he said. BUT THE Other related proposals aimed at benefitting the tax- payer are being studied, however, such as a ballot proposal set for November asking that sales tax be removed from food sales. That would cost $40 million (in lost revenue) the first year. There would be no way we (legislature) could Looking at some of the issues decided on the Hill in January, Sen. Barlow said it may be difficult for the legislature to provide additional re give $30 million back (as a rebate). People will have their choice (between a rebate or no food sales tax). A $31 million surplus w ill be the basis for the rebates to be offered as tax credits. Another form of rebate was offered when the legislature approved a four mill drop in school tax last year. That tax went from 28 mills to 24. Looking at the proposed Intermountain Power Project in the offing for south-centrUtah, the senator termed it a benefit that could be an economic boon to the entire state. "Were going to turn ourselves around. Instead of being in the lower third of states (economically) well be in the upper third. And legislation affecting the mammoth $5 billion project will provide a pattern for future such endeavors. THE STATE w ill have need of additional funding, however, to meet needs such as those for schooling, he said. "But we will see that the state will have to bail the schools out or a lot of kids w ill be going to school at 6 a.m. when it's still dark and coming home at 7 p.m. when it's dark. There are some real challenges." Turning to a positive note for Layton-areresidents he said the legislature had been successful in appropriating an additional $500,000 for the Hill Air Force Base easement. An earlieramount set for purchase of easement property was insufficient in light of doubling in a property prices in three years. COMMENTING on possible financial problems that may confront Davis Countv officials (see story elsewhere in today's paperl. he said the legislature should've been alerted to an interest rate limit problem when in session. "We could've acted on it. Their executive secretary (of the state association of counties) just slipped up." State law currently says counties cannot borrow on tax anticipation notes if interest required to lenders is more than eight percent. At best, the county could expect to pay about ten percent, officials said late last week. M CocenMe Center To Ci The Basies By TOM BUSSELBERG FARMINGTON A 13 percent federal allocations cut will mean more concentration on the basics for the Davis County Family and Community Mental Health Center. DIRECTOR Russell Williams told the mental health advisory board last week the cut will take affect Oct. anu while projected need" had called for a staff, the agency will have to make due with its current 48. Not only will the staff be hardpressed to meet demands but facilities w ill be strained to their limit, as well, including proposed closure of the alcohol and drug rehabilitation center in Layton. It will be converted to a transitional residential facility where those judged as needing treatment will be housed. 1 THAT WILL mean chang17 bed facility into a unit for men. women and children with problems ranging from alcoholism to emotional difficulties. Dr. Williams explained. "We will be $15,000 in the red if we continue with 48 staff. W'e've cut it as thin as we can cut," he said. I think weve kept a lot of people out of jail (with the alcohol treatment facility). This is a great step ing the d A COMPLEX PROPOSED project near the new Lay-to- n Hills Mall would include a hotel, three-phas- e sports-recreatio- complex and office n buildings if proposals are approved. By TOM BUSSELBERG LAYTON Two years down the road you could be feasting the stomach on excellent cuisine while your eyes are feasting upon an outstandboth simultaneousing view ly in Layton. THE possibility may sound farfetched, right now, unless youre planning on an airplane trip, but if plans go as projected, such an idea could be realized in about two years in the form of a 12th floor resd taurant as part of a hotel complex. The facility would be built as part of a 250-be- three-phas- e development at Hill Field Road, Ante- lope Drive and bounded on the north by about 2300 North. Presented to the Layton c By TOM BUSSELBERG FARMINGTON Davis County could use nearly $2 million in extra cash, right now, but doesnt know where . it can go to get it. City Council last week by architect Art E. Pasker of architects and planners of Murray, the project could see completion by January, 1982, if all goes as hoped. ALREADY given the by the planning commission, the city council heard plans for the hotel to be constructed on the northwest corner of the plat on about eight acres. It would also include convention facilities and at least two restaurants and shops. Mr. Pasker said. As preliminaries to the final the city council will meet March 20 to discuss industrial revenue bond procedures for that project and for any future requests. Some $10 million is such bonds, which d, usually up into the millions of dollars, to pay immediate bills in in the spring and summer of receiving tax anticipation funds in the fall. With receipt of that tax money, the county is able to pay off the short-term notes. COUNTY commissioners said last week the county needs $1.9 million to meet financial obligations, but may not be able to obtain the funds through normal channels because of a state law limiting interest rates at which the county can pay back "loans on tax anticipation notes. The notes are so named be- cause Davis County, along with many other counties in the state, borrows the money, THIS PRACTICE has been for many years but a has developed this year. snag at a level High interest rates unthought of by most as attainable even several weeks ago make it impossible to obtain notes at an interest of less than ten percent, county commissioners were told. That would seem like a low rate in light of the recent to around 17 percent for up-pa- mean no increases in taxes, will be sought, he indicated. THE LAND must be rezoned, with that to be addressed in an April 3 meeting. Portions of it are zoned agricultural and C-- l, or commercial. A would be set new zone, CP-up. That requires developers to submit a master plan for the entire project for city council approval. After such an okay is given developers must follow that plan, said Mayor Glen Shields, in a telephone interview. In addition to the hotel, a recreation phase, to tentativerink ly include an dance arena, bowling alley and movie theaters, would be built in the second phase. A third phase, on the south portion facing onto Hill Field the prime lending rate. It is better than most could obtain, but not good enough, according to a state law indicating counties cannot borrow if the interest is above 8 percent. SUCH A rate was possible to secure in December, when Salt Lake and Utah counties started obtaining tax anticipation notes, County Auditor Ludeen Gibbons told the commission. That was possible even a month ago. But no more. County Comm. Chairman Glen Flint said the best they (lenders) can do is 9.9 percent, as of late last week. He blamed the lack of surplus in the county treasury partly on the Utah Taxpayers Associa Road and Antelope Drive, y would feature two office towers and other freestanding office complexes. eight-stor- IF THE city council rezones the property after the April 3 is public hearing and given, construction could start this summer to meet the January hotel opening. Details on the other two phases have not been finalized. Mr. Pasker said. A national hotel chain would be involved but no specific firm has been signed, he said. Developers are SPC Financial Services. Inc. of Salt Lake City. THE architectural firm designed the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City in addition to the nearby Layton Hills Mall. In tion a private group, he said in the past the county had enough to build a fire station, library and jail from surplus with no tax in- crease. SUCH A surplus is no longer allowed, Mrs. Gibbons said. The state wont allow a surplus. A county cant have one. So if the county has a surplus, the law says they must turn it back (to the people)." Usually Davis County has waited until the end of March to seek tax anticipation notes but Mrs. Gibbons said transfer of internal monies, for instance, in an attempt to meet bills could suffice for a month or into to month-and-a-hal- f, explaining the hotel. Mr. Pasker said. "We will try to open up the rooms to the exterior (with windows) as much as we can. It will feature insulated, tinted glass to take advantage of the tremendous view. He said a plane ride at about 140 feet, or the approximate height of the hotel, showed possibilities to see Salt Lake City and Antelope Island, for instance. THERE WILL he some unique features in the (12th floor) restaurant." he continued. Plans are being worked out to tie in" to the air control tower at Hill AFB allowing restaurant patrons to wear earphones while they eat and follow air traffic activity. That is already done at a restaurant in the Salt Lake International Airport Executive Terminal. late April. IN A brief interview following the commission meeting Mrs. Gibbons said regular financial obligations" facing the county each month include a $425,000-$450,00- 0 payroll and bills between $350,000 and $400,000. She said a memo had been sent to all county offices instructing them of the tight money situation and need to hold the line on spending re- -, quests. She said counties often must use tax anticipation notes because counties have to operate on funds collected during the previous year because its fiscal year corresponds with the calendar year. That has been set by law and differs from other tax entities, includ The three-phas- e proiect will include parking areas inte- grated with grass sections w ith burms anu oilici piuiective measures taken to create a outside periphery, green-typ- e he said. CITING A need for hotel space by businessmen coming (Continued On Page 2) Because of the anticipation of future request applications for Industrial Revenue Bonding the mayor has appointed a committee to set up criteria potential that applicants can follow in order to apply. THE MAYOR has asked the ing federal, state and city governments. She emphasized the county invests whatever money it can to obtain interest, the same as the state, for instance. And borrowing was possible at about six percent interest, costing about $25,000., AND IN spite of the current need for funds, Mrs. Gibbons emphasized the county is solvent and in better shape than it could be due to the conservative spending pattern, making possible to wait several months longer than some other it counties to seek funds. One possible source for aid that apparently will be dry is the State Treasurer's Office. backward." AS PROPOSED, all counseling would be dropped for those with "mild impairment and the severely ill would have to receive treatment first, he Layton Chamber of Com- merce to take an active part informing the citizens about the bonding procedures. A public meeting is scheduled at the Layton City Council Chambers on March 13 at 7 Researching the problem is Mark Buchi, an assistant state attorney general, "the law setting an eight percent maximum interest on tax anticipation notes is airtight. The only other potential avenue is under the money management act. THE STATE doesn't have $10 (they can lend)." he continued. "They're getting about 15 percent interest (on in- vestments) and thevhave under their responsibility to earn as much on tax dollars as possible. They cant pay to the counties. That would mean subsidizing to 7 percent (with the 8 percent maximum counties can pay in interest). The county could look inter- nally to solve its financial said. "It becomes counterproductive. If we don't treat a! other levels people become sc vere. The treatment length is very short when workers get involved at the earliest level." There are waiting lists of those needing help and the pressure on professional staff including only six licensed will be pushed at the centers to its limit. Outlining certain steps that will be necessary Di Williams said, with the 48 staff. "A number of clients who need help won't get it. The clinician at each center will have to deny help. That puts the clinical leader under a great deal of strain." . THE STAFF starts to burn he added, noting that staff is being lost to private industry with some "pretty lucrative" offers being made. "The staff will consistently be dealing with a more severe workload. It will be a greater out." drain." Other recommendations included setting up educational classes for groups who won't be able to receive treatment, as in parent effectiveness. They would be taught in the even ings at the centers w ith instruction provided under contrac) by staff members. THE CONTRACTS would be for a fixed fee and the clas(finses would be ance-wise). People in need would have the opportunity to get help. Some are already doing that." he continued, adding that while "It's not as good as we have now . it's better than nothing." p.m. to inform concerned citizens what revenue bonding is all about. The chamber and the city council encourage the public to attend. For further information call John Baker. 376-298- woes, hold a bond issue or the (Continued On Page 2) DAVIS NEWS JOURNAL 197 B" North Main St., Layton PHONE 376-913- 3 Published Weekly by cimpajsr.s co. John Stable, Jr., Publisher Second Class Postage Paid At Layton, Utah SUBSCRIPTION $4.50 per year Out It to Owinwi Mncrtptn KM VKiyiin SISJB (Pnbta In Unnot) |