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Show I t I WEEKLY REFLEX DAVIS NEWS JOURNAL, NORTH DAVIS LEADER, JUNE 17, 1982 Lack of accountability appears to be one of the greetest problems relating to redevelopment agencies in Utah, according to a study prepared by Utah Foundation, the private tax research organization. Although redevelopment policies affect the finances of other state and local units, there is no uniform and accurate reporting of multi-millio- FOUNDATION analysts point out that incremental tax revenues going to redevelopment agencies are growing very rapidly as new projects are completed and put on the tax roles. For basic financial information from such agencies. example, the State Board of Education estimates that school tax adjustments for redean velopment will total $1.6 million in 1981-8increase of 2 'A times the amount recorded last year. It could be argued, however, that the schools and other local units which must share their revenue with redevelopment districts might never have received this revenue in the first instance were it not for the higher valuations resulting from the redevelopment projects in the area. At the present time there are 13 different redevelopment agencies listed on the Utah tax rolls, and they administer 27 redevelopment areas. For the most part, they are geared to fight economic and environmental blight in urban areas. While redevelopment is not limited to the city center, the emphasis in more cases has been to revitalize central urban areas. THE FOUNDATION study also observes that there appears to be a growing tendency to use the redevelopment law for purposes beyond its' original intent. For example, several of the newer redevelopment agencies in rural areas of the state included nearly all property valuation of the municipality within the geographic bound. ary of the redevelopment district. In effect, this means that virtually all future property valuation growth within the city will go solely to benefit the redevelopment district at the expense 4. IT STIMULATES tourism and new business in the area. 5. The city acts, not only as the center of commerce,, but also as a focal point of recreation, art, and culture in the community. Thus, the city must be kept strong if the community is to grow. 4. AGENCIES CAN go on forever, presenting what amounts to another layer of government. 5. Even though redevelopment agencies do not levy taxes directly, they present a hidden tax cost through the incremental tax system. 6. AFTER THE redevelopment is free of debt, taxing units will have an expanded tax base. 6. REDEVELOPMENT of an area may have occurred without the public subsidy. 't .' u f . j&t, a f T". It f A. ' - Davis School vy lope Drive. Those youngsters h tmy ? '4, ' attend North Layton Junior High and Lincoln Elementary. This information was given to Mayor Lewis G. Shields by school district officials in a written letter. MAYOR SHIELDS con veyed the message to city council members at the last council meeting. The school district letter stated if construction is delayed so the overpass is not completed by the time school starts in late August, the district will work with Layton City to come up with a temporary solution. Busing can't be a permanent service because of district budget cuts. m ! v I - District will not provide transportation for children walking across the overpass on Ante- . K 7k No School Transport vli ? ' LAYTON S ' IN ADDITION to the criticisms regarding financial accountability, opponents level the following charges against redevelopment districts: 1. Agencies help selected private businesses by using public money at the expense of other business firms. 2. BECAUSE OF the extensive powers vested with redevelopment agencies, there is a great potential for abuse in the programs. 3. There is no clear legal definition of what an agency can do, or process of public review and evaluation to oversee the agency. 2. IT CREATES more pleasant surroundings, which in turn improves the general quality of life in the community. 3. It lessens surburban sprawl and tion. As a result, transportation costs are reduced and time is saved by development of the city center. 2, of other taxing entities. Bonds issued by redevelopment agencies to finance redevelopment costs are repaid by revenues derived from increases in the property assessment base. Thus, redevelopment projects affect all units that impose property taxes in the 7, Usually assessed valuations in the surrounding area will increase as new business and other private developments are drawn to the fringes of the redevelopment area. BACKERS OF redevelopment claim that pron dollar injects have stimulated a vestment in the state. Among the benefits of redevelopment cited by the advocates are the following: 1. It facilitates urban living by encouraging the development of better retail stores, more office space, and improved residential housing. area, since they must share a portion of their revenue with the redevelopment district. An agreement was worked out with the school district last year allowing area students to be bused although they live f within the one and one-hal- mile limit fore elementary school students, dmg Just Arrived Z) f Precious Moments 3 59c sheet Plastic Canvas 805 S:T ( , LN THE same letter, school officials expressed the desire to meet with Layton City Planner. Scott Carter, to discuss future school sites in Layton. rrv: Bargain Table Items Z Knit for Joy Heading up activities for the Kaysville Jaycees are officers Dwight Krebs, left, president; Kent Anderson, treasurer; Bruce McGraw, secretary; Craig Quist, external vice president and Directors Bruce Nielson and Dr. Richard Diehl. Not pictured are Rick Anderson, internal vice president and Steve Major, past president. A MEAL FOR 264 East Gentile THE WHOLE FAMILY DOUBLE BURGER FRIES MED DRINK C SUNDAE I S 7 Z?2y TRIPLE BURGER FRIES MED DRINK a FRIES MED DRINK 544-540- 1 (Next to Satisfaction Center) va SINGLE BURGER off Many other items on SALE in the store - y; KAYSVILLE JAYCEE OFFICERS 50 SUNDAE! .SUNDAE hi Expires June 19, 1982 LET'S ALL 60 Td LAYTON MILLS Next to Mervyn 'L IMO W (& AAALL 016 So. jyiAIN LAYTON dfemu- L'jHUtll- |