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Show WEEKLY NORTH DAVIS LEADER, DECEMBER 10, 1981 NEWS JOURNAL, REFLEX-DA- VIS TO (OMTOOES TOE DDDTOIK By TOM BUSSELBERG It looks as though the Davis County Commission is turning its back on Layton. n I SAY that, at least, in reference to the library issue, there, based on the response of that body specifically two of its three members in previous meetings held to discuss the matter. At stake is the future of library service, not only for Laytons 27,000 residents, but also for the other 1 10,000 county residents who depend on the county for service. Kaysville, of course, has operated its own library since 1920, long before the present county system came into being. IF LAYTON city leaves the county system and the vote by the council to that end will become effective Jan. 1 unless an opposite vote comes to fore in their Dec. 17 meeting everyone will suffer. Faced with a loss of about $130,000 in of the counties revenue nearly library systems budget there will be a e loss of two or three employees, nearly a 10 percent cut, loss of at least one bookmobile and possibilities for other measures. AMONG THOSE tossed around have been closing the libraries one day a week to discontinuing the Monday evening film extraprograms and other curricular activities that draw many into the library and provide an educational public service above and beyond the traditional one-fift- bled and could mean a construction start next spring and finish the next year could come in time for taxation revenues. AT PRESS time, the commission was to have met (Tuesday afternoon), to discuss a possible statement of feeling about the issue. Com. Harry Gerlach Sr. was ill and unable to attend Fridays session where the issue came to a head, in my opinion. In talking with some of the citys library board members, the feedback Ive received is that theyd like to stay in the county system. They realize it has more resources than a new library would just starting out. But, they've said theyre tired of waiting without receiving any definite word. RELATING TO the library issue is another concern having to do with the Sunshine Law or public information law enacted several years ago by the legislature. It was passed to help assure public access to proceedings in meetings conducted by the various public bodies. It supposedly eliminated the possibility for a locked-doo- r secret meeting by a fearful city council or county commission, for instance. It stipulates closed sessions cant be held unless they concern personnel matters regarding the character of an employee and property purchase negotiations, collective bargaining, litigation, discussion criminal misconduct and deployment of security personnel or devices. It also says such meetings must be listed on an agenda prepared at least 24 hours before the meeting is to be held and that the press must be notified. A VOTE must be taken by the board in question before the closed session is held, and a report made back to the audience after that portion of the meeting is over. It need only be to say that personnel matters Chairman Ernest Eberhard said he favored the county system in a meeting last Friday, that went against hi? :'atement in personal libraries he gave the support of city-ruprevious Monday. WITH COMMENTS like that, it makes me wonder when Layton might get a library. I realize the county is under severe financial constraints. Of course, only the commissioners feel the full brunt of that pressure along with certain county employees. AND YES, no one likes added taxes. But after hearing the library boards revised" proposal, last Friday, I fail to see why the commission acted in a way I would term poor." The board presented a plan for a library half the size and expense of previous proposals $1 million total and branch status in Layton until enough funds could be accrued to expand it to serve as the headquarters. All the board was seeking, and all I think Layton officials would like to see, is some date they can look to as a potential goal in getting a library. Some may think Laytons being a bit bushy, or term the library board as such. But in reality, the board has been promised funding from construction mill levies that at one time were up to one mill but has had to wait for the courthouse addition and new jail. h full-tim- AND IN this current year the construction levy was virtually eliminated while a half mill that would net about is proposed for next year. Earlier proposals had called for a library by early next year or 1983 at the latest. That would mean four years before a new library, based on those figures and a continued slow growth. If it were raised to one mill, the amount collected would be dou book-lendin- The county commission has said it cant afford to make any decision on when the city will have its own library. Com. Glen Saunders urged the Layton people to stay in the system another year and see how things are next fall. And although Com. . were discussed. Then the regular meeting . can continue or be adjourned. In our opinion, and of at least one mem- -' ber of the county attorneys office, that proceedure was violated in four places, last week, when Com. Eberhard called for a closed session during the emergency meeting or special session of the library board. The meeting wasn't listed on the agenda and cant be called as part of an emergency meeting. It was called for out of the blue to discuss personnel when the Layton library building had been the topic of discussion and, in the fourth place, was improperly adjourned and done without giving any word to the press other than by a no comment as to what went on. (Board Chairman Evan Whitesides said the meeting did School Facilities Paid By Taxpayers (Editors note: The following let5, was sent by the Layton Chamber of Commerce executive board to the school district superintendent, Dr. Lawrence Welling. It lists concerns about use of district facilities for community activities and fees charged. A district response is found in a separate story on this same page.) I read with interest your comments in the daily and local newspapers in reply to the Chamber press release regard- ter, dated Dec. concern personnel when reached Monday). TO TOP things off, a call to the county commission office Monday indicated the planned for statement from the county commission set for Tuesdays meeting wasnt even listed on that days meeting agenda but yet was to be a document from which Layton could possibly plan its next move stay out or rejoin the system. If any action would be required and approval of the statement would constitute action-t- hen that would be another violation of the Sunshine Law. The offer by the county attorneys office to prepare guidelines of the law for the county commission is a welcome move. In the meantime, I with theyd stop trying to do things while in an uninformed state. As individuals, I think highly of all three men, who each have strengths they can add to providing good county government. But as far as their handling of the library issue and the Sunshine Law they rate about a 3 in my book (out of 10). ing the utilization of school facilities for city recreation programs. I myself was surprised by the interest by citizens in this issue. I have received many comments and telephone calls from citizens, most of whom have supported our stand; it is an issue that affects many hundreds of people in our city. I GATHER from reading your comments that you feel the district is getting a bum rap since it was the county that withdrew funds for recreational programs. I understand the funding cut, and I certainly do not hold the county blameless. However, the Chamber stand (and I assume the stand of the majority of residents) remains: The school facilities are funded by taxpayers and should be effectively utilized by taxpayers at a minimum cost. We are not interested in whose jurisdiction such funding comes from. chools: Protect Investment By TOM BUSSELBERG FARMINGTON city-fund- Although some may feel unfair to charge groups for school facilities ing its us- thats necessary to protect the publics investment, two school leaders maintain. SUPT. LAWRENCE ing and district physical education director Jim Hill say fees charged are levied in an Well- attempt REACTING TO a statement it is hardly for gymnasiums to be considered if a gym only block away stands empty a majority of the time, Mr. Hill said, They cant be using gyms that are standing idle unless they mean from 10 p.m.-- 5 a.m. We are using these gyms until at least 6 p.m. every night and they open at 6 a.m. in the letter that to recoup bare costs and are set to cover utility costs as well as pay for custodial or other supervisory coverage when staff would not normally be in the building. These comments came in response to a letter dated Dec. 5 from the Layton Chamber of Commerce executive board made available two days later to the media although not received at the district offices as of a Dec. 8 interview. one-ha- lf In the letter signed by valiant effort in building buildings we have a responsibility to (protect that investment). To turn them over to the public (without supervision) I think is irresponsible. Mr. Hill said scoreboards have been destroyed, for instance, when supervision was Were trying to relacking. coup bare costs. I defy them to find another facility that would be available for less money, the superintendent said, with both mentioning the high cost of lighting and possible need to heat buildings on a weekend specifically for a activity. By MARK D. AUCKELSEN FARMINGTON Davis County employees and elected officials can expect a five percent raise in 1982 if the proposed fiscal budget is approved next week, Auditor Ludeen Gibbons said Monday. 3.4 PERCENT merit increase for those who are entitled to it is also included in the proposal, she said. A COUNTY CLERK Rodney Walker, is one of several Elected officials often approve higher wages, he said, d because other county employees receive comparable merit increases during the year. FARMINGTON Davis County officials have tabled a request from the sheriff's department to hire two new jailors and a secretary, saying the action would be unfair to other department heads and force an increase in the fiscal 1982 budget. traditionally accepted the same raise as everyone else, they have the privilege of requests. Com. Chairman Ernest Eberhard, however, said the commission plans to accept SHERIFF Brant Johnson approached the commission two weeks ago with a request to house 15 inmates from the state penitentiary in the Davis County jail. He said the contract, proposed by state officials to alleviate overcrowding problems at the prison, would generate per year for the $126,000 county. THE SHERIFF said he would like to use a portion of the money to hire two desperately-needed jailors and a secretary. His argument is that the newly-constructe- d understaffed. jail is DEPARTMENTS who have an opportunity to raise revenues should do so, he said, "but it should not be a justification to add to the work force. "Our concern is in hiring more people on a county level and increasing the budget." WERE LOOKING at $126,000 that wasnt there two weeks ago, Sheriff Johnson told commissioners. He added, have a mandate to maintain law enforcement in this county. i WE HAVE a new jail. We have twice the prisoners and we havent even addressed that, the sheriff said. Disagreeing, Com. Gerlach explained that the county has increased the sheriff s department budget by several hundred thousand dollars over the cials to request higher salaries. INCREASES FOR elected officials will be the same as all the rest, the commissioner explained. Mr. Walker said he isnt aware of any elected officials who are asking for higher increases than the employees during 1982, but said, "it has been a policy of the commission to grant larger increases to elected officials. RATHER THAN granting a separate, larger amount for elected officials, they (commission) grant their elected officials larger increases than what they have given to other employees. He said employee salaries will be adjusted next year to put them on schedule," and d will include an five percent increase. Those employees who are entitled will also receive a merit non-electe- elected officials said, Com. Harry B. Gerlach, who was absent from the first meeting, last Tuesday voiced some concern over the proposal. the same percentage increase as everyone else. He said he sees no move by elected offi- approving higher salaries. ssions Davis Officials Deny Extra Help For Jail By MARK D. MICKELSEN last couple of years. In 1981, he said, the sheriffs department budget was increased $67,000 over the anticipated figure. COM. GERLACH told Sheriff Johnson, "you, as an elected official, are going to have to establish some priorities. Were still operating at a base minimum on the streets, Sheriffs deputy Harry Jones told the commission. WHAT WERE talking about is running a basic prog- ram, Com. Chairman Ernest Eberhard AND MR. Hill noted school grounds are open to city sports programs such as baseball, soccer and little league football hours induring cluding use of public address systems by city groups at no charge, adding that outdoor athletic facilities at Layton High are extensive. We surely would not have the people in Layton feel they couldnt use the facilities if theyre used properly, the superintendent said. And he said if a community wanted to use outdoor facilities for a community celebration, for instance, we would try to work to that. We live in these communities too and we want to be good neighbors, accommodate their needs but also have to act for all citizens. Thats why the things never equitable." But he decried a lack of direct communicatin from the Layton Chamber to district officials. I regret they feel the board hasnt been fair. Yet up to this time the only communication weve had has been through press releases. Were surely open. I dont know of a time that we havent been responsive and that we havent encouraged that. 5 Raise? TRADITIONALLY, Mrs. Gibbons said, the public has gone along with the commi- although, the commission has ings. WITH THE letter asking about possible cooperation between the city (Layton) and school district in use of the swimming pool Mr. Hill said the outdoor pool is generally open a couple weeks before school lets out. It isnt part of the curriculum for physical education and we havent used it. Layton high students enrolled in competitive swimming formerly were busecLat district cost to the Clearfield indoor pool until the school withdrew from competitive swimming. And when students were bused to HAFB, the district had to pay for rental there. Where we use those facilities (swimming pools) we try to non-scho- The question of whether or not to increase the existing salaries of elected officials will be discussed during a special public hearing Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. in the Davis County Commission chambers. reciprocate, one-tim- Chamber Pres. Hersh Ipakt-chia- n it says the school facilities are funded by taxpayers and should be effectively utilized by taxpayers at a mini-- , mum cost. Supt. Welling said , THEY NOTED a $175 fee for the district believes it must three hours is asked of private provide supervision preferably a physical education ingroups wishing to rent gymnastructor for athletic events to siums for a commercial activity such as a dance. "If its protect facilities. commercial we feel we should THE ANSWER is that after also make a buck, but we dont the taxpayers made such a want to be in competition (with Davis Workers: private enterprise). But facilities are often opened at no charge, such as for political mass meetings or e other public meet- said, adding, "Maybe we cant afford the narcotics program. Com. Glen Saunders recommended tabling the issue pending a review of the county paramedic program. IN FINAL comments, Sheriff Johnson said he finds it very difficult to argue about needed law enforcement for the people of the county. across-the-boar- Letters To Santa ; Any Clearfield resident wishing to notify Santa Claus of his or her Christmas present request this year may do so by sending a letter to the Clear- field Recreation and Parks Dept, who just recently installed a direct line to the North pole for such emergencies. A LETTER from jolly, old Saint Nick himself will then be sent back to the individual via the Clearfield Recreation Department. All leters must in- clude sender's name, age, phone number and a stamped, envelope for Santa to return the letters properly. Letters must reach the Recreation Department office by Monday, Dec. 21, to give Santa time to reply. Letters may be sent to: Letters to Santa, Clearfield Recreation Dept., 140 E. Center, Clear- C-- o field, Utah 84015. LETTERS can also be hand delivered to the Clearfield Municipal Swim Pool at 934 S. Falcon Drive (1000 E.). Supt. Welling said, as in Clearfield and Bountiful. If Layton were to build a pool, we could make arrange- IVE INVITED the mayor to come in and the recreation ments. them, he added. The letter is the second released by the chamber in as many weeks, coming after the non-scho- ol increase, he said, topping off the maximum wage hike at 8.4 percent. people I havent seen district opted to return accounting for the recreation program to individual cities, along with news of possible program cutbacks, by cities. WE ARE interested in the county and school district getting together and working together to enable citizens to use the facilities they built in the first place. Its ironic that while taxes will be raised in the county next year, the services are being cut. In a nutshell, the Chamber executive board is concerned that policies be for It is hardly d gymnasiums be considered if a gymnasium e. city-funde- only one-ha- block away lf stands empty a majority of the time. WE RECOGNIZE that jurisdictions are separate; what we are saying is that the current policy is not Such a duplication of services is a major reason why citizens have become disillusioned with the federal bureaucracy. Cooperation and sharing is the answer. The city can aid school programs by allowing students, for instance, to use e. the city-owne- swimming d pool; it only stands to reason that the school district should offer its facilities in the same spirit. AT THE next Chamber meeting on Jan. 7 I will be asked to report on the districts reply to our stand. If you wish to discuss the Board's action, feel free to contact me at my Layton office If not, the Chamber will continue and broaden its campaign through the news media and, if necessary, through possible court action. An unfortunate as stated by one of our other directors, is that (766-2488- ). business support of high school activities, especially the athletic program, will be curbed. I APOLOGIZE if you feel that the district has been singled out as the only guilty culprit. As I said earlier, we recognize the jurisdictional We are not out to accuse one party and whitewash the other. But we are concerned that all governmental units, whether it be a school district or city or county government, work with the citizens in achieving the desired result at the least cost. The calls to my office indicate that the people in our area agree. Sincerely, Hersh Ipaktchian President s2 Million Tentative Budget For Davis Health Approved A $2 FARMINGTON s tentative budget for the Davis County Mental million-plu- Health department has been approved for review by the county commission in preparation for the county budget hearing Tuesday. THE ADVISORY council okayed the $2,031,372 budget, up from $1,737,751 for the current year. It includes an in- crease of about four em- ployees and operation of the Alcohol Recovery Center in Clearfield that opened in July. Nearly 80 percent of the budget, or $1,593,552, is ear- - marked for salaries to the 53 employees and is a fairly common slice for personnel in mental health and health-relate- d agencies, board member Ken Cravens said. The staff load brings the department about to desired staff level, a goal that had to be sidestepped last year because of severe funding restraints. A $90,000 FIGURE listed for rent could vary considerably, business manager Ray Johnson said. Officials are awaiting the outcome of a court case affecting whether the county could construct facilities that would be leased to other agencies, such as mental health. Currently, the department rents space in Bountiful and Farmington. Plans call for facilities in toth those cities and Layton pending the court case outcome. Funding comes from several sources including contracts for $424,097 in federal funds, $367,590 in state funds, $145,000 county. Alcohol and drug financing has jumped from a year to $234,000, Mr. Johnson said, thanks largely to the board and staffs legislative lobbying efforts, tb Halt Paramedic Training By MARK D. MICKELSEN FARMINGTON The Davis County Commission, agreeing to hold the line on 1982 budget expenditures and a proposed hiring freeze, informed sheriff1 s department officials last week that additional paramedics will not be trained until alternative funding plans for the program are reviewed. THE COMMISSION, in a unanimous vote, told Sheriff Brant Johnson to put off sending three men to paramedics training school until budget problems within the program are resolved. The paramedic program, now administered by the county, is being investigated by commission officials who believe there may be some alternative administrative and funding proposals. THE (PARAMEDIC) program is an expensive one," Com. Harry B. Gerlach told sheriffs department officials. If we want to continue it, we must have participation from the cities. The commissioner said one alternative, he said, is to coordinate fees for ambulance and paramedic service. To many residents, this would mean an additional charge for paramedic calls. With the budget "crunch, Com. Gerlach said the cities will have to help the county out. "Cities should participate in programs that benefit them, he argued. SHERIFF BRANT Johnson, who had hoped to convincethe commission to allow the prospective paramedics to go to school, warned that there are only a few times during the yetff when training sessions are held. The sheriff said the paramedics program is either all go or stop, explaining to elected officials the need for the program. I PERSONALLY feel that there are some other alternatives, Com. Gerlach said, refusing to support the sheriff s request for additional manpower. To train three more until were confident...! just cant approve it, he said. I SHARE the feelings of Com. Gerlach, Com. Glen Saunders said, noting, I personally feel we should look at some alternatives. Sheriff Johnson argued that the paramedic program will have to be incorporated in the sheriffs department. They will be with us, or they wont be (at all). COM. GERLACH said in spite of numerous new-papstories dealing with the dilemma over paramedic service, I have not received one word (from residents), either pro or con, concerning the paramedics program. Reiterating his concern that cities should partic-pat- e in the administration of the program, Gerlach said weve got to take ourselves out of the realm of crisis management. AS CITIES grow and the county area grows smaller, the cities should take on more responsibility. Com. Gerlach pointed out that an interlocal agreement governing the new South Davis Fire District is working exceptionally well and said another interlocal agreement is planned for the resource recovery plant. er IF SOMETHING can be worked out on this thing, Gerlach told commissioners, not one person will lose their job. Sheriff Johnson said he will be willing to work with the county to come up with a viable solution to the problem. |