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Show 3 THE GREEN SHEET Tuesday, December 22, 1987 No Tax Hike Figured In County Budget by Paula Huff Green Sheet Staff Writer SALT LAKE. Merry Christmas there is no tax increase was Commissioner Mike Stewarts comment after a $220.5 million budget was passed for Salt Lake County in 1988. Commissioners Counterparts Dave Watson and Bart Barker agreed. Although the seasonal statement sounds easy, the budget session this year was plagued with a $13.5 million revenue cut; accusations about passing a tax increase; and a secret meeting. The $13.5 million cut was from what administrators county did requested. Commissioners this in order to start a five year Utah Foundation Says budget plan. These monies will be held in reserve to help ward off any tax increases in the next five years. These reductions cut deeply into a variety of programs including the sheriffs office, Salt Lake Valley Mental Health and Human Services Department. Several mental health officials complained during a public hearing. A letter to commissioners from mental health director Dave Dangerfield said the reduction $800,000 proposed affect would the inpatient, residential, outpatient and crisis response programs. It would also leave 1,343 people without needed services. In the same public hearing, animal advocates said proposed - Educaton Can Be Financed This Year With No Increase SALT LAKE. Utah should be able to finance state and local school operations during the upcoming 1988-8- 9 fiscal year with no added general tax increase. This conclusion was reached by Utah Foundation, the private tax research organization, in its latest analysis of the condition of Utah state finances. Based on the foundations midrange revenue projections, Utah should have approximately $1,422 million in general fund and uniform school fund resources to meet the needs of these two funds during the coming year. General fund and uniform school appropriations authorized for this year (1987-88- ) totaled $1,370 6 million. Thus, present resources would provide for present programs as well as for population and school enrollment growth and a small 2 percent adjustment without any new tax increase. Foundation analysts point out that one thing that is clouding the outlook for 1988-8however, is the tax initiative drive now under way in the state. If these efforts are successful, state and local tax revenues in Utah would be reduced by more than $345 million. Approximately $132 million of these reductions would involve state general fund and uniform school fund revenues and another local $89 million would involve school revenues. Approval of these therefore, would necessitate some major downward and adjustments in ppesent-jtatinitiatives, e school programs and services. ' The report indicatethat Utah concluded the 1986-8fiscal year 7 was saved. To fund these programs, commissioners cut $23,000 from pre-triservices; $9,000 from the recreation division; $2,000 from youth services; and $5,000 from aging services. Another $1,000 was taken from County Clerk Dixon Hindleys budget. Accusations that commissioners were lying and passing a tax Although the unexpected surplus was a welcome development, the study notes that it should not be viewed as an indication that all of Utahs financial problems have been resolved. While the outlook is much better than what it was a year ago, there still are many problems and uncertainties on the horizon. Utahs economy has not rebounded and revenue growth still is sluggish. School enrollments still are rising (albeit at a lower rate) and other spending pressures have not been abated. The report notes that a large part of the surplus resulted from special factors that probably will not be repeated in the future. Moreover, slightly more than $20 million of this surplus must be set aside in a special County Recreation and Parks, Friday was a pretty standard one heard this time of year - "Have you got your Christmas shopping done yet ? He shook his head slowly, "Ever since I got this job, Ive been coming in at 6 a.m. and not getting home until 8 or 9 at night. But I dont expect every day will be like that." Any time a new headman is appointed there will always be some reorganizing, a $137,495 fine arts, $329,423 sheriff patrol, $450,929 animal control, $142,459 highway, $838,991 capitol projects, $2,532,258 ilood control options, $155 774 assessors office, $468,256 library, $110,686 health, $546,656. mflKE ITPECIflL budget reserve (rainy day) account, and nearly $15 million of the carryover balance will be needed to provide for income tax refunds in 1988 because of overwithholding of income taxes this year. now We have a wide range of trade-in- s owners and just in time for Christmas. '87 - One encouraging sign is the slowing down of enrollment growth in Pet Of The Week BASKET OF KITTENS . . . These spiffed up Tabby and Tortiseshell kittens are waiting for Santa Claus to place them under a loving persons Christmas tree. And Santas haunt for homeless kittens Is, of course, the Humane Society of Utah, 4613 So. 4000 West. Grooming was done by Artistic Pet Groomery of West Valley. '87 MONTE 87 USED CARS CARLO 86 BUICK SKYHAWK lot of adjustments to be made. dollars with $5 million of on that process. "I will keep the citizens and the revenue. Getting those resolved takes time, Board informed on all Recreation men now over sometimes overtime. Lu wasnt 5,500 young Right sides of an in the women are and issue," he stated. "I all To it. part taking about him, its griping citizen to increase want basketball divisions youth part of the job. include them in and to mention not Thats participation program. "Sometimes members of out staff the over 2,000 expected to be on the decision making process." "I will be out to 8 or 9 oclock, hand for indoor soccer. Then sincerly believe in the services we supervising programs, running theres the rest of the sports provide because they affect all age outdoor groups, he continued. "Therefore games and the like," he noted. "If program - softball, the people should be heard when more. and 12 work hours a day, why soccer, volleyball they There are summer camp and day we make a decision." cant I ? latch-keThat policy will also take in the Parks and Recreation is much camp programs for seven various care, day children, community councils, who "fun and games more than just centers, three golf have also expressed a desire to be as some people might think. Lu the Wheeler Historic involved. his courses, reported that annually, Farm and 3,000 acres of land to Lu also expressed a spirit of divisions budget runs in the administrate. The division deals with other governcooperation of $10 million with people from age two to senior mental entities in the neighborhood valley, citizens and all seasons of the municipalities and recreation districts. He would like to work to year. Its a big job. Its also a challenge to keep pace avoid needless competition and ever an with increasing duplication of services by the population and changing recre- county and those other entities. "If they can provide a service ational tastes. But the new director seems to be taking it all their citizens want better than we in stride. can, fine," he reported. "If not, we "Im excited to have this can work to fill that need." Park opportunity to provide these development, programs and other kinds of services to a county of services cost money and Lu is close to 700,000 people," he said. realistic enough to know that the "Our staff is motivated and ready county commission will never be to face that challenge." One of the able to provide all the funds his first things Lu did after taking division would like to do its work. was to appoint Mike Alternative sources of funds are a over Peterson as Deputy Director. must. Peterson has worked with Lu for "Well be looking at revenue 16 of the 17 years Lu has been bonds, private donations, foundawith the county and was tions, recreation districts and Lu as "my impact fees," Lu proposed. described by He also brought Many of the divisions recreation on board Gerald Anderson, an architect with the county who will Continued on page 6 now head up planning and 5 85 FIERO GT AM V6, 4 '85 CELEBRITY Spd 2 Dr '84 CAMARO Z28 '84 OLDS Cl ERA '84 FORD LTD '83 MAZDA RX7 Radio, 4 Dr. AM FM, Good Economy . Spd V6, Auto, , . Air, . 10,987 6487 6387 5887 11,287 5587 8187 5987 8887 5787 4687 5587 6487 6287 3387 3087 . . . Cass. Loaded FM . . FM. Def AM V6, Auto, Air, V8, 5 . Cass, Moon Roof AM FM An. - 10,787 Cass AM FM Air, Spd. V8, Auto, Air, . Locks. Spd Radio, Front Wheel Drive Auto. An, MONTE CARLO SS 85 CAMARO 5 Spd 5 & loaded, 3000 Miles V8, Auto, Air, '86 SPECTRUM H.B. Windows An, Tilt, Power TYPE 10 CAVALIER ready for new YEAR END CLEARANCE 88 CORSICA SE V6, Auto, New County Recreaton Director Puts In Long Hours To Get Job Done SALT LAKE. The first question asked of Glen Lu, new Director of g facilities and maintenance, .7509 percent from .7456 percent. Commissioners budget for this growth rate every year. After Olsons accusation of deception, Barker said, "We are offended for being extremely called deceptive." He continued, "Your effectiveness is damaged if We you have no credibility. simply wont trust you." '86 bv Bob Mickelson Sports Editor budget-negotiatin- started increase a heated argument during the public hearing. Jack A. Olson, executive director of the Utah Taxpayers Association, made the statement during the hearing and in a press release to the media. But commissioners were adamant in saying there is not an increase, but a two percent growth in assessed valuation is budgeted for, which raises the tax rate to with a surplus of $49.3 million. This came as a surprise to many observers, who witnessed Utah finances in a state of crises during much of the year. Utah. If present trends continue, Utah school enrollments should begin to decline after 1993. This will relieve some of the pressure on public school finances. Part of this advantage, however, will be offset by more students seeking a college education as the enrollment bulge works its way through the public school system. the Olson retorted that commissioners couldnt be trusted anyway since they had "adopted a budget behind closed doors." He was referring to a secret session held Dec. 2 where the commissioners discuss to had adjourned insurance, then returned to disclose cuts in 15 areas. Olson then proceeded to remind Commissioner Watson that he had campaigned on a promise not to raise taxes. "We did not raise taxes," Watson countered. "And if you chalenge that Jack 111 take you on for the next year and your life will be hell." Some of the larger budget cuts in this session were made from the following areas: attorneys office, $230,844 surveyors office, $179,372 jail, $289,456 sheriff, $1 ,460,756 3rd District Court, $117,504 alcohol and drug program, $156,366 parks, $202,041 recreation, $338,389 data process, $678,627 cuts would jeopardize a program on proper care for pets. Before adopting the budget, commissioners made minor adjustments in both mental health and human services. They to give a $375,000 agreed intensive treatment unit to Salt Lake Valley Mental Health. And the animal education program Cass. 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Apparently theres a lot to land to develop. According to Lu, only about 900 acres of the 3,000 his division administrates has been developed. Two major parcels are Dimple Dell Regional Park and Yellow Fork Canyon. Lu hopes those sites can be both improved Glen Lu wa recently selected to succeed Gary Swens-e- n as the new director of Salt Lake County Recreation and Parks. Lu has been with the county for 18 years and formerly headed the departments centers and, later, its recreation programs. TAKING OVER . . multipurpose . and preserved. Although he was not directly involved in the debate and deliberations on Dimple Dell, he the importance of recognized citizen participation and input in solving such issues. With Dimple Dell and other development and programs, he pledged to expand '86 ASTRO PASS '86 87 BLAZER K5 VAN V8, Auto, Air, MAZDA EXT. CAB 87S10 PU 4 V6, Auto, Air, Spd , Mag 5 AM FM Cass, 8 Pass Silverado, Fully Equipped Spd . An. AM Wheels, Stripes Cass. 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