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Show 3 THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, Sept. 29, 1988 PAGE ONE Information Legal, County Attorney Says SALT LAKE. There is nothing wrong with department heads informaproviding tion to the public or county employees about the potential impacts of the proposed tax non-partis- initiatives, according to the County Attorneys Office. In addition the County Commission has been advised that it should avoid being intimidated by proponents of the initiatives who may be trying to stifle debate on he subject. The opinion, the result of a complaint filed by Independent Gubernatorial Candidate Merrill Cook, says county officials who fail to provide information on the effects of the initiatives could be subject to adverse criticism, as well. "It would more likely be characterized as a failure to perform their required duties if this information has not been provided," the letter of opinion states. In the opinion, authored by Chief Deputy William Hyde, the commissioners are told the county attorneys office has investigated Cooks complaint, which stated that the director of county parks and recreation and a member of the county auditors office held a meeting Sept. 7 at Copper Mountain Multipurpose penter for the purpose of talking about the impacts of the tax initiatives. Cook filed the complaint, alleging the meeting was for a partisan political purpose of arguing against the petitions. According to Hyde, no violation because found the was Annexation Continued from page 1 rather hard feelings between some people and the school district." Those "hard feelings" have surfaced as an issue in the Annexation Ferraro process, noted. "What Tm hearing is that the school district does not have credibility with some parents," he said. "Until the school district comes down and actually names which school they plan to do what with, 'there is no way to get parents to admit that any kind of commitment has been made." Ferraro says he is hearing from constituents that they really dont know what the school district is planning to do until after the issue comes to a vote before the City Council. "What the school district will do is still a factor in this decision, even though its something we have no control over," he said. "I wish there was some way to tell people this is the school districts problem, not the City Councils, but I really cant do that. As far as the economics of school for residents of District 5 in the citys southeast quadrant. Three separate meetings have been slated for the evening of limitations dont pass, the Thursday, Oct. 6. Ashton has financial figures are not a scheduled a second meeting for problem. Murray City could her district at 7:30 p.m. in the absorb whatever shortfall we media center at Longview might face" until commercial elementary. Brown has also property in the northern parcel is scheduled a second meeting for District 2 for 7 p.m. at Liberty developed. "But if the limitation initiatives elementary and Councilwoman Julie Davis, who represents do happen to pass, that changes the whole ball game all together -- District 3 in the citys northeast quadrant, has also scheduled a 7 at least in my mind." Ferraro said he felt the p.m. meeting that same evening meetings were a good way to at the Vine Street library. assess public opinion and that these Following separate most areas within District 1 had neighborhood the meetings, been fairly well represented in council will hold a public hearing the two gatherings. to address annexation of the two Several other neighborhood portions of Bennion on Tuesday, meetings are scheduled to take Oct. 11 in the Council Chambers place in other areas of the city at City Hall. It is anticipated that prior to the public hearing Oct. a decision on the matter will be 11. made at that time. For additional information, Councilwoman Jane Mary Ashton has scheduled a 6:30 p.m. those interested may call the meeting Monday at McMillan council office at both parcels are concerned, he said, "you just have to look at the numbers. If the tax annexing 264-260- 3. Taxes statewide estimated This water depend almost entirely on impact includes a reduction of property taxes, and budgets in $184.9 million in local property some of these districts would have taxes under Initiative A, a to be severely reduced. reduction of $141.9 million in For instance, among the state tax revenues (sales tax, of overlapping taxing cigarette tax, income tax, gasoline crazy-quientities in Salt Lake County, the and diesel fuel taxes) under revenues lost if the initiatives Initiative B, and an estimated pass would remove $1,178 million $3.5 million from income tax from the budget of the Salt Lake credits for families with children Water in private schools under Initiative County Conservancy schools by more than $47 million, District alone, or more than 46 C. cities and towns in excess of $14 percent of its budget. An According to the report, Utahs and special million, taxing additional $3,285 million would 29 counties will collect an districts by almost $15 million. come from the budget of the Salt estimated $289.4 million in taxes In addition, if all three Lake County Library System a and other revenues and spend initiatives are approved, state aid similar cut of more than 46 approximately $275.5 million for local road purposes in Salt percent. About $250,000 would from general operating budgets Lake County would be cut by come from Salt Lake County during 1988. more than $2.6 million and state also over could be These amounts Sewerage District 1 aid for local schools would be 46 percent of that budget. adjusted as budgets are reopened reduced by an indeterminate The Magna Water Improvement during the year to deal with amount. District would lose $69,741, or special problems and possible When the impacts of the tax just over 45 percent of its budget, revenue shortfalls. initiatives are discussed only in while $50,335 (or 45.87 percent of For the state as a whole, county terms of dollars, it may not mean its budget) would come from the general expenditures are equal to much to the average taxpayer. Magna Abatement be about $164 per person. Per Mosquito But more than $110 million in District. Similar impacts would be capita spending varies from a Salt Lake County alone is a great felt by a host of other special high of $1,167 in Daggett County deal in terms of program and taxing districts throughout the to a low of $67 in Utah county. service cuts. The wide range in per capita county. Based on the best information Parks, snow removal and other expenditures is accounted for by local services would probably not available at this time, the Utah the fact that certain basic services be maintained at current levels Foundation estimates that total are required in all counties of the due to the severity of some cuts. state and local tax revenues in state, and that per capita costs for districts that supply Utah would be reduced by $329.7 such services tend to be high in Special services such as libraries, sewage small with million if all three of the tax the counties are approved in populations. disposal, garbage collection, flood initiatives November. control, mosquito abatement and The analysis shows that more than 70 percent of all general county expenditures will be for general government, streets and law publixj improvements, enforcement, and public health and welfare. The Foundation report indicates that state general fund revenues (which are used to finance higher social services, education, corrections, health, general operations, the judiciary, natural and resources, community economic development, business, labor and agriculture, capital outlay, debt service, and so forth) would be reduced by $70.1 million under Initiative B. This equals 9.5 of the 1988-8general fund appropriation. Revenues to the public schools would be cut by about $123.3 million if all three of the intitiaves are approved. This includes $89.8 million in local school property taxes and $33.5 million in uniform school fund revenues. This sum is equal to about 13 percent of the total operating expenditures of local school districts in Utah. Utahs highway programs would be most adversely affected by the proposed initiatives, according to the Foundation report. If the tax on motor fuel and diesel fuel is reduced by five cents per gallon, On Sale revenues to the transportation $19.99 fund would be slashed by $41,295 million, or 21.3 percent of total The Readers Digest Merry Christmas Songbook is a colhighway user revenues. In addition to funding the state lection of 110 favorite songs that will help make the holiday season even more memorable. highway program and providing state aid for local roads, From classic Christmas carols to novelty songs for children will r revenues are used highway-useChristmas The Songbook Merry to traditional favorites, to finance the Utah Highway add the joy of music to your holiday season. $24.95. Patrol and certain administrative and general overhead costs. Continued from page 1 taxes by an average of 30.6 percent and reduce total county operating budgets by an average of 16.6 percent. The Foundation update claims local tax revenues in Salt Lake County alone would be cut by $110,130,306. These reductions would impact county government by nearly $31 million, local . information was and informative only. "It is clearly within the lawful responsibility . . to provide such information to the managers and employees of Recreation and Parks the Division and discussion concerning the results of the initiatives is likewise appropriate. It seems entirely consistent with their responsibilities as county managers and budget directors and, in fact, it would more likely be characterized as a failure to perform their required duties if this information had not been provided," the opinion states. "Our office would reiterate the position taken in our opinion of as the 29, as long Aug. information provided is factual rather than partisan, there is no legal impropriety in developing, or disseminating information about the tax initiatives and their non-partisa- ff f f f f Deseret Book. NEXT WEEK: Crunching The Numbers SUGAR RAY ... This male "Maltipoo" (Maltese-Poodl- e cross) is currently up for adoption at the Humane Society of Utah, 4613 So. 4000 West. Groomers at Artistic Pet Groomery described him as being a little shy, but all puppy! He's lovable, and one of the most popular of the mixed breeds. He needs a good family with patience. This little orphan needs a good buddy to help him get through a rough start in life." For more information on pet adoption, call the Humane Society. states Furthermore, Hyde emphatically, "It is clear, in our opinion, that these meetings and briefings are part of the Continued on page 7 three-month-o- THANK YOU We would Ilk to thank you for partlcf r Ing In our voluntary pay program. Much of our carrier's wag com from your pay mnt, and if they do a good ob w hop you reward them. We. greatly appreciate your support. 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