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Show 2 CLIPPER Friday, August 6, 1993 Angry residents grill Davis School District over tax hike By MELINDA WILLIAMS others questioned if the new buildings and additions are needed. Several - FARMINGTON About 30 Davis School District patrons angry over increased property taxes grilled board members and administrators Tuesday night over where the money is going and why so much is needed. The board set its tax rate for fiscal year 1993-9- 4 at .0008 and made some minor change to the budget which had already been approved in June. It was all pretty routine until several people in the audience called for discussion. Some were senior citizens on fixed incomes. They were upset when they received property tax notices showing tax increases. Taxes increased due to a $50 million bond and voted leeway voters approved in May. The bond will be used to fund new construction and remodeling, while the voted leeway will be used mainly for textbooks and supplies. Approval of the bond and voted leeway brings the school district's share of taxes to 51.5 mills. That means the owner of a $75,000 home can expect to pay about $40 more in property taxes. One man wanted a breakdown of construction funded by the bond and felt Davis County's population must be dropping or at least leveling off, prompting District Superintendent Richard Kendell to respond, "That's not what our figures show at all." He said there was a slight dip in the birth rate about five years ago, but it has gone back up. "All of our schools are at capacity or extended capacity now, and three or four of those are over extended capacity," he said. Many schools are already d on schedules and most have portable classrooms to supplement regular classroom year-roun- space. Board Member Dan Eastman explained voters approved the tax increase, causing one man to answer "I didn't" That man said he figured the district raised taxes 8.4 percent over last year, and 44.6 percent over the past 10 years. If that rate continued, by 2003, taxes would be 100 percent over those of 1983. The board approved updated revenue figures from the state, and information on the employee compensation package, which amounts to a six percent increase, VTord V. Should hate crime laws be enforced? including insurance, increases and step and lane changes. This caused another patron to complain about the compensation package, saying many in the audience would not receive a six percent increase this year. "We have to hold the line on some of these expenses," he said. Board members told those in attendance they had wrestled with the budget for six weeks. They defended the budget, explaining they are taxpayers too. Robert Thurgood said in his seven years on the school board, he has seen patrons demanding more from schools than ever before. "The kids have to be transported. They have to be fed, not only lunch, but breakfast as well and often for free. And then you have all kinds of extracurricular activities that must be funded," he said. He and Eastman said one of the blame for higher taxes must be laid on the patrons themselves who demand costly programs continue. And, Board member Dixie Hill said costs also rise because the state and federal demand government programs which the district must, by law, implement. Before leaving, several patrons asked copies of the budget be sent to them. - the Street "Yes, just because it is a hate crime. Hate crimes should be treated like any other crime. Prosecutors should look at the facts and determine if the crime fits." Joe Thompson Bountiful I think they probably should, just as kind of a preventative measure to let people know that they (law enforcement agencies) are serious about enforcing the laws, and so they know the laws are something they cant get around." Jay Hansen Bountiful Pride Food Mart humbled by license suspension 60-da- y By PAUL CHALLIS News Editor Pride Food BOUNTIFUL y Mart was given a suspension of its beer license by the City Council after failing to prove separate ownership of the store located at 2600 South Main. The convenience store was granted a week's reprieve on July 28 to document that Hardy Enterprises Inc., former owner of the outlet, was a separate corporation from Pride Food Mart. The two corporations are owned by the same people, City Attorney Rusty Mahan said. It may be a reorganization but it is very clear it is still the same ownership. Mahan added that Bob and Shirley Hardy are both listed as two of the three owners in Pride Food Mart's corporation. Both are registered in Hardy's and Pride Food Mart with the state. The council voted to give the store a two month suspension because it was a second offense and the members of the governing body decided a stricter fine was appropriate for the violation. Councilman Les Foy in making the motion to suspend the beer license for 60 days said, Your store is close to two of our schools and because of the short distance to the 60-da- gas-and-- think that they should. I just dont think it is right for people to commit hate crimes. If they do, I freeway entrance we take beer license violations of selling to minors very serious. Councilman Harold Shafter said he voted for the suspension reluctantly and added, I think it should be a stiffer fine. Pride Food Mart's beer license will be suspended from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7 for 60 days as suggested by Mahan. The city ruled at the July 28 hearing that it was the first time in recent history that the same store has been a second time violator. City records indicate that Hardy Enterprises Inc., at the same location had two illegal beer sales on June 13 and Dec. 25, 1991. The beer license was suspended for 30 days in January of 1992. separate entities but said he would accept the ruling by the city. We are not trying to get around it. That is not the main issue. . Valentine added that his stores strongly believe that alcoholic beverages shouldn't be sold to minors. We support it and think it is a serious matter. Valentine did say that employees should be held responsible and accountable and suggested the city change its emphasis of the violations to them not the owners. People (employees) who break the law should pay the penalty. Individuals should decoys identification discrimination. Tracy Sagers Bountiful "Yes. Obviously kids that do this havent been stopped by now. They havent received the discipline that they need. So it is about time someone steps forward and does something about it." held Tonya Wilhelm Centerville think so. Were all human. I dont think that anyone should be able to hurt anyone else just based on race and the color of that persons skin. Those in the I showed clerks proving they were Bountiful stores with beer licenses cannot fail under-age- d decoy checks of selling beer to minors or they are in violation of the city's ordinance. General Manager of Pride Food Mart Craig Valentine stood by his claim that the two corporations are be responsible, he said. He told the council that his calculations show that his Bountiful store would lose $5,432 in sales and revenue from the 60- - The second violation of the city's ordinance of selling beer to minors occurred on March 8 and June 7, 1993. Store clerks sold beer to minors used by the city as undercover decoys. The police claim the they should be punished...because everyone is trying to fight majority end up going elsewhere and find themselves a minority. Then the same thing could happen to them." under-age- d. Steve Parker Bountiful this matter last week.' |