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Show Davis County Clipper Tuesday, December 31 1996 page A3 FIRE continued from front Record setting year for Bountiful officials at 65 W. 200 South. The Powers claim it took five more minutes of the nine city's east side has developed, City Manager Tom Hardy said. minute response time for the firelruck the period During to arrive on the scene. Bountifuls population increased by 40 At the Dec. 18th meeting two altere percent, while the number of natives were suggested by City firefighters increased 300 percent and the budget increased by 1200 percent. Manager Tom Hardy as possible solutions to the fire protection controversy. The city went from one fire station Alternative would add two addito two fire stations, from no ambulance tional firefighters who would work day service to a very active ambulance sershifts, Monday through Fnday, 8 a.m. vice, and from Station 2 not even to 6 p.m. These firefighters would be being constructed to being manned on a assigned to the headquarters station and consistent basis, Hardy added the two firelighters assigned to Station Dunng the last 10 years the number 2 that report to headquarters now of ambulance calls has increased 80 would report to Station 2. This would percent from 946 m 1987 to an estimateliminate the need to bring Station 2 ed 1,700 in 1996, while fire calls increased 39 percent from 323 in 1987 firefighters down to headquarters during the daytime hours, except for to 450 in 1996. unfilled shifts, some training, and fire Bountiful's per capita fire loss duror ambulance responses involving period has varied ing the same more than one unit. from a low of $2.72 in 1991 to a high of "The cost for adding two more fire$12.65 in 1995, Hardy said. In 1996 fighters to work in this manner would due to the loss of three large homes, be approximately $100,000 per year, Bountifuls per capita fire loss is estiwhich includes overtime, standby, sick mated at nearly $45. Of the 468 fire incidents to which leave, vacation, training, uniforms and regular employee benefits, Hardy Bountiful responded in 1996, 142 were said. false alarms, 125 were hazardous conAlternative 2 would add six more ditions calls, and 76 were precautionary firefighters, which would provide a runs. There have been 29 structure fires new shilt lor the headquarters station. and 21 vehicle fires. This would eliminate both daytime and The actual structural fires that are evening use of Station 2 personnel for (ought are lairly low as a percentage ol ambulance calls, including the second total calls and these are the incidents ambulance call, and would allow trainwhich create the greatest fire loss, and ing, maintenance, and fire protection to which also create the greatest concern occur without having to call Station 2 on the part of citizens for fire protecpersonnel down to headquarters. In tion, he said. The city reports no pattern to time of addition, the city would have more manpower on duty for major incidents, day, day of week, or month of year that both medical and fire, during any one accurately indicates either fire frequentime. cy or fire loss. The cost of this alternative would Our fire department has been very be approximately $300, (XX) per year, active in trying to prevent fires and covering all of the employee expensimprove peoples emergency medical es, Hardy added. "It should be pointed skills through education, Hardy added. out that it will be increasingly difficult In 1995, 250 tours and public trainto find personnel to fill in the additional leave that will be generated by six ing classes were given with 6,500 citiadditional firefighters, but it will also zens educated, ranging from provide a significantly enhanced sergroups to senior citizens. In the area of ambulance calls, 400 of the 1,700 calls vice to the citizens. In 1980-8- 1 the department has this year will be e firemen with two stawhere the fire department responds eight tions put station 2 wasnt manned at with an ambulance but does not transthe time. It was also in 1981 when the port anyone to the hospital. Over 50 first ambulance was in service Four percent of the calls are transports, usufrom one hospital there were 10 ally years later in 1985-8e to another, or Irom a nursing home to a workers and Station 2 was manned at nights and weekends. hospital, or back again. A small minorStation 2 first began to be equipped ity of the total calls for service lor the ambulance are emergency 911 calls, with two shifts in the 1990-9- 1 year. The budget for the fire department resulting in a transport. The distribution of total calls Ironi was $1 18, (XX) and is now in in 1975-7which headquarters fire station or sta1996 at $1 4 million. 2 is 70 percent fire culls at The city has increased both the tion Headquarters Station and 30 percent at budget and the manpower for the fire Station 2; and 90 percent ambulance department steadily and consistently calls at Headquarters Station and 10 over the last 20 years as development of the city has taken place, and as the percent ambulance calls 20-ye- full-tim- 1 ar full-tim- 6 full-tim- 6 LOSS: The lovely home of Warren and Betty Lewis on Bountiful's east bench was destroyed by fire in October The fire ca j rage of neighbors who charged the nearby fire station is undermanned Firefighters have a hard time fighting the fire on the heavily w A TRAGIC the area 1996 continued from A2 stepping down to pursue other opportunities The Davis Boaid ol Education swiftly appointed Dr Darrell White, who is serving as assistant superintendent, to fill the vacancy. Tonya Vosburgh, convicted of manslaughter in the 1993 death of Bobhi Jo Womack was sentenced to to 15 years in prison, after 2nd District Judge Rodney Page concluded she was not mentally ill. Her case had been repeatedly delayed because of health problems she suffered Bountiful opened its new bubble, which came with a wind sensor monitoring system and new pool cover. The city spent some $176,450 on the improvements Another tragic tne destroyed a home on Bountiful Boulevaid in November, adding fuel to the of adequate lite protection The ue was so hot it melted visors on lnefighters December brought Santa and Scrooge to town Santa aimed in the annual Chiistmas parades and activities throughout the county and Scrooge came in the toim ol the county announcing its plans lor cen- tralized emission testing in Kay sv die The county announced that effective January I. 1997, all 1996 and newer cats and light duty tiucks registeied in the county must be tested for emissions at the new county technical and test center in Kay sv die 1 he announcement brought who claimed the county is taking money out of their pockets with the new rule In December the mystery of thefts at area cemeteiies was solved when a Centeiv die woman was attested lor the crimes Police tound her basement tilled with dried flowers and baskets taken Irom aiea graves he year was punctuated with sto I Paul Challis The economic BOUNTIFUL outlook for Bountiful City appears rosy going into a new year with increased job growth, personal income up and a low unemployment rate. Bountiful recently released the good news along with figures showing a strong economic base in its comprehensive annual financial report for fiscal year 1995-9In Bountiful, the unemployment rate as of June 30, 1996 was 2.6 perthe lowest it has ever been cent historically. The statewide unemployment rate is 3.2 percent. The growth in new jobs has continued to have a strong performance in construction sector, the manufacturing sector, and the finance, insurance, and real estate sectors in Utah. Utah ranked in the top three states nationally in the number of jobs created, the growth in personal income, and the rate of unemployment. With continued unemployment at extremely low rates along the Wasatch Front, Bountiful and other employers have had to increase minimum wage rates in order to attract and retain employees. Construction employment continues to experience double-dig- it growth, and commercial, public and industrial projects continue to add to this construction employment. in The significant Utah which has taken place over the last several years has also produced housing shortages. The cost of housing has significantly increased, and the demand for housing has outpaced the existing housing stock. As of June 30, 1996, housing along the Wasatch Front had increased over 70 percent from the 1988 levels, compared with 36 percent nationwide. Bountifuls housing stock continues to escalate at alarming rates, in the City Manager Tom Hardy said report. The average building permit issued for housing is over $200,000, and with lot prices and other factors taken into consideration, the average new home being built in Bountiful exceeds $300,000 in price. Bountifuls commercial and residential areas have now exceeded 90 percent developed, and the remaining vacant ground, even with annexation, will probably fill up within the next 5 to 10 years. transportation, open space, and housing, and has provided for the growth that has and will take place in Bountiful until the ultimate build-ovin the year 2(X)5, Hardy said. of The Utah Department Transportation has identified over $2.6 billion in new construction which must take place within the next five years in order to keep pace with the transportation needs along the Wasatch Front. The 1997 legislature will have to deal with raising taxes in order to pay he said. While for these projects, the public to date has seemed relatively accepting of population growth, the result of this growth will have an adverse impact on taxes this legislative session. Building permits in Bountiful rose over the year previous, with 69 building permits issued during the first six months of 1996, compared to 47 for the same period in 1995. Interest rates continue to be very manageable for new construction. It appears that while in 1995 was identical to 1994 in terms of number of building permits issued, 1996 will be larger, and 1997 will be as large than either of those years, he added. Bountifuls population should stabilize at approximately 45,000, and new construction will then be limited ll to small projects which will utilize vacant land or underdeveloped land. The assessed valuation of residential and commercial property in Bountiful increased by 4.2 percent, from $1,095 billion to $1,141 billion. After several years of very little condominium and apartment growth, fiscal year saw a conthe 1995-9- 6 siderable number of both condos and apartment units being permitted, Hardy said. These sectors of the housing market are extremely critical, given the high values of the residential properties. Bountiful sales in Retail decreased slightly due to increased competition from several new shopping centers in neighboring communities as well as the loss of some retail establishments. Statewide retail sales rose 9.7 percent, while in Davis County retail sales increased to 10.1 er in-fi- single-- family percent. Utahs statewide sales tax distribution is based on 50 percent on the point of sale and 50 percent on population. Sales tax revenues to Bountiful corporate limits of the city he said Over half of Bountiful sales tax revenues comes from food stores, restaurants, and motor vehicle dealers. Bountifuls and the regions sales tax revenue is dependent upon consumer confidence and economic prosperity. Both were very healths fiscal year which during 1995-9- 6 should continue for the toreseeable future, Hardy added However, as Bountifuls population increases more slowly than the statewide average. Bountifuls share of the population portion of the sales tax will diminish. The lack of sales tax base is a real concern and will have to be monitored very closely. Bountiful recently rezoned property used to build a large new grocery store (Dicks Marketplace) and the city is working at attracting other retail businesses into the community. Adjusted gross income for the citizens of Bountiful increased by 6.6 percent, from $608 million to $648 million last year. Statewide, adjusted gross income rose by 8.5 percent. GIFTS & NURSCRV SPaie VGRR ND RLL INV6NTORV protests from car dealers and station owners to "Bountifuls commercial sector has very little additional opportunity for large developments Existing businesses, particulai ly offices, medical, insurance, and other service sector components, continue to do well, and many have expanded their said Hard) operations," have others expand"Unfortunately ed to the point where they have been forced to relocate in order to accommodate the gmwth that they have experienced According to Hardy. Bountiful appears to be on a steady course at least in economic gmwth. and in the long temi the financial viability ol the city will depend on matter out ol their control. These include utility deregulation. unfunded mandate regulations passed on by the federal government requiring cities to do more things with no additional money, changes in the tax base brought about by statutory and legislative changes, and the willingness of Bountifuls taxpayers to pay tor services as we reach full build-out.- " Hardv added Natures Touch (Sale Ends Jan. 6th) 10 A.M. - 7 P.M. OPEN MON.-SAT. 4081 S. Hwy 89, Bountiful 295-433- (2 blocks : Strictlv Ethical Insist on.,, 756 2075 Call Hfxrwc AND AJ CONOmOHHG WITH THESE TWO MEN WORKING FOR YOU... IE YOU CAN COUNT ON YOUR NATURAL GAS 1 of amta Ladies Only bmedlEL PUACNG Gift Certificates Available Jolene P. Ketchum, LMT, Member W. S. Woods Cross 4 north Center Street, North Salt Lake) THERAPEUTIC BODYWORK Foft Youf General Health I HIUSIDG GARDES Bountiful City economic outlook rosy News Editor ries about weather, crime, accidents iul loo" heroes and heroines promises to be another eventtul veai ill the last growing communities in s the impending Davis County x neats ,uid construction on preparations tor the Olvmpics eon tmue. the coming ve ii will be tilled with siones ol , oiiiio ei sies m s calamities and communm ON LENNOX Quality k Value 295-797- 0 Before you invest in home heat ng call for a free home energy aud't by one of our experienced consu'tants Low interest Financing available 0 A C Fall Specials on: Large Moving Sale Saturday, January 4th, 9am to 3pm (if snowing on the 4th then the sale will be on January 11th) at 1308 Canyon Creek Road, (3400 South) Bountiful Furniture, clothing, appliances, bedding, and household items WHOLE I HOUSE HUMIDIFIERS The Best Cure For Dryness: DAVIS COUNTY 544-448- 0 For Call Service -- ir Serving Davis County For Over 48 Years T -- Z NATURAL dUS fcv DESIGN |