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Show UMIVS3SAL BOX 2603 CITY SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH Commissioner Harrison Outlines City's Need for Sales Tax Aldon J. Governor Rampton Reviews Item for Special Session Judge sus. Salt Lake City, however, Anderson has been Gov. Calvin L. Rampton this nominated gets more money because its by President Nixon to be U.S. week said that action on a sales District Judge for Utah. If con- tax boost to permit exemption population increased. Included in the citys woes is firmed by the Senate he will of food and drugs isnt a likely an anticipated utilized city re- succeed Judge A. Sherman prospect for a special session sources, queried the commis- Christensen, who is retiring. of the Legislature he is calling sioner on a garbage collection Anderson was nominatfor early August. Judge fee. The city assesses none while ed by Sen. Wallace F. Bennett. The governor said his first other cities and towns, accordThe old Judge Ander- choice for sales tax relief for ing to their mayors, charge $1 son. who must be confirmed by local government would be a to $1.25 or more a month. the Senate for the $45,000 a year local option sales tax in a county Commissioner Harrison said lifetime job, is currently judge wide sales tax with county gov54-ye- ar Com. Conrad B. Harrison Salt Lake City Commissioner Conrad B. Harrison this week outlined the citys need for financial assistance from the Legislature. He addressed a special Legislative session along with mayors and officials of the other Utah cities. The city officials are seeking passage of a half cent local option sales tax for local government needs. The committee was called into session several weeks ago by Gov. Calvin L. Hampton. It is headed by Sen. Dixie Leavitt of Cedar City. Mr. Harrison outlined a $1.8 millon revenue deficit expected This doesnt for fiscal 1971-7include a $1.6 million law enforcement improvement program 2. he said. Included in the citys woes in an anticipated loss of $250,000 in per capita aid from various sources, because of a population drop revealed in the 1970 cen the $500,000 cost of garbage collections is absorbed in the general fund. Such a tax at $1 a household per month would raise $600,000, he said. He also conceded the citys charges on water service are lower than for any other city of comparable size, but this reflects ability of the city to supply the water economically and to users. Committee members and city officials agreed there might be some question, anyway of the constitutionality of using a city utility as a revenue maker for in lieu of higher mill a city levies rather than as a nonprofit business. Commissioner Harrison said a half cent increase in the sales tax, imposed on a local option basis, is a fair tax based on the state of the economy. Property taxes and service charges on the sewer and garbage are not fair, he contended. He said he believed increased city property taxes woud be only enough to meet the minimum budget without cuts. If we did this, wed still have to meet the overall problem later on anyway, he said. ef-cicien- tly self-supporti- ng City Auditor Jones Reports On Interest from S.L. Funds City Auditor Lawrence Jones this week said interest on investment of Salt Lake City funds will exceed $1 million for the second year in a row and may help the city stay in the black despite other deficiencies. Mr. Jones said the interest would be of special help this year because the general fund did not receive anticipated revenues in several other areas. After day long conferences with department heads Monday, Jones and Fred M. Oliver, city fiscal consulant, indicated that final total expenditures probably will not exceed appropriations. General fund budget for the year ending June 30 was The total budget for the city, including the general fund and other specialized funds such as the airport, golf courses, the water department, etc., was $29 million. $16,-976,33- 1. 3 84101 FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1971 Judge Aldon Anderson Appointed to U.S. District Bench Third District UICROFILUIMO CCS?. the Third Judicial District Court of Utah in Salt Lake City. He was appointed in 1957 when George D. Clyde was governor, and is now in his 14th year on the Utah bench. He is president of the District Judges Association of Utah and is chairman of the State Bar Committee for a Unified Court System which is working to reform and streamline the Utah court system. I am confident that with 'his demonstrated maturity of judgment and capacity for vigorous work Judge Anderson will make an outstanding contribution to the judicial system in our state. I should also noted that the state bar commissioners reported to me their unanimous opinion that Judge Anderson is qualified for the position. Hopefully, Senate action on the appointment will be swift, so that Judge Christensen will have the opportunity to assume his long desired status as senior judge and Judge Anderson will be able to assume his position as U.S. District Judge in Utah, Sen. Bennett said. in Judith F. Whitmer Charles Bradford Named As Judges ernment assuming certain services now provided by municipalities. Gov. Hampton acknowledged that provision for a local option one quarter cent increase in the sales tax was a possibility, but he said it offers merchants some mechanical problems in making such fractional collections. Counties and municipalities, particularly Salt Lake City have met successive rebuffs from the legislature for city authority to levy a half cent local option with no sales tax increase consoliabout attached strings the with services county dating government. Some legislators have encouraged revamping the entire sales tax collection, both state and to exempt local government and food drugs. Then, in raising the percent tax need, permit additional revenue for local governments. Although not expressing disfavor with such a revamp, Gov. Hampton said there hasnt been enough study of the impact and the amount of tax increase that would be needed to assure the same amount of revenue to the governments. It woudnt be wise to do this in a special session. Certainly more debate is needed before changing the entire theory of sales tax collections, he said. He added that it would be ill advised for Salt Lake City police union officials to conduct some form of economic boycott of business to gain support for money to provide increased salaries. One of the principal proponents of the local option increase at the last legislative session, to be used for law enforcement, was the private Alliance for Better Law Enforcement (ABLE) whose major support came from the downtown businessmen, said the governor. To boycott would be hitting at those most favorable to their cause, Gov. Rampton said. The legislature in March provided cities with authority- to increase their property tax levy to obtain additional funds, but Salt Lake City commissioners have said they dont favor increasing that tax. Gov. Rampton said he didnt believe a rise in the property tax within the city would provide an equitable sharing of the burden in light residents using a of non-cit- y of the city. of services variety TODAYS - v EDITORIAL Gov. Calvin L. Hampton this week named two new juvenile judges. They are Judith F. Whitmer in the 2nd district and The public will be invited to E. Bradford in the 1st sit in on budget deliberations Charles this week at the annual city District. There is notihng like the new sysetm of superhighMiss Whitmer, for the past 14 the when budget hearing, city from your home to your favorite spot commissioners will act on ap- years a Salt Lake City attorney, ways for getting is thought to be the first woman in the least amount of time. propriations for the coming fis- named to a juvenile judgeship. cal year. Hut if you want a leisurely weekend or holiday with at- Mr. Bradford has been an Jennings R. Phillips. Jr., city torney for the past 20 years. treasurer, indicated that amount Terms July 1 and conof revenue for the general fund tinue for begin six years. that was available to invest surpassed last years estimate of Cadet Lynn P. Heward, son of $400,000 by $150,000, and that Mr. and Mrs. N. E. Heward, the investment will finally pro- 2980 Jonetta Drive, was awarded duce up to $150,000 in interest. a national fellowship durInvestments by Phillips from $1,500 annual Arnold Air Soother accounts brings the inter- ing the Conclave just conest return to more than $1 mil- ciety (AAS) cluded in Hollywood, Fla. lion. The fellowship, established by The $150,000 can be used to Ling trainer inventor Edwin A. offset deficiencies in the gen- Link, is presented annually by eral fund. City officials expect the Foundation. Cadet Heward, a student at revenues to fall below earlier estimates by nearly $100,000 in BYU, plans to use the fellowthe city courts collection of ship for graduate study at the fines. university. Take the Back Roads for Fun frequent halts for exploration, photography, or just plain loafing, take to the back roads. The striking scenery, the more photogenic views, and certainly the best loafing sites are often found on the back roads, said the Utah Safety Councvil. Hut before starting out on these roads, be sure you have plenty of fuel, oil and water. In some areas spare supplies of fuel and water are recommended including water for drinking as well as for your car. Often local advice must be sought as to which back roads and remote areas are of interest to a stranger. Advice is free and almost everyone likes to give it, but not always is it reliable. So solicit it from a number of (Continued on page four) |