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Show 18 a Candidates speak out continued from page I pay and doesnt reflect I inflation. A good tax should reflect ability to pay, tax all who utilize city services, and react to the economy. I dont know that any more tax w'ould be necessary, but a better form of taxation could be instituted if reductions in other types of taxes were made. Its too easy to say we can lower taxes since costs of government are going up as well as everything else. I hope the utility franchise tax can be reduced as revenue from other sources is generated. Latta: I dont prefer any. Rather than impose any additional taxes, I prefer to watch where money is being spent and to correct budget problems. (She pointed to a series of studies on government efficiency that have been conducive for them and older blighted areas should be razed. Manufacturing and light industry should be sought for the west side to improve tax revenues. Shearer: Although the city should not have a direct financial involvement in development downtown, it should be encouraged with as little disruption to rights (e.g. property rights and traffic problems) of others as possible. Persons in residential areas didnt want retail businesses to move in. Retail business should be concentrated as much as possible downtown, with industry con centrated in other areas. Hall: With population expected to increase so much in the near future and with developments being built on the west side of the city, business should be encouraged to prepare to handle the increase. Industry should be encouraged also to provide more jobs, perhaps through civic organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce. But Im concerned about .Stores on Main Street that have been going out of business or moving elsewhere. Id like to see downtown revitalized. Enterprise: Do you favor consolidation? Greener: I dont know whether consolidation is a viable political alternative, but there may be some advantag city-coun- ty es to it. government If one of the consolidation plans could not be brought about, a type of administrative consolidation through interlocal agreements could be achieved. While it could be all right for the various cities to perform services, such things as fleet management, records, and administrative functions could be contracted for consolidated accomplishment. Latta: Many studies have shown that even a small amount of consolidation would be an improvement. I like the idea of phased consolidation plans, combining such things as purchasing, planning and zoning, police and fire, and administrative type departments. I also support a League of Women Voters proposal to consolidate unin corporated areas with the city. I agree with Shearer: the concept but I havent yet seen a plan I could buy. The reason is that, in those plans, elected officials would be quite far removed from those they served and citizens couldnt affect services they wanted Functional conchanged. solidation of some services have been accomplished and could continue, and perhaps structural changes could be made as experts studied the problem. Hall: At the present time, its not legally possible, but if these hurdles are cleared, there are some areas that could be consolidated with a savings to our people. Examples are personnel and purchasing. continued on page 20 completed but not acted upon.) All the studies pointed to management as the basic problem. Lack of management causes businesses to go bankrupt, and, although the city isnt in danger of going the same route, the reports do show a lack of understanding on the part of city leaders I do about management. understand management. I also favor creating a stronger tax base through development as opposed to imposing more taxes. Shearer: As few as possible. Almost everything in Utah is taxed, although at a I favor rather low rate. keeping the tax base spread around in this manner and I dont favor a city income tax because it would lead to a general tax increase and would drive business out of the city. Hall: The less the better. Im not in favor of any additional taxes but there has to be a way of easing the tax burden on those on restricted incomes, such as the retired and elderly. I do not favor a garbage or head tax, but Id like to find a way to tax businesses which make excessive profits. Enterprise: Should the city encourage more development downtown or is there a DRAPERY CLEANING danger of overbuilding? Should development be more spread out? Greener: That depends on the type of development. Retail and commercial development downtown is healthy and going very well. Growth, such as industrial parks to the north and west, is also very appropriate. Development FOR DRAPERY PICK-U-P, REMOVAL, CLEANING AND REHANGING: 278-131- 1 downtown is being done by private business, and I assume they studied the market to determine whether there is danger of overbuilding. Our responsibility is to support the development and help them make it go. Latta: I support development both downtown and on Downtown the west side. should be a prime place for new developments since it is FINE DRY CLEANING 1871 South 7th East 487-854- 8 |