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Show Reduced budget expected bvCedarCitv Council The Cedar City Council heard a breakdown on a proposed $1,805,000 budget from City Manager Mike Embley Thursday evening, but opted to study the budget before making a decision. Embley said the $1,8 million budget was a 15 percent decrease from the year previous. The city fiscal year extends from July 1 to June 30. The local share of the budget, however, is actually a higher request he noted. All figures presented in the 1978-79 budget were shown at the present mill levy. The biggest outlay in the new budget was Water and Sewer, with expenditures of $496,350, 23 percent of the budget, followed by public works with $451,250. The majority of revenue was seen from taxes 40 percent, and fees, 30 percent. Chamber request In other items of business, the council heard a progress report from Charles Blackburn and Jack Carter concerning the relocation of homes from the Highland Park area, (see related story this page.) Carter was also present with Garth Jones as they represented the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce in making a budget allocation request. Jones, executive secretary of the Chamber, said the council should consider increasing the annual city donation to the Chamber from $500 to $4,000. Jones said the money would be earmarked for industrial development. develop-ment. "We feel," Jones said, "That in this area (industrial promotion) Cedar City and the Chamber could link together in a greater effort and would ask the consideration for money to do that " The council took the Chamber request under advisement, but showed initial approval of the allocation. The council authorized the city engineers to look into the possibility of establishing a special improvement district for the Spruce Street-Fir Street area of Southeast Cedar. The improvement district would involve street, curb and gutter. In the same motion, the engineer was directed to look at other possible improvement areas throughout the city. North Cedar Estates was suggested as an example. Ford, Bacon and Davis, with offices in Salt Lake City, was approved as the engineering firm best qualified to conduct the electric power service feasibility study. Mayor Sawyers indicated he was pleased with the firm's understanding of the scope involved, as well as their qualifications. The study may be done before the November elections. New position Betty Neff, who had been the city animal control officer, was approved by the council as the parks working supervisor. The city is presently taking applications for the animal officer position. Councilman Gordon Slack advised the mayor, who had made the change, he should have waited a month before changing Mrs. Neff 's position in order to make the transition smoother and not leave the city without a dog catcher in the interm. He also said he objected to learning about the change after the fact. It was also noted in City Council meeting, the Cox property, on South Main Street, would not be razed during Clean-Up Week, as the court has indicated it will not render a decision until June 1. |