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Show Commission Candidates Speak Out on Local Issues t: v; v- - $ vim 1 Do you think Summit County should have a county manager? Ovard: I have never felt that Summit County should have a county manager. The responsibility for county government should rest with the county commission because be-cause they are elected by the people and responsible to them. Under the county manager form of government, too much power rests with one person; and he or she is too far removed from the voice of the people. The cost of county government govern-ment would increase. The commission form of government govern-ment is still intact in all 29 counties in the state. How can you fault a system that has worked successfully for so many years. Last but not least, this matter was placed before the people of our county this year and the voters rejected the change. Blonquist: No. I am not in favor of a manager. But possibly a full time elected commissioner should be considered. con-sidered. r : 2 If Summit County were to change to a county manager form of government, how ( would this effect your duties I as a commissioner? Ovard: If Summit County, were to change to a county manager form of government, govern-ment, the county commission would become a legislative,! . policy-making; board. Executive decision making as it pertains to appointive county department heads, personnel, purchasing, standards, stan-dards, the execution of laws, ordinances, rules, regulation, regula-tion, leases, permit, payment pay-ment of warranties would become the responsibility of the county manager. Ttye influence of the county commission would be lessened les-sened to a great degree and they would be far removed from county problems. Blonquist: I cannot comment com-ment on the effects a manager would have. We still have elected positions. 3 Is Summit County financially finan-cially able to provide a full service hospital? Ovard: Summit County " could financially provide for 1 Carl Ovard QiffBIonquist a full service hospital but the people at this time are unwilling to support this type of service. We live close to several good full service hospitals which have available avail-able the finest equipment, specialists, surgeons, general gener-al practicioners and all the support services necessary to give excellent care. The people of Summit County have supported these institutions for years. Our county hospital provided provid-ed excellent care but had to be closed due to lack of patient usage, concern over taxes necessary to sustain it and the requirement of the State Department of Health to bring the facility up to State standards. The cost to provide health care, wherever possible, should be born by non-governmental entities, thus placing the cost on the user rather than on the tax payer. Blonquist: Yes, the tax base is there if the people are willing to pay for the services. 4 Due to the explosive growth and development in the Snyderville area, the demand for county services has increased sharply in that area. Is the county able to provide the services to meet this increased demand? Ovard: The demand for service in the Park City, Snyderville area has certainly certain-ly increased year .by year since growth has occurred. We have been able to meet these demands through special spe-cial taxing districts which raises additional revenue to be spent in the district which require greater than normal attention. Because of zoning ordinances the developer is responsible for roads being brought up to county standards, stan-dards, sewer and water must also be provided for the homeowner. The increased Vl ' assessed value of the county has enabled us to provide the other services such as police protection and television without raising the county mill levy appreciably. Through these means we are able to provide for the increase in services needed. Blonquist: Yes. Most of the services that would be affected are already daily functions in the Courthouse now. I believe with being aware of potential growth areas, such as the Snyderville Snyder-ville Basin, the County will be able to respond to the increasing . demands. If elected I will continue to stress the importance of good planning and zoning in those areas. 5 Do you think that the attendant 'costs' of development should be offset off-set by impact fees? Ovard: I have not felt the need of impact fees to cover the cost of development. Planning and zoning should and has paid its own way. Blonquist: No. Let's stay with permit fees and keep up-dating our development codes. We have to make sure developers comply - so that what they leave the County with will not fall back as a burden to the taxpayers. 6 The impact of Energy Development is being felt in Summit County. Is the cost of this kind of development being paid by residents, or by the Energy Developer? Is this situation acceptable to you? Ovard: The energy impact has been felt in the county; but we are fortunate to have zoning ordinances in effect which has lessened the 1 4 WilPpay 'the following taxes in the county this year: $3,900,000. Of this amount $701,000 will go into the county budget. The balance of $3,200,000 will go into the school fund. Our total county budget is $4,665,818 Property faxes amount to $2,153,300. 1 feel that where special conditions of greater impact are caused to roads by the energy companies that they should make special contributions to assist as-sist the county of city with the costs of such projects. Blonquist: Energy developers devel-opers are paving the way. Trie tax dollars the County receives indicate that. 7 Explain how Park City's RDA effects county revenues? reve-nues? Ovard: Park City's RDA this year will take $126,000 from county revenues. The basic idea back of RDA was to purchase blighted or poorly developed areas, redevelop re-develop them through taxes paid and sell them. The ultimate goal is to change these blighted areas with low taxes into a new development with a higher tax base. Everyone is supposed to benefit in the long run. Blonquist: In an RDA area the revenues within that district go to the agency to appreciate the property so at a later date those properties would be placed back on the tax rolls at a higher value. 8 Can you personally afford the time required to be a county commissioner? Ovard: Yes, I can afford the time to spend as a county commissioner. I sold my business five years ago and I am able to come and go as the work requires my time. Blonquist: Yes, if I had not i.htieiHTc time I would mJt'bc v |