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Show Subscription Savings Please turn to page A-- 3 Vol. 3 No. 34 Thursday, August 20, 1981 20 cents single copy Briefly: In Lindon Homeowners Will Pay Despite Mill Levy Drop By RANDALL WRIGHT Even though Lindon's tax rates went down in city council action last week, the average homeowner won't have a fatter wallet. Because of increased property values resulting from the state's reassessment program, the actual tax burden will remain about the same despite Lindon's recent 2.12 mill levy reduction. The mill levy is only one-ha- lf of the tax equation. A combination of a property's assessment level and the current mill rate determines how much you pay. According to Lindon City Ad-ministrator Mark Palesh, the state-ordere- d revaluation translates to a 10 percent tax increase in Utah County, but since the city lowered its mill rate by approximately 10 percent, homeowner contributions will remain near the present level. "It should be about the same -- maybe a little bit more," said Mr. Palesh. "We should have offset pretty much the increase the state has put on us." Good News and Bad The actions taken by the State Tax Commission and the Legislature are good news for some homeowners but bad news for others. According to a report by the Utah Foundation, local property assessments in Utah were reduced 21 percent in some counties and increased by 140 percent in others. "The net effect of these changes was calculated to leave total property taxes throughout the state at about the same level that would have prevailed had no change been made," . the report said. While some property owners have seen decreases, others have shouldered a greater burden this year. Robert Bowen, one of four directors of the State Tax Commission, says recent assessment increases are the result of a Commission decision last fall "to engage in a factoring or in-dexing process to bring all the counties to a 20 percent level." Utah County was factored up about 37 percent, turning the mill levy downward in most cities because of statutory constraints on tax in-creases. "It was clearly within our authority to do that - in fact, it's mandated that we do. But it's such a politically loaded thing that nobody had ever done it before," Mr. Bowen said. Program Ineffective The reappraisal program actually began in 1969 to fairly and objectively bring about uniformity in county tax contributions as required by the state constitution. But after 10 years, because of inflation, growth and other problems, the program had not ap-proached that objective. "Things got into such an untenable position, that after 10 years of the reappraisal program, we weren't much better off than when we started in terms of overcoming disparities," said Mr. Bowen. The disparities - differences bet-ween a property's assessment level and its actual fair-mark- value -- ranged from 5 percent of value in Emery County to nearly 21 percent in Salt Lake County, according to sales-rati- o studies. , But all property is. supposed to be assessed at 20 percent of its fair-mark- value; local mill levies are then applied to that assessment to determine amount of tax. Counties with under-assesse- d property were getting off easy in their .,. proportion of taxes paid to the state. "Given the fact that you're sup-posed to contribute equally to the state uniform school fund, that's a terribly unfair situation," said Mr. Bowen. "It has been that way for a long time, and that's what they tried to overcome when they first started reappraisal." Since the program wasn't working, he explained, "we factored to bring everybody to the 20 percent level . " He said he would expect Lindon property taxes to increase slightly as the net effect of recently passed House Bill 164 -- - which invoked a 20 percent reduction in residential property tax - and the 37 percent factored assessment hike in Utah County. That result is not an increase of 17 percent, however, because the county assessor may apply a portion of the factor to the "real property" (the land, as opposed to improvements). The way it was done in Utah County left a net gain of about 10 percent in assessments, which was largely nullified in Lindon by the 10 percent drop in the mill levy. Controversial Bill House Bill 164 has been the cen-terpiece of recent controversy over equity of the tax burden between homeowners and commercial en-tities, both state-assesse- d and locally assessed. State-assesse- d properties include utilities, mines, tran-sportation, etc. ; other businesses are assessed by the county. Utah law prohibits classified property and requires equity in all property assessments. But according to Mr. Bowen, when the Tax Com-mission brings residential property assessments up to 20 percent of fair-mark-value through factoring, thus generating lower mill levies, state-assesse- d commercial properties become, "huge beneficiaries" since their assessments are reset every year. Other property is frozen at the 1978 level. Because of that windfall, the proportional tax burden shifts to the homeowner. H.B. 164 was an attempt to lessen the pain of that burden to homeowners with a reduction equivalent to the tax breaks a businessman gets. The Tax Commission now has hearings pending that involve state-assesse- d properties asking, on the basis of H.B. 164, for a reduction from their present 20 percent level to 16 percent. "If we deny that, they'll un-doubtedly take it to the Supreme Court," said Mr. Bowen. "And it would be my guess - depending on a Continued on Page A-- 2 L ! v I C j ? j v ( j 3IE0 WARWICK thumbs through scrapbook as he recalls early days of Utah County Fair. Reed Warnick : fleasant GroveMan -- Recalls Early Fairs Pleasant Grove native Reed 'fflck, now residing in Orem, was korganizer of the first Utah County airway back in 1926. He recalls that attendance was so Nat that first fair that admission liimt charged on the last day. "f Warnick, 84, remembers that in 25 the county had acquired some fPerty south of Provo where har-- . s races had formerly been con- - 11 that time, he was executive ary of the Utah County Farm u and the county comm-oners asked him to consider the JWy as a possible site for the Unity fair, ! the Utah County Farm Bureau "to Provo Chamber of Com-fic- e m favor of the project, Mr. presented a plan for the fair county officials. J f'd the commissioners were ahead with the project and 5V6,000 for the fair- They iilv cash Premiums would Sat 1 1 the junior exhibitors and i)Kau rest would receive rib- - jtrtt!in,uSpecial Prizes were also .'Jher exhibitors. fair included different irio.K ,ndlng events including Cth (ayS' Mn Wamick they had a very good carnival and also a stunt flier whose wife was a wingwalker. He noted that those were the days when barnstorming was the rage and so the stunt pilot was an outstanding feature at the fair. Mr. Warnick added that the fair that year was extremely successful and included a pageant entitled, "Escalante's Vision of Utah Valley," which was presented each evening. The fair was held in early Sep-tember, on Thursday through Saturday. Three large tents, about 75 feet by 40 feet, were borrowed from Fort Douglas. Bleachers were moved from a local ballpark. At that first county fair, only 4-- club members and Future Farmers of America were allowed to submit livestock entries. Other exhibitions included farm products, vegetables and fruits, and booths from the Farm Bureau Locals and other organizations. Also popular were the women's exhibits of bottled fruits and vegetables, handicrafts and quilts. Horse pulling contest attracted large crowds. Admission charges for the fair were 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children, Mr. Warnick recalls. He noted that they had anticipated revenues of $700 one day and actually made $1,600. Lindon Plans City Fair Lindon City employees are busy making improvements at the Lindon City Park as preparations begin for the city fair which will be held Sept. 19. Mark Palesh, city administrator, said the improvements are a part of the overall plan to improve the entire park area. At present the crews are working on a little children's playground area, a new "jungle gym" type structure, and placement of sand throughout the play area. He said that railroad ties donated by the Union pacific Railroad are being used around the sand areas to keep if off the grass. Sod under the present swing, teeter-totter- s and tots area was sold to help pay the cost of the crews and sod cutting equipment, Mr. Palesh said. The overall project, which has been developed under the direction of Councilman Orval Mecham will in-clude moving the ball diamonds to the top of the hill south of the park. Mr. Palesh said some donations have already been made to install lights at the ball diamonds when they are moved. He said the diamonds will probably be moved sometime next year. He added that the city would like to plant more trees and perhaps put in barbecue type cookers in an area of the park for picnic use. The city fair will feature various contests all day long and a fireworks display in the evening. All citizens are invited to plan for this day-lon- g event. Gar Crunched On Local Home A Pleasant Grove man received head injuries last week when he lost control of his car and it struck the front of a home owned by Nellie Weeks, 464 E. 200 S., Pleasant Grove. Scott Busha, 23, of Pleasant Grove was treated and released from American Fork Hospital. He suffered cuts and abrasions, according to investigating officer, Grant Ferre. The officer said Mr. Busha was traveling east on 200 South at the time of the accident. The impact of the car caused the front entry of Mrs. Week's home to be moved about one inch off its foun-dation, Officer Ferre said. Mrs. Weeks, who was home at the time of the incident, was not injured. She said she thought at first it was an earthquake when the car struck the house. The late model car sustained about $1,000 damage, Officer Ferre said. Year-Roun- d Schools May Alleviate Strain On Existing Facilities Year-roun- d schools may be the answer to Utah's increased school population, educators, parents and legislators were told at a recent meeting held at Mountain View High School in Orem. Utah House Speaker, Norman H. Bangerter, told the audience that Utah is the fastest growing state for students growth. The forum was called to discuss year-roun- d schools with represen-tatives from two Colorado areas that have the year-roun- d programs. Bangerter, st Valley City) said the Utah schools will gain 16,000 students this fall, 20,000 students next fall and the current population in-creases by 40,000 babies per year. He explained that population growth is additionally expected because of the energy development in the state. "At best we can expect a 33 percent population increase in the next decade and at worst a 50 percent increase, putting a strain on education," Bangerter said. He noted that most people would prefer to have a traditional school system that everyone is familiar with, but double sessions, portable classrooms and year-roun- d schools are alternatives to overcrowding and the economic pressures. The conference, sponsored by the State Board of Education, the Utah Continued on Page A-- 2 Dejii Vu? Same Statistics, Different Baby RaeLynne Anderson won't have any trouble remembering her two kids' birthdays. She recently gave birth to her second child - a girl - just two minutes short of two years after her first one - a boy let out his first enthusiastic holler. The new arrival, Mary, wasn't satisfied with just one coincidence, however, She checked in with the exact weight, length and blood type her older brother logged two years ago: 8 pounds 4 ounces, 21 inches and AB positive. That's an extremely rare blood type, incidentally - maybe little Mary's way of saying she's not about to.be outdone. Two-year-o- Michael was born July 27, 1979 at 8:08 p.m. Mary arrived July 27, 1981 at 8:06 p.m. "It wasn't quite planned that way," Mrs. An-derson quipped. "Trust me to do it, though. I've had a reputation for doing unusual things." Mrs. Anderson and her husband, Allen, live in Highland. TV Newsman Crashes in PG Dennis May, 34, Orem, newsman for Channel 2 Television, was in-volved in an accident in Pleasant Grove Thursday which sent one man to the hospital. Pleasant Grove Police Officer Jim Jones said that Glen Buhler, 23, American Fork, received a head injury in the mishap and was tran-sported to American Fork Hospital by Pleasant Grove Ambulance crews. The accident occured at 5:38 p.m. at the intersection of 300 S. and 100 E. Damage to the Buhler vehicle was estimated at $800 and $600 to the May car, Officer Jones said. Neither car had any passengers other than the drivers. Haynie Asks Help For Water Agency E' Crnel1 Havnie reviewed Sgos pU PUrposes of the Vemo flanmng and Water the pi' 1 Aency with members night"1 Grove City Council tbh2wyf 'ncludes al1 of North kP is Lindon north. The Ves J?uCerned witn water SihSf!!cUies in the area. Hciil ve Holdaway noted footJ "ow Pays about $30 an' TvL, city wells and water r$2erfr0mtheCUP ""is acre and , to expensive for the jfysaid Pay' CounciIman SVS6 rePrted that the verang an alternative to Nomm ateays going through N r Planned to go SProvLthe Central Utah ty water for Salt Lake The mayor indicated that officials of the CUP say that it is too late now for any changes and that things will go on as planned. Mayor Haynie argued that he had heard that Salt Lake was looking for other ways of getting water to that area because of the evaporation and seepage from the Murdock Canal anyway. Council members felt that the cities in the north end of the county don't really need the CUP water but feel it is being shoved down their throats. Mayor Haynie said that Pleasant Grove has plenty of water with existing wells and proposed wells for many years yet. He stated also that the agency believes pressurized irrigation water could be used to water lawns and trees so that culinary water would not have to be used and residents would recognize a savings here. Council also approved the purchase of three new police cars as long as the budget allowed is not exceeded. It was felt that two of the Olds-mobil-should be kept to replace the two Fords being used by the planning and administration department. Because of the expense of the police package the regular package will be purchased. Councilman Steve Peterson reported that the police are patrolling Main Street to enforce the "No Left Turns" over the double yellow lines. Signs are now in place reminding residents that it is illegal to make left turns across these lines to parking places on the other side of the street. The city council approved the acquisition of signs for the Public Safety Building, Library, Bell School, Shannon Field, and city entrance signs. These signs are available from the YACC program for the cost of materials. Some signs have already been placed at the Recreation Office and Battlecreek Park. The council called for a cost estimate to renovate the old junior high school gym. Council was told that this need will become more imperative if the school district holds to its present decision of not letting the city recreation programs use the Pleasant Grove Junior High School. Councilman Holdaway discussed the lack of water pressure on 200 South below the pressure regulator. He reviewed the alternatives to alleviate the problem. He said they could move the regulator down the road or they could extend a four-inc- h line parallel to the present line but hooked above tne regulator. Estimated cost of the new regulator was $6,500. It was felt that the running of another line would cost con-siderably less. Accident Results In Minor Injuries An auto accident involving Pleasant Grove High School's baseball coach Jon Hoover, and two high school students resulted in minor injuries to both students Monday night, according to Pleasant Grove police. Eyewitness David Mouritsen said Cynthia Pm jvell was proceeding south on State Street near the rodeo grounds when the Hoover vehicle apparently began a left hand turn in front of her. Both cars were damaged on the front fenders. Damage was listed as $1,500 to the Powell vehicle and $1,000 to Hoover's. Index Subscription Specials a-- j Legal Notices C-- 3 Obituaries A-- 9 Entertainment B-- 2 Coupon Specials C-- 2 Society A-- 4 |