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Show NSL City Hall Vote Sept. 13 By MARK FOTHERINGHAM NORTH SALT LAKE --Support --Support for the proposed new City Hall complex for North Salt Lake seems pretty widespread, wide-spread, according to Allen Bauer, chairman of the City ' Hall Citizen's Committee. THE COMMITTEE has been holding neighborhood meetings around the city the last few weeks trying to drum up support for a probable bond issue to pay for the complex. "The response has generally general-ly been very positive," said Mr. Bauer. "Any type of negative nega-tive concerns have centered mostly around details for the construction of the facility rather than the bonding." A SPECIAL election is scheduled sche-duled for Sept. 13 where voters will decide whether or not to approve the S8-9O0.OO0 bond. "We have the assurance from those involved financially that we can easily afford it," said Mr. Bauer. "With the expected growth of the tax base Ipr the city, any mill levy increase will be dis-apated dis-apated by the end of five years," he added. To begin with, however, residents will be faced with a full three mill increase in the tax levy if the bond issue passes. "THAT WILL add about $18-25 to a home owner's property taxes depending on the value of the home." He added, however, that after the third year, one mill would be dropped, with the other two mills being dropped after the fourth and fifth years. Opposition to the plan has been limited to "one or two people," he said. "One person thought it would be better to complete the project in increments incre-ments rather than all at once. That argument was easily rebutted re-butted because of the added construction costs when you have to continually add on. "ANOTHER person thought the project was too extravagant. ex-travagant. He asked if we couldn't get by w it h something smaller or of lesser quality." City officials, however, maintain main-tain that the larger complex is necessary to handle the rapid growth forecast for North Salt Lake over the next few years. "The primary priority is for the police department, with the fire department a close second," said Mr. Bauer. The present facilities were built 16 years ago when the population was about 1800. THE population is now about ab-out 6,000 and is expected to double within ten years. Industrial In-dustrial growth is also expected ex-pected to be heavy. The Citizen's Committee agrees that the city offices should reflect re-flect the image of a "modern, forward looking city." "We would like to be known as the gateway to Davis County," said Mr. Bauer. "The committee feels that now is the time to move on this project. It's cost effective; it satisfies the expanding needs of the city and will be constructed con-structed to minimize utility costs," he added. ONE PROBLEM the city 1 might have with the project is convincing the owner of a tavern on the corner of Highway High-way 89 and Center Street (part of the project area) to move out. "He does not seem amenable amen-able to moving without some pressure from the city," said Mr. Bauer. Mayor Robert Palmquist explained that when the tavern owner was first contacted con-tacted two years ago, he would not sell the property for the appraised value. "SINCE THEN we've discussed dis-cussed the advantages and disadvantages dis-advantages of condemnation of the property or relocating his business elsewhere," said the mayor. "There are several tax advantages if your property proper-ty is condemned." He added that the owner had previously expressed an interest in-terest in relocating in the industrial in-dustrial park somewhere. "I don't see any legal battles ahead over this," said Mayor Palmquist. |
