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Show Replies On Mental Health the Library System was theirs alone. Wet Lands Reclammation. The article stated we were doing very little to reclaim wet lands. That statement was totally tot-ally false because after much homework, bargaining and legalities, the county was recently re-cently awarded title to 5,800 acres of wet lands to be used accordingly. We are presently cooperating with certain property prop-erty owners to have the government gov-ernment return hundreds of more acres of wet lands for use in industrial development. TAXATION. The article charged that Davis County property taxes have increased drastically. ..as are those who are politicaly motivated figures fi-gures are often used that suit their purpose. An example of this is use of 1974 as a base tax year for comparison with the present. What wasn't said was that 1975 was the State Tax Commission ordered reappraisal reap-praisal year in which all assessed asses-sed values in the entire county were doubled in order to raise more money for the state Uniform Uni-form School Fund. Also not pointed out was the fact that county government only retains 17 percent of the total property taxes collected. The remainder is distributed to taxing entities we have no control con-trol over. (Check your tax statements). COUNTY Fairgrounds. The fairground statement is also totally false. We make no payments pay-ments to Lagoon for use of the area. A lease signed eight years ago, is a cooperative agreement wherein both parties par-ties built the existing fairgrounds fair-grounds and when not used as a fair, is used for Lagoon activities... acti-vities... it's as simple as that. Because Lagoon does not wish to renew the lease by 1985, we will have our own multi use fairgrounds complete com-plete with picnic and play areas, an auditorium, industrial indust-rial development park and permanent per-manent housing for certain county activities. ECONOMIC Development. Here again criticism was not warranted. The county was the first to step in and help Bountiful Bounti-ful obtain the air products plant. In doing so, we involved effected leaders in the county, the Bountiful Chamber and the writer of the article. Those that complain about the lack of new "clean" industry indus-try in Davis County should obtain facts and figures from the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce which shows that, other than energy rich areas, the State of Utah is in an economic eco-nomic slide that reflects economy eco-nomy related joblessness and drastically fewer new jobs created cre-ated by industry. Our Economic Econo-mic Development Department is presently concentrating on working with and helping our existing businesses located in the county. We are also planning plan-ning an industrial park that we hope will be a catalist for our economic future. COUNTY USER fees vs. property tax. Concern was expressed ex-pressed about accountability of and user fees charged for services rendered. Those expressing ex-pressing this concern should be grateful that user fees are charged because the county wide mill levy only pays for 54 percent of county government; govern-ment; therefore, without them, taxes would increase drastically. Any user fee surpluses in any year are used as revenue the next budget year and effectively effec-tively helps keep the General Fund mill levy down. Anyone can inspect or request a copy of the County budget-we have nothing to hide. LIKE MR. Ivory, I also urge everyone in Davis County to exercise their franchise and vote, especially for those who are qualified, experienced and have earned your trust.. Harry B. Gerlach Sr. Davis County Commissioner ' Normally I do not answer legitimate constituent cntic-Lms cntic-Lms of country government because I sincerely believe that everyone is entitled to express ex-press any valid viewpoin-, viewpoin-, however because the con-ent con-ent and timing of Mr. Ivory's letter was an obvious attempt , influence voter opinion on Nov 2, 1 felt I should reply to all Mr. Ivory's accusations. MENTAL HEALTH land purchases. Comments were made that in order to construct a mental health building near Lakeview Hospital, that the county paid $150,000 per acre for land they sold (inimproved) for $10,800 ten years ago. The purchase amount stated was grossly inaccurate as the actual amount paid for 1 13 acres of curb and gutters, underground electricity, water lines, sewage lines, storm sewer sew-er lines and pressure irrigation was $65,000, a bargain by any standard. INTEREST earned on the hospital bonds in question is used in two ways: (1) In the general fund to hold taxes down, and (2) as an emergency fund in case of a major dis-asetr. dis-asetr. Flood control. Tremendous strides have been made in flood control. State law dic- tates that all revenue gener-' gener-' ated by the Flood Control Mill Levy be spent for flood con- trol. Those expenditures are t determined by a Flood Control Board and are available for public inspection. ' DAVIS County recently ex-1 ex-1 perienced a 1 00 year storm that totaled over five inches of rainfall. rain-fall. We are gratified to report s that in areas of jurisdiction, ii other than some basement il flooding caused by improperly placed pipes by residents (Syracuse) or partially clogged storm drains, no major water damage was reported. i With full cooperation from a the cities, we are in the process of completing a countywide j flood control master plan that will pinpoint all remaining ' problem areas and total costs 1 involved, i; , THE LAYTON Library. The , 1 Layton Library was not sides-I sides-I ; tepped. We Commissioners, I during an open commission K meeting clearly outlined our ' committment to build the lib-!; lib-!; rary when county growth I reached 10 percent. We felt it j would be criminal to increase ,j ; toes for a major building, hir-I hir-I ing and stocking, program when tax payers and county government are being hurt by I inflation and a deteriorating i: economy. The decision of ) Layton City to withdraw from |