From Deseret News archives:
Davis OKs budget without a tax hike
Conference center, new hires are worry for some residents
Some 20 residents and county employees attended the hearing, with two commenting on issues ranging from the Davis County Conference Center to the amount of new hires approved in the budget.
One Bountiful resident reminded commissioners of their responsibility to be fiscally responsible for those living on a fixed income.
"The citizens of Davis County may have voted for the bond, but they didn't vote for the commission to write another blank check," said Ron Mortensen, from the group Citizens for Tax Fairness. "What we're counting on you folks to do is to keep a handle on the money available."
Commission Chairman Dannie McConkie assured the man and said, "We have committed ourselves to be as frugal as we can."
The 2005 budget marks the second year in a row Davis County leaders have shied away from raising taxes. The last increase came in the 2003 budget and angered residents, causing many of them to vote to oust Commissioner Michael Cragun during the 2004 election.
Expansion could happen but not anytime soon, Commissioner Carol Page said. Page said county leaders were surprised at the immediate success of the conference center. The county has turned away multiple groups who have wanted to host meetings at the center because of lack of exhibition space, Page said.
"There is not a rush to do this, it is a wish," McConkie said. "Sometime in the future it's possible there would be an expansion."
The budget includes $13 million to pay for expansion of the jail. Voters approved a bond to pay for the $24.8 million addition in November.
The county is currently paying off the bond that paid for construction of the jail, which opened in 1991. Payment for the new addition will begin in 2006 at the same rate taxpayers are paying on the old jail bond, Davis County Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings said.
Davis County residents will see increased paramedic service after commissioners approved $2 million of the budget to add more paramedic trucks throughout the county. Layton will now have two total paramedic units, the Davis County Sheriff's Office will have four, and the newly created South Davis Metro Fire Agency will add two paramedic units.
"Our population kinda outgrew the services," McConkie said. "It's been a tough budget issue."
The budget includes financial incentives for employees who participate in a wellness program to improve their health, Rawlings said. County employees will also receive a 2 percent cost of living adjustment for the upcoming year.
E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com
Comments
- Tiger opens with a 66 in Australia 1:18 a.m.
- Crash kills Utah County man 1:12 a.m.
- UCAT cheaper education option 1:12 a.m.
- Post office to be named for Rex Lee 1:11 a.m.
- Police probe synagogue vandalism 1:09 a.m.
- New charges added in fraud case 1:09 a.m.
- Mom takes plea deal in girl's beating 1:08 a.m.
- Drug trafficking operation busted 1:07 a.m.
- News yule writing contest starting up 12:59 a.m.
- Alpine District school honored 12:59 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Crash kills Utah County man
- Long days for BYU interns
- Will state consider gay rights law?
- House passes health care bill
287 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
246 - TCU showdown has big implications
193 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
101 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
92
This week, I'm compiling my annual list of restaurants serving...
Religious freedom is a "special protection" enshrined in the U.S....
But there's one major flaw in your thinking. Since ALL of Beck's,...
Why quote Boozer when he is a huge part of the problem. The problem will not...
What a great segment. I enjoy reading this very much. Thanks!!
Beck, Hannity, and Limbaugh get the audience they deserve and vice versa. ...
I find the rule,very discriminitory. I am not gay, I don't understand what...
I understand we were outmanned last night. However, this effort was awful....
My advice to Jonathan is shoot it when they pass it to you as soon as you...
Maybe they should try drafting a shooting guard who can shoot from outside ....
The sad thing about it is that there are actually people out there that are...


You can be the first to comment on this story.