From Deseret News archives:

Bluffdale officials mulling nearly $3 million wish list

Mayor pushing for purchase of property for a new cemetery

Published: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 12:05 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Bluffdale officials are poring over a nearly $3 million wish list to determine which items — if any — can be worked into the city's budget for fiscal year 2007-08.

Interim administrative services director Dave Sanderson has prepared a balanced, mostly status quo general-fund budget of nearly $3.9 million, with no plans to raise property taxes or increase fees.

That could change if the Bluffdale City Council approves additional funding requests from city department heads, including Mayor Claudia Anderson.

"There were some (funding requests) that were left out," Anderson said Monday. "We're asking if we should fund any of those things."

Anderson said she is not proposing a tax increase, but she isn't opposed to one, either, if it means meeting the financial needs of the city. The mayor proposed an 82 percent property tax increase for 2006-07, and the City Council ultimately OK'd a 36 percent increase.

A budget work session is set for 4:30 p.m. today prior to the City Council meeting at Bluffdale City Hall, 14175 S. Redwood Road. A public hearing on the budget is set for June 19.

Anderson's personal wish list totals $580,000, with about $200,000 of that going to a yearly payment to purchase property for a new city cemetery.

Story continues below
The mayor has proposed that the city purchase the three-acre lot at 2829 W. 13800 South, where owner H.R. Brown had been planning to open a drug- and alcohol-treatment center.

Bluffdale residents strongly opposed the facility opening at the location, leading Anderson to deny Brown's application for a business license last month. Brown has since offered to sell the $1 million property to the city, Anderson said, and the city has it under contract.

A public hearing on the potential property acquisition is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. The City Council is expected to vote on the issue following the hearing.

"Our Bluffdale cemetery is full," Anderson said. "It's an ideal place for a new cemetery, and we need one."

The mayor proposes selling cemetery lots to help pay for the property. The large home on the lot could be utilized as a temporary city hall, she said.

"I think it's the right thing to do for our citizens," Anderson said. "I'm just bringing it to the City Council to see if they want to support it."

The mayor also is proposing to increase money allocated for legal fees by $100,000 — nearly doubling the budgeted amount — with a Utah Supreme Court ruling pending on the disconnection of 4,000 acres from the city.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

Sensible Scientist | 4:30 p.m. said: "Climate scientists hurt their own...

like the banks aren't the only ones who didn't change their ways. The...

It NOT up others, nor should it ever be, to determine your worth, it is up...

Water wars in Snake Valley

How many of you have actually been to the Snake Valley? I have, and have...

He did not say Chynoweth won the game for them, it says he helped them run by...

I was expecting much more talent from region 1 but they honestly weren't that...

TCU moves into 4th place in BCS

16 is still way too high for the Utes, a team who has only beaten one team...

every body calling Boozer out? With out him things would be worse. I...

Aggie fans... come on. If we have learned any lesson in the past 20 years it...

So often on these boards I think people are faking it just to push buttons....

Advertisements
Advertisement