Budget cuts will be made today to plans for the South Davis Recreation Center, an action that may mean the loss of popular services proposed for the center.

One Davis County watchdog group says the cuts are indicative of poor management that has "plagued" the project for more than a year.

"Now the taxpayers will be left with something far less at a much higher cost than what they were promised," said Ron Mortensen, co-founder of CitizensForTaxFairness.org. "There have not been good management practices applied to this entire project."

Last August, voters in five South Davis cities approved an $18 million bond to build the center, which may include racquetball courts, a walking track, indoor and outdoor pools. During their July meeting, members of the South Davis Recreation District Board announced the center was $2.7 million over budget.

While excess was reduced through landscaping and design cuts, board members will need to cut another $1.2 million during today's meeting, according to Tom Hardy, Bountiful city manager. Much of the additional costs can be blamed on rising fuel prices and the cost of concrete and steel, he said.

"The fact is," Hardy said, "construction prices are going up and whether it's this project, the jail project, a private office building — whatever it is — all are facing the very same cost issues that this is facing."

The goal of today's meeting, he continued, will be to reduce costs but not compromise "functionality or beauty." "We want this to end up being something the citizens are proud of," Hardy said.

Centerville Mayor Michael Deamer, one of eight members of the Recreation District Board, said he will consider other ideas for funding items that may be cut today. Options may include a public-private partnership, or phasing in aspects of construction.

In a letter released Friday, Mortensen cautioned residents to watch actions that board members take today. Residents should not pay additional money for the project, he said, although mayors have already considered pledging additional city dollars.

Instead, said Mortensen, cuts should be made to fitness and aerobic areas — services already provided by the private sector.

The South Davis Recreation District Board Meeting will be 4 p.m. today at the Bountiful City Hall, 790 S. 100 East.

---

Was election process flawed?

Last August, a local group called CitizensForTaxFairness.org filed a complaint with the Utah Elections Office and the Utah Attorney General. The complaint alleged that a vote approving the construction of the South Davis Recreation Center was flawed.

Allegations include the following: improper use of public funds, efforts to restrict opponents' freedom of speech and factually incorrect information in voter information pamphlets.

The Utah Attorney General's Office is still reviewing the allegations. Davis County officials say the complaint may have cost residents $450,000 in interest charges on the project's bond.

---

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com