RIVERTON — In a city still reeling from the loss of 15 employees and a 20 percent budget shrink in a recession, candidates for office say they can steer Riverton back into financial security.

And they all agree that burden should not fall on residents.

Mayor Bill Applegarth is running for his second term against Mark Newman, a third-generation Riverton business owner.

Applegarth, a retired administrator and former city councilman, pledges to not raise taxes or cut city services, and to bring more retail sites and employment centers to Riverton. The major issues affecting the city of 35,000, he said, is managing the growth so it stays "a financially sustainable city and continues to be well planned at buildout in about 2025."

Newman, president of Newman Construction, says the city needs to be run like a business.

"I want to be the only state in the city or country that has a tax decrease in the economic recession. How do I do that? An ordinance enforcer will drive the broom truck," Newman said of his plan to streamline city services.

Vying for the District 3 council seat are educator Tracy Thaxton and accountant Mark Mills.

Mills said he wants to get the municipal-service tax rate down so the city can better compete for businesses.

"We must make sure that the city government is not becoming ensnared in aspects of (residents') lives where it has no legitimate role," he said.

Thaxton, a lifelong Riverton resident, highlights a low-cost approach to improving city services.

"It has been said that a high tide raises all ships," Thaxton said. "Bringing in reputable businesses and light industry to the right places in Riverton will provide a strong tax base and jobs."

Councilman Al Leavitt is running unopposed for the District 4 seat.

e-mail: astowell@desnews.com