Editor:
It’s apparent that Carbon County Government plans to continue to stifle any hope of new industry in Carbon County based on the commission approval of a 10% increase in taxes even though there was overwhelming opposition to the tax increase. In the past I have been critical of the economic development department in the county. But, in all fairness with our current tax on business and commercial property, it is apparent no new business would want to establish in Carbon County and it is easy to understand why. Price Main Street looks like a ghost town! The last time I checked I thought our commissioners were republicans, you know the party in favor of lower taxes and small government.
Perhaps our current commission should change party affiliation or make up a new party with a title of the “Plunders”, how to destroy county development.
I personally don’t know which is more insulting, the fact that Commissioner Potter indicated he was opposed to the tax increase at the meeting. Yet, I understand he was the one who originally proposed it! Does he believe the citizens of Caron County are so stupid they can’t see the obvious ploy to gain favor in his upcoming bid for re-election. When my business income fell off as a result of the last administration’s policies, I was forced to lay off employees. These people were outstanding in their various fields of expertise and they all found alternate employment.
It is a hard call but perhaps the county needs to lay off the last 150 new employees hired over the last 6 years. I can’t understand why we need twice as many employees in Carbon County as 10 years ago when you consider there are fewer people, less roads and no new services.
The county could save money if they bid out work and not just hand it to the same firms without even having an idea of cost until they get the bill! Our firm offered to do a feasibility study on a pipeline from Duchesne to Carbon County “for free”. We work for Midstream, the largest pipeline company in the world. We have all of that data in our computer files. Commissioner Hopes said he couldn’t accept our services for free but he would have us bid on the job. After I called him numerous times he indicated they had given the contract to their usual firm for a figure of not to exceed $50,000. I asked if he received a portion of that and be became very agitated and hung up on me! Let’s see what would happen if Carbon County tried to conduct business like all the rest of us who work for a living! Based on the above, it is easy to see why this commission can’t balance a budget.
I feel it’s time for the voters in Carbon County to take back control of how the county is governed. We need to go to a five person commission, two full time commissioners at their current $75,000 a year salary with benefits and when I say full time, I mean a 40 hour work week. Then three part time commissioners who each receive $25,000 a year with no benefits but would have the same voting authority as the full time commissioner.
Carbon County needs to not be a family enterprise! My hope is to get this initiative on the ballot this fall at least form a study committee. We will be circulating a petition to do this in the next few weeks.
The second and third initiative will require any and all tax increases to be voted on by the electorate and property taxes for seniors be rolled back and fixed at the 2000 year rate. If I were to die tomorrow my wife’s social security would not pay our property taxes! Enough is enough! Let’s change the spending habits of Carbon County. We the tax payers can’t afford this commission!
Mel Coonrod
Helper
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