Sun Advocate Contributor
The tentative budget contains no tax increase to Price residents for the 2018-19 fiscal year, which begins July 1.
A public hearing will be held June 27 to receive input on the budget prior to final approval.
The total tentative budget is $29,452,000, with $2,283,675 of that coming from the electric fund.
There will be an increase in the sewer fee of $1 per month beginning in January and an increase in the garbage fee of 17-cents per month beginning in July, but those are pass through fees charged by Price River Water Improvement District (PRWID) and City Sanitation, which provide the services.
The increase in sewer fees will affect everyone served by PRWID. A public hearing was held on that matter in May.
Lisa Richens, finance director for Price City, says she doesn’t know when the tax rate was last increased in Price City. It has remained the same for many years. However, she added, that can’t last forever. Either new sources of revenue must be found or there will need to be a tax increase at some point.
Richens addressed the economic situation. While the state has basically recovered from the recession, many rural areas in the state have not. That is due, in large part, to the downturn in the energy industry.
Capital improvements are tentatively set in the following funds:
General, $1,023,475
Capital Improvements, $4,106,000
Water/Sewer, $1,545,000
Electric, $30,000
Swimming Pool, $325,000
Storm Water, $340,300
Information Systems, $9,000
These proposed transfers are scheduled:
Electric department to the General Fund, $2,283,675
General Fund to the Swimming Pool, $364,100
General Fund to the Drug Task Force, $79,526
General Fund-ZAP Tax to Capital Improvements, $99,000
General Fund-ZAP Tax to the Swimming Pool, $325,000
CRDA-East Price (Redevelopment District), $72,000
General-Transient Room Tax to CRDA-West Price, $18,160
Information Systems to the General Fund, $200,000.
People wishing specific information about any budget item or anyone having a comment may voice their opinion at the June 27 public hearing.
The city has 80 fulltime employees. It is proposed that will remain the same for the coming fiscal year. The city plans to employ another 60 part-time and seasonal employees, which will result in approximagely 102 full-time equivalent employees.
The state has set the retirement rate at the same level as the previous fiscal year for both public and public safety employees.
In other business:
• Britney Arroyo, owner of 22 Clothing, was swore-in as a new member of the Community Progress Committee.
• The council approved use of the Civic Auditorium for United Way on July 20. United Way will host a recital as part of the summer Step-up Dance program. The program is for kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a dance program. United Way is soliciting donations of dance apparel and costumes.
• Access across city property was granted to a citizen’s group planning to repaint the “C” on Wood Hill. That activity is planned for June 30.
• A resolution was passed adopting the Public Entity Resolution required by the Utah State Treasurer.
• A resolution was passed appointing Bret Cammans as representative to Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS). Nick Tatton was appointed as alternative representative.
• A resolution was passed setting the Certified Tax Rate for 2018 at .002087. That property tax rate has been maintained in Price for many years. In the 2018-19 fiscal year it is estimated to bring in $794,972.
• Business licenses were approved for the Arts Center at 20 East Main Street, for Intrysik Ink LLC at 135 West Main Street in Price, and to Innovative Harbor, Inc. at 35 West Main Street.
• Promotions were approved for two city employees, Grayson Tucker and Kelly Gibson. These are career ladder promotions.
• Bob Whitten was promoted within the electric department. He will continue to read meters, but will become the lead person doing that. A part-time meter-reader will be added in the near future.
• A public hearing was scheduled for June 27 to discuss the transfer of money from the electric fund to the general fund for fiscal year 2018-19. The city budget year runs July 1 to June 30.
• Robert Oliver was appointed as public defender for the city.
• A seasonal cleaning contract was awarded to We Mean Clean to help with Culture Connection and International Days. The contract will run June through August, 2018.
• A contract was awarded to Lantas Fireworks and Lasers for fireworks for International Days.
• Travel requests were approved for Debbie Worley to attend a Victim’s Advocate training in Brigham City June 6-8 (paid by grant, for Randy Salyer, Police Dept., to attend Emergency Interview Training in Murray, UT June 19-21, 2018, and for Mike Montoya to attend Emergency Vehicle Operation training in Sandy, UT June 11-15 and 18, 2018.