PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
REGULAR SESSION
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1986
THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1986, AT 6:00 P.M. IN ROOM 301 CITY AND COUNTY BUILDING.
THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT: GRANT MABEY THOMAS M. GODFREY SYDNEY R. FONNESBECK ROSELYN N. KIRK EARL F. HARDWICK WILLIE STOLER.
Councilmember Bittner was absent.
Mayor Palmer DePaulis, Kathryn Marshall, city recorder, and Lynda Domino, chief deputy recorder, were present. Roger Cutler, city attorney, was absent.
Council Chairperson Hardwick presided at and Councilmember Godfrey conducted the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Fiscal Year 1986-87 Budget.
RE: A public hearing at 6:00 p.m. to consider the tax increase and consider a resolution adopting the final general fund budget of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1986, and ending June 30, 1987.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to close the public hearing, which motion carried, all members present voting aye.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to adopt Resolution 103 of 1986 adopting the final general fund budget of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1986, and ending June 30, 1987, which motion carried, all members present voting aye except Councilmembers Kirk and Stoler who voted nay.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Godfrey explained that the new Truth in Taxation law required a public hearing if there was an increase in property taxes. He also mentioned that the council office had received many telephone calls from citizens complaining about the quarter page advertisement which appeared in the paper for this hearing and the cost for this ad; he said that this was a requirement of the new law. Lance Bateman, finance director, explained that as the budget process began last January, there were major shortfalls in the three basic revenue sources: property tax, sales tax, and franchise tax. He explained that last year, property taxes were abated which caused the city to lose projected revenue. He also said that both sales tax and franchise tax were below budget and that federal funds had been greatly reduced. He mentioned that a cost-of-living increase was not given to city employees and the city held growth in all possible areas but they had to make up for lost revenue by raising the property tax.
The following citizens spoke in opposition to the property tax increase: Helen Caiani, 1932 Garfield Avenue; Tom Potts, 774 South 300 West; Lee Johnson, 2303 Bryan Avenue; Jack Olson, 1809 Wilson Avenue; Thomas Parker, 2645 Sherwood Drive; E. J. Carr, 32 “O” Street; Byron Christianson, 2257 Kensington Avenue; Richard Simon, 965 Fremont Avenue; Elvin King, 1792 South 500 East; Mabel Hansen, 1890 Nevada Street; Ruth Robbins, 819 Hudson; Ellen Carpenter, 571 Sherman Avenue; Glenn Balli, 1815 Wasatch Drive; Shierld Crawford, 923 Signora Drive; Hyrum Smith, 5114 South 2200 West; Morton Henderson, 225 North 200 West; Ellen Colonno, 1465 Anthony Circle; R. A. Jeppsen, 1742 Fort Douglas Circle; Hazel Bailey, 1936 South 1700 East and B. T. Price.
Concern was expressed about the effect an increase would have on retired people and people on fixed incomes. Concern was also expressed about the continued increase in property taxes over the years and also increases in other taxes. Comments were made that the property tax was unfair since not all citizens participated and concern was expressed that people would no longer want to own property.
Suggestions were made to cut back, reduce services, investigate how taxes were spent, cut frivolous expenditures, cut waste, and try innovative management practices. Opinions were expressed that the city should manage like people on a fixed income. Comments were made that the citizens expected the Council to represent the public and the Council was urged to vote against a property tax increase.
Public hearing registration forms were received from 54 people who did not wish to speak but opposed the increase. Councilmember Mabey said that the city had experienced inflationary costs just like the citizens. He also said that the Council worked hard to represent the interests of the citizens but services cost money. Councilmember Kirk said that she had suggested cutting the trash removal program but her constituents did not want this program cut. She said that she was willing to make cuts in the budget but indicated that the citizens needed to inform the Council about services they would suggest cutting.
Councilmember Kirk said that she would vote no on this resolution in order to be consistent with her vote in June. Councilmember Fonnesbeck said that by law the budget had to be adopted in June and very few citizens attended the hearing at that time to address the budget. She said that if the Council voted against the budget at this point, Salt Lake City would close down which would include all services. She urged citizens to get involved in the budget process at the beginning. Mrs. Fonnesbeck said that the Council spent a lot of time working on the budget and they did not raise taxes easily. She said that if taxes had not been raised vital services would have been reduced, including police and fire since they were the largest expenditure. She said that Salt Lake City is a living and vibrant city and it must grow. Councilmember Hardwick said that the budget had been pared down as much as possible. Councilmember Stoler mentioned that in June he voted against the property tax increase.
Councilmember Godfrey said that no one wanted to have property taxes increased but the level of service that the citizens expected required money. He reiterated that citizens needed to get involved during the budget process and suggest where cuts could be made. Mayor DePaulis reiterated that the biggest problem was the federal funds which were lost and the federal government expected the local level to resolve this problem.
(B 86-11 and B 86-9)
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.