Dale Coulam stated there have been no further changes since the last meeting. The next step is that Department Heads will put tentative budgets together for the April 4, 2013 meeting. Council Member McDonald had concerns about the 10% reduction in property tax. He didn't want to apply that reduction and have to turn around and ask for an increase in the future. Mayor Hart stated it isn't a large amount per household. He asked about the maximum allowable reserve. Dale Coulam stated that there is a bill in the legislature to increase the reserve requirement. Council Member Roberts stated that as we see the sales tax revenue increase the city should give something back to the citizens. He feels the city should look out for the citizens and not look for something to spend money on. Council Member Densley asked if it would be more of a benefit for the citizens to install additional lights on Main Street or add additional shade to our parks. He feels that the money could be grouped together for a greater benefit to the citizens. Council Member Elwell stated that "value of life" comes to mind when discussing improvements to parks. He suggested that it would be better used if it were used for park improvements. Council Member Mendenhall agreed with Council Member Densley and stated that although giving back $23.00 to each household is a nice gesture, pooling the money might be a greater opportunity to have something that all citizens could enjoy. Council Member McDonald felt the city should not offer the money back but to add it to the reserve to gain the largest amount of protection the city can get. Once the maximum reserve is reached, the city could refund money to the citizens. Council Member Densley stated he would like to see a revision and take the $100,000 and wait to see what the state will allow to be in reserve and then prioritize the needs. Dale Coulam stated this is a very preliminary budget and once the tentative budgets are submitted by staff, we can see what is excess. Mayor Hart asked how the Council felt about the cost of health insurance. Council Member Densley would like to see what the cost per family is since some families have more dependents.
The Council will discuss this again at the next meeting.
Council Member Roberts read an article from the Deseret News written by the Chief Sponsor of the bill, Ken Ivory. A copy of the article is available by request through Ivins City Hall. Council Member Roberts is in favor of supporting House Bill 148. Mayor Hart asked County Commissioner Alan Gardner to explain why the County has taken the action they have taken, what the background is, and what the impact it will have on the County. Mayor Hart also asked what impact or influence a Resolution passed by Ivins City would have on this issue. It seems that no matter how Ivins City votes, it's a lose/lose situation for the City because there has not been a public hearing held nor have the citizens been asked to weigh in on the issue. Commissioner Gardner stated that he feels HB 148 is important to all of the citizens of Utah. Most of the residents live in communities that will be impacted by the natural resources we have including funding for education. He felt that every year there are more and more restrictions on public lands and natural resources and how they can be used. If the state is allowed to develop the natural resources without federal involvement there wouldn't be the worry of revenue for education and a lot of other things. This would have an impact on citizens of Ivins and the State of Utah. Mayor Hart stated he has received over one hundred emails regarding this and they have all been against the bill. Commissioner Gardner said that there has been a lot of mis-information circulating about the issue. Council Member Elwell stated he respects the work of Commissioner Gardner. He read his position on House Bill 148. "In order to offer an affirmative vote to the Resolution before us, I must first resolve the language of HB 148. At least to the extent that if it had been within my purview to do so, I would have voted with the majority. The reality is, I would have had deep reservations." 1) The "Legislative review note", from the Office of Legislative Research and General Council, makes it abundantly clear that HB 148 is problematic. It appears that insisting on "a date certain" in this legislation, practically guaranties it to be indefensible. 2) Much, if not most, of the research and recommendations the "Constitutional Defense Council" was charged with providing, should have preceded "HB 148". "To have the benefit of comprehensive research and to have safeguards in place to deal with critical matters is requisite." "While I am not impressed with HB 148, I am tremendously impressed with the "Constitutional Defense Councils" November 14, 2012 report to the State Legislature Interim Committees, as was directed by HB 148." Council Member Elwell quoted text from the report presented to the State Legislature Interim Committees submitted by the Constitutional defense Council dated November 14, 2012. Council Member Elwell went on to say "I believe that lacking this information and attendant legislative safeguards, a "date certain" challenge to the federal government is ill advised. When this information is forthcoming and the result is found to promote both an economic sustainable boost to the state and viable protection and preservation of these lands are assured, to my convincing, then my position may turn. I recognize that clear minded right thinking individuals can have a different view of this matter than I, however, this is the threshold I have set for myself in this matter, and it is consistent with the standard I have held for myself during my tenure on this Council." Council Member McDonald stated that he is in favor of supporting HB 148. He feels that the federal government isn't running very well, so why would we leave land in their control when they won't be able to manage federal lands soon by running in the red. He feels that when the federal government won't be able to manage the federal land, it will fall on the state and cities to manage the land.
Council Member Densley stated he supports HB 148.
MOTION: Council Member Roberts moved to approve Resolution No. 2013-04R, a Resolution of Ivins City, Utah, Supporting Implementation of the Transfer of Public Lands Act (Utah HB148 2012) amended to reflect today's meeting date
SECOND: Council Member Densley
VOTE: The motion carried.
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
| Council Member Elwell |
NAY |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
NAY |