Davis County Commision Going Wobbly on UTA Tax?

On January 2nd I updated a previous post noting that the County Commission had decided to stand up to UTA, “for now”. That time may be coming to an end:

Davis County commissioners are still mulling whether to implement a 0.05 percent sales tax increase to fund the Utah Transit Authority, but feel they now have more information than they had.

They must decide by Jan. 31.

UTA continues to threaten to cut service:

…if the tax isn’t approved, they say they will have to start cutting services possibly to express bus routes, some paratransit routes and perhaps on the FrontRunner commuter rail when it begins operating.

Sorry UTA, but spin it as you will, you are not fooling me. UTA does not have to cut service. They, without a doubt, have the option to increase user fees to cover their decreased subsidy. Let’s face it, everyone is paying for UTA rider’s tickets, like it or not - the system is not fiscally self-sufficient, hence the tax subsidy they feel entitled to.

UTA is threating to cut service simply because it carries more political ‘fear’ weight and can be more effectively spun in their favor. If UTA said ‘yeah, we can raise user prices (like a business would) to maintain the current service’, most people (except for some of the tax subsidized riders) would not have a problem with that. UTA, instead, is employing the “Washington Monument strategy“.

Finally, UTA is also running the ‘tax increase, isn’t an increase’ spin:

UTA officials have said that imposing the sales tax wouldn’t be a tax increase, since the tax on food had been cut.

Sorry, I’m not buying that line. Food taxes were, finally, cut. This is a separate tax. The idea that when we cut a tax we should increase another or create a new tax is absurd. This is, ultimately, a tax increase benefiting an interest group.

Rap Tax and Pet Projects (Centerville Mayor)

The Davis County Clipper has a spotlight on Mayor Ron Russell. I had been told that Russell’s support of the Rap Tax may be partially tied to his involvement in Rogers Memorial Theatre. I, admittedly, didn’t do the work to confirm/deny the information (and, thus, didn’t say anything about it) but the Clipper inadvertently did so for me:

…Russell’s now-married daughter Taryn introduced her father to Rodgers Memorial Theatre, and Russell utilized his sudden free time to appear in a few RMT plays. He encouraged another son to appear in a play with him and continues to be involved with RMT as the theater’s photographer.

Though that free time dried up after he was elected as mayor, the love of the theater RMT inspired has fueled Russell’s efforts to establish a larger theater that would serve all of south Davis.

I assume that Russell is still the RMT’s photographer (I think the following paragraph refers to his acting carreer). Nevertheless, it appears my source was right. I’ve stated, numerous times before, that the Rap Tax is the type of tax ripe for use for politician’s pet projects, it appears that is the case from the start. That also begs the question: are any other council members or mayors involved with RMT?

Centerville is also planning on using your tax dollars to tell you how great government is.

Ending on the positive: I need to say a “thank you” to the Centerville City Council and the Mayor for this: Centerville to increase military utility waiver

The Cost of Public Service (Weber-Davis City Councils, Bountiful Tops List)(Correction)

The Standard Examiner put up an editorial entitled “‘Public service’, for a price” based on a compensation survey their correspondent, Katie Ellis, conducted on Weber and Davis city councils. Excerpt follows:

The extremes are Huntsville and Bountiful. It’s often said — but rarely with sincerity — by people who run for city council that all they want to do is help their community. Huntsville makes sure there’s no debate about that claim, since it pays members of its city council $1 per year. As Councilman Jim Truett told Ellis, “Everyone who serves loves Huntsville. It’s like it’s your turn.”

The people serving on the Bountiful City Council may be doing so for altruistic reasons, as well, but the blow to their bank accounts is somewhat softened by $1,454 per month in return for their time and efforts. For most people — not necessarily those serving on the council — that would be a good part-time job.

Every other city falls somewhere in between. The averages, according to Ellis, are $419 per month for each council member in Weber County cities, and $643 for their counterparts in Davis County municipalities.

For most cities, the salaries have inched up bit by bit over decades. Other city councils have voted themselves huge increases all at once — like West Haven: City council members there just voted themselves raises from $450 per month to $1,260 per month, with retirement benefits. That’s a 280 percent bump.

<snip>

Sadly, it is the custom among many politicians to beg voters for the job, then grumble about inadequate compensation after being elected until they’ve convinced their colleagues and the public to support an increase in compensation.

I tried to find Ellis’ story on the Standard’s site but was unable to find it. If I do, I’ll update this post with a link to the original article.

Bountiful council members come out with $17,448/year, West Haven went from $5,400/year to $15,120/year, while the Davis county average is $7,716/year (Weber is $5,028/year - I assume that includes the Ogden City Council). I like Huntsville’s $1.

Correction (1/17/08 ): I managed to get the original article (not available on the web). Bountiful is not at the top, Clearfield is at ($1,540/month). However, that figure may factor in health insurance which many council members do not accept. If Bountiful doesn’t offer health insurance or all council members accepted the benefit, then it would top the ‘compensation list’ (unfortunately, the article does not specify). Since the editorial alluded to Bountiful being the high, I wonder if that is not, indeed, the case (Bountiful being the top for liquid pay) otherwise, I think the editorial would have highlighted Clearfield.

Davis County Tax Lust (update)

Davis county residents appear to be viewed as a bureaucrat’s cash cow. Especially, if you smoke.

To begin with, the Standard Examiner reported that “Davis health officials eye higher tax on cigarettes” (article isn’t available on line). The article notes (emphasis added):

One [legislative bill] could increase the tax on tobacco products by 50 percent to 75 percent. Utah ranks No. 34 in the taxes it collects from tobacco products, [Davis County Health Director, Lewis Garret] said.

The proposed tax may mean an extra $45 million in revenue for the state, Garret said.

I don’t smoke and really don’t like the smell etc. but I am also fed up with how smokers seem to be the never ending target of a modern day witch hunt. I can understand restricting smoking indoors (in public buildings/areas). We are beyond that, however, and are now harassing smokers in public outdoor areas, such as parks, with smoking bans. Soon, we will move beyond that and ban them from smoking in their yards (neighbors may be affected by smoke) and then their homes (family and/or animal cruelty). Additionally, smokers keep getting hammered with taxes and the lust for that tax money is insatiable.

I know the (dubious) argument is that increased costs might help them quit smoking. However, that is nothing more than government dictating how they should live and erodes the right of freedom to engage in a legal practice. If we really believe that smoking is so terrible that a whiff of it will kill us, then we should entirely ban it (you know, ala prohibition). Of course, that would mean government would loose it’s favorite cash cow.

In my opinion, it’s time we leave these folks alone (my preference) or just outright ban smoking.

But wait - I’m not done yet. There’s also the issue of UTA giving Davis County a “second chance” to get things right and enact another tax increase. At least the County commission held out this long but it appears we are looking forward to UTA getting it’s way:

Milburn said UTA expressed a desire to provide “the additional information we deem necessary for us to make an informed decision, and we appreciated that.”

So far, the party caucus tough talk on taxes from Commissioner Milburn seems to have no backing. We’ll know for sure at the end of January.

UTA lost revenue when we removed the tax from food. Instead of making users pay a greater portion of their quasi-government benefit, UTA wants us to continue to dole out our money and keep a big subsidy afloat. In a letter entitled “Davis residents resent tax after tax” one resident stated (emphasis added):

UTA is whining because residents didn’t approve another 0.05 percent tax increase. Now we’ve done it: UTA is going under, having to close its doors.

Here’s a novel idea: UTA, pay your own way! Why am I supposed to pay you money so you can make a profit? You don’t let me ride for free! So why should you?

Wrapping things up is the mandatory recycling fee - a new way for government to extract money from your wallet. I recycle a lot of my waste and don’t feel the need to force others to pay for my convenience. It’s nice to know I’m not the only recycler who feels this way:

…Bountiful established a free recycling center at the city shops area which myself and many, many others use.

If there are some residents that want this proposed “cost” curbside service, let them do it on a voluntary basis like before, and let the rest of us continue to use the free service which has worked great for us.

We pay enough fees and taxes and having something that is free taken away from us and replaced with a mandatory charge service doesn’t seem right. Those who like the free service that is provided and working efficiently need to speak up before it is too late.

Finally, don’t count on our ‘conservative’ Governor to be of any assistance. He believes we got enough back from last year’s tax surplus (overcharge) and we don’t deserve a penny of our overcharged money back this year. Fortunately, some legislators are batting for the tax payers but I’m not sure how good a chance they have with a tax-and-spend Governor and plethora of fiscally liberal legislators. Bummer.

UPDATE (1/2/08): The Commissioners appear to have stood up to UTA, for now.  Hopefully, this is the beginning of a trend.

South Davis Tax Update

I don’t have a lot of time right now so this will be very quick:

First, the RAP tax/theater folks will be happy with an infusion of $5 million of your money (this is not Rap tax money at this time, by the way).

Second, the Bountiful Historical Foundation is asking for donations so that they can capitalize on more of your money ($750,000) offered to them.  The $750,000 is a pretty sweet deal that would, likely, be unavailable to others without such close ‘connections’ to local government officials.  That is, several current and former city council members are involved and you’ll never guess who is hosting the beneficiary’s site.  See: City Slush Fund$ (Bountiful) for details and the answer to the “guess who”.

Frankly, the above behavior doesn’t bode that well for use of those uncommitted RAP tax funds…unless you’re part of the club, that is.  Additionally, this isn’t the only question regarding potential conflict of interest I’m concerned about with the RAP tax.

Bountiful-Centerville Theater Moves Ahead (RAP Tax)

After pulling who knows how much money together (proponents still have not or will not divulge their contributors and amounts) to get this on the ballot and succeed in forcing everyone to pay for their fun, proponents have finally decided to fund raise.

They are now looking for some initial startup money.

Unfortunately, while it appears, on the surface, that they will ask the community for money, they have, again, turned to government:

Work is moving ahead on funding for the South Davis Regional Theater, with talks to both private donors and the county commission. Centerville officials are also making plans to discuss RDA tax increments and other details that would be involved in the property and monetary donations they intend to make to the theater.

Bountiful and Centerville will also be implementing the tax increase ASAP:

Both Bountiful and Centerville are also planning to officially impose the RAP tax at their next city council meetings, which should go into effect sometime next April.

If you shop in either city, your yearly bills will increase (see the final quote at the bottom) beginning in April.

Obviously, the South Davis Regional Theater will take the bulk of the tax money. Nevertheless the article and the politicians still don’t speak of where or whom the rest of the money will go to.

As always with another special tax, you will need another special board (and another layer of government). Unsurprisingly, guess who will be on the board:

A board consisting of representatives from the Centerville City Council, the Centerville City RDA, and the Bountiful City Council will serve as advisors for the theater, with the SDCAA [South Davis Cultural Arts Association] working as the artistic directors.

Though the group currently consists mostly of representatives from Rodgers Memorial Theater, the artistic board will eventually expand to include representatives from the Bountiful Performing Arts Center and other local arts groups.

This also begs the question: Will board members be paid?

Frequently, these boards are given a stipend and a budget. It would not surprise me if some of the tax money is used for this and/or other board activities.

It is also worth noting that the SDCAA were the Rap Tax proponents and the group formed with the focus of pushing the Rap Tax.  From their mission statement (on the homepage):

Our Mission as members of the newly formed South Davis Cultural Arts Coalition is to serve the greater community of South Davis County by uniting to promote the arts and raise awareness and support for the RAP initiative. Specifically, as members of established Arts groups, we express a unified desire to support and promote the building of a Regional Cultural Arts Center located in Centerville which would serve the South Davis area. We support the RAP initiative which would be necessary to fund this facility and other arts and recreation programs in South Davis County.

Respectfully,
Members of the South Davis Arts Coalition

Rodgers Memorial Theatre, Bountiful Performing Arts Center, Bountiful Davis Arts Center, West Bountiful Arts Council, Joy Foundation

Their faq page is dedicated to the Rap Tax as well.

Finally, another warning for surrounding non-Rap Tax cities:

“After all, they’ll still be paying the RAP tax when they shop in Bountiful or Centerville,” said Russell. “Maybe something can be done in the future.” [emphasis added]

Bountiful Recycling and RAP Tax

Due to limited time, I’m consolidating two posts into one:

Recycling

I recycle the vast majority of my waste. I do so, without burdening others, by using the centrally located recycling ‘depots’ located in several locations in south Davis County. The depots accept all sorts of different materials (including paper/cardboard), but I also save my paper goods and put them in the Food Pantry recycling bin as it provides the pantry some additional funding.

I have found the depots entirely convenient as they are located along main roads which the vast majority, if not, all of us use at some time during the week. I would find it repugnant to force others to pay for my convenience and my interest. Yet, that is exactly what Mr. Ward desires and the Bountiful City Council is considering.

The proponent(s) seem to believe that charging you, the old lady on a fixed income, and the rest of your neighborhood $50/year extra for their convenience. The fee only further adds to all the recent tax and fee increases, those on fixed/low etc incomes must shoulder. According to Mr. Ward, the current system, which literally takes me about 2 minutes a week to use, is just too tasking.

Finally, while I do recycle, I also don’t delude myself with the thought that I am saving the earth (see this detailed NYT article). While recycling aluminum seems pretty clear cut (and is heavily market driven), the value of recycling the rest of the materials has issues. Paper, likely doesn’t save much forest land as tree farmers typically plant more than they harvest and many recycling processes release and/or use toxic chemicals etc. Further, I’ve been told that the recyclables are the best fuel for the Davis County burn plant. Ultimately, I’m willing to accept that my recycling efforts likely end up in no/negligible positive environmental impact.

One last note, the proponent(s) scored a big coup by getting the city council to put a survey in the Bountiful City newsletter. Obviously such a survey is anything but scientific and proponents will be the most likely to turn it in. With a virtually guaranteed outcome, the city council can claim overwhelming support for the measure and shove another special interest project and monetary burden down citizens throats.

RAP Tax

Despite the RAP Tax failing in key revenue generating cities such as West Bountiful and Woods Cross, Bountiful and Centerville will continue with the special interest tax and try to slap together some sort of facility. Take heed Woods Cross and West Bountiful (and North Salt Lake) residents: I would also expect to see the RAP Tax shoved on the ballot in the coming years.

Again, I think it is a shame that people force everyone else to pay for their personal hobbies. Further, government getting into things it doesn’t belong in is a Pandora’s box. One day, a RAP/RAMP etc Tax city will find the Lesbian Theater Company or artist of the ‘Madonna in Dung’ or Hate Hillary Clinton  Dance Company legitimately demanding funding. Then what? Say hello to the ACLU.

I attempted to look at the donors to the Rap Tax campaign and was unable to find a list. In the past, I understand that Jason Burningham with the bonding company of Lewis, Young, Robertson, and Burningham played a part in the promoting the RAP Tax (see here and here for example). The reason that is interesting is this is the same firm that promoted the South Davis Rec Center (and SD Metro Fire) and ended up getting a no bid contract to manage the bonding for the facility. I would love to know how much involvement (including monetarily) the firm had in the RAP tax initiative and if they will get another no bid contract for the bond on the theater complex.

Last, a lingering question remains on the accountability. As noted in a previous post on this matter, there appear to be no other projects for funding, leaving the money firmly in the hands of council members and their friends to fund whatever pet projects they see fit.

Utah Government and Education Salaries

This is an interesting site that the SL Trib has put up. It lists a bunch of public information (including sex offenders) but also lets you take a look at how much government figures (at all levels) make. I found that the Governor makes less than the a School District Superintendent and a city manager (not Salt Lake) and if you want to make money in education, go for an administrator slot. One thing to note, however, is that I don’t think the figures take into account some of the generous perks (car allowance, pay for sitting on boards etc) that some officials make in addition to their stated salaries (in other words, the figures are probably lower than the actual income from the government position).

Here’s the site: Utah’s Right To Know

Here’s the link to the salary page: Utah Public Salaries - you will have to select criteria from the drop down menus. Also, you can use the map on the homepage to go directly to a county’s salary figures.

The sex offender is portion is pretty good too (especially the map feature).

Have at it.

UPDATE: DCW has a post regarding large salaries for non-profits. People seem to have a problem with them (I don’t). What about large government administrator salaries?

Aftermath (2007) (Pork Update)

I was planning on getting this done this morning, but as usual the law you can never escape (Murphy’s Law) came knocking on the door. So now I’m posting this late in the afternoon simply because I followed several issues in this election.

First, I’m sure we all know the election results. If you do not, click here for election results by county or here for statewide election results.

Obviously, vouchers were slapped down. Someone mentioned Lonsberry on this blog - I guess he would say Goliath won. I see it as a big missed opportunity (especially for parents with children struggling in public schools with no alternative) and will set us on a tax collision course to fund the upcoming influx of 150,000 students (DCW addresses that). It will also leave us with the ongoing problems of about 45% of students flunking out (20% drop out and 25% fail the UBSCT - Utah Basic Skills Competencey Test) not to mention some of the alarming drop out rates in certain school districts.

Going from the bad news to the mediocre news, the RAP Tax was a mixed bag. Woods Cross soundly rejected it and West Bountiful did so as well, however, they still have some provisional ballots that may change the results (we won’t know until the 13th). Bountiful only passed it by about 200 votes and Centerville went for it, big time. The interesting bit is Woods Cross and West Bountiful represent a massive amount of the commercial tax base for the tax, without these two they will not get much money.

Bountiful and Centerville city councils can move to adopt the tax even though it will not bring in enough to build the theater. If they do adopt it, they have carte-blanche to spend it on whatever pet projects they see fit. Even if RAP passed everywhere, they still would’ve been able to blow the money on their pork projects after the theater were build as I indicated and the Standard Examiner noted. Now would be a good time to contact the councils and ask them not to adopt the tax. We’ll see if the tax hunger continues.

Also, Bountiful dumped Higginson and put Beth Holbrook on the council. That’s an additional tax and spend proponent with the added benefit of her desire to force everyone to pay for her pet project (recycling). It doesn’t look like the intaxication will stop anytime soon.

Ending on the positive, it looks like CitizenForTaxFairness.org had a sound effect on the transportation tax. That was defeated. Rocky will soon be gone and while I’ll constantly disagree with Becker, he will make for a much more reasonable mayor and, from all I’ve heard, is a stand up guy.

Take away message #1: contact and keep close watch on the city councils (be vigilant on their RAP tax pork). I’m betting we haven’t seen the end of RAP and transportation tax grabs.

Take away message #2: Watch congress, they continue their pork binge in earnest.

Pork UPDATE: It just keeps rolling in, Congress just can’t get enough.

South Davis Recrecreation Center Claims Victim (Business)

Unsurprisingly, small business could not compete with the tax funded recreation center and one has folded. Here is a transcription of the letter to (now former) Xcel Fitness members:

Dear Xcel Fitness Member,

It’s been a thrilling 9 years since we first set up shop here in Bountiful. While many businesses have come and gone, Xcel Fitness’s goal has always been to remain a future of the Bountiful community. On behalf of our entire organization, I regretfully announce that we’ll no longer be doing business as Xcel Fitness effective Oct. 1st, 2007. We thank you for your years of loyalty - it has been a tremendous pleasure to help you achieve your fitness goals. However, I’m excited to announce that we’ve finalized plans to ensure that our fitness members, neighbors and friends continue to be served.

We’ve partnered with Gold’s Gym in an effort to keep the gym at 250 West 1500 South open. On october 2nd, 2007, our doors will re-open and continue doing business as Gold’s Gym. Closing this fitness facility altogether was never an option for me - l love and respect this community too much.

Xcel Fitness has worked hard to always be here for Davis County. l grew up in this community and wanted nothing more than to personally continue my commitment to my friends and neighbors here. We live in an area where two privately run gyms - Xcel Fitness and Gold’s Gym - should be able to thrive. The arrival of the tax-payer funded recreation center has created an unfortunate economic situation where that is no longer possible for each party. Whereas residents of Davis County previously had a choice of facilities they could patronize, now your tax money is funding a recreation center of which you’ll probably never even become a member. This situation made it imperative for the two privately owned fitness centers to come together.

Because of their market penetration and state-wide presence, Gold’s Gym was an obvious choice to continue the legacy of locally owned fitness facilities in Bountiful. Fifteen gyms from Bountiful to St. George are now available to our members. You’ll be able to enjoy amenities such as the new Cardio Cinema, swimming, spas and hot tubs, basketball, racquetball, and a huge variety of free exercise and aerobic classes.

Thank you for your support and patronage. l wish each of you the best of luck with Gold’s Gym, and hope you’ll find a new level of success in your health, fitness and life goals.

Sincerely,
Josh Smith
Owner of Xcel Fitness

Now there is one less fitness center in the area.

This means an job creator is gone, jobs have been lost and families affected by the decreased income. Additionally, an economic stimulus is gone and the future value and synergistic effects of that money (gyms need supplies, pay rent to the building/development owner, etc) are now also gone and a city has one less source of business tax revenue. All brought to you by government market intrusion.

UPDATE: Looks like Xcel owners Smith and Seljaas played with fire and got burned (City strikes rec center alliance, size limits) (excerpted):

Mayor Joe Johnson announced a new alliance between the private fitness industry and the newly formed South Davis Recreation District at Tuesday night’s council meeting, defusing a central accusation by a local tax-watch group.

“We had a nice discussion,” Johnson said after owners of Xcel, John Smith and Gary Seljaas, approached the city with their concerns with the Bountiful Recreation Center (the South Davis Cities Recreation Center (SDCRC), “and now we’re partners.”

“They said, ‘You can use our experts and expertise with your people,’” Johnson said recalling the meeting. The Xcel trainers will train people on exercise machines and teach fitness techniques. They will also teach classes on nutrition, health and fitness planning and methods.

Not sure if the Xcel people ever did get any work at the Recreation Center. I also wonder if it was legal to seemingly award a ‘no bid’ contract to Xcel to provide trainers?