By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Though the mayor can hardly believe it's true, Mona is
now a third class city rather than a town.
The city council received notice that the status had
been changed in a letter sent by Richard M. Moon, Manager of
the Local Government Division of the State of Utah Office of
the State Auditor.
"We have received notice from the Utah State
Lieutenant Governor's Office that your town has been
declared a third class city based on the most recent
population figures determined by the United States Bureau of
Census and the Utah Population Estimates Committee," Moon
said.
The official figures place the population of the small
city at 952. Any community above the population cutoff of
800 persons is considered a third class city.
Also making the change this year are Bear River (850),
Elk Ridge (1,696), Francis (823), Minersville (850), Spring
City (872), Toquerville (814), Woodland Hills (1,459), and
Uintah (1,183).
"I can hardly believe it," said Mayor Bryce Lynn. "Can
those figures be right? Has Mona grown that much?"
Lynn was assured it had.
"There are 14 new homes on my street that have been
built since 1993," said Rick Schnurr, council member. Also
to be considered is that there are now two LDS wards in the
community.
The new classification will affect the structure of
city government. There will need to be one more council
member elected and the mayor, once the election has been
accomplished, will no longer have a vote except in the case
of a tie vote.
"As a new third class city, you should be aware that
your city is now subject to the Fiscal Procedures Act for
Utah Cities and from this time forward, should follow the
requirements and procedures contained in this act when
adopting your budget and reporting your financial activity,"
Moon said.
Mona will retain its classification until it is
changed by the lieutenant governor, which should be quite
awhile in coming. West Jordan, for example, was just
declared a second class city with a population of
65,139.
The decisions which need to be made concerning the
election of another council member, and when that should
take place, will be considered only after the council has
had an opportunity to consult with experts at the office of
the Utah Association of Cities and Towns.
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