By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab County elected officials and county employees all
get a 2 percent cost-of-living increase in their paychecks
during 2004.
The exception? The county commissioners.
They voted an increase for everyone but
themselves.
The raises were just one of the high points of the
budget hearing held last week.
"The special service fire district proved to be a wise
decision on the part of voters," said Neil Cook,
commissioner. "In fact, $244,959.77 came into the county in
federal, state and limited grants. That is how the district
survives."
Denton Alexander, independent auditor for the county,
attended the budget hearing held on Monday evening where
commissioners set the budget for the coming year and
adjusted the budget for 2003.
"The county is in healthy shape, financially
speaking," said Alexander.
"This is the 17th year without a tax increase for Juab
County taxpayers."
He said the present commission, and those who went
before, should all be thanked for making strong fiscal
decisions which lead to the ability of the county to give a
cost of living increase and to remain fiscally sound.
"We are still close in available funds," said Wm. Boyd
Howarth, commission chairman. "However, we think it is those
in charge of the various departments who run efficient ships
who need to be thanked. Not everybody is happy with this
year's budget, but we have done our best to meet the
critical needs."
Robert Steele, commissioner, said it was good news for
taxpayers that, at a time when many counties were finding it
necessary to raise taxes, Juab County had not.
"The good news about the 2004 budget is that there are
no new taxes in Juab County this year. Again!" said
Steele.
Pat Ingram, county clerk/auditor, said the commission
should also be commended for giving a cost of living
increase and then for not taking the raise themselves.
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