By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab County did not get the revenue county
commissioners were expecting from the Currant Creek power
plant which began generating electricity for the first time
June 25, 2005.
The Currant Creek power plant was built for $350
million but it is a state assessed property.
"When the dust settled," said Mike Seely, county
administrator, "The plant came in at $197,000 less than
anticipated."
To top off the news, the county found they faced a
double whammy.
Other industrial property in the county has been
depreciating and those totals came in at $80,000 less than
anticipated.
Part of the decrease was that the Currant Creek
property valuation did not all hit in one year, said Neil
Cook, commission chairman.
"In addition, what we did get was off-set by the loss
caused by depreciation," he said.
The commission worked with red pencils, after requests
from county departments were considered, to make
adjustments.
"We took a very conservative posture," said Neil Cook,
commission chairman.
Most requests for increases in department budgets were
declined.
"We didn't have much choice," said Robert Steele,
commissioner.
Pat Ingram, county clerk/auditor, said the county must
budget to spend what it takes in but has to keep the two,
out-put and in-take, perfectly balanced.
These comments were made at the required budget
hearing held in Juab County Monday evening. Few people
attended, mostly only those who were directly connected with
the budget process.
The final budget for the county for the general fund
was set and approved at $5,711,092.
In 2006, the budget was $5,493,605 and in 2005, the
actual budget was $5,844,434.
Most of the money the county collects comes from
property tax. This coming year that figure is expected to be
$1,539,409.
In 2006, the current year estimate, the general fund
budget number was $1,489,509. Property tax delinquencies for
2006 were $44,000.
Sales and use taxes are expected at $125,000,
restaurant tax at $77,000, sales taxes at $290,000,
fee-in-lieu of property taxes, $17,500.
The county expects approximately $50,000 in building
permits. in 2006, the county building permit process brought
in $51,662.
Following the public hearing, the commission
determined to adopt the budget as designed.
Ingram said she must now file a copy of the budget
with the state. She has to certify and file it with the
state auditor no later than 30 days after it is adopted.
The proposed 2006 budget is available for review at:
http://www.sao.state.ut.us/lgr/2006%20County%20Budgets_1.html.
New budgets are not posed for a couple of months.
However, all interested residents can visit the county
clerk/auditor office to review a copy which is on-file
there.
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