By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab County Commission adopted a budget of $3,693,222 for
the year 2000 but voted not to increase property taxes
though they did approve a cost-of-living increase for county
employees.
"Commissioners also approved a $3,000 per year salary
increase for all elected officials except themselves and the
county sheriff," said Denton Alexander, independent auditor
whose firm does work for the county. "In the case of the
sheriff, he received a $5,000 increase in salary."
"The commissioners decided to stay at the same level for
another year, at least," said Alexander.
Mike Seely, county administrator, said the commission had
also budgeted in a 1 percent increase for 401K for all
non-public safety employees.
The budget for salaries in 1999 was $330,321 and is
estimated to be $412,957 for the coming year. Employee
benefits are to increase to $253,865 from $187,361 because
of the wage increases voted for by commissioners.
Two of those attending the public hearing (Nichols and
Patricia Walk), prior to adoption of the 2000 budget, spoke
up in favor of an increase in salary for the county
sheriff.
"I noticed that last year, the department budget was not
increased and the sheriff's wages were not increased to
bring him to a level even near to what other sheriffs in
counties of our size are paid," said Nichols.
Nichols said decisions made to not adequately pay public
servants, such as the sheriff's department officers, gave
the public a negative message. She said her husband often
worked alone late at night and was putting his life on the
line for the residents of the area.
"My husband works a part-time job, Patricia (Walk), whose
husband is a dispatcher, works. We still qualify for low
income assistance," said Nichols. "I don't think any county
employee should have to be on low income assistance."
Wm. Boyd Howarth, commission chair, said the inference
was not quite fair. He said that in 1998 the state forgave
the county a $700,000 fire fighting debt. The sheriff was
asked to take some of his 1999 budget from the 1998
windfall, one time money.
"So the department didn't suffer a decrease in 1999,"
said Howarth. Some of the money they received just came at
the end of 1998 instead of at the beginning of 1999.
Howarth said law enforcement represented 39 percent of
the county budget.
All department heads, elected or appointed, submitted
budget requests to the commission in the past few weeks.
Commissioners reviewed the proposals with those department
heads and then sharpened pencils and went to work.
"The county commission has been very responsible," said
Alexander. "I would like to point out that, if property
taxes seem to be higher, it is not because of actions of the
commission but because of those of other collecting
entities."
Property taxes for the current
year&emdash;1999&emdash;are estimated to be $692,838. For
the year 2000, they should be $706,700. The increase
represents new growth.
Sales and use taxes are expected to rise dramatically,
from 46,900 to $88,300 and restaurant tax should go up from
$74,000 to $76,000. The local sales tax is expected to
increase from $108,000 to $113,400.
"Will the Juab Rural Development Agency Landfill have to
increase rates in 2000?" asked Steele. He asked the question
because, operating
revenue for 2000 is expected to be $109,990 and operating
expenses are expected to be $109,469.
"No, they will not have to," said Alexander. "The way it
is handled is that the county holds money out of the fees
that come in through the landfill.
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