Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste

Desnews: Is Davis District liable for funds?

2006-12-04T10:56:00.000-08:00

Davis School District may need to repay some, or all, of the 4 million dollars that were misused by the Rosses.

The Federal government is known to have recouped amounts of thousands from other Districts in Utah, but we've never seen the refund amount to millions.

This could be a first.

This is so unprecedented that we shouldn't jump into oncoming traffic yet.

Let's wait and see if the District is able to recover money from frozen accounts. Let's wait for the final price tag.

Is Davis District liable for funds?

Clippertoday: Skate park gets the ax once again

2006-12-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

Mayor Joe Johnson is upset that people show up to later meetings in droves, but the initial meetings have low to no attendance. This is a long-standing belief that the Mayor has expressed that citizens who come late should not have a say in government. He expressed this when opposition was raised to the Recreation Center.

"The reason you’re not informed is your fault."

Okay, Mayor, I think people can accept your theorem, but not the corollary.

"We do know what makes a successful park."

The Mayor has demonstrated time and again that he is impervious to public input. Fortunately, this time, the city council chose, another way, to vote against the skate park at Tolman (Rocket part).

Skate park gets the ax once again.

Legislature to audit schools

2006-11-29T09:34:00.000-08:00

I don't have a category for criminal activity. That is because we don't generally see criminal activity in local government.

(insert laughter here)

No, I'm serious. I think that most problems in government come from incompetence, or ignorance. Not intent to do wrong.

I also don't consider myself to be someone who accuses others. We're all passengers on this ship, and as such should consider it our responsibility to point out the iceberg when we see one.

So, I'm relieved to hear that the legislature wants to work with school boards to audit school districts accounting, and budgeting, practices. Not because they will find more fraud, but that they will find more waste.

Legislators may home in on Davis funds scandal

Utah Planner's Corner: What a View... for Me!

2006-11-27T21:06:00.000-08:00

Wilf Sommerkorn has a thoughtful piece on the NSL/SL land dispute. He's attempting to be balanced on the issue, and so doesn't let loose with any sort of conclusion. I have to concur with his feelings about the place, though.

"No question, this is a great area. The views are fantastic! Given the rapid pace of development in Davis County and all along the Wasatch Front, it is nice to have some areas that stay undeveloped. But...but, to some degree, it does strike me as more of the Gangplank syndrome (you know, "I'm aboard, now hoist up the gangplank and don't let anyone else on board!")"

I must say that NSL wants to preserve the land and they have a plan to do so. Starting by building some trailhead. If the land isn't going to be trampled by naturists, then we should lay some groundwork for them.

What a View...For Me!

Lessons learned from 4 Million stolen

2006-11-24T11:22:00.000-08:00

The embezzlement of 4 Million dollars from Davis County School District can teach us a valuable lesson. When the feelings of betrayal have past, and the District is forced to contend with it's books for next year, then we may learn that we can do more with less.

Yes, you read that correctly. The Rosses allegedly kept up this fraud for Twenty-one years! And, what were they doing in that time? They were trumpeting to the District the need for more money to supply the schools with what they needed. They were, in essence, inflating the existing budget to pay for their own exorbitant lifestyle.

True, the Rosses cut many more corners than is prudent for thieves. For example, they dealt out xerox copies of many textbooks. The materials were described as "crummy" by Superintendent Bowles. Yet, the fact that must not be overlooked when we address the new problem of replacing all these books is that the budget must be revised to meet the realistic needs of the District. For, many of the books, under the Rosses stewardship, were sold to the District for as much as seven times the amount charged by the publishers!

The Rosses are, of course, saying that they are innocent. They may be innocent, but if they are, they were incompetent fools with the Districts money.

When criminals, or alleged criminals, get to be in charge of budgets, then budgets grow. Now that these budgets will be returned to responsible hands, those in charge must remember in what ways they were duped. It wasn't just with "crummy" materials, but it was also in high prices.

Couple accused of $4M school scam

Centerville Citizen: Mayor Russell response on Main Street

2006-11-20T18:04:00.000-08:00

Centerville seems intent upon creating a faster way through town-as opposed to a faster way to town. The word, 'transportation', has become such a buzzword this election cycle that it has been assumed that any solution presented in which this word can be invoked, must be a good one.

Centerville Citizen has posted a letter from Mayor Russell in which it is urged that Centerville needs to develop it's "heart". The way to this 'heart' is said to be an expansion of Main Street. Well, if Main Street is already at the center of town. If it is the heart, I would ask Mayor Russell where this new artery will lead, but out of the City.

The only way this could succeed is if Main Street were almost entirely zoned as commercial. There is a certain point at which residents want to drive slowly, and that point begins and ends at home.

This plan seems ill conceived. More still, it will lead to neighboring cities expanding adjoining streets to accommodate this action, carving it's swath throughout South Davis. Truly, this is a plan that favors commuters out of Davis County, not those who reside along the corridor.

Center offers report on charter schools

2006-11-20T17:31:00.000-08:00

Utah Education Policy Center has released it's findings on Charter Schools. The Legislature will have this 200 page report(pdf), as well as an audit performed by the Office of the Legislative Auditor General before it makes it's decision on what to do about Charter Schools.

Center offers report on charter schools

Scrutinize charter schools

2006-11-20T17:13:00.000-08:00

This post falls under the category of Waste, because we're not quite sure if Charter schools are wasteful. No criteria exist to measure their actual benefit. Charter Schools are still experimental

Here are the Charter Schools that exist in South Davis County. Two were added this year.

All other Schools in the state are listed below.

Utah Charter Schools

The measure put in place to protect our investment is to cap the creation of new Charter Schools. Five new schools per year for the State. The Deseret News Editorial board has urged lawmakers to continue to curb growth of these schools until we can measure their effectiveness.

That is good advice.

D.A.R.E.: On the Chopping Block

2006-11-20T14:29:00.000-08:00

During the Republican Convention, Sheriff Bud Cox, pledged his support for the D.A.R.E. program. Meaning he intends to continue to use the Federal money he receives for it. Because, it turns out that this program depends upon the Byrne Grants. The Byrne grants are dollars given to local law enforcement to assist in fighting against drugs, and drug related crimes.

Up to now, funding for local drug education efforts have been given with no strings attached. Since 2004, however, the Whitehouse has made a continuous recommendation that the program either be cut, or that metrics be put in place to provide justification for the grants. The Whitehouse tried to cut them from the 2005 budget, but they were saved by the Legislature, funding them, at the previous years levels.

The Byrne Grants could be in jeopardy, again, unless local law enforcement can provide better metrics of their performance. Orrin Hatch, as recently as March 2004 has pledged his support for these grants but the Whitehouse has continued to identify these grants as 'Not performing'. To date no one has suggested how the success, or failure of these programs should be determined.

Accusations have been leveled at this Administration for overspending Federal dollars. Yet, we can't seem to stop begging for more from the same Government. How do we hold ourselves accountable for money we receive from the Federal Government? The answer is that we don't, unless it is required of us. If the Federal government does require that we report back on D.A.R.E, would Bud Cox think it is worth saving? Could we wean ourselves off of Federal handouts?

P.S. I had this post completely written when I came across this article echoing my sentiments. It gives, much better than I have here, some background on the Byrne grants, and reasons why they should only be given with the requirement of accountability. Now that the balance of power has shifted, so drastically, towards the Democrats, it is incumbent upon them to prove they can live without earmarks.

Bountiful: City Council: Various and sundry items

2006-11-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

Bountiful's City Council met on Tuesday to discuss the following.

A crosswalk will be added at 200 East and 1200 North for better student access to Tolman Elementary.
A recommendation to paint no parking zones on 500 West and 2700 South at Colonial Square.
A skate park at Tolman Park, also known as Rocket Park.

Who knew about the skate park beforehand?

Bountiful's City Council
The site designer, based in Arizona
Concretedisiples.com

What are the Pro's to adding to Rocket Park?

A place for skaters to congregate off of the roads.
"10 foot park style bowl and then an 8 foot pool, with pool cope and all. a good flow section and nice street."
A skate park at the Rec Center may not be built, saving the County residents money.

What are the Con's to building at Rocket Park?

The area is secluded and may attract child predators and crime. (The park is secluded, so this argument may hold no water)
No supervision, pointing to safety concerns.
The Park is not centrally located, and is uphill.
No venues are close, and buses are scarce.

Hat tip: Clippertoday

NSL Name Change: Not gonna happen

2006-10-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

The city council has decided to not go ahead with a name change. So, we're seeing a return to sanity.
The Clipper article, also, has a bunch of useless factoids, and conclusions about the amount of education that NSL residents have received.

Senate Finance implicates Five Non-profits

2006-10-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

I don't usually focus on national issues, but since I've both referenced some of the Non-Profit groups in this report, and link to one of them(Citizens Against Government Waste), I thought I should, at least, make mention of them.

The Washington Post reported earlier today, that the Senate Finance Commitee, of which Orrin Hatch is a member, has come out with a report implicating five Non-Profit organizations as being on the payroll of lobbyist, turned jail-bird, Jack Abramoff.

The report is over 600 pages long, so I'll only give my first impressions.

Chuck Grassley, who Chairs the Finance Commitee, was featured as CAGW's Porker of the Month in May, 2005. Does he have an axe to grind?
CAGW seems to have been implicate via circumstantial evidence alone. There appears to be no record of direct communication with Abramoff to indicate that they were 'bribed'. Note: CAGW was founded in response to a request by Ronald Reagan.
Grover Norquist, a common target, seems to have been caught seeking donations for one or more of his organizations.

More will come from this as the individual parties make there rebuttals. I'd imagine that the IRS would love to see actual charges for these groups.

Hold on! Rec Center taxes lower than thought

2006-09-19T21:33:00.000-07:00

The title of this article represents media spin at it's finest. The implication is that we will pay less taxes than advertised. Not so! $43.00 is still higher than the $41.00 estimated in the pamphlet. Who is to say that the amount isn't lower, at least in part, due to the efforts of watchdogs like Citizens for Tax Fairness.org?

Hold on! Rec Center taxes lower than thought

The Sunlight Foundation: Earmarks in FY2007

2006-09-18T23:45:00.000-07:00

According to The Sunlight Foundation, Utah has requested $2,575,000 in earmarks in the up and coming Labor HHS Bill.

How much of the total 2.5 million is coming to Davis County? The answer below.

(click and drag your mouse over the text here: $0.00 to see the answer)

Well done Davis County!

Salt Lake Tribune - Davis County considers tax increase

2006-09-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

"The proposal is very attractive to me"

Commissioner Dannie McConkie talking about a proposed tax increase

Question from the peanut gallery: What sane person finds a tax increase to be "attractive"?

Salt Lake Tribune - Davis County considers tax increase

Clipper:NSL still looking at possible name change

2006-09-18T23:37:00.000-07:00

It's time I weigh in seriously on the proposed name change for North Salt Lake. I would agree with so many others that a name change would be costly, confusing, and (looking for a c-word).

Now the Council is looking at the cost of doing an opinion poll on the matter. They really don't need to ask this question because, I can tell you now, Poll's gonna cost 'em!

The City Council is supposed to meet on Monday. Will there be a forum for public input at that meeting?

All North Salt Laker's tend to abbreviate the name as 'NSL'. Now, if the name is changed, what are we going to do? 'OH'? O-Hill'? The 'Orchard H'?

My associates have already commented here.

NSL still looking at possible name change

deseretnews.com | Davis recreation center opening may be delayed

2006-09-18T23:25:00.000-07:00

FYI.

The Rec Center may not be ready for December 1st, but will be finished eventually.
Do not be alarmed.
Do not get out of line to buy your family pass or you will lose your spot.
Senior citizens may be required to walk in a circle for one year before they will be charged.

deseretnews.com | Davis recreation center opening may be delayed

Salt Lake Tribune - Residents debate new moniker for North Salt Lake

2006-09-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet."

-- Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

North Salt Lake is considering changing it's name. This has been tried before starting in the 1870s, then in 1981. The driving force behind this idea comes from Lisa Watts Baskin who says that it is "confusing, misleading and unattractive."

I would think that more effort should be put into changing the city motto, "Where everybody is somebody". That we should need to remind others of such a thing as our own value gives weight to the argument that we might feel insignificant when compared to the behemouth on our south(Salt Lake City; for the benefit of those not from 'Orchard Hills') and the thyroid challenged city to the north(Bountiful). Why should we think that we are anything less than a pimple on someone else's back. If you ask me, this is the real reason behind a change of name for NSL.

The ongoing land debate between NSL and SL- driven by the ego-centric Rocky- is a late example of the phenomenon of North Salt Lake getting ignored.

I wouldn't have thought that I would make so many arguments in favor of a name change. It may be costly and, ultimately, unnecessary. The name has been there for a long time.

So what if Qwest can't find my house?

Salt Lake Tribune - Residents debate new moniker for North Salt Lake

kutv.com - Halfway House Refuses To Take Capitol Hill Rapist

2006-09-18T23:10:00.000-07:00

A halfway house refused the serial rapist, known as the 'Capital Hill Rapist', who had served 16 years for 13 rapes and five attempts, but Davis County Jail is under contract with the Feds to hold him. I don't mean to sound cynical, but at least we get full reimbursement as opposed to 1/2 the cost that the State gives.

kutv.com - Halfway House Refuses To Take Capitol Hill Rapist

CAGW: 2006 Pig Book is here!

2006-09-18T23:01:00.000-07:00

The Citizens Against Government Waste has given us the 2006 Pork Book. The Republican Senator from Utah, Robert Bennett has featured quite prominently in their Summary page.

"$14,085,000 for projects in the state of Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Robert Bennett (R-Utah), including: $5,000,000 for the Utah Conservation Initiative; $3,000,000 for the Washington Fields Project; $900,000 for botanical research; $545,000 for advanced computing research and education; and $300,000 for the Oquirrh Institute. According to the Institute’s website, “The Oquirrh Institute was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. The Institute's mission is to shine early light on public policy dilemmas and establish innovative solutions. The Oquirrh Institute is currently involved in four areas of concentration: Moving to Competency-Measured Education, Improving Environmental Management, Advancing Health Information and Research and Enhancing Governance Through Technology.” According to USDA testimony, “The principal researchers have not yet determined a completion date on this project.” A total of $500 has been raised from corporations and foundations. Taxpayers have “contributed” $550,000 to Oquirrh since 2004."

...

$1,000,000 added by the Senate for a competency-based distance education initiative with Western Governors University in the state of Senate appropriator Robert Bennett (R-Utah). This school is a private university that only gained accreditation in 2003. A close examination of their website does not reveal any defense-related missions.

...

$13,950,000 for projects in the state of Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee member Robert Bennett (R-Utah), including: $4,000,000 for the Utah Public Lands Artifact Preservation Act; $1,500,000 for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail; $750,000 for the Range Creek/Rainbow Glass Ranch; $500,000 for a wastewater treatment plant in Eagle Mountain; and $300,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements for Judge Tunnel in Park City."

I have also created a swell spreadsheet of Utah Pork taken from CAGW's Pork Database which I will link to once I can find someone to host it for me.

I have found a number of blessed recipients of this pork to be very much a part of Davis County. Utah has moved, perilously, in the direction of the Porker since last year. We were ranked 24th and now sit at 18th. We, on a local level, can put a stop to Pork Politics.

CAGW

South Davis Rec Center: Then and Now

2006-09-18T22:55:00.000-07:00

My wife pointed out to me, yesterday, this listing in the Clipper. (Bolding added)

"The South Davis Recreation District is seeking an experienced Marketing/Office Manager for a new $23 million Recreation Center now under construction in Bountiful. The center is scheduled to be finished November 2006. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Marketing/Office Manager would be responsible for organizing & implementing marketing strategies for all Recreation Center programs. Manage a variety of administrative & general office activities needed to organize & coordinate the successful operation of recreation programs & services. The District is offering a competitive salary & benefit package, with a salary range up to $52,000 plus retirement, medical, sick &amp;amp;amp; vacation leave, & other benefits. A college degree in marketing, office management, business administration or a related field is required, with a minimum of 2 yrs of direct office management experience in a large recreation office or similar setting. To apply, submit a resume by 5pm Feb 28, 2006 to: South Davis Recreation District, C/O John Miller, 790 South 100 East, Bntfl, Ut 84010. For a full job description or other questions, call (801)298-6220."

It seems that building a Rec Center for 23 million taxpayer dollars is something, of which, to be proud?? Compare the above posting with the following quote taken from Citizens for Tax Fairness.

"January 22, 2005: “The bad news is that even before construction has started, the new South Davis rec center is $600,000 over budget. The good news is that Brent Tippets of VCBO Architectural says being overbudget at this stage isn’t unusual…. Tippets said the board shouldn’t yet consider eliminating any contingencies, however. He added that the project shouldn’t get higher than $20 million.” (Comment: Less than six months later the project was $2.7 million over budget)."

"May 12, 2005: “Faced with spiraling construction material costs, the South Davis Recreation District has reduced the size of its new center. But district board Chairman Joe Johnson emphasized the reductions were “things we felt we could reduce and not affect the quality of the facility or the programming. “The patrons when they go in will not notice the reductions,” he told the Clipper. To keep costs in line with bond funds approved by voters last August, the size of the facility will be reduced from about 160,000 square feet to 140,000 square feet.”

"July 14, 2005: “Preliminary construction work may be under way at the South Davis Recreation Center site, but final plans are still being mulled over and “fine-tuned.” That’s because, faced with a 20 percent escalation in construction material costs, funds just won’t stretch as far, said Bountiful Mayor Joe Johnson….“It’s a challenge, no question about it. I’m still tremendously optimistic. We’ll end up with a good pool, good ice skating rink, exercise area. It just won’t be as spacious,” he said. After various bids were assembled within the last weeks, a shortfall of at least $2 million was calculated."

So, the person that applies for this Marketing Job should know this. The Rec Center shouldn't have gotten higher than $20 million, but did. Market that!

Daily Herald - County jails may get more money for state prisoners

2006-09-18T22:51:00.000-07:00

In May, June, and August I blogged about the soaring costs of housing state inmates in County Jails. The rebuke to State, as it applies to Davis County, is that the County provides beds State inmates and is only reimbursed about half of the total cost. (Don't be fooled by the 70% reimbursement figure. The State only reimburses 70% of 70% of the total cost. Doing the math, the amount reimbursed is 50%. Talk about creative accounting!)

Now a Bill is heading to the House that would increase the rate of reimbursement, accounting for expenses like the cost of the buildings. It would still not take into account the medical expenses, which I've blogged about previously.

Daily Herald - County jails may get more money for state prisoners

The Tax Foundation - India's 'Bribe Taxes' and the Cost of Doing Business

2006-09-18T22:50:00.000-07:00

The following questions should make us all feel better for living where we do.

Should Companies get to count the bribes they pay to government employees on their taxes or not? I mean, how long do I have to wait for an answer to this one?

The Tax Foundation - India's 'Bribe Taxes' and the Cost of Doing Business

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:New West Bountiful mayor fires police chief

2006-09-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

West Bountiful's Mayor has every right to assemble the team that he wants, but to fire someone with no explanation is too harsh! When asked about his exit interview with the new Mayor, Mike Wright had this to say, “I asked for an explanation, and he didn't give me one,” he said. “I'm 52 and I've never been fired before.”

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:New West Bountiful mayor fires police chief

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:Group says Bountiful broke promise in raising taxes for rec center

2006-09-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

Ronald Mortenson is in the news again. This time, addressing the fact that the property tax increase, related to the Rec Center, is 33 percent higher than advertised in the voter information pamphlet.

I've made my admiration of Mortenson no secret. I have no idea how someone that spends as much time, as he does, out of the Country doing serious work in places like Iraq and Sudan (and soon Pakistan)-- can have the fortitude to do so much here.

Yet, Mayor Johnson has had the gall to challenge Mortenson's positive impact on the community.

And that Steve Rawlins should say, 'Mortenson is the only resident that has complained to him', should put the rest of us to shame.

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner

Time to have my vision checked: Farmington City Council won't pay for cable program

2006-09-18T22:29:00.000-07:00

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the Farmington city council has shown that they can be trusted with a budget. Way to go Farmington!

City to meet candidates, but not on cable

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:Rec center's planners ride the tides of budget changes

2006-09-18T22:26:00.001-07:00

Quote of the day:

"They could have mentioned it's only 3 feet deep"
--Bountiful resident Carolyn Jorgensen

We are told in the article that the Rec Center will contain more than the voters asked for. Does it bother anyone else that so many of our taxdollars are being shovelled into an already bloated project?

""It's going to be what the people voted on and more," says Bountiful City Manager Tom Hardy, noting that the county's cash infusion allowed planners to add four lanes to the competition pool. "

Rec center's planners ride the tides of budget changes

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah/Standard Examiner

2006-09-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

Bountiful is loaning $2 Million Dollars to the South Davis Rec District, to be paid back by the County, in order to fund all the extras on the Rec Center. The quote of the day comes from Tom Hardy, supporter of the deal, "I'm just praying we don't have an earthquake."

The whole deal depends on the State Legislature not changing the law to remove the tourism tax.

"Construction costs are an inherent part of these projects, and this is just one more example of why the cities and the county should not be in the business of risking tax dollars to build rec centers in the first place," said Mike German of the Utah Taxpayers Association.

Why couldn't the Rec District just scale back the facility?

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah

And the Standard Examiner

deseretnews.com | No amnesty, critic says

2006-09-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

Representative Tom Tancredo will be speaking at the auditorium of the Redwood-Salt Lake Community College tonight at 7:00 PM. He is taking a hard-line stance against immigration puting the onus on employers rather than the government. Immigration becomes an important issue for Davis County to address considering the large illegal inmate population in our jails. Tancredo would have more illegals sent to jail. What sort of effect could this have on our Counties bottom line?

deseretnews.com | No amnesty, critic says

Standard Examiner:S. Davis rec center loses pool, features

2006-09-18T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Rec Center will be scaled back with the following features missing:

Climbing Wall
Outdoor Pool
Some Stadium Seating
Some Sound Panels
Some Bike Racks
Some Carpeting

Officials have said that they may have to reuse parts of the old facility, (which is what they could have done in the first place). Why does it take a crisis like this before officials decide to try to cut costs?

Standard Examiner:S. Davis rec center loses pool, features

Weber County Forum:A Tale of Two Rec Centers

2006-09-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

RudiZink at Weber County Forum wonders whether Weber Counties Rec Center will share the same, sad, fate as the Davis County Rec Center.

Centerville Citizen commented on the post, "...I'll tell you what though, those people at citizensfortaxfairness.org who were so opposed to the rec center project are probably feeling very justified after the revelations about the setbacks with the project."

Mr. Citizen, yes they are.

And the source of Weber County Forum's trepidation is this, scathing, Standard Examiner editorial.

Weber County Forum:A Tale of Two Rec Centers

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:North Salt Lake water supply can't keep up with growth

2006-09-18T22:09:00.000-07:00

We all now realize that for a city with no secondary water, the costs of flouridation can be excessive. I did not know that the east benches have more porous soil, and therefore, require more water to have the same effect as those watering elsewhere. Eaglewood Golfcourse, on the east end of NSL, is leeching a great deal of water from our reserves.

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:North Salt Lake water supply can't keep up with growth

Citizens For Tax Fairness:BOUNTIFUL - MAKING CHURCHES & SCHOOLS PAY

2006-09-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since citizensfortaxfairness.org has been updated, but I have been checking it religiously for information since January. Today, I noticed that a much neglected topic of power rate hikes were being addressed. Ron Mortenson had mentioned this to me months ago as a topic on which I might blog and, to be frank, I couldn't dig up enough dirt myself to justify a post. (However, the dirt was there.) Fortunately, I've been saved the trouble of having to do some detective work of my own. Shame on me for not trying hard enough.

Wrap your mind around this concept. Other tax policy organizations have addressed the problems inherent in hiding a tax via clever bookkeeping practices. Bountiful is doing just that. By moving money from the Power fund into the General fund, on a regular basis, they create a shortfall of funds needed to generate and maintain power within the city. As a result, a need is, artificially, created for more money to be put into the Power fund. Power rates get increased, and a hidden tax is born. This money in the General fund,(this is sometimes called laundering), goes to other unrelated projects.

Who gets hurt by this practice? Broad answer: Anyone that stands to lose from an unaccountable government. In short: Everyone.

Citizens For Tax Fairness:BOUNTIFUL - MAKING CHURCHES & SCHOOLS PAY

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:Tax group waiting for response to Aug. 2004 complaint

2006-09-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

Thom Roberts has taken the blame for letting a year pass without responding to allegations of a tainted election in Davis County. He has not said what his response may be. We can guess. If I may be allowed to paraphrase my prediction.

"Dear Citizensfortaxfairness.org,

Thank you for your letter...however, we see no evidence of wrongdoing as your election happened almost a year ago...We've talked to Bountiful City officials and they assure us that nothing is amiss. Oh, and Tom Hardy asked me to tell you not to send him any more letters.

Good luck in your efforts to re-elect Joe Johnson!"

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:Tax group waiting for response to Aug. 2004 complaint

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:Rec center cost up $2.7 million

2006-09-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

And we wonder why the private sector won't build these facilities?

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:Rec center cost up $2.7 million

W. Bountiful questions hike for rec center

2006-09-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

The Recreation Center, to be built in Bountiful, is costing one million over the amount of the Bond. Bountiful has offered to pay the million now if the other cities will pay them back. (Where in Bountiful's budget do they have that much money lying around-unallocated?) West Bountiful has questioned why the additional 5-6 percent cost is there? A full board was not present at the last meeting so a decision on the matter has been postponed. When will the Recreation District ratchet up the price-tag again?

W. Bountiful questions hike for rec center

KSL News: Meth Related Crimes on the Rise

2006-09-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

Utah is tied for number one!

KSL News: Meth Related Crimes on the Rise

KSL News: Homes Condemned to Make Way For New Highway

2006-09-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

Remember the stink that Rocky Anderson made about the Legacy Highway's harm to the environment? Well, now that the highway is about to be built, another possible motive for Rocky's action may be surfacing. 260-410 homes and businesses may need to be torn down in Salt Lake City to make room for the highway. What does that come to in lost tax revenue for Salt Lake City?

KSL News: Homes Condemned to Make Way For New Highway

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Meth is 'biggest' US drug problem

2006-09-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

'Meth' addiction is the biggest contributor to crime in the U.S. Crimes directly related to the drug include domestic abuse, burglaries, and assaults. The problem of escalating crime is particularly relevant on the County level.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Meth is 'biggest' US drug problem

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner

2006-09-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

Assuming that Salt Lake City succeeds in condemning the 12 acres of land owned by North Salt Lake how do they justify the cost that North Salt Lake would pay to service to the land? Salt Lake City has no access roads to the land. North Salt Lake would be saddled with the burden of providing emergency services to that area. I believe that this would constitute an arbitrary taxation on North Salt Lake on top of the taxation from invoking eminent domain in the first place.

On another note, North Salt Lake waiting the maximum 30 days before filing the appeal regarding Salt Lake City's decision, giving the negotiations a chance to work.

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner::City files appeal on decision by Salt Lake City

The Sutherland Institute

2006-09-18T21:51:00.000-07:00

The Sutherland Institute has made some cosmetic changes and substantive additions to their website-for the better. One of their policy statements revolve around the core function of government.

"A careful audit should be made of each and every state function. If work performed is also being done, or if at a point in time it has been handled by the private sector (businesses, service clubs, charities, etc.), then the state should return this work to the private sector. Many examples abound as testaments to government out of bounds. One such example is when local governments build massive, publicly subsidized recreation centers that compete with the private fitness industry? Why? "

The role of government in attracting business is also discussed.

"Our state government’s role in helping to attract new business to Utah should be limited to its core function of tax and regulatory policy. Specifically, it should work to reduce both taxes and regulations on business."

They say the following on Rainy Day Funds.

"Despite pledges to control spending, government officials seem unable to do so. When revenue exceeds budgetary requirements, then, there is often a call to use that excess revenue to support future spending (by creating a “rainy day” fund). While a “rainy day” fund of state revenues sounds like a tempting option, mirroring as it does the commendable practice of savings practiced by individuals and families, it is not appropriate. The key principle is the fact that state revenues are (unlike family or personal earnings) public monies. They are meant to be used for public business and, if they are not being used for this purpose, ought legitimately to be returned to taxpayers."

For a complete list of topics of concern to the Sutherland Institute.

The Sutherland Institute-Persuasion at Work

KSL News: Meth Users' Rotten Teeth Hike Dental Bills in Jails, Prisons

2006-09-18T21:46:00.000-07:00

The number one way in which the state of Utah would rob Davis County jails is that they don't want to reimburse for medical, dental, and transportation expenses. A disgusting feature of 'meth' use, which runs rampant in Utah, is 'meth mouth'. The drug destroys teeth causing soaring costs for Utah jails. I've posted on the current problem of under-reimbursement here.

KSL News: Meth Users' Rotten Teeth Hike Dental Bills in Jails, Prisons

Americans for Prosperity - Taxes: Analysis of TABOR

2006-09-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

I've posted on this idea to limit government that is on a ballot in Colorado here. Dr. Barry Poulson at americansforprosperity.org has written a good explanation of it's benefits.

Americans for Prosperity - Taxes

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:S. Davis mayors discuss recreation consolidation

2006-09-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

I'm wary of any idea proposed by Joe Johnson. He wants to move, several, Davis County City recreation programs under one head.
StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:S. Davis mayors discuss recreation consolidation

Committee eyes changes to jail funding :: The Daily Herald, Provo Utah

2006-09-18T21:39:00.000-07:00

The Daily Herald is reporting that a legislative budget committee is planning to better reimburse counties that house state inmates. However, they want to stop reimbursing for medical and transportation costs. How they are able to spin this an increase in funding is a mystery to me. Although they would add a 10% cushion to the county fund, they are cutting enough funding as to make the increase negligible. According to Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns, "I don't understand how you ask services be rendered and then just decide you're not going to pay for part of it."

Committee eyes changes to jail funding :: The Daily Herald, Provo Utah

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:New tax approved to fund south Davis rec center operations

2006-09-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

As covered on this blog previously Tom Hardy, 'unpaid consultant' for the Recreational District, wanted to charge for maintainance of the Rec Center before it is built. The Recreational District just approved a tax increase that will do just that! The tax goes into effect a full year before the facility will open.

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner:New tax approved to fund south Davis rec center operations

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:County board to offer to help buy N. Salt Lake land

2006-09-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

Salt Lake Counties Open Spaces board wants to offer a meager $300,000 to North Salt Lake for the 80 acres of land to insure that it remains open space. North Salt Lake says the price tag is closer to $16 million. On the other hand Rocky has tommorow's rally planned in which he will reveal one of his fingers--again. Guess which one?

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:County board to offer to help buy N. Salt Lake land

Clipper:Rec pool may still make a bigger splash

2006-09-18T21:36:00.001-07:00

The Recreation District has reduced the size of the Bountiful pool in order to deal with escalating costs, covered in a previous post, but some members of the board would like to increase funding in order to accomodate a pool of the original size. It would take an investment of $1 million divided between the five cities. I've anticipated that costs would escalate given the creative accounting ideas suggested by Tom Hardy.
Clipper:Rec pool may still make a bigger splash

The Tax Foundation - Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR): The Cure for "Ratchet Up"

2006-09-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

TABOR is an interesting concept. I don't think any reasonable person thinks we ought to completely eliminate governement revenue but, TABOR says, that any increase greater than the population increase plus inflation is too much.

The Tax Foundation - Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR): The Cure for "Ratchet Up"

Utah Planners' Corner: Can they do that?

2006-09-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

Wilf Sommerkorn has an excellent piece on the controversy surrounding the 80 acres of land that North Salt Lake would like to develop. Sommerkorn questions the legality of Salt Lake City zoning the land as 'open space', essentially, taking the property.

Utah Planners' Corner

WX passes '06 budget

2006-09-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

Woods Cross City is setting the example for it's surrounding cities on how to set a budget. This years budget is a 9.56 percent decrease over last year. They are anticipating lower revenues over previous years. It reminds me of, yesterday, watching Chairman Greenspan testifying before Congress. He said that every entity that recieves funding from the Government should be subject to review by Congress. He said even if the Federal Reserve, the entity he chairs, could not justify it's existence then it should be dismantled. What was that? The Federal Reserve Chairman is okay with losing his job if it means a balanced budget! What works for the Federal Government should work for State, County, and City levels.

WX passes '06 budget

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner::Davis School District approves pay wage increase

2006-09-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

Davis County School district has found a novel way to increase it's reserve fund--by increasing spending on the overall budget through a pay raise, and an administrative spending increase. The article cites an increase in spending for salaries by 4.42% from last year. Most employees will benefit from a 3% increase in pay. Pay raises aside, I think the real story is buried in the reserve fund. The law says the reserve fund can be 5% of it's overall budget so the district has opted for a bigger budget as stated above. They are not asking for any new tax increases now, which would have to go to a vote. They never do ask for a tax increase until the pork barrel is bursting.

StandardNET/Standard-Examiner

deseretnews.com | Crowding weighs on jail workers, inmates

2006-09-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

I went on a tour of the county jail just before the jail expansion bond went before the voters, and while I don't think that jail-time ought to be a pleasant experience, the expansion is needed so those who should be behind bars, aren't sent away. At the Davis County website, you can see the jail roster. An intersting exercise is to see how many inmates are there, and the arresting agency that got them. Currently, there are 518 total inmates for a jail with a capacity of 496. A handful of these were arrested by I.N.S. and the U.S. Marshalls. How many of these are actually being housed for the Utah State prison? How can we get the State to pay the 75% required, for these inmates, rather than the 50% they are paying?

deseretnews.com | Crowding weighs on jail workers, inmates

SLC Trib:SLC votes to keep open space on bench at northern border

2006-09-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

The fate of eighty acres of land, twenty of which NSL City is ready to sell for development, may have to be decided in court. I am one that hopes that the land is developed. It will recover revenue for North Salt Lake City that can go to pay for our Golf Course, a firestation, as well as more parks, and trails. This will preserve the character of NSL as a pristine , healthy, city. As it stands right now, is trespassing allowed on that land? If so, there are quite a few Salt Lake City Council Members that need to be told to stay off the land.

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah

Meeting with Steve Rawlings

2006-09-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

I met with Steve Rawlings this morning, and it was a pleasant experience. I learned some things that I will summarize below.

The State of Utah is paying, roughly, half of what it should to Davis County for housing the 100-150 Prison inmates at Davis County Jail. They've committed to pay 75% of the total cost.
The County plans on using many of the Jail inmates to landscape the new Jail extension to save money.
Davis County pays about $10,000 a year into Cable 17.
Davis Counties population will be at 500,000 in about 30 years (not 5).
Those parts of the County that only have culinary water are paying extra, thanks to the added cost of flouride. (North Salt Lake has especially high cost in taxes because the Golf Course is watered in this fashion) North Salt Lake residents pay an extra $40 average, whereas other areas with secondary water can pay as low as $1 extra.

Clipper:Legislatures in 'hot water' over jail

2006-09-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

Utah's legislature became the subject of a stiff rebuke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Davis County Jail. Davis County houses between 100-150 prison inmates, and is supposed to be reimbursed for them. Apparently, we aren't getting enough, since we are not reimbursed for capital expenses, according to County Auditor, Steve Rawlings. “It leaves us way short. We’re talking $1.5 million to $2 million a year” when all expenses are considered, Rawlings said.

Note: Money was offered to other Counties, besides Davis, if they would expand their Jails, and they, wisely, said no. They didn't trust the State Legislature, and it appears they were right. Welcome to the money pit.

Legislatures in hot water over jail

Why Limit Government? [Bluegrass Institute]

2006-09-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

Why Limit Government? [Bluegrass Institute]: "At the heart of our core body of principles with regard to government are these unassailable truths: Government has nothing to give anybody except what it first takes from somebody, and a government that’s big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you’ve got."

CAGW: Pig Book Criteria

2006-09-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

All items published in the Citizens Against Government Waste: Pig Book meet at least one of the following criteria. Most meet at least two. Were a local Piglet book to be published for Davis County, what would meet these criteria? (Where applicable, substitute the word Mayor for President, and public for congressional)

Requested by only one chamber of Congress;
Not specifically authorized;
Not competitively awarded;
Not requested by the President;
Greatly exceeds the President’s budget request or the previous year’s funding;
Not the subject of congressional hearings; or
Serves only a local or special interest.(i.e. Rec Center built, in part, Bountiful with County funds)

What are Davis County's greatest challenges?

2006-09-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

During last weeks Townhall meeting, the Commissioners were asked what they thought the greatest challenges Davis County faces over the next three years. Dannie McConkie, replied that the population in the county is anticipated to boom to 500,000 by ~~2010~~(figure supplied by Steve Rawlings is 30 years from now). The previous estimate on the County website estimates 310,000 by 2010. As a result of the boom, Commissioner McConkie promised more tax increases for education. McConkie's flawed logic assumes that the tax base will remain the same, while the population will double. Doubling the population in five years, increases the tax base, and will actually bring in more money, not less. (Considering that the original dates were wrong, I'll have to ask McConkie whether he plans on raising taxes while he is in office. He certainly anticipates the County raising them in the next 30 years, but that won't be on his watch.)

Commissioner Page had previously noted that the citizens have always approved tax increases for education, seemingly, signaling her intention to ask for further increases. Is education really the black hole for funding that Page says it is? When I think of my personal finances, I cannot think of a single item in my budget that does not have an upper limit. I even have limits on what I can spend on my healthcare. The false assumption is that by paying even more money into public education, the quality of the education will improve. The opposite approach; taking money from public education, would actually place more responsibility for education on the parents. Public funds cannot replace the love of a parent for their child. With the majority of our taxes going to education, and the increased revenue generated from a growing population, a tax increase cannot be justified.

slcspin: Tom Dolan and the Art of Backstabbing

2006-09-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the politics of neighboring cities can affect us here locally. We'll see how this play's out. The situation, here, is that Salt Lake City has, unofficially, asked North Salt Lake to contribute, to the tune of millions, to build a soccer facility close to North Salt Lake's boundaries. I don't know how sweet Mayor Briggs is on that deal? For a small community of 10,000 that is too much money. Now, elsewhere, I hear about a soccer stadium that could be built either downtown Salt Lake, Sandy, or Murray. I'm almost positive these to facilities are not the same. It would be too ambitious for Salt Lake City to pursue two soccer facilities, unless they were leaving their options open, until the right deal could be reached. More information is on SLCSPIN.

slcspin: Tom Dolan and the Art of Backstabbing

China, Cuba, Davis County, Iran

2006-09-18T15:34:00.000-07:00

What do the China, Cuba, Davis County, and Iran all have in common? No, it isn't that they have, or want nuclear weapons. Free tickets to a Television Pilot screening to the first person that answers this question correctly.

Clipper: Rec Center Plans were too grand

2006-09-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

This belongs to a category, the fleecing of Davis County. The Recreation District has exceeded their budget, prompting some, like "unpaid consultant", Tom Hardy to ask that they begin taxing us for 'maintainance' of the facility, though it has not been built. Even still, the facility is going to be made smaller, but at the same cost as before. When a contractor goes over budget like this, they should be made to cover the extra cost. There has not been enough outrage about this issue.

Clipper:Rec Center

The State of the Beehive:SL County could be in trouble for having too much money

2006-09-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

The State of the Beehive has an excellent explanation of the excess funds that Salt Lake County has on hand, and what they can do with it. On May 18th, be sure to ask the Davis County Commissioners about their stewardship over the General fund? Based on the amount of money Davis County has in it's General Fund, the County should have no problem funding the Jail expansion, and paying Salaries, without increasing taxes.

Davis County School District sponsors special interests

2006-09-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

This would fall into the category of old news if it had ever been reported by any news outlet. Did you know that Davis County School District was a backer of special interest? Back on February 24th, at an awards dinner that was held by the National Conference of Community and Justice, Davis County School District was listed as a sponsor. NCCJ lobbies to establish public policy affirmitively for issues such as Hate Crimes legislation, Employment Discrimination, and Native American Mascots. More information is available on Citizens for Tax Fairness. Does a public school have any business backing a group such as this?

Aside: The former leader of NCCJ, recently made a statement characterizing the yet, unfinished movie, The Passion of the Christ, as Anti-semitic for filming scenes that follow the thread of the Gospels, rather than playing down any Jewish involvement in the crucifixion, as some would like. Of course, actual reviewers of the movie, including Orthodox Jew, Michael Medved, fully endorsed the film.

The Hidden Costs of Subsidies

2006-09-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

IN OUR VIEW Drop the water subsidies :: The Daily Herald, Provo Utah: "Water is vital to Utah. If it weren't for water, and the discipline to
use it wisely, Utah's pioneers would never have been able to survive in
the Great Basin."

This is the kind of thinking that Davis County needs to adopt as well. This would be a great issue to raise with the County Commissioners at the Townhall meeting on May 18th. When you go, be sure to hold Dannie McConkie's feet to the fire. He sits on both the Utah Water Users Association, and the Weber Basin Water Quality Management Council.

I found this article originally referenced on The State of the Beehive, and I would recommend it.

Utah Policymaker: South Davis Recreation Center Board

2006-09-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

I've discovered a blog whose contributers are elected officials in Utah. I will provide a permanent link to it on my sidebar. Utah Policymaker

One post of interest is as follows.

"I feel that we as City Council Members from the participating cities of this district have been misled. We were led to believe from the beginning that our input on the design of the building was not only wanted but, welcomed. Now that the bonding has been approved by the voters, it seems the Board (which is made up of the Mayor's of the cities, Commissioner Dan McConkie as well as two other members) doesn't want anymore input on the what the facility is to look like and include.

In a Davis County Clipper article from Sept. 28th 2004 about the Recreation District Meeting, Tom Hardy was quoted as saying "we selected VCBO to do the study and to do the preliminary design and master plan." He goes on to say "The Board had two choices. Do you want to scrap everything you've done or get going as quickly as possible?" This seems a bit extreme. I don't think a majority of the citizens want to scrap everything. However, I do believe that a majority of the people who voted in favor of the bonding want to change the current "preliminary design" slightly. I have a commitment from Mayor Larrabee to get together with some residents of our city to discuss the preliminary designs. His biggest caveat is he wants them to have a sincere interest in the facility. If I'm helping to pay for a facility (through my property taxes) isn't that sincere interest?

Posted by Thad Van Ry # 10/12/2004 02:56:13 PM"

I can tell you, one of the "two other members" is Darrel Twede, who, along with Dannie McConkie used to be one of my neighbors. I have much respect for Daryl, and he was right to accept the invitation to serve, but the process by which he was selected was flawed. No process was in place to qualify the candidates for the Board. And, the fact that the Board does not have the benefit of a diverse membership bodes ill for the project.