The whole cock fighting event spurred numerous letters to the editor in the Standard Examiner. Some people are calling for a change to the state law on animal cruelty to make such fighting a felony. Our community again came into the spotlight when the Standard Examiner on December 29, 2002, named this story as the top crime story for the Top of Utah for the month of March 2002. With the entire state of Utah suffering its fourth consecutive year of drought, several water concerns involving residents were brought before the City Council in April and discussed. As a representative for Bona Vista Water, Joe Deru met with the City Council in April and explained the company's new rate schedule. In the past 10 years Ogden City and Weber Basin Water Conservancy District have raised their rates 22%. Bona Vista's operating costs have risen 13%. Weber Basin recently told Bona Vista their rates per acre foot of water were going to raise $10 to $12 per year for the next four years, a 41% increase. The Bona Vista Board has approved the rate for a single family resident at $7.00 for the first 7000 gallons. The next 8000 gallons will be $1.30 per 1000, the next 5000, $1.50 per thousand, and all usage over 20,000 will be $2.00 per thousand. This is the first step in conservation rates to discourage people using culinary water for irrigation. Rate increases due to Weber Basin's increased price will probably continue over the next several years. Commercial rates are scheduled to bring industrial users rate nearer to the residential cost. A pamphlet, Water-wise Questions for Weber County Residents, was delivered with the Quarterly Pioneer Post, which gave good advice to residents on conservation. Marriott-Slaterville City has no city ordinance prohibiting the placing of pumps in creeks or rivers to draw water for individual use, but there is a state law against such action. Citizens are encouraged to report violations noted to the sheriff. in a letter to the Mayor, Governor Michael Leavitt asked that it be made a crime to water between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. After consulting with others, Mayor Butler said the City will not propose such an ordinance at this time. Many residents have irrigation water which must be used at set times throughout the irrigation season. Little by little, we gain some recognition. The Drivers License Division has not been allowing residents to list Marriott-Slaterville City on their drivers license. After Administrator Bill Morris wrote a letter to them regarding this matter, their response was that we can now put "Marriott-Slater" or either Marriott or Slaterville on the licenses. At the public hearing and public meeting held May 16, 2002, the FY2002-2003 budget was reviewed and approved. During the public hearing, Administrator Bill Morris gave the staff presentation, indicating a few changes the staff suggested. President Ilium asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak, which brought forth questions and criticisms from Mr. Kent Slater. He expressed several concerns which indicated he did not fully understand the budget procedure, wherein the budget must be balanced, meaning that revenues must equal expenditures. Councilman Kim Slater attempted to explain the procedure to him, and that the balancing does not mean that all revenue is expended. In addressing his questions about property tax, Mayor Butler explained that the City has no control over the mill levy on the property tax listed on the Weber County bills, and, in fact, Marriott-Slaterville City does not levy a property tax. Those placed by other entities, such as Weber County, the Fire District, School District, Bona Vista Water, and Mosquito Abatement, are not controlled by our City. Mr. Kent Slater said that he is already receiving services from those agencies, apparently not understanding that many of the services he receives are available only through the contracts entered into by the City. Mayor Keith Butler explained that by having our own government, residents have input into what happens within the City. The revenue received by the city comes from sales tax on purchases from a business located in the community, which is the only way a resident pays any tax to the City. Councilman Orvil Holley was very impressed with the budget and complimented the staff who put the budget together. The 2002-2003 budget was approved by the council unanimously and also approved by Mayor Butler. Again this year, no property tax levy will be made by the City. The City Council set the date of June 20, 2002, for a public hearing considering compensation increases for elected and statutory officers. At that time the annual compensation ordinance was passed and approved 8