The Pioneer Post Volume III Issue 1 Marriott-Slaterville City Newsletter January 2001 1195 West 400 North, MSC, UT 84404 (627-1919, Fax 627-1880) Since July 1, 1999, when two of Utah's oldest communities, Marriott and Slaterville, incorporated together, much has occurred. It takes much time and effort to keep a city going, even a small city such as ours. Fortunately, we have in our community people whom are willing to accept such a challenge. It is through their voluntary service and community-mindedness that we have been able to unite. I thank all of you for doing your part to help. I am pleased to announce for 2001 the creation of a new six (6) acre park on 17th Street. This new park was made possible from a matching grant that the city received from the Utah Quality Growth Commission - LeRay McCallister Critical Lands Conservation Fund. This new type of grant is the first of its kind in Weber County, and Marriott-Slaterville's proposal won over Ogden City, West Haven and Riverdale proposals. The new park will not be the conventional, high-impact sports park, but is dedicated to be a nature and wildlife habitat preserve along the shoreline of the Weber River. It will be exciting to see this new park be developed into a beautiful surrounding that we will all be able to enjoy. Further, the city is still seeking to acquire the remaining two parks in the community to preserve them perpetually and plan for other new recreation areas. Our children and grandchildren will have open space in Marriott-Slaterville, thus living up to our "Utah's Open Space City" designation. Recently, our city submitted its first annual independent audit to the State Auditor. I am delighted to report that we are in the black. Our city has no outstanding bonds, and no indebtedness. We have met all of our budgetary goals, and in fact have a little reserve for future needs. However, I am deeply concerned about our economy. Because we rely on sales taxes as our revenue source, too much economic slowing could raise financial concerns. We will keep a close watch on the markets as we plan the next budget year to ensure that we do not over-project revenue. I note that local businesses still seem to be profiting. New commercial developments on 12th Street and 1200 West will aid community resources. Businesses are an important asset to our community. The city recently implemented a new business license plan based on the new state law. This strategy charges a business license renewal fee at the amount different categories of business use in municipal services. Some businesses saw their license fee drop as others increased. Last year's tax money had to be used to subsidize the municipal services provided to businesses. We do not want this to happen again. Business will now be paying for the services they incur rather than the taxpayers paying for them. For example, of the 93 businesses in the city last year, there was a total of 347 business-related police calls made to the county sheriff. The city pays over $30 per call to these business, for a total of $10,410 in police service calls to businesses. This one category of services exceeded what our city received in license fee revenue for all of last year. Additionally, inspections, staff time, signage, and administrative services had to be subsidized by tax revenue, this should not happen. The new system will be fairer as it charges businesses for their actual cost of the services they demand, and is fairer to the taxpayers who will no longer be subsidizing municipal services for businesses. I appreciate our deputy sheriffs who serve our area so diligently. We have a set yearly contract with Weber County Sheriffs Department, and are in the North Precinct. This precinct includes Marriott-Slaterville, Farr West, the fairgrounds area, and the Weber Industrial Park. I believe that today our community has better public safety coverage then we have had in the past. Likewise, our roads continue to be well maintained by our contract with the Weber County Roads Department. Through this agreement, our city is able to take advantage of the bulk, wholesale buying power of the county for the needs of our small city. I have a great relationship with Kelly Hipwell of the county roads office, and can honestly say that we saved a great deal of tax money through this arrangement. Further, we are looking at impact fees to help prevent our residents from paying the cost from developmental impacts in our community. Over the next two months, the annual general plan update process for the community will be held. This always seems to be a controversial area when it is discussed. During this process the Planning Commission and City Council will hold public hearings to get community input on how the community should be in the future. I encourage you to attend these meetings, and voice your concerns. The scenarios proposed include proposals to increase high density housing, lessen density, increase or decrease commercial areas, preserve agricultural lands, and provide incentives for moderate income housing for the children of residents. We have made substantial headway with our state-mandated moderate income housing plan. I report that 42% of our city's total housing stock meets the moderate income housing standard. This means that our community is doing far more than other localities to provide for moderate income housing. To summarize last year, I say it was phenomenal. City staff has been excellent and progressive in working with the Council and public, our ordinances are being refined and enhanced, and our