Weber empowers districts ? County gives former townships some say; special legislative session may be called on issue By MARINA O'NEILL Standard-Examiner staff FARR WEST - Even though technically they didn't exist anymore, Tuesday was a good day for townships statewide - especially those in Weber County. After seeing their recent creations wiped off the political slate by a new state law that took effect at midnight Monday, township supporters emerged from a meeting Tuesday night with a draft bill they hope Gov. Mike Leavitt will make the focus of a special legislative session May 21. "I'm confident that if we can get the cities and the counties' support on this, there will be a special session two weeks from now," said Rep. Marty Stephens, who hosted the meeting at his Farr West home. Leavitt has said he is looking to Stephens to negotiate a solution to the controversy and will call a special session if a consensus can be reached. "I really think we can get this done," Stephens said after the 1 1/2-hour meeting with about 20 township beard members, state lawmakers and county commissioners. Earlier in the day the Weber County Commission unanimously restored as much power as it was allowed to under the new state law to the former townships, now dubbed "planning districts." Commissioners grandfathered in the smaller townships of Warren, Reese and Marriott, which were eliminated under the state law changes, and pledged their support in fighting annexation of the communities' land by nearby cities. The commission also eliminated its own Planning Commission, replacing it with the planning commissions of the six newly designated planning districts and a seventh district that will cover the remaining unincorporated portions of the county. All board members must be registered voters and residents of the area they will represent. The new ordinance took effect immediately. It was the first such move by any county. "The motivation is very simple. We are a big supporter of townships," commission Chairman Joe Ritchie said. "We have supported all six of the (Weber) townships and we were very disappointed when the Legislature acted to do away with the townships. "This has been a really good day. We've pretty much gotten everything we need except more border protection," said township attorney Duncan Murray, a Warren resident "I couldn't fathom any better results." Even if Leavitt calls a special session and the draft bill is adopted by state lawmakers. ? See WEBER/3C Weber From 1C the former townships will not recoup all that they hope for. Stephens' proposal is a compromise with House Speaker Mel Brown, sponsor of the bill converting townships to planning districts, and does little to guarantee the borders of the communities, other than requiring 45-day notice of any annexation proposal and the right to make recommendations to county commissions. The draft bill also would grandfather in the smallest of the 15 elected townships which were eliminated Monday, restate the "township" name and correct a technical problem with the current staggered three-year terms for board members, which would require expensive yearly elections. When township advocates from Salt Lake and Cache counties complained that the proposal does not go far enough to protect their identities, Stephens and House Majority Leader Christine Fox, R-Lehi, gave them a quick lecture on political reality. "if your goal is to lock the borders, you're right, this doesn't accomplish that. But you're not going to get that this session," Stephens said. A session depends on the support of city and county statewide associations, who would balk at giving more authority to townships, both said. Stephens said he has collected lukewarm pledges from the associations to not oppose his proposal, pending review of the final language. Ultimately Leavitt will turn to Brown for a yea or nay on holding a special session. After separate meetings with Leavitt, Senate President Lane Beattie and Stephens Monday, Brown said there's a "good chance" for compromise but he is wary of reopening the debate. "No one is interested at all in becoming involved in a protracted debate," he said. "When you start doing that, it opens up a Pandora's box and boy, look out." But after months of emotional debates, Weber township advocates said they will be satisfied to walk away with the limited items on the table now. "We just feel we've made a lot of progress," said Deyonne Walker of East Huntsville. "It's fantastic. I think what it does is let us survive." May 7, 1997 77