February 17, 2000 Progress of new city cited by mayor City staffers and department heads credited with success By JO ANNE KEEFFER_ Standard-Examiner correspondent MARRIOTT/SLATERVILLE - In his state of the city address last month, Mayor Keith Butler praised the city for progress made since the city's July 1 incorporation. He credited the city's success to "the preparation we received through our prior townships, through continual training and through the extraordinary service of innumerable volunteers." Butler, who said he is "from the old school where we followed the advice: If you don't need it, don't buy it," stated that the city is being run with a "no waste" policy. He praised city staff, department heads, and others for "improvising to make each cent stretch as far as possible." Although Marriott-Slaterville has been short of funds because of a "lag time in receiving our sales and use tax disbursements from the state," the city has begun to stabilize financially, he said. As evidence of this, he cited the city's start-up loan from Weber County which "has been paid timely and completely." With the city now receiving its share of tax monies from the state, Butler said, "We will have the revenue we need to effectively operate our city, and we can better plan to accommodate our future demands." He added that because finances have been so well managed, the city will be able to keep its zero municipal property tax. Butler stressed the importance of keeping city operations simple. With only one full-time administrator and one part-time recorder, the city has relied heavily on volunteers. Although he foresees a time when the city staff may grow, Butler challenged the city to "continue to do the most with the least number of employees." Butler acknowledged Marriott-Slaterville's unique position as Utah's only open space preservation city, a designation granted in February 1999 by the Utah House of Representatives. It is also one of four Utah cities scheduled to receive a grant from the State Division of Natural Re-sources to develop a master tree plan. "Our rivers and streams are valuable assets for the future," he said. "They attract a variety of wildlife and give the community a beautiful landscape." Butler also paid tribute to the city's heritage. He said the community, which is now home to just over 1,500 residents, has been a hub of activity since early times when fur trappers, frontiersmen and the Shoshone Indians camped along the Ogden and Weber Rivers. Mormon pioneers settled both Slaterville and Marriott in the 1850s. Butler urged residents to "honor our ancestors who preceded us in building this community. As they were, so are we, pioneers in building a better future for the next generation of Marriott-Slaterville citizens." Marriott/Slaterville council OKs new trails Larger plans cut back over private property rights concerns By JO ANNE KEEFFER_ Standard-Examiner correspondent MARRIOTT/SLATERVILLE - The City Council approved the building of four riverside trails despite residents' objections that the trails infringed on private property rights. Initially, Planning Commission Chairman Randy Phipps proposed 14 trails, paths and sidewalks. If the entire plan had passed, every waterway in Marriott/Slaterville would have had a path running along side of it. But residents concerned about infringement on private property rights quickly killed that idea. Resident Ken Pronschinske said he was concerned about livestock access to waterways while resident Virgil Howell said the proposed trails infringed on the rights of property owners. Resident Perry Slater said he was worried about vandalism and destruction of crops along the proposed trails, while resident Don Slater raised concerns about liability. Others questioned the availability of money to fund and maintain an extensive system of trails. The council also had reservations about the ambitious pro- Councilman Ronald Smout said the original plan was, "a little more aggressive than we're prepared to handle." But Council President Orvil Holley, while acknowledging concerns, stressed the need for a plan in order to keep the city as rural as possible. "If there's no plan, there's no control," he said. The approved trail segments are located along the southern boundary of Marriott/Slaterville and run along the Ogden and Weber rivers. The city is currently working on acquiring the properties. You can leave a message for Jo Anne Keefer at 625-4221. 290