Candidates for City Election, Oct. 27, 2013 Marriott-Slaterville candidates want city to remain debt free By JAMIE LAMPROS Standard-Examiner correspondent MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE — Keeping the city property-tax free is the top issue for those running for office this year. Mayor Keith H. Butler said the city is in great shape and he wants to make sure it stays that way. Butler, 83, who has been mayor since the city incorporated in 1999, said everything is paid for. The city owes nothing and has zero debt. "Our evaluation is in excess of $9 million, and we have a rainy-day fund on top of that. I would like to keep it that way," he said. "We have no property taxes and hope we never will. We built five parks and a pathway with no taxes at all. My motto is, if we need it, we'll buy it and if not, we'll wait until we do need it. I was a Depression baby, and I know what it's like to gain from nothing." Butler, who served in the Air Force and retired from Hill Air Force Base, said he would like to keep the city rural, yet expand as needed with planned development. Randy Phipps, 65, would also like a shot in the mayor's seat. Phipps said he would also like to maintain what the city has already acquired, but would also like to come up with an emergency preparedness program that will notify the public as quickly as possible. "It's important that we have something in place in case we have a disaster of some sort. If anything happens, we want to be able to notify people through their phones and computers as quickly as possible," he said. "Residents need to be aware of what goes on before it Butler Phipps Hodson Mecham Utah 2013 happens, not after it happens." Phipps works for the Ogden City School District, served as chairman of the planning commission, served on the board of the Marriott-Slaterville committee and is the precinct chair for the Republican Party in his area. Election Day is Nov. 5. Running for city council west district are incumbent Kim Slater and newcomer 69 Erin Holley. Slater, a 65-year-old self-employed farmer who owned and operated a small dairy farm until just recently, has served on the council for more than 10 years. "During that time, the city has built and paid for a senior citizen center and municipal office building plus many parks, three which have bowery and re- stroom facilities," he said. "Our city is debt free, and we do not charge any municipal property tax. I am very conservative and encourage that same philosophy in our city. I am pleased with the direction the city is going and hope to be able to continue as a city councilman to ensure our city's progress and rural atmosphere." Holley, 47 and a home- maker, served as chairwoman of the west Weber community council. She said there are two important issues facing the city. "One being the fact that we have been able to maintain a property tax-free city, which is very important to me. I am proud of our mayor and current city council for paying for every need of the city without incurring any debt or taxing the residents," she said. "The other is handling the necessary growth while maintaining open spaces for which our city is known. We love our rural atmosphere." Running for city council east district are incumbent Deibert Hodson and Steven Mecham. Hodson, 63, is retired from the Weber School District and has been on the city council since 1999. He said his priority is making sure the residents are happy and their needs are ac-