Airport EXPANSION is Back??

*** Updated 2 Dec '15:  The agenda item proposed for the land purchase was removed from the agenda and postponed to a budget modification hearing (to fund the project, it was 'thought' -but apparently, someone thought better of the idea and merely proposed $30K for a study of the issue and an appraisal - stay tuned.) 

Many years ago when we moved to this lovely rural valley, there was an airport that seemed mainly a glider and small airplane operation. Of course that was back in the time that Deer Creek reservoir was covered with sailboats and the valley was filled with alfalfa fields, dairy farms and low density housing.

But, times change. It seems only a decade or so ago that the last proposal to expand the airport was soundly trounced by local residents in public meetings. Well, apparently that expansion plan never really died and appears to be back. 

An interesting scenario is developing.  A few weeks ago the Heber City Council, KPCW report, in a work meeting“discussion,” found a “consensus” to “Acquire Land on Heber Parkway for the Heber City Airport Runway Protection Zone (RPZ).”    Current RPZ map 

Audio of complete meeting          (Meeting Video WTPA)

BUT, that property is under contract, or has been sold, to Maverik for a new gas station and last week, the Heber Planning Commission (Agenda) found that all of the requisite rules had been met and gave “Final Approval” to build and operate the facility.   This location may not be within the current Runway Protection Zone (apparently it IS, after further research, however. . . ) and the Planning Commission has the authority for 'commercial' approval.

However, this Thursday, 19 Nov, Heber City Council's regular meeting has this agenda item: “#11. Approve the Purchase of a Parcel of Land Located on Heber Parkway for the Heber City Airport Runway Protection Zone (RPZ).”    

If the gas station did go into operation, there is a possibility that it would be within the RPZ, IF THE AIRPORT WERE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE LARGER AIRCRAFT.

The price of the property is, reportedly, $1.5 million, and Heber has a vague Email “promise” that the FAA will refund the purchase price under the “Uniform Relocatíon Act appraisal,or reappraisal,” if the money is available, next year.

Before Heber City puts the purchase price upon its taxpayers for the benefit of “The Premier Airport In Utah Serving Park City and Deer Valley,” many questions should be answered:

As the Maverik proposal has received FINAL Approval from the Planning Commission meeting, does Heber City have the authority to override that decision?(click the link below to continue)

'Inappropriate" Bond Promotion

Has anyone in the school district ever used 'deceptive' (or illegal) tactics before?

2006 'First' school bond for $46 M high school  (aka, give us the money, trust us)  School children were used to bring home flyers to encourage a YES vote

2006 In a private Survey to ascertain public opinion on the school bond:
"The next day (9/28), between 8:15 AM and 10:55PM, the poll received an astounding 87 responses to the survey - even more astounding, 80 were STRONGLY IN FAVOR, 4 were somewhat in favor and 2 were opposed, but only a few were sent from the above mentioned IP addresses.

Are we now witnessing a spontaneous uprising of the masses in favor of better education of "the children" through bricks?

Friday, the deluge continued with 49 "responses" with a mere three opposed. The capping finality occurred late in the evening. The last 13 of the evening were posted from 10:08:07 PM to 10:22:38 from the same IP (Comcast) (or computer?) 13 responses in 14 minutes shows a great deal of thought and consideration, doesn't it."

Where did nearly all the respondent comments originate?  The  "Utah Educator Network IP" 
Read more here

2007:  TnT for 50% TAX Increase   "We're raising teacher salaries."  No, the Legislature did that.
"we, the truth seekers were informed that the school district was awarding a 3.5% pay increase to the school teachers at a cost of $2.6 million to the district. State legislative officials at the meeting were unclear if the district was taking credit for the pay increase mandated and funded by the state or if the local district had funded an addition increase. However, when asked for an estimate of the total payroll, (10, 20 or 80 million??), school officials were unable to come up with an a ready estimate. The figure, according to the 2007 budget, was $10,669,428. (Page 5, item 131) 3.5 % of that is $373,000 NOT $2.6 million."
 
2008:  In the campaign for the second try for a High School  ($59.5M, this time).  A local radio program was promoting the "fiscally responsible" - "let's be serious" concept.   Being offended by the opposition, two gentlemen from the School District arrived shortly after nearly ever program with a pre-recorded program promoting the virtues of new edifice.  (apparently prepared in the school, during school time and by school employees - who often arrived in a school driver ed vehicle.   (aka expending tax money to promote a bond election)

There's more,  (did we ever report being called to the 'Principal's (aka supt) office) . . . . . .  but, we just had another election;  maybe the 'tricks' will be reported, but it might sound like sour grapes for a loss.  (robo-calls to selected individuals, push survey, interesting donors, activities)   

Those Who Do Not Learn From History . .

As we contemplate this $62 Million bond for two new schools and a POOL  (closer to $80,000,000 total with interest), consider the possibility of  'overruns.'    History may offer some good experience to learn from.

Here's a bit of fiscal history for the school district:

   2008-9 budget shows $23M for high school - funding source unknown 

• High School construction costs over bond by $10-20 million Board of Education / Updated Cost of Wasatch High School “This page is currently unavailable. Last Modified on December 10, 2012” (previously listed at ca $70 million with a promised update) 

The Utah Legislature had requested a performance audit of school building construction, 21 School Districts were studied. While the report did not name the individual districts audited, it was quite clear that the one school which was highlighted as "the most expensive high school being built during our review period." was right here in Heber.  Pertinent excerpts can be found here., or check out the complete 2008 Utah Legislative Audit on School Building Construction

For those new in the District AND for those with longer memories, you may want to review the old North School History (aka Wasatch Education Center, now)  Check this 1998-2004 History

For Fiscal History, it is also appropriate to look at Budgets.   Try this from 2013 
How about the Football Stadium at $3,500,000 plus?   Here's a brief budget overview of budgets from 2004 to 2013 comparing revenues to enrollment year by year.

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2005 vs. 2013 TOTAL revenue	79.4%
enrollment	27.8%
2005 vs. 2013 gen fund	71.5%

See the post below about property tax receipts which were over the School Budget (again.) Here's how they handled the surplus in a 'get-away' meeting on 24 Apr 2013:

Daniels Summit, recording part 1- WCSD Daniels Summit Lodge Meeting 042413 A– local school district funding 101, 32:30 min. into recording business administrator talks about total dollars for 2013 budget is $1.5 mil better than expected. 37:00 min into recording school board compares spending taxpayer’s money to doing drugs “Just say no”. 37:30 into -All total expenses. 40:00 min into- better fiscal situation than last year. 41:00 min. supt. introduction to digital conversion. Digital conversion presentation by secondary curriculum director, Paul Sweat. $1 million for next (1) year, 6th and 7th grades! following years, high school conversion.

Overtaxation OR 'Community' reserves?

Once again in 2015, the School District collected an extra $1.6 million over budget.   2014, 2013
Don't worry, it will all be (or has been) spent.  (School is emphasized here as the largest tax recipient, and they want to bond for more.)
(For older school budget analyses, click here)

And all of the other property tax recipients also receive windfalls. For example:
County $502K, 5.98%;       Heber $35K, 3.2%;    Midway $17K, 2.5%;       Fire $77K, 5.5%
         Would any entity consider reducing taxes one year because of this continuing overtaxation?

WSD Computerized Education Cost

The Wasatch School District was kind enough to respond to a GRAMA request from WTPA about expenditures for 'Digital Conversion Expenses" (aka known as 'computer oriented education').  

This post is merely a report on the financial aspects, and does not intend to comment on the viability and efficacy of this new pedagogy.    Hopefully the school district will soon report how effective digitization has been in increasing educational outcome.  In the meantime try this analysis , or here, or here, pros and cons,  and here 
 A grand total for 3 years of $5.7 Million already, PLUS at least $771,773 proposed 2016-7.  That corresponds to an average expenditure of about $1,000 per student or about $21,000 per teacher over the three year period.

Devices:	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	Students	Avg cost	2016-17
Devices RMMS	$518,769			850	$610
Devices TIS	$273,158	$324		844	$324
Cases	$52,000	$61,000				??
Projectors	$42,000	$147,000	$344,000			??
Wireless upgrades	$75,000	$77,000	$79,000			??
Yearly Total	$960,927				$960,927
Devices WHS		$1,460,900		1664	$878
Yearly Total		$1,745,900			$1,745,900
Devices 3-4			$425,250	1200	$360
Teacher laptop upgrades			$177,600	270.62	$656	??
Yearly Total			$1,025,850	5710	$1,025,850
Device Repair & Upgrades						??
Digital curriculum:	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	3 yr total	$3,732,677	2016-17
Core digital curriculum	$91,010	$257,009	$387,791	$735,810		$387,791
Supplemental digital curriculum	$45,445	$85,129	$119,854	$250,428		$119,854
Curriculum subtotal:	$136,455	$342,138	$507,645	$986,238		$507,645
Schoolnet IIS		$131,980		$131,980		$100,798
Supporting change of practice	$187,630	$262,980	$303,330	$753,940		$163,330
Planning/project management	$84,250	$97,250	$92,000	$273,500
Technical support	$10,500	$14,000	$17,500	$42,000
Negotiated savings		-$94,000	-$92,000	-$186,000
Total curriculum:	$418,835	$754,348	$828,475	$2,001,658		$771,773
	$1,379,762	$2,500,248	$1,854,325	2013-16:	$5,734,335
			per student		$1,004

NOTES: Figures have been realigned somewhat to make it easier to understand.  The top half seems to 'hardware' expenses, the bottom is curriculum costs.  Totals were added for the respective fiscal years yielding a grand total for 3 years of $5.7 Million.

• It is unclear whether the curriculum cost will continue as yearly expenditures. As most of the figures for 2015-6 are again presented for 2016-7,  we may assume a continuing annual expense.
• It is also unclear why no continuing hardware expense is shown for 2016-7 "??"
• As no enrollment figures (other than district totals were found at Wasatch.edu) the enrollment figures were found here for per student average 'cost.'  Avg cost for "Device 3-4" used half the listed total elementary enrollment.
• The teacher count was computed using the pupil per teacher ratio.

Much of this money was "found" money in property taxes which were received in excess of the original budget expectations. Some may opine that it is actually from the 50% Truth in Taxation increase of 2007, which has allowed, created, caused or precipitated much of the free spending philosophy of recent years. (Football Stadium, marble floors, sports facilities, etc.)

New School Budget and Public Hearing

Addendum 6/13  Board member responses added - My thanks for the prompt answers 

Since the passage in 2007 of a near 50% local property tax increase, the Wasatch School District has been flush with cash.

Budgets have increased FAR more than student enrollment for over ten years.  FY 2015 is no exception, with enrollment projected up by 3%, expenditures are proposed up by 5.5% over the original FY 2014 budget.

Last year (2013) WSD collected nearly 7% more than budgeted.   The solution - amend the 2014 budget to spend it.   Proposed increase almost 9%  (resulting in a $9 Million increase from FY 2013 to 2014.)

The money is still there - no tax decrease even remotely considered.  Some may remember the REQUESTED TAX CUT by the Taxpayers' Association because of excessive reserves.

There will be a Public Hearing on the budget next Tuesday.  A "complete" budget, highlighted for anomalies and inconsistencies, with percentage changes,  is available here.

Raise some questions and comments for the hearing.  In the past, very few answers are ever given to public budget queries, here are a few that might be proposed:

District officials indicate wage and benefits are 95% of the general fund and 65 % of the entire budget, a closer look raises some questions, a few random observations:

In this FY 2015 Budget, it appears all of the state retirement budget items have increased by about 24%.    Is that a requirement due to the recent study on the optimistic growth factor that had been assumed?   If so, is this a one-time correction or a continuing cost factor?  Can anything locally be done to ameliorate this extra expense?    Any time the state retirement increases, we are by state statute required to pay that increase for all eligible employees in the district.  The state used to fund that program, but hasn't funded the increase for several years.

Under the category "District Administration," the total salary has remained about the same, but retirement, Social Security and group insurance DROPPED drastically 2014 to 2014 (amended) and for 2015.    The district administrative decrease was a result in the new reporting procedures because of the new software by the Utah Public Education FInancial System.

Benefits for " Elementary PE Specialists" seem to be twice as high as other positions.  We only apply the benefits toward the Elementary PE Specialists wages, but that section also includes the wages paid for stipends. . .  .

"Group insurance" seem to be somewhat inconsistent in

School District Budget UP UP UP again

Budget Hearing   18 June

WSD found they took in an extra $1 Million in this current fiscal year AND that they are forecasting an increase in revenue for FY 14 of $2.5 Million.  Result: Expenditures will increase next year by $3.5 million or 6.6%       Total Salaries increase 5.6% and benefits are double that at 11.7%;  In 2011 benefits were 50% of salary, next year nearly 60%. 

Taxpayers asked for a tax cut last year.      (note the comment from the Supt:   ""We've been very fiscally conservative;  In my mind, over the last four years we've been in a rainy day."   


If you missed it here's a little WSD finance history          There could be more, but would anyone listen?    At least anyone in authority to decide?

Here's a nutshell overview.

	FY 2011	Increase	FY 2012	Increase	FY 2013	Increase	FY 2014	3 yr Inc
General Fund		2011/12		2012/13		2013/14	Proposal	2011/14
Salaries	$19,894,882	3.2%	$20,531,220	3.1%	$21,165,440	5.6%	$22,353,366	12.4%
Benefits	$9,950,833	5.6%	$10,510,402	11.8%	$11,752,859	11.7%	$13,126,153	31.9%
	50.0%	2.3%	51.2%	8.5%	55.5%	5.7%	58.7%
Contracted Services	$723,296	7.8%	$780,069	8.0%	$842,153	-21.2%	$663,662	-8.2%
Eqpt -CapProj	$1,021,355	3.3%	$1,055,411	56.0%	$1,646,523	31.7%	$2,168,229	112.3%
Supp – CapProj	$27,579	20.3%	$33,170	1104.6%	$399,578	110.7%	$841,921	2952.8%
Revenues
Local	$30,832,202	4.4%	$32,181,894	0.0%	$32,190,597	1.8%	$32,760,568	6.3%
State	$15,813,888	6.0%	$16,757,354	13.3%	$18,993,744	10.3%	$20,953,507	32.5%
Federal	$3,700,226	-23.5%	$2,830,463	2.5%	$2,900,997	-1.3%	$2,862,818	-22.6%
Total	$50,346,316	2.8%	$51,769,711	4.5%	$54,085,338	4.6%	$56,576,893	12.4%
Expenditures	$50,991,791	1.9%	$51,940,584	2.2%	$53,061,453	6.6%	$56,576,893	11.0%
	-$645,475		-$170,873		$1,023,885		$0
Tot Gen Fund	$34,852,145	0.7%	$35,103,306	5.4%	$36,999,626	5.7%	$39,111,295	12.2%
Genl Fund Bal	$5,669,842	-9.9%	$5,109,812	6.3%	$5,429,799	0.0%	$5,429,799	-4.2%
	16.3%		14.6%		14.7%		13.9%

Heber City Budget (?)

From the financial audit back room.  

An Adventurer's Guide to The Heber City Budget  

a lot of questions, and a couple of answers.

 (It appears many of the answers may be Memorial)   

FY 2011 Increase FY 2012 Increase 2012 actual Budg v. Act FY 2013 2 yr Inc % of 2011/12 2012/13 2012 Proposal 2011/13 Budget Salaries $2,173,515 3.6% $2,251,750 9.1% $2,375,000 5.5% $2,456,170 13.0% 44.4% Benefits $887,956 29.1% $1,146,150 12.5% $1,025,000 -10.6% $1,289,350 45.2% 23.3% Improvements $0 $2,000 18990.0% $10,000 400.0% $381,800 6.9% Eqpt $109,857 218.9% $350,330 -32.2% $324,600 -7.3% $237,515 116.2% 4.3% Spec Supplies $153,510 0.0% $153,500 -11.1% $127,900 -16.7% $136,500 -11.1% 2.5% Insurance $112,667 4.7% $117,950 3.8% $118,929 0.8% $122,400 8.6% 2.2% Prof Tech Serv $114,509 12.2% $128,500 -3.5% $108,000 -16.0% $124,000 8.3% 2.2% Eqpt supp & mtce $12,303 768.1% $106,800 3.9% $98,000 -8.2% $111,000 802.2% 2.0% Jail & Disp $87,412 20.7% $105,500 1.7% $105,500 0.0% $107,325 22.8% 1.9% Gasoline $82,164 14.4% $94,000 3.6% $91,750 -2.4% $97,400 18.5% 1.8% Other $516,406 10.2% $569,000 -18.6% $623,359 9.6% $462,940 -10.4% 8.4% Transfers $660,000 $225,000 $100,000 Total (less txfr) $4,250,299 18.2% $5,025,480 10.0% $5,008,038 -0.3% $5,526,400 30.0% (By Dept) Police $1,719,922 16.3% $1,999,600 6.1% $2,046,143 2.3% $2,121,950 23.4% 38.4% Roads $468,716 30.8% $612,850 6.1% $505,800 -17.5% $650,275 38.7% 11.8% Cemetery $204,247 30.8% $267,100 141.5% $267,503 0.2% $645,000 215.8% 11.7% Admin $366,463 13.3% $415,050 -3.2% $394,116 -5.0% $401,800 9.6% 7.3% Animal Service $186,703 45.3% $271,200 17.0% $266,519 -1.7% $317,365 70.0% 5.7% Other $1,304,248 11.9% $1,459,680 -4.8% $1,527,957 4.7% $1,390,010 6.6% 25.2%

HC Budget questions, comments, highlights and lowlights. Pg references to online budget Surely, all the council members could explain this.

pg 2 Veterans Memorial $75K Donations, $88K fm Perpetual Care, $100K fm Cap Proj - where is the remaining $112K to make $300K?? From 2012? When was it approved? (See Cemetery pg 33 $380K)

Discretionary funds $58K Legislative, $25K Admin

pg 3 $4.3 MILLION on airport 4.5% HC ($193,612) (How much revenue did the airport actually produce? = see pg 37 etc) Extrapolate that expenditure per capita to 330 million people, that's $95 Billion No wonder the Federal Govt is $1 Trillion in deficit. At least Heber is doing/taking their fair (?) share. And consider that the "sequester" required cut backs in air traffic controllers. - Which is more important - blacktop on Heber airport or air traffic controllers?

pg 4 Hangars, two sold in 2012 - How much and where did the money go? (see pg 13, $60K 2012, $61.5 2013 - rentals??) Wait, pg 47 = $496K 2012 and $248K in2013 (what was the cost?) Hold on again - Cost of Sale $425K 2012 and $220K in 2013

pg 5 1.7% salary increase AND a 2% merit increase Total salaries up 9.1% from 2012 to 13 (up 13% in two years) New employees??? Benefits up 12.5% 1 yr and 45% 2 yr

City needed $273K from Surplus fund to balance 2012??? (NO, 2013, see pg 12) (Is this the $225K txfr, NO )

pg 8 HC has no other debt??? (Compare to pg 36)

pg 10 Assessed Property values down 25% since 2009 and 4% 2011 to 12 (of course the tax rate will be adjusted to offset for tax revenues)

pg 9 Golly Gee, the school tax rate is 7 times the city

pg 13 HL&P Dividend $225K in 2012/13 $174K in 2011 ? (Director FAUX Payin 2011 was $50K)

You gotta love "Contributions" from general funds (= txfr from rainy day?)

pg 2 4 Elections $13,700 - can you run two elections for that?

pg 26 Planning employee benefits doubled from 2012 to 13

pg 29 Animal Benefits up 72% this year ???

pg 37 Airport see Pig Book

pg 45 WATER Revenue $1.7 Million + $1.3 bond Expenses $1.8 Million (including $600K 'depreciation'

pg 46 SEWER $1 Million in $1/3 out (incl $350K depreciation)

pg 47 Hangar Revenue net 2012 $86K 2013 $28K $496K 2012 and $248K 2013 (what was the cost?) Hold on again Cost of Sale $425K 2012 and $220 in 2013 (that's a pretty big commission?)

pg 48 Hangar Utility Revenue 2012 $100K 2013 $69K (with salary benefits of $80K 2012 and $110 in 2013 (Who is the Ut. man, what does he do?)

pg 49 What in the world is "Internal Service Revenue?" Is that like the IRS, partying and spying? (see pg 4)

Where is the accounting of the various FUND balances? How much is there? (see pg 1 =$924,425 surplus rainy day fund)