Heber City Race websites

Heber City Mayoral Candidate Websites.

Alan McDonald       “My mission is to provide local government leadership that improves the quality of life of Heber City residents by reducing the financial and regulatory burden imposed by the city, promoting economic growth and the success of local businesses, and preserving the character and heritage of the city."

Mike Bardole       "Accountability and Transparency"

Erik Rowland      (Resigned)    "Thank you everyone…"


Heber City Council 

Anissa Wardell    "As I make my way around the city and talk to people I have noticed that one of the top issues with most residents is what is happening at Heber Light & Power. It’s not a surprise that this is at the top of the list of concerns as Heber City residents we have the right to be concerned. "

Danny Goode      " If elected I will launch a new era of full transparency and accountability at City Hall. After every City Council meeting I will post to this website the agenda, minutes, and tell you my thoughts and explain my votes regarding city issues. You may not always agree with me, but you will always know where I stand."

Joe Chenworth       "He is a fiscal conservative.  His primary goal is to give a voice in local government back to the citizens of Heber City. "

Kelleen Potter     " I believe in good government.  Like a good recipe, good government requires some specific ingredients.    The beauty of local government is that it requires a certain level of consensus to accomplish anything."

Rod Hopkins     "I believe Heber City is a well-managed corporation due in large part to sound fiscal practices and a city staff that are very dedicated.  As a new member of the City Council, I would be in favor of continuing this conservative fiscal approach to the management of our city."

Heidi Franco     "Protecting Open space, clean air. . . your property rights.  Fiscal Conservative  Ethical Principles."

Mike Thurber

Is Perpetual Forever?

Special Heber Council Meeting MONDAY, 8 July, 7:30 PM, to "Discuss Awarding of the Bid for the Veteran’s Memorial Project"

Update: The City Council cancelled the Memorial by a 5-0 vote at the meeting Perpetual Care will remain intact, reportedly the lack of donations ($2,026 total) was the straw that broke the mackerel's back.  That, and two bids way over estimates.

Heber City's FY 2014 budget allocates $88,000 from the Heber Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund  to the construction of the proposed Veterans' Memorial.   According to Heber Code, these funds are in a Trust Fund  for the purpose of "essential perpetual care" of the cemetery.

This money basically comes from 67% of the 'purchase' price of burial plots.  Reallocation of the funds raises several questions:

• As only the "net income" of the Trust Fund is used for that care, at the current low interest rates, are there currently sufficient funds to maintain the cemetery?  
•  Is the fund is so large that it can be "invaded" for $88K for the Veterans Memorial?  (the code appears to say the Trust Fund can only be "invaded" for care and maintenance) 
• Does this indicate that the burial plot fees may be TOO high? 
• How are the Perpetual Care funds invested (and how much is the fund value?). 
• How, and when, will that money be returned?
• Who audits the perpetual Care Fund?
• Does perpetual mean forever?
• Was there a SPECIFIC vote by 4/5ths of the Council to reallocate the money?
• The 2014 budget did not appear to designate the entire $300K  that was mentioned, what is the source of the remaining funds?

 It appears from Heber Code, diverting funds to the memorial is, at best, inappropriate.    " A trust fund is a fund comprised of a variety of assets intended to provide benefits to an individual or organization."    These Perpetual Care Trust funds are there for the CARE of the cemetery - for the benefit of those who purchased burial plots.  

A few more question specific to the Memorial:
What's the rush?   With an election coming up, why saddle the new Council with more spending/debt?

It will be as much a memorial in 2014, as it will be in 2013, it just may not memorialize the perpetrator who will not be in office.

Does the proposal contain a plaque with the names of the elected officials who authorized the project? 

If so, eliminating such a distraction from what the memorial is supposed to represent would be a cost savings.  

If asked, do you believe that each and every man, woman and child in Heber (15,000) would voluntarily donate $20 to $30 to this project? (or about $60 to $100 per family?  (because that is what it will cost them.)

Why not ask the mayor for a donation of $15K, especially if his name would be on the plaque?   

In fact, if this is such an important project, why doesn't the council each kick in $5k to show how much it really means to them.  One councilman received $4k from HL&P for not even being on the board.  

Regards,

Another veteran, agreeing with the Iraqi  Freedom Veteran & Soldier that all we want from the government is the Liberty we stood for as veterans

From the May 16 Heber City minutes:

Excerpts from Heber Code:  
Perpetual Care Fund
Section 12.24.050   B. No sale of any lot or portion shall be made thereof unless the purchaser thereof contracts for perpetual care in accordance with the terms and conditions as the City Council may from time to time require.
C.  The City Council shall from time to time establish by resolution, the cost schedule  governing the cost of lots or burial privileges and of perpetual care required with each lot purchased.    Of the cost of lots or portions thereof 67% is to be allocated to the perpetual care fund.
F. The investment of perpetual care funds shall be governed by the City Council.   Only net income shall be used for the care and maintenance of the cemetery except upon a vote of four-fifths of the City Council, the principal may then be invaded. Net income is defined as all revenue returned from the investment of the perpetual care fund less any costs of administering this fund.
Section 12.24.300   There is hereby established a Perpetual Care Trust Fund into which shall be deposited all trust funds previously established for care of cemeteries and that portion of the sale price designed for perpetual care of the City cemetery or parts thereof, together with any other gifts, grants, devises or bequests made for the purpose of assisting in the maintenance of cemeteries.
Section 12.24.310 Work Included in Perpetual Care.
The essential perpetual care that the City agrees to give shall consist of care of the cemetery generally, and shall include, but is not limited to, mowing of all lots and graves at reasonable intervals, resodding, seeding and filling in sunken graves, sodding of the surface of the graves to the lot level, raising sunken markers, removing dead flowers and trimming trees and shrubbery when necessary, raking and cleaning the lots and straightening of tilting stones or markers, but shall not include repair or replacement of markers or memorial structures of any nature, except when the need for repair or replacement is directly caused by the City.

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)

All He Asks for is Liberty

A Letter to the Editor from the local newspaper, the Wasatch Wave.

He served, he fought, he learned, he understands:
          Thank you for your service

Wasatch County Change of Government 2002

As change is once again being studied and considered in Wasatch County, this previously unpublished, incomplete and unedited manuscript draft of the trials and tribulations of the several year (successful) adventure is hereby posted for any and all to read.   Names are named, reports may not make some happy, but, hey, it's over ten years since Wasatch chose a Council form of Government.

The FORM is better, but changes within the government could make it even better.   Politics, lawsuits, fighting, animosity, greed, power - what more could anyone desire.   It may be reminiscent of an alley fight or  intercranial feud.   Why in the world did we need to go to the Utah Supreme Court?   How much did the lawyers make?   Why did the County sue itself or the taxpayers or each other?   Why support, then disrupt?

Who were the players?    Nah, you probably won't find the answers here; mainly because you won't read it.

But here is history written at the time of occurrence, interspersed with court transcripts, depositions and various trite comments.   How can you resist.   The cost FREE, ZERO, nothing, which won't reflect the value to those who experience the change which some thought resembled menopause, others a revelationary experience, or maybe that should be revolutionary.     

Written only for those who were there, those who like to know what really happened, and those who are studying the current change.     Enjoy!    My personal apologies as to any imperfections found, it is as it was left, unfinished, in 2002.   Much more remains in old computer files, but this is undoubtedly all that will be printed.   As far as I can remember, there may have been a few who read some of this ten years, most said let the sleeping dog lie.  Arf, arf!   

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."  (Wasatch may be doing this)

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose   (the more that changes, the more it's the same thing)  The reasons for the change still exists, it wasn't the form.  The changed helped, but did not cure.

Change of Government

Memoirs of a Movement

Analysis of local politics

Wasatch County - Tuesday, November 7, 2000: The voters officially approved the proposed Change of Government for Wasatch County - The people rejoice, but the whining continues.  25 February 2002 Judge Eyre decides ". . . it is the intent of this court to give effect to the express will of the people . . ."


Read it here, comment below, if you'd like, I'd be interested to hear, what you think it says.
http://sn.im/cogwas

Open Letter to HLP Faux Pay Recipients

Dear Mayor Philips (and Council),

I apologize that I forgot our anniversary on February 22. It has now been over a year since you personally promised me, and other Heber Valley residents, in a video taped HL & P meeting to refund your February in-lieu-of faux “health care” benefits from Heber Light and Power as a pittance of unacknowledged remorse. (primarily for getting caught)

It was recently discovered that, in addition to refusing to return the ratepayers money you received for a few months in 2011 and 12 AND retroactively for six months, you also did not fulfill your vow to return the February $1687 “insurance” payment. Instead you merely did not accept your regular monthly pay of $596, thereby pocketing an extra $1091 for you monthly 90 minute meetings, and 'direction'.

At this point, I would strongly suggest one of three options:

1. With your next Mayor's Corner, offer an apology with a copy of the return check for the $12,900 in faux pay. ('If I knew people would be so upset, we wouldn't have done.' as you said on KUTV, is not an apology.)
2. Donate $17,900 to the Half million dollar Veterans Memorial fund as a return of funds and an appropriate penalty - that might give you a tax deduction.  
3. Join us on the Impact program to offer an apology and explanation.  If you bring a check with you, we would be happy to return the money to Heber Light for you.

I look forward to your positive response. 

For Mayor Tatton, a check for $11,600 and an apology would also be appropriate. or a donation of $16,600 to the Memorial Hill Restoration fund.  It was good to see you did forgo four months of regular pay to offset your Feb 2012 faux pay, better fulfilling Mayor Philips' vow.  You, too, are cordially invited to join us on the radio, you can even come at the same time as your cohort, if you like.

PS to the City Council(s): As two of the members of the current Council have return these questionable funds, two did not receive and one, Robert Patterson, has not, I call on you to collectively pass a resolution of censure for these actions and call for an immediate return of the ill-gotten gains.   Former Councilman Nile Horner's lack of repayment should not be forgotten.

Your fellow Heber citizens may be surprised to learn you have not already taken action to do so. As this is an election year, I would suggest not taking voter apathy as acquiescence or approval.

If a petition requesting such a censure request is needed, that might be arranged. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/heberlight/

Petition by iPetitions

Does Wasatch County NEED a Pool? Now?

Whereas, there is currently a movement promoting the construction of an “Aquatic Center” combined with additional recreation fields,

Whereas, the cost of the project was estimated to be $25 to $30 million, to property tax payers of Wasatch County,

Whereas, this would amount to an average cost of $1,000 for every man, woman and child in the county, for construction and an additional $370 in INTEREST

Whereas, the annual cost of bond payments is shown to be about $100 per year, ($100 per year increase in property tax) for the average priced primary residence;

Whereas, an ADDITIONAL annual operating cost deficit of $400,000 to $800,000 is suggested, and that cost will be ADDITIONAL annual property tax of $25 to $50 per year,

Whereas, local commercial property taxes will increase by twice the residential payer amount,

Whereas, a commercial (or second home) property assessed at $800,000 would have an increase in property tax of $500 per year – solely for the construction and operation of the center.

Whereas, the projected use of the Aquatic Center would only be 10 to 20% of the county residents,

Whereas, there are currently several pools available in Wasatch County,

Whereas, there is an excellent aquatic facility available 20 min away in Kamas,

Whereas, there is an informal petition being circulating supporting this pool movement,

Whereas, there has been discussion of possible inclusion on the November 2013 ballot by the Wasatch County Council.

Whereas, a bond election in 2013 would cost the county (taxpayers) additional $10's of thousands of dollars,

Now Therefore, Be it Resolved that We, the undersigned residents, and taxpayers, of Wasatch County, hereby strongly urge the County Council to resist the call to place this issue on the Ballot, particularly in 2013.

Petition by iPetitions

Does Wasatch NEED an Aquatic Center?

With all the talk and propaganda promotion for an Aquatic Center for Wasatch County, consider this:

I just saw a pool ad on TV, I don't know if this is the same one, but for $20 million, we could buy (1,550)      endless pools  for more than 40% of County owner-occupied houses and condos: 3,824  in the Heber Valley (and maybe collect more property tax from them.)

The Endless Pool Spa Series starts at $12,900  

(caution that link is a commercial advertisement, not endorsed by this site)

Football Stadium Financing

In response to a query that the football stadium had been planned for a long time and that funds had been set aside for 'years',  an Email dated 15 Nov 2010, the WSD Business Administrator reported "the board has been discussing a possible stadium for quite some time but nothing has been "earmarked" or approved by the board of education except for the SOIQ, the selection committee, and the approval of an architect. The board has also worked with the board president on the formation of a design committee to work with the architect. That is all that has been done to date."

Budgets and minutes provided on the School website make it difficult to determine the actual source of the funding or the amount spent on the football Stadium.

NO mention of any specific budget item for a football Stadium is found in the 2011 BoE minutes.    The 2011 Budget   does not have any category for football stadiums (other than a generic buildings?) The 2010 budget also has sufficient fund balance to accommodate the expenditure, but neither gives a specific allocation for a stadium.  A breakdown of the capital expenditures for 'buildings' is not readily available.

Here are ALL of the Stadium references found in the 2011 minutes

• 17 March 2011

$1,053,500 in various Capital Projects FY 2012 – none for football

$12,065 to Epic Engr for “Testing and Inspection Company for WHS Football Stadium

• 21 April 2011

Schedule walk-thru of stadium construction site

(“Premium Increase, 5.5%” Fiscal Impact from 2011 Legislature ??????)

• 17 May 2011

Study sessions: “Capital Projects FY 2012 “

discussed Football Stadium Progress and Football and Track Considerations

Regular Meeting: “Capital Projects”

nothing about stadium

“Transformer for Football Field” $12,023

“Contract for Football Stadium Construction w/ Bud Mahas” Keith Johansen  (no further info - followed by a motion re radio broadcasting agreement)

• 16 Jun 2011

Budget Hearing and Adoption

motion to amend 09-10 budget for FY 2011 for an additional $1,427,882 for Capital Fund (plus other additions, “authorizing the receipt of additional funds in the amount mentioned from State, Federal and Local sources and to reconcile and expend the amount to meet the requirements of State school Law.”

• 21 Jul 2011 “Francis Harrison presented the update on the football stadium”

Stadium Open House Committee

• 5 Jul, 18 Aug, 15 Sep, 15 Dec NO mention of stadium

Brief Overview of School Finance History

A brief outline overview of WSD financial history, (those who will not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.)

2007 49.33% tax increase through “Truth in Taxation” More here

• Presentation mainly about mil rates – NOT dollars 
• Board declared need because of a 3.5% salary increase (actually that was done by state)
• This massive increase resulted in massive spending increases above student growth ever since

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)

Utah code specifies no transfers betweenfunds without state school board permission

• 2011 $3 million football stadium built without any approval found in minutes - funding source unknown

USOE rules state the no 'unassigned' funds can be kept in funds other than “General” Other fund balances must be allocated.

Wasatch School SAO Audits specifically refersto 5% limit – then lists all (unassigned ?) balances

The improperly noticed WSD Jul 2012 budget hearing had No budget available for hearing 

•  received 'expanded' budget copy after repeated requests
• Found excessive Gen Fund reserve balance ca. $5 million
• With that expanded info, more data found in SAO audit submissions

WTPA requested return of excess funds at 2^nd budget heating (Aug)

• WSD Business Administrator produced extra budget page showing 'unassigned' and 'undistributed'  anddeclared ONLY 'undistributed' was limited to 5%
• WSD Business Administrator said it was OK because at least 3 other districts had larger % balances
• Board members declared the 'Rainy Day' fund was needed for unseen expenses

White Paper issued by WTPA on 5% issue

• WSD response 
• WTPA asked for time at next meeting to discuss the issue – refused!

SAO audit (2012) submission now shows 5% 'undistributed

School board policies should be altered to reflect a policy of fiscal responsibility, conservatism and respect for taxpayers, in addition to declared goal of educating students.