TAX LEVY CHALLENGED
During a recent budget hearing, CitizensForTaxFairness.org challenged the South Davis Recreation District's authority to impose a $432,000 tax subsidy to operate a new recreation center that will not be operational prior to the fall of 2006. Even more egregious is the District's plan to spend the funds realized for goods and services not approved by the voters in the flawed August 3, 2004 special election.
In spite of the serious questions raised, the Board approved the budget. Writing in the Standard Examiner, Kimberly Jahnke reported:
There were a lot of questions but not a lot of answers at the South Davis Cities board meeting to approve the Recreation District's budget for 2005.
But that didn't stop the board from taking the project two steps forward.
At a public hearing on the budget Monday evening, South Davis residents voiced concern over a line in the 2005 budget that will collect $432,000 in taxes for operations and maintenance of the recreation center.
The center is not expected to open until spring 2006.
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Tom Hardy, Bountiful city manager, explained the money as a contingency fund for project expansions and purchasing fitness equipment.
"We didn't vote for contingency funds," said Mortensen, referring to the Voter Information Pamphlet from the Aug. 3 election to approve bonding and an operations and maintenance tax levy.
"I don't see how you got that authority," he said.
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To read the entire article go to:
http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00041213233019265644
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