North Ogden - In direct response to a staff report presented by Mayor Pro Tem Kent Bailey (the Council Member who acts as mayor, when elected mayor, Brent Taylor, is absent) the North Ogden City Council has voted in favor of a resolution “encouraging the State of Utah to address comprehensive transportation funding.” Mayor Pro Tem Bailey explained, “The Utah League of Cities and Towns has become a partner… to support a… mechanism to boost transportation funding…” He continued, “…the State’s gasoline tax is fixed at 24.5 cents per gallon and has not been changed since 1997, significantly eroding its purchasing power at a time when vehicles have become increasingly fuel-efficient, leading to a reduction in the overall tax collected.” North Ogden City Council supports the League’s efforts to increase taxes by enacting “a .0025 local option sales tax for transportation.” By passing this resolution, the Council has committed to “materially join in the lobbying and public relations effort by giving financial support…” Councilman Jim Urry, commented that the “use of efficient vehicles has been encouraged… now the State is complaining about that reduced revenue, but is also encouraging people to walk or use public transit.” Mayor Pro Tem Bailey responded, “If the tax increase is approved, the City stands to realize $475,000 in additional annual funding, which is very close to the amount the City receives” now. Councilwoman Cheryl Stoker added that she “feels there is some irony in the resolution… but agrees with encouraging people to live a healthier life by reducing pollution caused by vehicles.” North Ogden resident, Gareld Christensen, responded to the news by saying, “It’s ridiculous! Now government wants to penalize us for being fuel efficient!” He continued, “State and City governments have used our gas tax dollars to build walls on the freeway to shield private property from road noise and added bicycle lanes to local roads. It’s time for the State to reimburse the tax-payer for those freeway walls with reduced spending. It’s time for the City or State to start taxing bicycles to cover their fair share of road costs… perhaps a tax of $20 per adult bicycle and $10 for a minor child bicycle… instead of overburdening the average working tax-payer who hasn’t had a decent raise for many years now, due to economic conditions.”
Concerning the extensive North Ogden failing water meters, Councilman Urry commented the he is not convinced “remote read systems are reliable and accurate.” City Recorder, Annette Spendlove, added, “When the majority of the City’s meters were installed, their life span was five years and they have exceeded that life span; they were all installed at the same time and… are all failing at the same time.” Mayor Pro Tem Bailey responded that he was “encouraged by the fact that the City’s usage is lower than the state and national average.” The City Council passed the new Water Conservation Plan to address the problem.
Citizen, Blake Welling, addressed the Council on sidewalk snow. Blake “prefers to run on the sidewalk, but during the winter months the sidewalks are often not clear. The City ordinance states that all snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks promptly and effectively... and wonders why the City creates ordinances if they are not going to be enforced.” Building Official Gary Kerr responded, “In the past, the City has enforced the sidewalk issue based upon complaints.” Mayor Brent Taylor said he would “follow-up with the Code Enforcement Officer…”
Finally, Finance director & newly appointed City administrator, Bryan Steele, reported on the status of four necessary change orders for the Public Works Facility in the amount of $27,500. Mayor Taylor reported that the “project is on budget and… is pleased with the work that has been performed to date.” Councilman Phillip Swanson asked, “Can volunteers assist in the landscaping portion of the project?” The mayor responded “yes,” and noted that additional information… will be provided in the future. There is no established completion date for the Public Works Facility “at this time,” according to City Recorder, Annette Spendlove.
