2022-08-17 E-Edition

Taxes. Taxes. Taxes.

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Three municipalities hold Truth in Taxation public hearings, cite inflationary, competitive pressures as reasons for increases
Residents call on Brigham City to cut spending, not raise taxes for fourth year

A spirited and at times contentious Truth in Taxation public hearing on Thursday drew dozens of citizens to speak, most of whom firmly opposed Brigham City’s fourth tax hike in as many years. A vote on the 17.05% property tax increase is scheduled for the regular city council meeting on Aug. 18, allowing the council time to consider what was […]

Residents voice opposition to increase, Perry to make decision Aug. 25

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Perry City’s proposal to increase property taxes for the fourth year in a row drew rebukes from some residents on Thursday, as one citizen after another offered comment at the city’s Truth in Taxation public hearing. The city has proposed to once again keep the same tax rate it has held since 2019, raising property taxes in the city by […]

After civil public hearing, Willard City Council approves tax hike

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Willard residents appeared to understand the city’s justifications for a property tax increase at Thursday’s Truth in Taxation public hearing, voicing their concerns and requesting additional information from city officials without actually condemning the proposal. Truth in Taxation is a process required whenever taxing entities chose not to adopt the certified tax rate as established by the state and county. […]

Willard approves water rate change effective Oct. 1

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The Willard City Council on Thursday approved an amendment to the city’s culinary water rate table which lowers the number of gallons available for each pricing tier, in hope of promoting conservation and raising funds to help pay for future maintenance and expansion of the system. Based on usage statistics from the current year presented at the May 26 council […]

The Pond at Willard Bay tests positive for algal bloom

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Warning still in effect for Mantua

Less than a week after its grand opening, where officials touted a lack of swimmer’s itch and harmful algal blooms, The Pond at Willard Bay has tested positive for algae toxic to people and animals. According to a warning issued by the Bear River Health Department on Aug. 11, samples collected in The Pond on Aug. 8 showed “high concentrations […]

Willard approves police pay increases

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Faced with two of Willard City’s four patrol officers taking positions with other cities last month, the Willard City Council on Thursday approved increasing the starting wage for a rookie officer from $21 to $24 per hour, and bumped all officers’ pay by 3% per year. The increase will be budget neutral in the current year, as the city had […]

Bystanders aid man pinned under truck

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An Aug. 13 accident at the Bear River Bottoms on State Road 102 resulted in several bystanders lifting and holding a pickup truck off of a driver who had been pinned underneath. “Upon arrival we found several bystanders had stopped and were holding the vehicle off of the driver who was partially ejected,” wrote the Tremonton Fire Department in a […]

County fire marshal stepping down

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Corey Barton, who has served as the Box Elder County Fire Marshal for over a decade, will be leaving that post at the end of the week. Barton currently also serves Ogden City as a battalion commander in its fire department, a position that he will maintain for a while longer. The News Journal will profile Barton and his 37-year […]

Resident will finally own access to his Mantua home

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A years-long effort to buy property from the Town of Mantua in order to secure ownership of a driveway culminated last week with the town council approving the sale. The property, 0.196 acres, is adjacent to the property on which his home sits, and serves as the driveway to the home. The land is also adjacent to other property owned […]