MAY 2021
MAYOR’S MESSAGE In preparing for the FY 2021/ 2022 budget season, the City Council forwarded their recommendation to increase Holladay’s portion of property taxes to our City Manager. We are proposing a 50% increase to the current rate, the end result being an overall increase of 5% to your property tax bill. On a home assessed at $750,000, it would add approximately $20 a month to your total property tax bill. As a reminder, Holladay is just one of many entities authorized to impose property taxes. Our portion currently comprises about 10% of your total tax bill. If approved, it would increase our total piece of the pie by 5%, moving us from 10% to 15%, still 3% lower than the 18% we were capturing when originally incorporated (1999). We acknowledge that 50% is a big jump. We understood this when we formed our Citizen Advisory Group a few years back. After 14 months building and reviewing capital Improvement models, they unanimously recommended we adopt option #3 of the proposed recommendations---“Biggest Impact”. This option anticipated a 92% increase in the Holladay portion of your property taxes. It most aggressively addresses the $75M of unfunded capital improvement needs identified in the study. Subsequently, higher than anticipated sales tax proceeds and additional road funds allocated through county sales tax collections have increased revenue projections in the model that allowed us to reduce our ask from the original 92% to the 50% level we are proposing. We’re confident, based on these new numbers, that we can still implement the improvements anticipated in the “Biggest Impact” option. Our Council conducted a virtual roundtable the evening of April 15th. We received some valuable input. I would like to address a few of the questions and concerns expressed by our residents:
Why do you refer to a 5% increase when you’re asking for a 50% increase, isn’t that disingenuous? My concern in leading out with the proposed 50% increase to the Holladay tax levy is that residents might misinterpret that as their total tax bill would increase by 50% --- which is simply not true and would be shocking! The reality is that a 50% increase to the Holladay tax levy would result in a 5% overall increase to your total property tax bill. The Council felt that avoiding this misunderstanding would lead to a more productive community discussion. It’s not meant to intentionally mislead – simply an attempt to provide better context for the amount of potential property tax impact. We are not hiding the ball; our ask will be clear throughout the process.
The effects of inflation over time have reached a breaking point. If we want to properly maintain our roads, bridges, storm drains, canals… we have to put a plan in place to fund the improvements and the ongoing maintenance. What do we want the city to look like 20 years from now, and what are we willing to pay for? That is the question before our Council, and ultimately our residents. As elected officials we think we know the answer to this question, but need to receive your input before we make a final decision. It’s not easy, none of us enjoy asking for more money. Perhaps that is why we are where we are. I’m proud to serve on a Council that has the courage to raise this issue with their constituIf my assessed value continues to escalate, aren’t ents. I trust that if we are honest with you, if you feel we you capturing the corresponding increase in have done our due diligence, you’ll understand why we property taxes year over year; shouldn’t this suffice? feel this can should no longer be kicked down the road. The short answer is no. Truth in Taxation legislation requires municipalities to go out to the pubic if they intend I continue to encourage you to log on to the www.Hollto increase their portion of property taxes. If assessed aday20.com web site. We have produced video presentavalue goes up, your mil rate drops to keep your taxes tions, are addressing frequently asked questions (FAQs), level. This may vary a bit regionally between properties, posted the Citizen Advisory Group recommendation and but intentionally fixes the revenue stream the city receives created a space for your comments and concerns. This unless an increase is proposed and a Truth in Taxation will be a 3-year undertaking by the time we hold the Truth Hearing noticed through Salt Lake County. So when in Taxation Hearing (August). A tremendous amount of we say property taxes have not been raised in Holladay work has been expended to guide the process and educate since incorporation, this is what we mean. This is the first our constituents. We hope to schedule a few more virtual time our city has asked to increase your property taxes and in-person opportunities for public input over the next since incorporating. Other taxing entities, most notably few months. You can always call or email your Council Salt Lake County and Granite School District have raised Representative using the contact information posted in taxes a number of times over the past 20 years, this is this issue of The Journal or on the city web site. Your where your increase has come from. Please visit www. continued engagement is both critical and appreciated Holladay20.com, for a more detailed explanation. as we consider this important step for future of Holladay. Why now, why haven’t we been raising taxes along the way to address critical infrastructure needs?
Sincerely, Rob Dahle, Mayor
Mind Your “P’s & Q’s”: Park Manners Salt Lake County Animal Services Before you head out on an adventure to the park with your dog be sure to grab a few things: a leash, water, and waste disposal bags. The weather is warming up and you’re itching to take your dog for a walk or to the park. Remember when you’re out to keep your dogs leashed up. Any dog free roaming the neighborhood or the park, not on leash, is a “public nuisance animal”, animal at large, and is in violation of your city’s local ordinance. If your dog is off your property, it needs to be on leash. It’s the law. A good rule of thumb, if you’re hot and thirsty, your dog is as well. Be sure to take water on long walks to the park or around the neighborhood. You never know when the water fountains may be out of service or perhaps there isn’t any running water available for your dog to drink. Remember to grab a few dog waste bags before heading out on your adventure in the neighborhood or to the park. Isn’t it the worst when you’re in the middle of a walk and you pull out the last dog waste bag from a roll? Look around the park to see if there are any posted dog waste stands with more bags. It is against the law to not pick up after your dog. Have a safe and happy summer with your 4-legged family! If you have questions, please contact Salt Lake County Animal Services at 385-GOT-PETS or AdoptUtahPets.org.
MAY 2021
CITY INFORMATION
Interested in Running for City Council?
2021 MUNICIPAL ELECTION The City of Holladay will hold a Municipal election on Nov. 2, 2021. Offices to be voted upon are: Mayor Council Member - District 1 Council Member - District 3 (each is a four-year term) The candidate declaration period will be June 1- June 7, 2021. If the Council opts to utilize Ranked Choice Voting, which would eliminate the need for a Primary, the Candidate Declaration Period will be August 10-17. The Council will make a final decision on the voting method to be utilized by May 6 and updated information will be available on the city website. Declaration of Candidacy Forms must be filed in person during regular business hours 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday in the Recorder’s Office at City Hall. There is a $35 filing fee. CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Be a United States citizen; 2. Be a registered voter; 3. Be a resident within the municipality in which the individual seeks to hold elective office for the 12 consecutive months immediately before the date of the election. 4. Be a resident of the council district from which the candidate is elected. Questions, please contact Stephanie Carlson, City Recorder at 801-527-2454 or by email at scarlson@cityofholladay.com
City Of Holladay • 4580 South 2300 East • 801.272.9450 • www.CityOfHolladay.com
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Rob Dahle, Mayor rdahle@cityofholladay.com 801-580-3056 Sabrina Petersen, District 1 spetersen@cityofholladay.com 801-859-9427 Matt Durham, District 2 mdurham@cityofholladay.com 801-999-0781 Paul Fotheringham, District 3 pfotheringham@cityofholladay.com 801-424-3058 Drew Quinn, District 4 dquinn@cityofholladay.com 801-272-6526 Dan Gibbons, District 5 dgibbons@cityofholladay.com 385-215-0622 Gina Chamness, City Manager gchamness@cityofholladay.com
PUBLIC MEETINGS: City Council – first and third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Planning Commission – first and third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
CITY OFFICES: Mon-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • 801-272-9450 4580 South 2300 East • Holladay, UT 84117 Community Development Finance Justice Court Code Enforcement
NUMBERS TO KNOW:
801-527-3890 801-527-2455 801-273-9731 801-527-3890
Emergency 911 UPD Dispatch (Police) 801-743-7000 UFA Dispatch (Fire) 801-840-4000 Animal Control 385-468-7387 Garbage/Sanitation 385-468-6325 Holladay Library 801-944-7627 Holladay Lions Club 385-468-1700 Mt. Olympus Sr. Center 385-468-3130 Holladay Post Office 801-278-9947 Cottonwood Post Office 801-453-1991 Holliday Water 801-277-2893 Watermaster - Big Cottonwood Tanner Ditch system - Art Quayle 801 867-1247
Holladay Historical Commission – History Book Copies Available
Potential PotentialProperty PropertyTax Tax Increase IncreasePreliminary Preliminary Proposal Proposaland andCity City 2021-22 2021-22Budget Budget In January In January 2021, 2021, thethe Holladay Holladay CityCity Council Council kicked-off kicked-off an an 8-month 8-month process process to consider to consider a a property property taxtax increase. increase. TheThe Council Council hashas prepared prepared a draft a draft preliminary preliminary proposal proposal thatthat is is under under consideration. consideration. SeeSee thethe details details at at www.holladay20.com/propertytax. www.holladay20.com/propertytax.
The Holladay Historical Commission has available at a minimal cost ($10 per copy) the second printing of “Holladay-Cottonwood PLACES and FACES” (Editor Stephen L. Carr). The book is a compilation of stories and events that occurred in the pioneer community that was initially known as “Big Cottonwood.” This book would make a great gift for yourself or family and friends. If interested, please contact committee members: Sandy Meadows at 801-277-2857, or Lyman Losee at 801-277-1957.
At the At the May May 6 City 6 City Council Council meeting, meeting, thethe CityCity Manager Manager willwill present present herher recommended recommended fiscal fiscal year year 2021-22 2021-22 budget budget thatthat includes includes more more details details on on how how thethe potential, potential, new new property property taxtax revenue revenue would would be be utilized, utilized, including including funding funding thethe City's City's first-ever first-ever 5-year 5-year Capital Capital Improvement Improvement Program Program (CIP). (CIP). More More details details posted posted on on thethe CityCity andand property property taxtax websites. websites. It isItcritical is critical thatthat thethe Holladay Holladay CityCity Council Council hear hear from from residents residents to understand to understand your your thoughts thoughts andand questions questions on on thethe preliminary preliminary proposal. proposal. Residents Residents cancan submit submit comments comments andand questions questions at any at any time time throughout throughout thethe process. process. Simply Simply visitvisit www.holladay20.com, www.holladay20.com, click click on on thethe "contact" "contact" menu menu button, button, andand complete complete thethe comment comment form. form. YouYou may may also also reach reach outout directly directly to your to your Holladay Holladay CityCity Council Council representative. representative. Find Find your your council council district district andand member member at at cityofholladay.com. cityofholladay.com.
The Santa Ana Casto Home
Public Public Process Process Timeline Timeline
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MAY 2021
New UPD Program-UPD Safe Cam A business or property owner installs a surveillance system on their property. At this point, the camera likely serves as a deterrent to criminal activity. However, unbeknownst to them, the surveillance system may have recorded criminal activity occurring nearby. The UPD SafeCam program identifies surveillance systems in the area which may have captured the event. An officer may contact the owner and request they search their camera system for anything relating to the crime. If anything was captured, the officer uses this information to help identify the perpetrator. The UPD SafeCam program broadens the investigative leads available to solve the crime. UPD SafeCam program gives you and the Unified Police Department the chance to work collaboratively in solving the crime. What UPD WILL do if you are registered in this program: 1. Notify you of a crime in your area request you to review your cameras 2. If you observe anything suspicious, UPD will follow up on that investigative lead 3. UPD will pass that information on to patrol officers and others involved in solving the crime 4. Hopefully, the criminal will be identified and apprehended. This might not have been possible without your assistance 5. Issue you a window decal to show your participation in the program What UPD WILL NOT do: 1. “Tap” into your surveillance system 2. Ask for any of your vital personal information 3. Continuously monitor your surveillance system 4. Release any of your information unless mandated by court order Participation in this program is voluntary and, if enrolled, you may opt out at any time. https://updsl.org/page_services_SafeCam.php
How is the Water Quality in Your Area?
Use the “How’s My Waterway?” tool from EPA. Just put in your address and see the data. Visit https://mywaterway.epa.gov Today, check and clear away garbage and yard debris from sidewalks, driveways and gutters that may have resulted from recent storms. If washed down the storm drain, it becomes bacteria-laden stormwater pollution. Learn what else you can do to improve water quality at the Salt Lake County Stormwater Coalition page. https://stormwatercoalition.org/slco-residents
May: Clean Air Month I-80 & I-215 Renewed With the pandemic, many of us have spent even more time in the outdoors than before. Outdoor activities are more popular than ever with National and State parks seeing record attendance. People are flocking to the outdoors and that makes air quality even more important! Here are just a few things we can do to help improve air quality: • Conserve energy at home, work, and everywhere. • Carpool or use public transportation. Bike or walk when able. • Keep car, boats or other engines properly maintained and tuned. • Use environmentally safe paints, and cleaning products. • Avoid excessive idling of vehicles • Reduce the number of trips in your vehicle: consolidate trips and errands when possible. Visit www.ucair.com (Utah Clean Air Partnership) for other tips and information.
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) will improve I-80 between 1300 East and 2300 East and I-215 between 3300 South and 4500 South in Salt Lake County. Construction will start as early as mid-May and continue through late 2022. This project is being done to replace aging infrastructure, reduce congestion and enhance safety. IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCLUDE: • New concrete pavement on I-80 and I-215 • One new lane on eastbound I-80 between 1300 East and 2300 East • Demolition and reconstruction of the 1300 East and 1700 East bridges over I-80 • Demolition and reconstruction of the I-80 bridge over 2000 East • Widening of the I-80 bridge over 2300 East to accommodate the new eastbound lane • Improvements to existing bike and pedestrian crossings at I-80
Visit udot.utah.gov/saltlakeeast for more information and to sign up for real-time text alerts and email updates. Contact the project team with questions at 844-909-3278 or at saltlakeeast@utah.gov.