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Okay, we are ready to start the meeting.

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We are ready. We'll give a couple of minutes

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to quiet down. Can you hear me okay, Lacey? Yes, I can hear you. Okay, perfect. We'll go

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ahead and get started before we call the meeting to order a best Brett, right, Councilman

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right of seat to offer a prayer. So, when it's quiet there, Brett, will lead us out.

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Our Heavenly Father, we're grateful this evening to be able to bow our heads in prayer

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express gratitude for the opportunity to gather as fellow fellow citizens. We're grateful to live

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in this great city in this great state and in the United States of America and to be able to

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enjoy the freedoms and opportunity to pursue life in the way that we choose. We express gratitude

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for the many blessings that we have, for the safety that we enjoy, for one another's comradery

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and companionship.

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We pray, Father, as we are about to embark in several hours of discussion and opportunity

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to listen, we pray that God blesses with listening ears and listening hearts, blesses with those

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of us who will speak, those of us who have come with an opportunity to express comment

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and thoughts and with a desire to help the City Council hear the concerns that they

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You may want to raise, bless those that will speak with the ability to articulate their

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words, to be able to do so in the allotted time, blesses with civility, one to another,

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blesses to be appropriate in our actions, to maintain at all times that a quorum that

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is expected in this public setting.

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Express gratitude for our employees, for our first responders, for those who are

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serving in the military. We pray that we'll be mindful of them and their families.

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Bless us to be aware of those who are less fortunate than us, those who are in

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need. Help us to continue to be the great neighbors of Eagle Mountain as known

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before. And these things we humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Okay,

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thank

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you Brett. Appreciate it. It is 6.02 and we'll officially call this meeting to order.

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And ask that everybody stand and join. Craig is going to lead us in

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Councilman White and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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If you could join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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Okay, thanks, Councilman White.

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Just to start off, a couple of housekeeping items.

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First of all, I appreciate everybody accommodating me being remote.

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I can see a full house there and I appreciate everybody showing up.

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We love it when people participate and come to the meetings to help us make these difficult decisions for our city.

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I love technology and the fact that we're able to still join.

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I see there's quite a few participants online as well.

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Mayor, we're having our time hearing you.

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If you could speak right into the mic, it would be greatly appreciated.

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Okay. Is that better?

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Yes, thank you.

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Okay.

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Yes, we appreciate you guys be there.

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And I'm sad that I'm not there in person due to a previous obligation,

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but I appreciate the fact that we can still join remote

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have the same conversation. So with that we'll start I saw look like Natalie was

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passing out some packets. There are packets in the back of the room with the

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following documents available just for public knowledge. It is the property tax

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impact schedule form from Eagle Mountain City. Also a physical copy of the Utah

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County notice of proposed tax increase is available for review. The agenda

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is in that pack as well and the Treating Taxation Overview or BASICS and also for more information

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you can visit en.gov or egomountain.gov for additional information on our website.

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I know our communications team has kept that up and it's been very good.

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So any other information that you're looking for, hopefully those are the areas you can find it

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and if you need a packet, it's at the back of the room.

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We're going to start with the agenda item 3a which is the public hearing for proposed

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property tax increase.

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There will be some rules just like as our other meetings and decorum as was mentioned before.

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We expect everybody to be respectful and to follow the rules and make sure we handle

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this with respect.

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This public hearing is for the proposed property tax increase.

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Please keep your comments related to this topic only the council listen to all

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comments will not engage in a discussion until the public hearing has been

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closed. Each person will have three minutes to address the council.

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We ask

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that everyone remain respectful throughout the hearing. Disruptive

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behavior, personal attacks, cheering, booing, clapping are not permitted.

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If this

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submitted a public comment form online. Lacey will read your name to see if you're in attendance to

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give your comments. After all comments are submitted the meeting the in the meeting have been

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addressed we will invite those attending in person to speak first followed by those participating

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online. So Lacey will help us manage that. Everyone will have a chance to speak if you so

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And we'll go in the order that she sets forth with people in person that won't submit it online and then those online for those attending virtually, including email, by the way, for those attending virtually when the time comes.

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Lacey will call your name and will electronically ask you to unmute your microphone.

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your three-minute speaking time will begin once you start speaking. You're

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welcome to remain in the meeting to observe, but you will not be able to

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provide additional comment. Everybody gets one chance. If you prefer, you may

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continue to watch the meeting through the city's online streaming portal. Please

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make sure to speak clearly into the microphone. After all speakers have had

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the opportunity to comment, the Recorder's Office will conduct one

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final check, we'll check to make sure everybody's had a chance. If you still feel like you haven't

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had a chance to speak, we'll allow one last chance and then we'll close the public hearing.

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So I've read those things. Again, in order of advance, we're going to start with public comment

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prior to the meeting, then the participants in attendance, then the virtual ones, then email.

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Lacey, have you heard those instructions and do you feel like there's any clarification needed?

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I think you had everything perfectly. We will go with that as we go.

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We're good. Okay, perfectly. It is 507 on the 6th of August. Correct. Hang on, Mayor. Hang

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on, Mayor. You're in a different time zone. It's 607. Sorry. I look at my clock and that's

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what told me. So, 607 on August 6th and we will now open this public hearing. So, Lacey,

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I'll turn it to you to call up in order.

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Sounds great. We will go ahead and start with John Breeding.

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So I went online earlier today and I looked up that since 2020 we've had about a 78% increase in revenues.

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We've had a population growth of about 60%.

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Inflations run about 29% since then.

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and

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an 11% increase in taxes would give an inflation adjusted equivalent of what we had

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for revenue in 2020. I'm kind of cynical. I believe that a 220% increase is kind of a

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head fake that I don't think anybody here actually believes that that's what is going

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to happen, but when you could eventually come up with about a 40% increase in taxes, which

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is also outrageous, people will be less up in arms about it.

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And I don't understand why as government, as our population grows and as the government

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grows, that you don't become more efficient with artificial intelligence and computers and

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things like that. It seems like government is the only thing that doesn't become more

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efficient with scale. Anyway, that's my comment.

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Chas Roberts.

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I do not see Chas Roberts in attendance. We will encode it into the record.

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Melissa Bradley.

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I'm disappointed. I'm frustrated. It's not the residents job to prevent a tax increase.

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Mayor, Council, you're supposed to be able to prioritize needs over wants. I'm

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against the 220% property tax increase

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because it's not for public safety,

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it's for non-essential projects that the city can't afford.

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Let me be clear, I support funding our sheriff's office.

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I support paying employees, competitive wages.

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I support needing roads, water, and sewer improvements

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and you already have the money in place

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to do all of that.

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This increase is a burden on the average taxpayer.

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25.2 million Americans under 35

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live with their parents last year.

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That's not normal.

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And raising our property taxes is not the solution.

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You're adding to this crisis.

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Craig, Rich, Brett, you are a real estate agent.

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You should understand this.

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Jared, you were the real estate agent.

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You should know the consequences.

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Zach, as an investor, you should get this.

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Melissa, as a mom with adults living in your home,

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I assume you understand.

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Property tax increases don't stop with homeowners.

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Landlords will pass those costs to their renters.

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and our children and your residents will pay higher rent.

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Families will have less money to help their kids with rent, gasoline, or groceries.

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As housing costs rise, which they are unaffordable right now,

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young adults will stay home longer and that delays their independence.

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Families already caring for adults, children, grandchildren, or aging parents

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have even less room in their budgets when you increase fixed housing costs.

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By increasing our property taxes each one of you is choosing to negatively impact 26 families in my neighborhood.

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In one week that will be 27 because my kids are moving in, my adult kids, two of them.

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When you're proposing what you're proposing is wrong, it's dishonest.

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When you claim it's for public safety, it isn't.

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It's for completely optional structures like a new city hall and rec center.

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And the fact that you had the city manager admit that on Tuesday instead of standing up and saying it for yourself is crap

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I hope you choose to lead with honesty moving forward when you took your oath of office

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You all promise to be faithful stewards of the taxpayer dollar the people of Eagle Mountain work hard for each dollar

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They earn and they're making difficult financial decisions every day. We want you to do the same

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meeting. We have contracts in place and they will benefit our community soon. Be patient.

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Focus on public safety, sewer, water and roads and stop looking to the taxpayers to solve

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your pretend budget crisis. We don't believe you. Go attract businesses to expand the

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tax business and you and then you better leave residents sales tax alone. I caught

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that in Tuesday's meeting it is our right to decide when and how.

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How do we want to spend our money? Stay out of our pockets. Our community wants freedom

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from taxes, not slavery to it. Do not raise property taxes and no new taxes.

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I'm just going to remind you that the mayor gave us clear instructions that we're not going

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to entertain that.

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Gladly it was not part of those instructions.

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Yes it was. So we're going to ask you to refrain from that type of act outburst because

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it's going to delay the opportunity for those who want to come and speak to us. So

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So please refrain from that.

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Or according to his instructions, we're going to ask you to leave.

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I do have Adam Brady for the next one.

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It does say my wife Melissa will read the statement.

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I'm not sure if he's here.

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Adam Brady.

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Sorry, I have to hear from you again.

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Good evening, Mayor and Council.

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My name is Adam Bradley and I'm here to strongly oppose this proposed 220% property

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tax increase.

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In fact, I believe you should be lowering taxes and not raising them.

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A 220% increase is an enormous ask.

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saying it's justified simply because property taxes haven't been raised in 15 years as an insult to basic math.

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This represents real money for families already struggling with inflation, rising home values, and higher taxes across the board.

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Eagle Mountain's explosive growth has already expanded the city's revenue through impact fees, building permits, and commercial development.

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So why isn't that growing pain for these needs?

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I've seen no convincing evidence that existing revenue can't fund competitive wages for our

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employees, and I've seen no categorical proof that we need more sheriff deputies.

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Comparing Eagle Mountain to other cities doesn't work.

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There's no other city like Eagle Mountain.

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Show me the 911 calls that aren't being answered.

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Show me domestic violence calls going unanswered.

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Show me crimes not being solved.

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I haven't seen that evidence.

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until a few days ago, residents were told every dollar of this tax increase would go to public safety.

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Then people started doing the math. The sheriff's contract increases by roughly 1.5 million,

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while this tax hike brings in about 6.7 million.

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Only after residents started asking questions did you admit the rest is for other projects,

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including a new city hall. This was never just about public safety.

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I've also heard almost no discussion of alternatives.

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Where's the debate?

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Where are the compromises?

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One council member even told my wife to do the research and come back with ideas.

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With respect, that's the job that you were elected to do.

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When I served on this council, I said no all the time because protecting taxpayers

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came first.

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Growth should be allowing us to reduce the tax burden, not asking families to pay

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more.

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I'll leave you with this.

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Have you forgotten the proper role of city government?

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This council and the last have continued to grow government and spending what happened

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to Eagle Mountain being a place that valued limited government and respected tax players.

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Please no more.

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Please don't know on this increase and start looking for ways to lower our property tax

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instead.

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And on a personal note, I would like to add.

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I love Adam.

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He was a great council member and he worked hard.

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You're reading his statement, not your own.

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You don't have to go twice.

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Ben Bracknell.

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I don't see Ben Bracknell.

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It says opposition to propose tax increase.

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I do want to remind those of you online for the Zoom link.

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This is for participating virtually.

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If you want to watch the meeting and not participate,

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you can go to our portal to watch it.

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I do have Alex Washburn for the public comment, but I do see you're online, so we will call

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you when the virtual time comes.

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Ashley Lauer, the lower,

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it only says property tax increase.

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I do not see her, but we will add it to the record.

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Duncan Searcy.

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Sorry, I didn't hear the Mayor say no clapping.

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He was quiet.

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But I also don't think our First Amendment rights care much about his decorum.

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So the title of this meeting is Truth in Taxation Public Hearing.

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I want to quote the city. This is what they said.

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Eagle Mountain City is proposing a property tax increase with every dollar going straight to public safety period.

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So that's a lie. And we all know that now.

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And so that's not a great way to start this meeting off.

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I was a lot nicer on Tuesday when I spoke, but some of the responses I got from you actually is what made me upset.

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And I'm not going to be quite as nice tonight.

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You'll see some of the pensioners I mentioned on Tuesday

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are here. That's great.

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Every single one of you, when I brought this up,

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expressed remorse.

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Like, we don't want to be doing this, you know?

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This is so hard on our community.

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This is just a necessary evil that we have to do.

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And Brett, you said something that struck me.

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You said we have been called upon to make this decision.

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Brett, who is calling upon you to raise the property taxes

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if we elect you and you work for us.

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I would like to know, after all this is done,

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if you would address that specifically,

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who's calling upon you to make any kind of decision?

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And then Melissa, it bothered you so much,

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just the thought of raising taxes on our poor families

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brought you to tears.

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Sweetheart, you don't need to be upset, just vote no.

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You don't have to raise the taxes.

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This is your choice.

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You get to vote yes or no.

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Okay?

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Okay?

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So I think we just need to realize everybody is struggling in this economy, every single

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person.

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Okay?

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If we as citizens are tightening our belts and we're deciding what we have to cut out

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of our lives, so must the city.

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Okay?

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There's money coming down the pipeline.

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Mayor Gray preaches about it all the time.

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So let's tighten up our belt as a city instead of pushing those tax burdens onto

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to the regular person, okay?

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And Melissa, I'm sorry, I'm gonna call you out a little bit.

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I'm tired of the performative testimony

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meaning style emotion.

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It's manipulative, okay?

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And you have the chance tonight to vote no and prove

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that I'm wrong and that you really do care

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about the poor families, but when you sit up there

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and get emotional, it really bothers those of us

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that have discernment, okay?

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A big reason why we're here tonight

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is because you gave Metta a $1.5 trillion company

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00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:09,600
me a 20 year tax break. Okay. Had you not done that, I don't think we'd be in this financial

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situation that we're at. And you keep touting this infrastructure that Facebook has brought

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to the city. I have never once driven out to the Facebook building. Probably never

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will. They have not improved anything in the city that we the citizens use on a daily

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basis. So stop trying to gaslight us into like, oh, Facebook has been such a good deal.

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this is such a good deal. We're tired of it. Start working for us or next election we are

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going to speak even more. Your time is up. Thank you.

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Ryan Parker also

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does not say just as property tax increase. I do not see him here so we'll

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00:23:01,150 --> 00:23:03,250
add it to the record. Charles Peterson.

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00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:10,160
Good evening. As a former federal government

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program analyst I have more questions than answers so in reviewing all this material

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I'll give you some questions.

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We've moved here while we've been here for 10 years now and so on.

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So I've got a number of questions that bother me.

292
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A couple of these things have already been mentioned.

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Of the 6.9 million and with a million and a half for the added police officers,

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years, I would be curious what the analysis was done. Sorry, it's an analyst. To say how

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do we need that many more, and it's already been addressed a little bit, is our public

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safety been reduced without these? I don't know. That's a question that I have.

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Second, looking

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at the information that was available, by going and proving this, we will

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become the most, I think, the second most property taxed city in, I'm sorry, in Utah County.

300
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we are now second best and I was reading a piece of talking about being so

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wonderful about how our taxes are low. Now if this is approved we're going to go

302
00:24:48,100 --> 00:24:56,400
right up to the top. The other thing that bothers me as an analyst is the

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00:24:56,400 --> 00:25:05,980
Another, what is it, 5.4 million goes into public safety.

304
00:25:07,460 --> 00:25:12,480
Now, is there a fund called public safety?

305
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What happens to that?

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00:25:15,540 --> 00:25:21,980
Is there an outline of all the things that you're going to do with this 5.4 million dollars?

307
00:25:21,980 --> 00:25:25,320
I haven't seen anything.

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00:25:28,180 --> 00:25:31,760
So what we would expect as an analyst is to say, okay,

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and I've had a lot of dealings with budget analysts,

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what are we actually talking about?

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What are the line items?

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And what are those results going to be?

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I think that's critical.

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And if you can't show that,

315
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then we ought not to be voting for it, frankly.

316
00:25:50,740 --> 00:25:51,560
Thank you very much.

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00:25:56,900 --> 00:26:02,260
I do want to clarify that I we do have Ryan Parker online, so we'll go back to his comment, but he's virtual

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Dave

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00:26:04,500 --> 00:26:05,640
Russian a hand

320
00:26:07,730 --> 00:26:08,390
Thank you.

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00:26:13,430 --> 00:26:17,330
Mr. Mayor and City Council. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak

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00:26:18,550 --> 00:26:24,710
I'm grateful for each one of you, and I know how tough your job is. I really do I

323
00:26:25,830 --> 00:26:27,090
Wouldn't want to be in your position

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00:26:28,490 --> 00:26:32,170
The people that you represent the people of Eagle Mountain

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00:26:33,050 --> 00:26:36,050
which has a median age of 23 and

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00:26:38,050 --> 00:26:43,010
Approximately 44% of our population are under 18

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Which helps us to see this is a community filled with a lot of young families

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Then there's people over 65 like me

329
00:26:56,120 --> 00:26:58,720
We only make up about 3% of Eagle Mountain

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00:26:58,720 --> 00:27:05,180
Young families are just getting started building careers and do not have a significant income

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00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:11,960
with the median individual income of 48,105 per person.

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00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:19,460
The average retired couple have a combined income of 79,315.

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We are all strapped for cash.

334
00:27:24,680 --> 00:27:30,080
The cost of living is making it harder and harder for the average family to get by.

335
00:27:31,120 --> 00:27:41,000
The added proposed tax adds to that burden and makes life more difficult than it already is for the vast majority of all these young families.

336
00:27:42,380 --> 00:27:44,500
I got my numbers from Google, by the way.

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00:27:46,060 --> 00:27:51,060
Eagle Mountain charges an impact fee on new residential and commercial development.

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00:27:52,180 --> 00:27:59,720
That fee is intended to fund the expansion of services because of the impact of that development.

339
00:28:01,900 --> 00:28:05,100
A portion of that impact fee is intended for public safety.

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I know about impact fees because I was a member of the legislature when we voted that into state law.

341
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I go back a ways.

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00:28:18,780 --> 00:28:26,080
Families, young and old, have a specific income that must be budgeted to take care of all the expenses for their family.

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As the cost of living goes up, families must find ways to cut corners and tighten the budget,

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which means shopping sales, using coupons, using Facebook Marketplace, and they do without a lot of times in order to make it all work.

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00:28:44,940 --> 00:28:51,160
I would suggest that the city has the mechanism to pay for additional services that come with

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00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:53,300
the growth of the city through impact fees.

347
00:28:53,980 --> 00:29:00,720
I know developers hate those fees, but it's a part of the cost of doing business.

348
00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:04,280
And they are making millions in Eagle Mountain.

349
00:29:05,060 --> 00:29:07,220
Those impact fees won't affect their millions.

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Hopefully, the city can find ways to become more efficient in the services that the

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City provides. I ask the City Council to... Your time is up. Thank you.

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00:29:27,630 --> 00:29:28,290
Brian Free.

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00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:34,300
Great

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00:29:34,300 --> 00:29:38,560
to be here today. I want to thank you all for not kicking the can down the road. It seems

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00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:43,760
like the trend since I've lived here for 20 years, the can kicked down the road so we

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00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:47,800
can keep our taxes low or whatever. And the needs of our city continue to grow. We're

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a growing city. There's needs and they have to be taken care of. So thank you for

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that. I think that goes in... I also want to say that a lot of us probably had a

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00:29:55,620 --> 00:29:59,980
knee-jerk reaction to a 220% increase, which is that

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00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:04,980
It's actually lower if you add in your fire and your sheriffs and put that all together

361
00:30:04,980 --> 00:30:07,840
like another city would have in their city tax. We're probably right in the middle and

362
00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:12,620
then we're probably at the top when we add 220%. So that's more of an apples to apples

363
00:30:12,620 --> 00:30:17,140
comparison, which is good to do. I think one of the issues is there wasn't a lot of transparency,

364
00:30:17,140 --> 00:30:20,620
right? So we're not seeing what you guys are seeing and that may not necessarily

365
00:30:20,620 --> 00:30:25,600
be right on you, but on those who were tasked with putting out information for us.

366
00:30:26,300 --> 00:30:32,480
We like to know that it's not 100% for one portion, but it's for a bunch of things that

367
00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:36,460
are all needs within our city, and seeing those line items is really helpful so we can

368
00:30:36,460 --> 00:30:37,280
see exactly what it's paid for.

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There would be a lot of us that would say, I don't like it, but those are all needs.

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00:30:41,020 --> 00:30:44,200
I don't know how we don't take care of them, and if we saw what each of those things

371
00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:48,300
are, right, and maybe we'd have some different type of discussion, we would all come

372
00:30:48,300 --> 00:30:52,840
more informed without having to dig deep to try to find those answers on our own

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00:30:52,840 --> 00:30:55,960
and do that work that could easily be provided for us

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00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:57,260
because you guys already have it.

375
00:30:57,600 --> 00:30:58,420
That's some of that information.

376
00:30:58,580 --> 00:30:59,800
So that would be very helpful for us

377
00:30:59,800 --> 00:31:00,880
to see what those line items are.

378
00:31:01,800 --> 00:31:05,260
I will say that in addition, one of the things

379
00:31:05,260 --> 00:31:06,840
that we want to make sure we're doing

380
00:31:06,840 --> 00:31:08,820
is that we're taking advantage of looking

381
00:31:08,820 --> 00:31:11,440
at the things that, let's say, my basement's flooding.

382
00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:12,820
I've got to get that water shut off,

383
00:31:12,920 --> 00:31:14,640
get that water out of there, and clean everything up

384
00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:15,840
or I'm going to lose my home, right?

385
00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:17,840
Those are the kind of things we need to take care of.

386
00:31:17,900 --> 00:31:19,480
And I know we have some of those kinds of issues

387
00:31:19,980 --> 00:31:21,600
in our city that need to be addressed

388
00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:26,780
that maybe you don't always see day-to-day as residence, that's important. But 220 percent

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00:31:26,780 --> 00:31:30,840
or the lower number if we include everything together, whatever that percent is, it's still

390
00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:35,580
an increase, it still attacks without everything else like has been mentioned that we're seeing

391
00:31:35,580 --> 00:31:39,820
increase in our lives and we want to make sure that that's being, we're looking at

392
00:31:39,820 --> 00:31:44,020
zero, let's say we can't do anything zero without going into major debt to do it

393
00:31:44,020 --> 00:31:48,540
and then add to that, well what can we do? And then what can we do in two, three

394
00:31:48,540 --> 00:31:51,320
years when that some of that data center money starts coming off like we've

395
00:31:51,320 --> 00:31:54,860
when they first we're talking about data centers we're told whatever the size

396
00:31:54,860 --> 00:31:58,300
is when data centers like four or five Costco's or Walmart's worth of revenue

397
00:31:58,300 --> 00:32:01,540
that's a lot of revenue if that starts coming on board in a couple years we've

398
00:32:01,540 --> 00:32:03,920
got a lot of revenue coming already right so we'll be able to we should be able

399
00:32:03,920 --> 00:32:09,160
to then reduce taxes 30 seconds remaining but what one thing I'll leave

400
00:32:09,160 --> 00:32:14,760
with just because it's a but a buzz term let's not California our Utah 220

401
00:32:14,760 --> 00:32:19,360
20% increase is a California in Utah and that's something I don't think any of you want

402
00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:23,340
to do or any of you are in favor of, most of you would consider yourself conservative,

403
00:32:23,700 --> 00:32:26,960
fiscally conservative and I would hope that you'll really take that into consideration.

404
00:32:27,140 --> 00:32:27,400
Thank you.

405
00:32:30,470 --> 00:32:31,230
Matt Oakman.

406
00:32:33,570 --> 00:32:36,950
I don't see him online and I don't see him in person, I'll add him to the record.

407
00:32:39,230 --> 00:32:39,990
Matthew Endicott.

408
00:32:48,970 --> 00:32:51,790
My name is Matt Endicott and I've lived in Eagle Mountain for about six years.

409
00:32:52,370 --> 00:32:55,790
I've listened to the presentation given by Chief Deputy Knitzen in April as well

410
00:32:55,790 --> 00:32:59,270
as the comments I've received from the City Council in response to my email this week.

411
00:32:59,850 --> 00:33:04,530
Thank you for your responses. But I seem to have missed some important discussion in Tuesday's

412
00:33:04,530 --> 00:33:06,590
meeting. I'll have to go back and review that.

413
00:33:06,850 --> 00:33:10,750
After reviewing of the budget that was released earlier this week, this issue has been made

414
00:33:10,750 --> 00:33:13,830
clear. The messaging from the Mayor was confusing and may have led to the level

415
00:33:13,830 --> 00:33:17,630
of negative responses being voiced. But after review, I have a couple of questions.

416
00:33:18,190 --> 00:33:22,030
Based on my review, the proposed public safety budget is about $10 million, which

417
00:33:22,030 --> 00:33:23,670
which is based off of other things,

418
00:33:23,730 --> 00:33:25,350
which is about two million higher than last year.

419
00:33:25,930 --> 00:33:28,430
This revenue from property taxes last year

420
00:33:28,430 --> 00:33:31,490
covered about 50% of the previous costs,

421
00:33:31,710 --> 00:33:33,950
with the other 50% coming from the general fund,

422
00:33:34,470 --> 00:33:35,970
so sales tax or other things,

423
00:33:36,130 --> 00:33:37,170
if I understand that correctly.

424
00:33:37,670 --> 00:33:38,410
So I have a couple of questions.

425
00:33:38,970 --> 00:33:40,970
Why is it necessary for the entire amount

426
00:33:40,970 --> 00:33:42,550
of the sheriff's contract to be covered

427
00:33:42,550 --> 00:33:44,010
by revenue from property taxes?

428
00:33:44,510 --> 00:33:45,930
Was revenue from the other sources

429
00:33:45,930 --> 00:33:47,830
projected to fall below the needed amount

430
00:33:47,830 --> 00:33:49,050
to cover the contract amount?

431
00:33:49,770 --> 00:33:51,790
Or are there other budget areas

432
00:33:51,790 --> 00:33:55,790
is that need a roughly $4 million increase and this tax hike is being done under the

433
00:33:55,790 --> 00:33:59,210
guise of public safety because that is an easier sell than other programs.

434
00:34:00,490 --> 00:34:05,490
With this switch from using the general fund, along with property taxes, to only using

435
00:34:05,490 --> 00:34:09,890
property taxes for the sheriff, will the general fund be reduced a proportionate amount

436
00:34:09,890 --> 00:34:14,370
to reflect the change, or is the total city budget raising the $6 million?

437
00:34:15,610 --> 00:34:19,690
With the increase in sheriff deputies, is there any changes to the contract to

438
00:34:19,690 --> 00:34:23,170
make sure we are being protected and that the increased presence won't be used for

439
00:34:23,170 --> 00:34:27,170
generating revenue through tickets or over-policing as seeing the neighborhood cities such as

440
00:34:27,170 --> 00:34:31,610
Saratoga Springs and American Fork. I understand but have my disagreements with the comments

441
00:34:31,610 --> 00:34:34,830
made by the Sheriff's Office and the City Council that Eagle Mountain could use a larger

442
00:34:34,830 --> 00:34:39,390
police force. I also understand there has not been a property tax hike in Eagle Mountain

443
00:34:39,390 --> 00:34:43,110
for a number of years. These two things being understood, why did the City Council

444
00:34:43,110 --> 00:34:46,990
feel the need to swap 100 percent of the costs, including the $2 million increase

445
00:34:46,990 --> 00:34:50,410
increase in one year. Could it not be possible to continue using alternative

446
00:34:50,410 --> 00:34:54,390
revenue sources for the sheriff's office with a modest increase to property taxes to cover

447
00:34:54,390 --> 00:34:58,830
the $2 million increase? Why was there the need to switch the entire $10 million over

448
00:34:58,830 --> 00:35:04,050
to property taxes? This just seems to me and I imagine a number of folks here a dramatic

449
00:35:04,050 --> 00:35:08,070
increase to the size and scope of the city under the guise of public safety to avoid

450
00:35:08,070 --> 00:35:11,150
having to have discussion or try and sell a less popular budget item.

451
00:35:11,390 --> 00:35:11,670
Thank you.

452
00:35:14,650 --> 00:35:15,370
Andrew Burke.

453
00:35:23,510 --> 00:35:26,850
My name is Andrew Burke. I've been here a couple times, a couple years back,

454
00:35:27,230 --> 00:35:30,950
like five years ago, and then recently moved here after we built our home last year.

455
00:35:31,770 --> 00:35:36,370
I'm going to make this short. I do agree that the police office, the Sheriff's Department

456
00:35:36,370 --> 00:35:40,250
has to be supported, and I do believe that, you know, we do need to, based on the research

457
00:35:40,250 --> 00:35:44,550
that I've done, we do need to increase it. Point four or five over a thousand residents

458
00:35:44,550 --> 00:35:48,190
versus the average of about point eight. I mean, some of the stuff that Chief

459
00:35:48,190 --> 00:35:53,230
said wasn't accurate like Saratoga's at 1.56 per thousand, but I'm not going to go into

460
00:35:53,230 --> 00:35:59,010
the semantics. I do agree with the previous speaker that I don't think that the property

461
00:35:59,010 --> 00:36:05,010
taxes should be the thing that's covering all the increases. And I think my biggest

462
00:36:05,010 --> 00:36:10,770
issue, and I think most people would agree, is that the transparency is just not there.

463
00:36:10,770 --> 00:36:17,850
Why can't you give us, if you've allotted a certain amount for improvements under the

464
00:36:18,370 --> 00:36:23,090
guise of public safety, why can't you give us an item on the report before you say, yeah,

465
00:36:23,150 --> 00:36:25,250
we're voting on this, let us know what you're increasing.

466
00:36:28,670 --> 00:36:33,010
So I mean it's frustrating because everybody is struggling, it's harder.

467
00:36:33,670 --> 00:36:37,370
Like I heard a comment about AI, a lot of us don't know if we're going to have

468
00:36:37,370 --> 00:36:40,930
jobs in two years because AI is taking away the workforce.

469
00:36:43,250 --> 00:36:47,350
And, you know, now they sit there and say, hey, 220% right now.

470
00:36:47,790 --> 00:36:48,930
We haven't done it in 15 years.

471
00:36:49,450 --> 00:36:54,690
Right now, without gradually rolling it out, it's almost criminal.

472
00:36:56,170 --> 00:36:58,310
Like, why would you do that to us?

473
00:36:59,170 --> 00:37:02,690
We voted for you, and this is how you repay us?

474
00:37:03,370 --> 00:37:06,690
Now, I'm not against increasing the budget for our sheriffs.

475
00:37:07,310 --> 00:37:08,470
That is public safety.

476
00:37:08,930 --> 00:37:16,390
But $6.7, almost $8 million increased with no itemized budget, that's not acceptable.

477
00:37:19,270 --> 00:37:24,230
So my question is, if you are going to do this, can we get an itemized line-for-line on how

478
00:37:24,230 --> 00:37:25,730
every dollar is going to be spent?

479
00:37:28,260 --> 00:37:30,920
Because if you're not going to do that, then don't pass the bill.

480
00:37:33,990 --> 00:37:34,490
That's my time.

481
00:37:39,250 --> 00:37:39,990
Kelly Horton.

482
00:37:45,960 --> 00:37:46,820
I don't see Kelly.

483
00:37:50,980 --> 00:37:54,290
You can fill out a paper.

484
00:37:54,290 --> 00:37:55,230
I'm right here.

485
00:37:55,330 --> 00:37:55,630
Oh, you're there.

486
00:37:55,830 --> 00:37:56,210
Oh, I'm sorry.

487
00:37:57,350 --> 00:37:58,130
No worries.

488
00:38:00,170 --> 00:38:00,990
It's all right.

489
00:38:01,170 --> 00:38:02,450
You can take your own time.

490
00:38:04,110 --> 00:38:05,290
My name's Kelly Horton.

491
00:38:05,490 --> 00:38:06,930
I've been here since 2016.

492
00:38:07,770 --> 00:38:11,510
You know, I first want to begin by saying that, you know, we really do support our public

493
00:38:11,510 --> 00:38:12,130
safety here.

494
00:38:12,190 --> 00:38:13,670
We love our law enforcement out here.

495
00:38:13,770 --> 00:38:15,770
I don't think anybody's going to disagree with that.

496
00:38:16,070 --> 00:38:20,330
Our firefighters, first responders, everything they do every day, it's not about whether

497
00:38:20,330 --> 00:38:21,350
they deserve support.

498
00:38:21,490 --> 00:38:22,370
They absolutely do.

499
00:38:22,370 --> 00:38:27,890
I said, this is about whether asking residents to shoulder such as substantial tax increases

500
00:38:27,890 --> 00:38:29,930
only or the best solution.

501
00:38:30,530 --> 00:38:32,290
Many of us are already struggling.

502
00:38:32,950 --> 00:38:36,930
The cost of groceries, utilities, insurance, and housing has increased dramatically.

503
00:38:37,610 --> 00:38:41,570
Families are making difficult choices every month just to stay afloat.

504
00:38:41,710 --> 00:38:46,410
For people living on fixed incomes, seniors and residents with disabilities, even a few

505
00:38:46,410 --> 00:38:50,010
hundred dollars a year can make the difference between paying bills and falling behind.

506
00:38:50,010 --> 00:38:56,750
Before asking taxpayers to pay more, I respectfully ask, what specific spending reductions were

507
00:38:56,750 --> 00:38:58,910
made before deciding to raise taxes?

508
00:38:59,690 --> 00:39:03,970
What programs or projects were delayed or eliminated to demonstrate that every other

509
00:39:03,970 --> 00:39:05,210
option has been exhausted?

510
00:39:06,130 --> 00:39:11,910
Why is this increase being proposed all at once instead of being phased in over several

511
00:39:11,910 --> 00:39:12,290
years?

512
00:39:13,090 --> 00:39:17,750
What guarantees can you provide that this won't become the new normal with additional

513
00:39:17,750 --> 00:39:22,830
large increases in the future? How will the city measure whether these additional tax

514
00:39:22,830 --> 00:39:27,350
dollars actually improve public safety and will those results be reported publicly?

515
00:39:28,010 --> 00:39:33,150
Transparency matters. Residents deserve to know exactly where every additional dollar

516
00:39:33,150 --> 00:39:38,730
will go, how success will be measured, and what accountability exists if the expected

517
00:39:38,730 --> 00:39:43,070
results are not achieved. You know, Eagle Mountain has grown rapidly. That growth

518
00:39:43,070 --> 00:39:47,950
has brought challenges, but it's also brought additional homes, businesses, and a broader

519
00:39:47,950 --> 00:39:53,850
tax base. I ask that the council to please explain what that growth alone, why that growth

520
00:39:53,850 --> 00:39:58,230
alone is not enough to help meet these needs. And most importantly, please remember that

521
00:39:58,230 --> 00:40:04,350
behind every tax bill is a family. You know, for some, this may seem like a budget decision,

522
00:40:04,530 --> 00:40:09,070
but for residents, it's groceries, it's medicine, it's gas, it's schools, clothes,

523
00:40:09,070 --> 00:40:14,950
rules. It's childcare or keeping a roof over our heads. I respectfully ask the council to

524
00:40:14,950 --> 00:40:20,570
reconsider the size and time of this increase. If additional funding is truly necessary, consider

525
00:40:20,570 --> 00:40:25,690
a phased approach. Continue identifying spending efficiencies and ensure residents are fully

526
00:40:25,690 --> 00:40:30,070
informed before placing a greater financial burden on them. Thank you for your time.

527
00:40:32,720 --> 00:40:34,200
Anthony Wood?

528
00:40:45,510 --> 00:40:46,410
My name is Anthony.

529
00:40:48,190 --> 00:40:52,850
So true representation means reflecting the will of your constituents.

530
00:40:53,410 --> 00:40:57,550
When you must convince us of your narrative, then that's manipulation.

531
00:40:59,150 --> 00:41:03,250
The tax increase is being advertised as a need for increase in law enforcement.

532
00:41:04,250 --> 00:41:10,190
The supporting stats that are being used are how many officers there are per 1,000 citizens.

533
00:41:11,410 --> 00:41:16,710
I don't like that number. What I do think we should be looking at is the crime rates.

534
00:41:17,070 --> 00:41:21,090
So if we're using some of the comparative cities you guys were using in the how many

535
00:41:21,090 --> 00:41:29,270
officers per capita, Sandy is 32 in 1,000. You have a chance of being a victim 32 times

536
00:41:29,270 --> 00:41:35,130
out of 1,000. For Lehigh it's 22 per 1,000. Do you guys have any idea what Eagle Mountain

537
00:41:35,130 --> 00:41:45,210
is. It is 1 to 1.2 per 1,000. Our crime rate is very low. We see our officers multiple vehicles

538
00:41:45,210 --> 00:41:50,910
per stop. That's what we get to see as citizens. For three squad cars, four squad cars per stop,

539
00:41:51,130 --> 00:41:56,510
per incident, we see them at the gas stations. It doesn't look like they're crazy busy.

540
00:41:57,150 --> 00:42:01,710
They may need some support, but this is the wrong way to go about it. You're asking

541
00:42:01,710 --> 00:42:06,050
the wrong people to pay for this. What I mean is that there are a lot of corporations

542
00:42:06,050 --> 00:42:11,470
like we were talking about with the data centers that are getting those tax breaks. They do

543
00:42:11,470 --> 00:42:16,150
a lot of damage to our infrastructure, our water, our roads, and they're not contributing

544
00:42:16,150 --> 00:42:22,430
to that. I was looking at the repairs to Pony Express, and it took us the end of

545
00:42:22,430 --> 00:42:26,810
24 and 25 to finish Pony Express, and I went on there the very next day and I

546
00:42:26,810 --> 00:42:32,010
wrote it. I write a motorcycle. I wrote it. It's garbage. I don't know how much you guys

547
00:42:32,010 --> 00:42:36,270
spent on that, but it's trash. It needs to be done again. Who signed off and saying that

548
00:42:36,270 --> 00:42:36,870
that was okay?

549
00:42:40,520 --> 00:42:45,160
Another example about the spending, and I would like to focus on budgeting

550
00:42:45,160 --> 00:42:50,240
what we have first before we ask for more. And another example that I have concerns

551
00:42:50,240 --> 00:42:54,980
with, with how we spend our money, is that in 2022 in August, we spent, we sent

552
00:42:54,980 --> 00:43:01,440
a hundred one point one three million dollars to a scammer just money gone

553
00:43:01,440 --> 00:43:07,760
like we need a budget what we have before we ask for more I agree we may need

554
00:43:07,760 --> 00:43:12,600
more but I need to focus on the budget before we get there I mean I don't lend

555
00:43:12,600 --> 00:43:16,920
money to family members and friends that are irresponsible with money and I

556
00:43:16,920 --> 00:43:19,140
don't want to do the same thing I don't want to give you more money I

557
00:43:19,140 --> 00:43:22,220
don't trust you guys with it I mean sending money to a scammer I have to

558
00:43:22,220 --> 00:43:25,480
teach my grandma not to do that I don't want to have to teach you guys not to do

559
00:43:25,480 --> 00:43:30,310
that that's all I have

560
00:43:32,480 --> 00:43:34,820
Bruno Hunsaker I

561
00:43:47,140 --> 00:43:48,980
don't know about following all these guys

562
00:43:48,980 --> 00:43:56,520
that's been up here some great comments I'm just gonna represent the old guys or

563
00:43:56,520 --> 00:44:01,460
the old women we're the seniors so most is most people on social security the

564
00:44:01,460 --> 00:44:06,860
average like Brett's mom's probably 13 or $1,400 a month because she's been

565
00:44:06,860 --> 00:44:13,240
on it. I'm about 1,800, so I'm a little more fortunate. So I give you 300 extra dollars.

566
00:44:15,440 --> 00:44:19,780
And we're on a fixed income. I'm lucky I still work part-time, so it's not going to

567
00:44:19,780 --> 00:44:24,400
affect me as much. But these young families that they've all been talking about, so we

568
00:44:24,400 --> 00:44:28,480
get $300 there. And those of you that don't know what's going to happen next year when

569
00:44:28,480 --> 00:44:35,520
this mighty new school district comes in that you're all buffaloed in devoting for,

570
00:44:36,120 --> 00:44:39,020
They're going to start out $200 million in the hole.

571
00:44:39,460 --> 00:44:46,860
So if you think the city council is going to charge you $300 more on a $500,000 home,

572
00:44:47,300 --> 00:44:53,420
you wait until next year's tax and truth-tation when the district is going to raise that up

573
00:44:53,420 --> 00:44:56,980
probably $300 to $400 plus a bond the next year.

574
00:44:56,980 --> 00:44:59,820
They need 17 schools in the next 15.

575
00:45:03,420 --> 00:45:10,100
So, I'm just telling you, I hope you all show up next year in total force when that school

576
00:45:10,100 --> 00:45:17,540
board meets to increase your taxes. And also, I agree on some of those roads because I ride

577
00:45:17,540 --> 00:45:22,640
a bike, too, and it's supposed to be a soft tail, but it really is a hard tail on that

578
00:45:22,640 --> 00:45:32,120
road. So anyway, I support law enforcement. I don't know what the crime rate is. I'm thinking

579
00:45:32,900 --> 00:45:39,040
per capita it might be as bad as West Valley City because all I ever hear is domestic this

580
00:45:39,040 --> 00:45:44,660
and domestic that. They're doing their job and I know they need an increase, but like

581
00:45:44,660 --> 00:45:49,340
everybody else said, how many building permits? We had the most building permits

582
00:45:49,340 --> 00:45:55,100
in the state of Utah on Eagle Mountain last year and then I see them build two homes over

583
00:45:55,100 --> 00:46:00,880
by Black Ridge and they brought gravel in, compacted a little bit, and put these two

584
00:46:00,880 --> 00:46:05,240
new homes in just to get a building permit. I'm starting to wonder if people will sell

585
00:46:05,240 --> 00:46:10,820
somebody in their family for a building permit. Just that much, those building permits

586
00:46:10,820 --> 00:46:15,600
and those impact fees should be paying for what you're asking for. I know your

587
00:46:15,600 --> 00:46:20,100
Your minds are made up. I don't think you're going to budge. I think it's going to go through.

588
00:46:20,920 --> 00:46:28,320
And I know you feel our pain. So anyway, I appreciate the job you guys are doing. And

589
00:46:28,320 --> 00:46:32,660
I know it's a hard job, but I'm just telling people you're going to be paying a lot of

590
00:46:32,660 --> 00:46:37,880
money the next three years between this and the new school district. And the mayor tells

591
00:46:37,880 --> 00:46:42,300
me while he was a city councilman, the water treatment plant needs to be updated next

592
00:46:42,300 --> 00:46:46,120
four years, there is another $50 a month on top of that. Thank you.

593
00:46:49,040 --> 00:46:50,000
Nathan Thornberg?

594
00:46:59,980 --> 00:47:11,450
I'm Nathan Thornberg. I can understand the way state tax regulations and codes don't

595
00:47:11,450 --> 00:47:22,550
help increase revenue as property values increase. However, like everybody else, I have questions.

596
00:47:22,550 --> 00:47:33,730
reasons, why wasn't, why was the campaign initially, that was initially released, that this is

597
00:47:33,730 --> 00:47:43,670
going to 100% be to increase our public safety? The end. Period. And we were all, I think

598
00:47:43,670 --> 00:47:47,350
the way that the messaging was presented was we were all supposed to go,

599
00:47:52,030 --> 00:47:52,990
and it was only

600
00:47:52,990 --> 00:47:59,330
money after members of our community actually pressed that there was more of an explanation

601
00:47:59,330 --> 00:48:05,650
given. This is going to free up money so that we can better improve things. I think we all

602
00:48:05,650 --> 00:48:12,290
would have loved to hear that initially if money was, if there was a plan to increase

603
00:48:14,440 --> 00:48:22,520
revenue to improve the quality of life here in Eagle Mountain, you wouldn't be getting

604
00:48:22,520 --> 00:48:32,420
slammed right now. Probably still would be, because 220%, as was stated earlier, is almost

605
00:48:32,420 --> 00:48:32,820
criminal.

606
00:48:37,310 --> 00:48:41,510
Do you see how the changing of the narrative, only after being pressed to Rhodes

607
00:48:41,510 --> 00:48:48,110
Trust, now we don't know what to believe. You were either dishonest then, or you're

608
00:48:48,110 --> 00:48:54,790
dishonest now. Anything you say to smooth it over can at best only be taken with

609
00:48:54,790 --> 00:49:02,710
the grain of salt, but most likely is just not going to be believed at all unless you

610
00:49:04,120 --> 00:49:09,780
start putting the actual money where your mouth is. I think it's safe to say that after

611
00:49:09,780 --> 00:49:15,820
tonight you have an assignment. What's the plan? Is there a proposed budget or schedule

612
00:49:15,820 --> 00:49:21,900
of these capital projects that the city intends to complete? And the only way to regain

613
00:49:21,900 --> 00:49:29,760
trust in this community is to follow through with what we need and if there is no publicly

614
00:49:29,760 --> 00:49:38,900
released budget for us to have access to so that we can, you know, maybe see, begin to

615
00:49:38,900 --> 00:49:46,340
see some of your intentions, if that isn't released to us, what are we left to believe?

616
00:49:46,340 --> 00:49:55,620
believe? Are we supposed to just trust you? We don't trust you. If there is no line item

617
00:49:55,620 --> 00:49:56,300
given to us,

618
00:49:58,400 --> 00:49:59,300
what are we left with?

619
00:50:02,880 --> 00:50:06,540
Your time is up. Thank you. Matt Everett.

620
00:50:14,950 --> 00:50:15,070
Good

621
00:50:15,070 --> 00:50:22,330
evening, Council. Good evening, Mayor, wherever you are. I stand to stand firmly in the

622
00:50:22,330 --> 00:50:28,270
minority opinion of the people that are in this room tonight, I encourage you to pass

623
00:50:28,810 --> 00:50:35,570
this tax increase. Now, having said that, 220 percent is a big number. I wish it wasn't

624
00:50:35,570 --> 00:50:42,170
that big. I, knowing you and the interactions that I've had, I would assume that you probably

625
00:50:42,170 --> 00:50:48,970
have a similar feeling to that. In my opinion, 220 percent is a direct reflection of poor

626
00:50:48,970 --> 00:50:54,210
management and leadership that the city has had in the past 15 plus years.

627
00:50:54,750 --> 00:50:58,310
My family and I have lived in the city for about 17, a little over 17 years.

628
00:50:58,450 --> 00:50:59,410
I've raised my family here.

629
00:50:59,730 --> 00:51:01,190
I'm continuing to raise my family here.

630
00:51:01,870 --> 00:51:05,390
There are a lot of things that need to be improved in the city.

631
00:51:06,070 --> 00:51:06,890
Talked about roads.

632
00:51:07,050 --> 00:51:07,830
We've talked about infrastructure.

633
00:51:08,170 --> 00:51:09,390
We've talked about a lot of different things.

634
00:51:09,590 --> 00:51:10,830
All of those things cost money.

635
00:51:11,650 --> 00:51:17,690
And there's limited ways that the city is able to take care of those needs and

636
00:51:17,690 --> 00:51:18,910
and the requirements that they have.

637
00:51:20,190 --> 00:51:23,410
Moving the property taxes and using this increase

638
00:51:24,010 --> 00:51:27,970
to fund public safety makes it a stable fund

639
00:51:28,330 --> 00:51:32,110
that the city will be able to use those known dollars

640
00:51:32,110 --> 00:51:37,110
every year to fund the needs of the public safety.

641
00:51:37,930 --> 00:51:40,030
So this is a difficult night.

642
00:51:40,790 --> 00:51:42,030
This is gonna be a difficult thing

643
00:51:42,030 --> 00:51:42,810
for a lot of residents.

644
00:51:43,330 --> 00:51:44,190
I understand that,

645
00:51:44,190 --> 00:51:50,850
But I encourage you to continue on the path of leadership that you have and to make the

646
00:51:50,850 --> 00:51:55,090
hard decisions regardless of what the outcomes of those will be.

647
00:51:55,470 --> 00:51:55,690
Thank you.

648
00:51:59,100 --> 00:52:00,140
Mark McConkey.

649
00:52:12,120 --> 00:52:16,020
Others have talked about their frustration that these funds aren't actually being used

650
00:52:16,020 --> 00:52:16,760
for public safety.

651
00:52:16,920 --> 00:52:20,300
And I feel that pain, especially as the funds we use for public safety now get

652
00:52:20,300 --> 00:52:25,280
sent out to the county rather than being used to establish our own public safety

653
00:52:25,280 --> 00:52:29,140
through a city police department, accountable to the mayor and this council. Eagle Mountains,

654
00:52:29,320 --> 00:52:33,820
the largest city in Utah, without its own dedicated city police department. And looking

655
00:52:33,820 --> 00:52:38,260
at the state's border in Utah where the second largest city without a police department,

656
00:52:38,500 --> 00:52:42,920
only Centennial in Colorado is bigger. In fact, if we were to take a deeper dive on

657
00:52:42,920 --> 00:52:45,940
this and take a look at the size of the largest cities in each of the state without

658
00:52:45,940 --> 00:52:49,720
a police department, here's what we'd see. Eagle Mountain is twice the size of

659
00:52:49,720 --> 00:52:54,380
Kuna, Idaho, their largest city. We're three times larger than Fernley, Nevada,

660
00:52:54,380 --> 00:52:56,020
They're the largest city without a police department.

661
00:52:56,280 --> 00:52:58,880
We're 4.6 times larger than Castle Pines, Colorado,

662
00:52:59,180 --> 00:53:00,680
which is their second after Centennial.

663
00:53:01,560 --> 00:53:04,360
We're 3.1 times larger than Fountain Hills, Arizona,

664
00:53:04,440 --> 00:53:08,300
and we're a whopping 37.8 times larger than Pinedale, Wyoming,

665
00:53:08,380 --> 00:53:10,280
which is their largest city without a city police department.

666
00:53:10,720 --> 00:53:12,640
We've outgrown the point where we should rely on

667
00:53:13,180 --> 00:53:15,100
county support rather than owning that ourselves.

668
00:53:16,100 --> 00:53:17,940
Every dollar that we send to the county for policing

669
00:53:17,940 --> 00:53:20,220
is the dollar that we give to be controlled by the county

670
00:53:20,220 --> 00:53:22,340
and every decision about how our streets are patrolled

671
00:53:22,340 --> 00:53:26,140
is made by people who don't answer to this council or to the residents of Eagle Mountain.

672
00:53:26,820 --> 00:53:30,380
Right now, as we contract with the county sheriff, that means we have no direct say

673
00:53:30,380 --> 00:53:35,580
over hiring standards, use of force policy, response priorities or community policing style.

674
00:53:36,380 --> 00:53:39,180
Those decisions are made for the whole county and are not tailored to us.

675
00:53:39,480 --> 00:53:43,480
If we ever disagree with those decisions, we don't have the ability to push for those

676
00:53:43,480 --> 00:53:45,040
changes outside of election season.

677
00:53:45,640 --> 00:53:49,360
Even during election season, Eagle Mountain only accounts for 10% of the voter population

678
00:53:49,360 --> 00:53:52,900
in Utah County, and there may well be some elections where the sheriff runs unopposed

679
00:53:53,380 --> 00:53:58,220
as he is this year, which limits our options even more. A city police chief would answer

680
00:53:58,220 --> 00:54:02,080
to the mayor and to this council and its residents getting a clear line of accountability.

681
00:54:02,980 --> 00:54:06,000
I know the first objection is going to be cost, especially start-up cost, but the

682
00:54:06,000 --> 00:54:09,120
city already owns the building. The sheriff's department operates out of right here in

683
00:54:09,120 --> 00:54:12,880
Eagle Mountain. If we convert that city to a police department, there's no new

684
00:54:12,880 --> 00:54:17,680
facility, building, or lease that overhead already exists. Because our contract with

685
00:54:17,680 --> 00:54:20,500
If the County Sheriff's Department accounts for about one-third of their budget, we'd

686
00:54:20,500 --> 00:54:24,120
likely be able to transition many of their officers to city officer positions as well,

687
00:54:24,560 --> 00:54:26,180
reducing costs of hiring and training.

688
00:54:26,880 --> 00:54:28,320
We're not building departments from scratch.

689
00:54:28,660 --> 00:54:30,820
We're being able to convert what's already here.

690
00:54:31,180 --> 00:54:34,800
Beyond that, the start-up and transition costs will only be higher in the future as our

691
00:54:34,800 --> 00:54:35,600
population grows.

692
00:54:36,340 --> 00:54:39,580
When it comes to our policing options, I see three options.

693
00:54:40,260 --> 00:54:41,340
Start a police department now.

694
00:54:41,900 --> 00:54:45,200
Start a police department sometime in the future, but for a higher cost as our population

695
00:54:45,200 --> 00:54:50,240
grows or never start a police department and be okay with not having control over our police force.

696
00:54:50,800 --> 00:54:55,420
So my ask tonight is to conduct a study of the cost for standing up a municipal police department.

697
00:54:56,260 --> 00:55:00,340
As we airmark these funds for public safety, let's use these funds in a way that we can control.

698
00:55:00,800 --> 00:55:01,120
Thank you.

699
00:55:04,070 --> 00:55:05,030
Betty Peralta.

700
00:55:14,070 --> 00:55:14,710
Good evening.

701
00:55:15,450 --> 00:55:22,750
My name is Betty Peralta and I'm here to oppose the increase and these are comments I have.

702
00:55:22,750 --> 00:55:30,470
The proposed increase I feel is outrageous, the justification is not clear enough.

703
00:55:31,470 --> 00:55:36,850
The homeowner property rates increase, and as our income remains the same.

704
00:55:37,590 --> 00:55:42,630
The property values, especially in my community, which is Sweetwater, continue to fall.

705
00:55:43,610 --> 00:55:47,450
Eagle Mountain City Center and communities look more rundown every day.

706
00:55:47,450 --> 00:55:54,730
property. My property value alone has decreased $7,000 in two months. So yes, I agree with

707
00:55:54,730 --> 00:56:02,990
the previous speakers that this is criminal to impose a tax rate increase of this kind.

708
00:56:03,790 --> 00:56:13,250
The traffic has increased here significantly. The roads are horrible. And the majority

709
00:56:13,250 --> 00:56:20,790
of homeowners I'm asking to oppose this increase. And my other question is, because it has not

710
00:56:20,790 --> 00:56:26,250
been outright and truthful what these funds are being used for, are we using any of these funds

711
00:56:26,250 --> 00:56:33,410
for City Council staff pay increases? I'm all in for safety and first responders. I'm a retired

712
00:56:33,410 --> 00:56:40,650
38-year first responder, so I know that those are essential and necessary needs for Eagle Mountain,

713
00:56:40,990 --> 00:56:43,710
but I cannot justify the increase, thank you.

714
00:56:49,080 --> 00:56:51,440
Joseph Pell, I don't know how to say it.

715
00:56:51,440 --> 00:56:51,720
That's not close.

716
00:56:52,080 --> 00:56:52,520
Thank you.

717
00:56:52,940 --> 00:56:53,420
It's French.

718
00:56:53,780 --> 00:56:54,340
Not even close.

719
00:56:55,760 --> 00:56:57,120
First of all, I just want to say I'm sorry.

720
00:56:57,140 --> 00:56:57,720
I'm sorry, hold on Joseph.

721
00:56:57,840 --> 00:56:59,220
Will you say it for the record?

722
00:56:59,580 --> 00:57:01,080
Oh, Joseph Pellot.

723
00:57:02,360 --> 00:57:03,720
All right, so first I want to say

724
00:57:03,720 --> 00:57:05,280
I don't want to be in your seats tonight.

725
00:57:05,360 --> 00:57:06,460
It's probably not a fun meeting.

726
00:57:08,000 --> 00:57:09,700
But I do want to thank you for your service

727
00:57:09,700 --> 00:57:11,640
and the commitments because you wouldn't have run

728
00:57:11,640 --> 00:57:12,760
for this position if you didn't want it.

729
00:57:13,840 --> 00:57:16,240
I think what I want to say is just urging caution.

730
00:57:17,260 --> 00:57:20,560
So I work in higher education in the state and I've worked there for about 10 years.

731
00:57:21,500 --> 00:57:24,560
And over those times we've seen again and again when the state legislature has proposed

732
00:57:24,560 --> 00:57:29,560
big budget increases and big budget pushes and there'll be community blow up and hard

733
00:57:29,560 --> 00:57:30,820
feelings and often gets redacted.

734
00:57:31,380 --> 00:57:32,860
I think we can learn a lesson from that.

735
00:57:33,260 --> 00:57:36,000
I don't think anyone here doesn't want to help our officers.

736
00:57:36,300 --> 00:57:36,520
We do.

737
00:57:36,880 --> 00:57:39,720
We want them to be the best officers in the county, we want them to have resources

738
00:57:39,720 --> 00:57:40,260
they need.

739
00:57:41,180 --> 00:57:45,300
But I think we also can all agree that 220% is a lot at once,

740
00:57:45,600 --> 00:57:47,820
especially since the law officer are nervous about the new school district,

741
00:57:48,140 --> 00:57:49,680
about water facilities, road infrastructure.

742
00:57:50,480 --> 00:57:51,820
More infrastructure as the city grows.

743
00:57:51,980 --> 00:57:53,820
We're one of the fastest growing cities in Utah.

744
00:57:54,800 --> 00:57:57,740
So my hope would be just to urge caution,

745
00:57:57,960 --> 00:57:59,960
because we don't know what it's going to be like in three years.

746
00:58:00,380 --> 00:58:03,420
We don't know if the new school district is going to ask for a 300% increase

747
00:58:03,420 --> 00:58:04,940
because they don't have administrative buildings.

748
00:58:05,440 --> 00:58:07,560
They don't have a bus depot. They don't have mechanics.

749
00:58:07,760 --> 00:58:08,260
We don't know that.

750
00:58:08,260 --> 00:58:11,220
We don't know what the water will be, we don't know what the infrastructure will be.

751
00:58:11,580 --> 00:58:15,420
And we do know we are getting more stores, we're getting lows, we're getting smiths

752
00:58:15,420 --> 00:58:19,620
and we will see that income increase as the hospital comes out here and other plans happen.

753
00:58:20,260 --> 00:58:22,660
But we just don't know what that is right now.

754
00:58:23,420 --> 00:58:29,260
But we do know 220% is a lot to ask, especially since transparency has been an issue for a lot of residents.

755
00:58:30,360 --> 00:58:34,700
So my only advice is just caution, because maybe this is where we do need to be.

756
00:58:34,700 --> 00:58:36,780
And maybe you have very important reasons.

757
00:58:36,980 --> 00:58:40,660
I believe you're all amazing people who aren't increasing this for no reason.

758
00:58:41,920 --> 00:58:44,800
But we can all agree that this is a bit of a shock in the community.

759
00:58:45,100 --> 00:58:49,200
And you probably don't have this typical turnout at events like this because we're

760
00:58:49,200 --> 00:58:49,960
shocked at the number.

761
00:58:50,360 --> 00:58:54,340
And we're shocked at the fact that we don't know exactly what the general fund that's

762
00:58:54,340 --> 00:58:57,020
going to be increasing by about $5 million, what's that meant for?

763
00:58:57,800 --> 00:59:01,700
So my only advice is just to urge caution, maybe do a smaller increase.

764
00:59:01,900 --> 00:59:04,320
Let us see what the new revenues will be when we get more infrastructure.

765
00:59:04,320 --> 00:59:09,400
Let's see what the new property value revenues will be let us see what the store of news will be and then let us know

766
00:59:09,400 --> 00:59:14,100
What we need to do because I think no one here is opposed to bettering our city and bettering our police force

767
00:59:14,640 --> 00:59:18,700
I think what we are opposed for is making a jump in the dark. So, thank you

768
00:59:20,960 --> 00:59:21,600
Josh Shad

769
00:59:29,200 --> 00:59:31,960
My name is Josh Shad. I've been a resident here for about 12 years

770
00:59:33,620 --> 00:59:38,080
Really came to me as a shock to you guys are going to increase the taxes by 220 percent

771
00:59:38,080 --> 00:59:39,620
So I just have some comments

772
00:59:39,620 --> 00:59:43,080
I wrote down with the increased tax revenue that will be added to the general fund and

773
00:59:43,080 --> 00:59:49,020
used for capital projects, it's little deceitful to present this as 100% funding towards public

774
00:59:49,020 --> 00:59:53,400
safety as the previously allocated funds are now set into the general fund and used

775
00:59:53,400 --> 00:59:54,460
for capital projects.

776
00:59:55,260 --> 00:59:58,700
As we build out housing in Eagle Mountain, property taxes should increase and why

777
00:59:58,700 --> 00:59:59,980
Why haven't those funds been put in place?

778
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:05,040
Properly allocated in the budget. And just to clarify, I don't have any issue with increasing

779
01:00:05,040 --> 01:00:09,900
policing police presence within the city limits of Eagle Mountain. The issue I have is the

780
01:00:09,900 --> 01:00:15,880
communication of this city council to its member, to the residents of Eagle Mountain, and being

781
01:00:15,880 --> 01:00:21,200
clear with your guys' intention of what you intend to do with our tax dollars. This is

782
01:00:21,200 --> 01:00:25,860
something that I have brought up before is communication from this city hall. The city

783
01:00:25,860 --> 01:00:32,260
Hall is terrible at messaging. You guys are terrible at communicating meetings. You guys

784
01:00:32,260 --> 01:00:38,000
are terrible at reaching out to the citizens. The only reason I saw this is because I happen

785
01:00:38,000 --> 01:00:41,340
to go on Facebook. I've signed up for all your newsletters, all your text messages.

786
01:00:41,500 --> 01:00:45,640
I go on the website every once in a while. But I have a life outside of the city.

787
01:00:46,220 --> 01:00:51,860
So you guys need to be better at messaging. Previous city councils have also failed

788
01:00:51,860 --> 01:00:59,860
to be good stewards of our taxpayer dollars, convince us that this tax increase for the

789
01:00:59,860 --> 01:01:08,340
taxpayers is going to not be wasted and misallocated and spent on things that are not in the budget

790
01:01:08,340 --> 01:01:11,160
or hidden or moved to the side.

791
01:01:12,290 --> 01:01:17,220
On another note, I do believe we have had a utility rate increase that's supposed

792
01:01:17,220 --> 01:01:22,840
to happen over the next couple years. And that is in addition to this. So you guys are

793
01:01:22,840 --> 01:01:29,500
going to be putting undue stress on the normal families of Eagle Mountain. And I think that's

794
01:01:29,500 --> 01:01:31,840
pretty much it I got. Thank you guys for your time.

795
01:01:33,600 --> 01:01:34,560
Mark Espinoza.

796
01:01:43,940 --> 01:01:48,300
Council. Thank you for having this meeting. It's a big turnout here. I hear a lot of

797
01:01:48,300 --> 01:01:57,940
people concerned. My big concern is, guys, I had a business, made a payroll and stuff.

798
01:01:58,740 --> 01:02:06,300
All the things that you need to do to run a business, you got to make. Guys, 220% increase.

799
01:02:07,000 --> 01:02:11,560
I did that to my customers, I'll be out of business. So we're going to do something.

800
01:02:12,020 --> 01:02:20,420
Everybody's so fed up that 220% if it's 3% you would have had a half a crowd in

801
01:02:20,420 --> 01:02:27,580
here but you go to you hit it big 220% maybe go back I don't know if we have

802
01:02:27,580 --> 01:02:30,860
time or if you're gonna vote on this if you're gonna vote on this tonight we're

803
01:02:30,860 --> 01:02:35,880
pretty much pretty much done you got to go back and look how can we bring up

804
01:02:35,880 --> 01:02:41,220
revenue I hope the mayor is doing something I wish he was here instead of

805
01:02:41,220 --> 01:02:46,400
thinking that he's looking at a video in Zoom, I wish he was in front of us looking at all

806
01:02:46,400 --> 01:02:53,200
these people here. But if he's making a great deal for Eagle Mountain, fantastic. He's got

807
01:02:53,200 --> 01:03:01,080
my approval. But I don't think so. It's important. You've got a lot of people here, a lot of

808
01:03:01,080 --> 01:03:07,440
things, especially I hear on the communication with you guys. Go on your website, put a

809
01:03:07,440 --> 01:03:13,440
link on there, and then the flying item, the flying item will show everybody what's going

810
01:03:13,440 --> 01:03:22,560
on. But again, bringing out to 220. Come on, guys. You know better. I heard some people

811
01:03:22,560 --> 01:03:27,980
here in businesses. Shoot, you didn't do that to your customers and see how long you're

812
01:03:27,980 --> 01:03:37,780
business. Again, where I heard fixed incomes and stuff, I came from California. A lot worse.

813
01:03:38,160 --> 01:03:45,020
They don't even listen. It got so bad, I didn't move. I'm glad I moved to Eagle Mountain.

814
01:03:45,220 --> 01:03:51,540
I love the place. Family oriented, love it. But do not. Do not go down in my world.

815
01:03:51,540 --> 01:03:54,680
There's a reason why people move out of California.

816
01:03:55,200 --> 01:03:56,480
It's not the poor people.

817
01:03:57,520 --> 01:03:58,460
People with money.

818
01:03:59,780 --> 01:04:01,500
And they come in to spend the money.

819
01:04:02,300 --> 01:04:03,280
Keep them in Eagle Mountain.

820
01:04:03,600 --> 01:04:04,780
That's one way to get the revenue.

821
01:04:05,080 --> 01:04:08,460
Other ways, get some bigger people in businesses.

822
01:04:08,760 --> 01:04:11,900
That's how you generate money into the coffers.

823
01:04:13,720 --> 01:04:14,980
Again, I thank you guys.

824
01:04:14,980 --> 01:04:15,500
30 seconds remaining.

825
01:04:15,720 --> 01:04:17,600
I thank you guys for listening to us.

826
01:04:17,600 --> 01:04:21,240
But I hope and really hope you hear everybody what they had to say

827
01:04:22,440 --> 01:04:25,820
I'm retired. I can come up here. I was ticked off

828
01:04:26,440 --> 01:04:33,460
Working 30 years buying a business ticked off. I couldn't go to these meetings shoots 13 14 hours a day

829
01:04:34,420 --> 01:04:36,980
Well now I'm retired. I could do some more

830
01:04:37,880 --> 01:04:43,120
Thank you again, and thanks for everybody coming out be sure to vote

831
01:04:43,120 --> 01:04:44,780
Be sure to vote

832
01:04:44,780 --> 01:04:48,960
Thank you. Your time is up. Thank you. Jeff Ruth.

833
01:05:07,230 --> 01:05:11,130
Hey, Council. Jared. I'm going to be

834
01:05:11,130 --> 01:05:19,730
the add-on out, aside from Matt, I think. But I'm a little frustrated because this is

835
01:05:19,730 --> 01:05:27,150
going to impact me. But I can't tell you how many times I've called for an officer and

836
01:05:27,150 --> 01:05:31,270
they don't show up. Yeah, I was kind of minor on the list of things that were probably

837
01:05:31,270 --> 01:05:36,050
going on, but they didn't show up. Once in a while I get a call and say, hey, we're sorry,

838
01:05:36,770 --> 01:05:44,410
you know, we didn't make it. But we had this going on. Okay, that's fine. I've called for

839
01:05:44,410 --> 01:05:49,630
other things. Hey, we only got two officers on duty this morning. We can't come out

840
01:05:49,630 --> 01:05:57,850
right now. All right, fine. I've asked, why don't the officers out here do preventative?

841
01:05:58,470 --> 01:06:02,750
we can only do reactive. We don't have enough officers to do

842
01:06:04,760 --> 01:06:07,960
preventative calls. I can't

843
01:06:07,960 --> 01:06:13,340
tell you all the vandalism I've seen over at Corey Ride. I mean, it's ridiculous. Every

844
01:06:13,340 --> 01:06:17,280
once in a while an officer should be sitting out there and catch some of these teens out

845
01:06:17,280 --> 01:06:23,840
there busting things up, busting up the bathrooms and everything else. And I understand

846
01:06:23,840 --> 01:06:30,220
again, you're going to shift the money for the officers into their kind of their own separate

847
01:06:30,220 --> 01:06:34,520
account. And that's going to free up all their money. How many times have I been up here and

848
01:06:34,520 --> 01:06:40,580
asked you guys to mow along the roads, to fix this, to fix that? Well, it's my understanding

849
01:06:40,580 --> 01:06:46,980
that if you move the money, then you'll have the money to do this other stuff.

850
01:06:49,020 --> 01:06:49,220
I

851
01:06:49,220 --> 01:06:55,020
mean, it's like with the voles at the park. Max, I think, got hurt because his leg

852
01:06:55,020 --> 01:07:00,720
went into one of those holes. I've asked it to be addressed. Never. Never done.

853
01:07:02,860 --> 01:07:03,820
So I mean,

854
01:07:03,980 --> 01:07:08,500
I love our officers. I met many of them. I've dealt with them and they're good. I think

855
01:07:08,500 --> 01:07:14,900
we need this. Like I said, it's going to impact me a lot. I'm on Social Security. It's going

856
01:07:14,900 --> 01:07:20,100
to be tough. Me and Melissa Tark, I think it was at the convention about this. And

857
01:07:20,100 --> 01:07:27,140
And I understand, it's just, but it gets me, people say, well, bring in more businesses.

858
01:07:27,780 --> 01:07:31,980
Every time a big business wants to come in here, what do you get?

859
01:07:32,240 --> 01:07:33,980
You can't bring that in here.

860
01:07:34,560 --> 01:07:37,780
How is it going to use too much water, too much electricity, this and that?

861
01:07:38,280 --> 01:07:39,440
It just drives me crazy.

862
01:07:39,660 --> 01:07:39,860
Thirty seconds remaining.

863
01:07:43,120 --> 01:07:48,860
So like I said, how many people here would vote for a rec center even if it was 300%?

864
01:07:48,860 --> 01:07:55,830
So I hope you pass this get us some officers out there to help us out. Thank you

865
01:08:00,560 --> 01:08:01,640
Denver Doral.

866
01:08:14,520 --> 01:08:15,980
I didn't come up here prepared

867
01:08:18,420 --> 01:08:21,980
Life liberty and pursuit of happiness the American dream

868
01:08:23,000 --> 01:08:24,580
That's what I've always wanted

869
01:08:25,380 --> 01:08:30,840
Eagle Mountain was the first place. I was able to actually achieve that

870
01:08:31,880 --> 01:08:35,200
And I'm gonna tell you right now. I'm I'm stressed out panic

871
01:08:35,200 --> 01:08:38,540
because that American dream is about to turn into a nightmare.

872
01:08:40,480 --> 01:08:44,040
I'm in a single income household.

873
01:08:45,300 --> 01:08:51,000
Yeah, I make good money, but, you know, I got everything else going on.

874
01:08:51,780 --> 01:08:57,900
I don't think anybody here would argue setting money aside for the Sheriff's Department first responders

875
01:08:58,580 --> 01:09:03,100
because, you know, my family alone has benefited so much from them.

876
01:09:03,820 --> 01:09:08,540
You know, with my four-year-old daughter who has more flight hours in a life flight than

877
01:09:08,540 --> 01:09:09,220
the pilot himself.

878
01:09:11,360 --> 01:09:18,300
My son, who was shot in his neck, you know, right before Christmas, one of the sheriff's

879
01:09:18,300 --> 01:09:23,040
deputies stuck her finger in my son's neck to keep him from bleeding out.

880
01:09:24,340 --> 01:09:30,660
We ain't got no problem with setting money aside for the sheriff's department or first

881
01:09:30,660 --> 01:09:31,020
responders.

882
01:09:34,170 --> 01:09:39,370
You know, coming at us, you know, hey, we're going to increase taxes 5, 10, 15 percent.

883
01:09:40,430 --> 01:09:42,650
You know, we can understand that.

884
01:09:45,000 --> 01:09:49,480
But 220 percent, I'm living off of credit cards.

885
01:09:51,220 --> 01:09:53,320
I'm sure there's a lot of other families that are doing the same.

886
01:09:54,060 --> 01:09:57,280
Fixed incomes, single income household.

887
01:09:58,700 --> 01:09:59,820
This is going to break me.

888
01:10:01,300 --> 01:10:02,540
I won't be able to afford it.

889
01:10:06,070 --> 01:10:11,090
And we ended up getting kicked out of America Homes for Rent because of the incident with

890
01:10:11,090 --> 01:10:14,870
my son, even though we had no idea, you know, we couldn't prevent that.

891
01:10:16,250 --> 01:10:18,370
That was an incident that came from a whole other town.

892
01:10:22,270 --> 01:10:27,190
Yeah, we got kicked out and by the grace of God, he gave us our own home to move

893
01:10:27,190 --> 01:10:27,410
into.

894
01:10:28,770 --> 01:10:32,730
But now that's about to be taken away, and I ain't got nowhere else to go.

895
01:10:32,730 --> 01:10:42,180
So I hope that y'all don't have your minds already set up on approving this because it's

896
01:10:42,180 --> 01:10:47,040
going to put not only me and my family, but I'm sure a lot of other families out 30 seconds

897
01:10:47,040 --> 01:10:49,960
remaining. Thank you all for listening.

898
01:10:53,410 --> 01:10:55,470
Mark Cookston Cookston.

899
01:11:05,220 --> 01:11:06,800
Good evening and thank

900
01:11:06,800 --> 01:11:12,460
you city council and everybody that works for the city. This is I wouldn't want to

901
01:11:12,460 --> 01:11:19,500
be in your chair. It's going to be very, very difficult for you as it is for all of us.

902
01:11:20,640 --> 01:11:27,720
In 2018, I was in the hospital for five weeks and I fly to the University of Utah. I lost

903
01:11:27,720 --> 01:11:37,160
my pancreas and automatically became diabetic and automatically became tied to Utah. I

904
01:11:37,160 --> 01:11:44,800
was life-flighted down from Idaho and because of that we have to we have to

905
01:11:44,800 --> 01:11:54,600
live down here in or I should say we get to live down here in Utah. We chose Eagle

906
01:11:54,600 --> 01:12:01,440
Mountain because my wife and I grew up in small towns in Idaho and like the

907
01:12:01,440 --> 01:12:09,380
small town values. And we saw that in Eagle Mountain. We moved in, you know, five years

908
01:12:09,380 --> 01:12:16,700
ago this coming Thanksgiving. And we had just passed 40,000 people here. Now we're closing

909
01:12:16,700 --> 01:12:24,860
in on 80,000 people. We liked the vibe of the community. I will say that never in

910
01:12:24,860 --> 01:12:29,520
my lifetime did I ever think that I would ever be purchasing a home for half a million

911
01:12:29,520 --> 01:12:37,420
dollars, but coming from Idaho and coming to Utah was an eye-opening experience.

912
01:12:38,800 --> 01:12:41,080
We chose Ego Mountain because it was affordable.

913
01:12:42,000 --> 01:12:49,280
We were told by the previous mayor and then Councilman Gray that, oh, no, we won't have

914
01:12:49,280 --> 01:12:59,500
to raise taxes because we've got large companies that are going to be paying a large, or

915
01:12:59,500 --> 01:13:03,860
or footing a large part of the taxes down the road.

916
01:13:04,820 --> 01:13:07,480
Little did I know that down the road is 20 years

917
01:13:07,480 --> 01:13:09,000
long after I'll be dead.

918
01:13:10,120 --> 01:13:15,600
So that really, that argument was kind of a moot point for us.

919
01:13:16,940 --> 01:13:18,340
I'm on Social Security.

920
01:13:19,320 --> 01:13:22,820
Last year I got a raise of $27 a month.

921
01:13:23,720 --> 01:13:27,660
My God, I thought the rainbow had fallen upon my house.

922
01:13:27,660 --> 01:13:28,740
Then,

923
01:13:31,980 --> 01:13:39,060
the county of Utah raised my taxes $250 last year, and that was all gone.

924
01:13:40,400 --> 01:13:44,220
This year we've got this one that is proposed.

925
01:13:44,860 --> 01:13:45,920
It's going to be wiped out.

926
01:13:47,140 --> 01:13:50,420
Whatever increase that I get is going to be wiped out.

927
01:13:52,330 --> 01:13:53,670
What am I supposed to do?

928
01:13:54,950 --> 01:13:56,250
Where am I supposed to go?

929
01:13:56,570 --> 01:13:58,950
This was the most affordable place for us to live.

930
01:13:58,950 --> 01:14:05,990
I'm here health reasons guys. Where am I supposed to go? What am I supposed to

931
01:14:05,990 --> 01:14:09,590
tighten my belt I was told. Your time is up. Thank you.

932
01:14:19,300 --> 01:14:20,200
Tracy Peretta.

933
01:14:31,040 --> 01:14:31,320
Alrighty.

934
01:14:38,500 --> 01:14:41,780
This isn't my first meeting. You all know we've come to these

935
01:14:41,780 --> 01:14:45,340
meetings and there's been literally nobody here. It's an absolute ghost town.

936
01:14:46,080 --> 01:14:52,160
Okay. You guys all fit in this city hall perfectly. You don't need this one

937
01:14:52,160 --> 01:14:58,480
time you go to race taxes and we get people in here for a meeting. You are fine in the

938
01:14:58,480 --> 01:14:59,920
building you're in. You don't need to build

939
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:12,520
It's the new, what do you call it? It's the new base camp. On the city page you did back

940
01:15:12,520 --> 01:15:17,340
in March of 25, you put up all these plans of everything you guys want to build and spend

941
01:15:17,340 --> 01:15:21,340
money on. I don't know where you're getting this money, but it shouldn't be from taxes

942
01:15:21,340 --> 01:15:30,460
because I came here and I sat right over there in a meeting and I opposed the new

943
01:15:30,460 --> 01:15:35,120
Melissa personally and Jared both told me afterward oh this is such a great

944
01:15:35,120 --> 01:15:39,380
thing the reason we're passing this is because our taxes are going to go down

945
01:15:39,380 --> 01:15:43,280
they're going to be so low with all the revenue we're going to get from the data

946
01:15:43,280 --> 01:15:48,440
centers coming in that your taxes are going to go to almost zero explain that

947
01:15:48,440 --> 01:15:52,040
to me personally Melissa because I will spend the rest of my time getting

948
01:15:52,040 --> 01:15:57,500
you out of office because you lied to me same for Jared if our taxes don't

949
01:15:57,500 --> 01:16:02,660
go down to almost zero. Why are you raising them so high? We don't need a rec center.

950
01:16:03,400 --> 01:16:08,280
The last thing you need to do is when money is tight, is say, oh, I need to add on to

951
01:16:08,280 --> 01:16:14,920
my house because I get a big group of people at Christmas. It's not logical. You've got

952
01:16:14,920 --> 01:16:20,660
to spend your money wisely. When everybody here is tightening their budgets, you guys

953
01:16:20,660 --> 01:16:26,980
are building new Eagle Mountain City signs, because the rocks were deteriorating. You know,

954
01:16:27,060 --> 01:16:31,840
I left one weekend, came back and I noticed you put up new street signs. What was that

955
01:16:31,840 --> 01:16:38,300
price? Your new street signs that you put up were a total of, I mean, the Eagle Mountain

956
01:16:38,300 --> 01:16:45,800
City sign out there at Cory B. Ride, that was probably a $200,000 project or more.

957
01:16:45,800 --> 01:16:54,060
more. You put in a new set of signs that were on the page. It says that they were way-finding

958
01:16:54,060 --> 01:17:00,640
sign project to have Eagle Mountain and make it more cohesive with their signage, and that

959
01:17:00,640 --> 01:17:05,460
was $50,000. If you tighten your budget everywhere like

960
01:17:05,460 --> 01:17:11,280
every single other family has to, you could make up the money you need for the police

961
01:17:11,280 --> 01:17:11,960
in the fire department.

962
01:17:12,260 --> 01:17:12,580
30 seconds remaining.

963
01:17:13,640 --> 01:17:18,640
You don't need to take our taxes and raise them for something that is just frivolous.

964
01:17:19,100 --> 01:17:20,180
We don't need a rec center.

965
01:17:20,560 --> 01:17:27,200
We don't need a new town, city hall, tighten your budget and figure it out because I was

966
01:17:27,200 --> 01:17:30,320
told that taxes are going to go down with all the new data centers.

967
01:17:31,020 --> 01:17:32,380
And that's not what you're doing.

968
01:17:33,780 --> 01:17:34,360
Thank you.

969
01:17:38,070 --> 01:17:39,030
Steve Peritta.

970
01:17:48,060 --> 01:17:48,280
Hi.

971
01:17:49,320 --> 01:17:50,340
Thanks for hearing me.

972
01:17:52,060 --> 01:17:56,340
My wife just got us speaking about the data centers, I'm going to speak about them too.

973
01:17:56,820 --> 01:17:59,080
We spoke about them about a year ago.

974
01:17:59,900 --> 01:18:02,760
We took the math of what the tax revenue was going to be.

975
01:18:02,880 --> 01:18:06,760
We divided it by the number of households in Eagle Mountain and we came up with about

976
01:18:07,240 --> 01:18:11,600
50 bucks a month towards each household throughout the city of Eagle Mountain.

977
01:18:12,280 --> 01:18:15,280
So 50 bucks a month is 600 bucks a year.

978
01:18:15,280 --> 01:18:23,080
Now you're proposing a 220% increase that, by your own documentation, says around $314

979
01:18:23,800 --> 01:18:25,420
a year increase.

980
01:18:25,780 --> 01:18:35,260
So we have a $900-plus differentiation in what your word was a year ago because, well,

981
01:18:35,420 --> 01:18:37,920
oh, we need to allow the data centers.

982
01:18:38,520 --> 01:18:41,580
The data centers are good because they're going to bring all this tax revenue in, and

983
01:18:41,580 --> 01:18:42,840
it's going to reduce your taxes.

984
01:18:42,840 --> 01:18:47,440
A year later, we're $900 the other direction.

985
01:18:48,860 --> 01:18:53,780
I'd love to see somebody's math on that as to how that math got screwed up.

986
01:18:55,160 --> 01:19:01,640
So unless you guys fix this, I mean this was prior to the Mayoral race, all of these people are,

987
01:19:02,200 --> 01:19:05,840
the vast majority of these people, I won't say all, are pretty unhappy.

988
01:19:05,840 --> 01:19:13,420
So when unhappy people go to the voting booths, all of you get to go find new jobs, okay?

989
01:19:15,900 --> 01:19:16,420
If

990
01:19:20,520 --> 01:19:28,780
my home budget was short, the first thing I do as a conservative is I figure out how to reduce my spending.

991
01:19:29,780 --> 01:19:32,560
I don't just go figure out where I can get more money.

992
01:19:33,800 --> 01:19:35,660
There's also been talk of no transparency.

993
01:19:36,380 --> 01:19:38,660
You guys are not giving us all of the information.

994
01:19:38,660 --> 01:19:44,040
Nope, just trust us, but then your stories are changing, so how can we trust you?

995
01:19:45,680 --> 01:19:46,980
That doesn't work.

996
01:19:47,280 --> 01:19:48,160
Inconsistent statements.

997
01:19:48,660 --> 01:19:49,740
We need the itemized budget.

998
01:19:50,560 --> 01:19:54,080
We need to quit spending money like drunken sailors on a port call, okay?

999
01:19:55,400 --> 01:19:57,700
Running out and, you know, buying signs.

1000
01:19:59,120 --> 01:20:00,620
Oh, let's get a rec center.

1001
01:20:01,000 --> 01:20:02,680
Let's build a new city hall.

1002
01:20:03,380 --> 01:20:04,000
What's wrong with this one?

1003
01:20:07,160 --> 01:20:07,680
Instead

1004
01:20:10,110 --> 01:20:16,230
of looking at the entire budget and making educated informed decisions, you guys

1005
01:20:16,230 --> 01:20:17,270
are taking the easy way out.

1006
01:20:18,070 --> 01:20:19,070
That's the bottom line.

1007
01:20:19,610 --> 01:20:21,170
Where's the easy money we can get?

1008
01:20:22,270 --> 01:20:27,430
All we have to do is increase our property taxes by 220 percent, and we can cover all these

1009
01:20:27,430 --> 01:20:28,690
other expenses we want to do.

1010
01:20:29,970 --> 01:20:31,770
You're elected to make hard decisions.

1011
01:20:33,370 --> 01:20:34,730
Make those hard decisions.

1012
01:20:37,220 --> 01:20:37,740
Thank you.

1013
01:20:40,060 --> 01:20:41,000
Charlotte Ducos?

1014
01:20:46,450 --> 01:20:54,930
Charlotte Ducos. I'm going to join Jeff and Matt in making some comments

1015
01:20:54,930 --> 01:20:58,710
that are maybe a little bit different. I've lived here for 26 years. I've been involved

1016
01:20:58,710 --> 01:21:06,570
in the city for the majority of that time, if not all of it. And over, for the last

1017
01:21:06,570 --> 01:21:12,370
over a year, I've attended almost all City Council meetings, missed a couple, for other

1018
01:21:12,370 --> 01:21:12,690
things.

1019
01:21:14,210 --> 01:21:20,170
And in attending those meetings, there's a lot of the questions that are being presented

1020
01:21:20,170 --> 01:21:23,430
here tonight that have been answered, and I want to acknowledge that.

1021
01:21:24,290 --> 01:21:32,350
The budget is online, line item in a 200-page document, and so that is available.

1022
01:21:32,770 --> 01:21:35,510
All of these projects, everything that we're talking about tonight has been talked

1023
01:21:35,510 --> 01:21:39,590
about in city meetings and so I want to thank you for actually having those

1024
01:21:39,590 --> 01:21:42,170
discussions in public meetings for those that were there.

1025
01:21:44,450 --> 01:21:45,590
Eagle Mountain has

1026
01:21:45,590 --> 01:21:49,770
run lean since its beginning. We have employees doing the job of two to three

1027
01:21:49,770 --> 01:21:54,550
people probably more in some cases. We have offices renting space all over the

1028
01:21:54,550 --> 01:21:58,530
city because they don't fit in this one. We have projects that we have funded

1029
01:21:58,530 --> 01:22:02,850
but don't have personnel to complete and so they stay undone. We have

1030
01:22:02,850 --> 01:22:08,130
complaints all over the city of things that are not maintained, things that have been

1031
01:22:08,130 --> 01:22:14,590
promised but have not been done, and we don't have the personnel to complete it because we

1032
01:22:14,590 --> 01:22:20,630
don't have the money to pay them. And we have waited too long to address these shortfalls.

1033
01:22:20,950 --> 01:22:28,490
They should have been addressed years ago in a graduated manner a little bit at a time,

1034
01:22:28,490 --> 01:22:33,430
But that did not happen and we can't keep kicking the can down the road at some point

1035
01:22:33,430 --> 01:22:37,690
Something has to be done and I applaud you for taking the time to do that now

1036
01:22:38,850 --> 01:22:44,750
That having been said and I do think the communication could probably have improved

1037
01:22:44,750 --> 01:22:47,790
I think most of you agree with that now as well

1038
01:22:49,150 --> 01:22:51,550
and I do think that a more

1039
01:22:52,590 --> 01:22:56,270
Moderate approach would be good. It's not too late to do that

1040
01:22:56,270 --> 01:23:01,110
And I think a smaller percentage might be good. I don't think it's going to be a percentage that most people like

1041
01:23:01,110 --> 01:23:07,130
I still think it needs to be a significant one, but maybe not 220 we would go from being

1042
01:23:07,130 --> 01:23:08,570
one of the

1043
01:23:09,110 --> 01:23:10,270
lowest tax rates

1044
01:23:10,890 --> 01:23:17,510
In the area to the third highest and I think that maybe something a little more moderate would be a good way to start

1045
01:23:17,510 --> 01:23:19,550
And maybe decrease that amount a little bit

1046
01:23:21,170 --> 01:23:25,830
I also would encourage you to put a policy in place that I do not believe is existing

1047
01:23:25,830 --> 01:23:32,490
right now where we review this yearly or every other year and do graduated increases as they

1048
01:23:32,490 --> 01:23:32,930
are needed.

1049
01:23:33,090 --> 01:23:39,670
We need to stop being afraid to balance our budget on a yearly basis so that these big

1050
01:23:39,670 --> 01:23:42,810
jumps don't have to happen and that is the conclusion of my comments.

1051
01:23:42,950 --> 01:23:43,910
Thank you so much for your service.

1052
01:23:46,560 --> 01:23:48,800
Michael Valentini Hello.

1053
01:23:54,750 --> 01:24:00,430
So my name is Michael Valentini and I moved out here almost two years ago to the date.

1054
01:24:01,250 --> 01:24:07,730
We moved out here because it gave us an opportunity that we didn't have in Lehigh for our children.

1055
01:24:08,670 --> 01:24:15,610
One thing that I'd like to say is that the data centers, my question for you is what

1056
01:24:15,610 --> 01:24:17,330
tax breaks did the data centers get?

1057
01:24:18,030 --> 01:24:22,970
So I've been a union member of local 140 plumbers and pipe fitters here in Utah for

1058
01:24:22,970 --> 01:24:23,890
29 years.

1059
01:24:23,890 --> 01:24:31,610
years. I work at the data centers. I've worked at Facebook and QTS since 2000. Okay. That's

1060
01:24:31,610 --> 01:24:39,150
my question. QTS has three buildings going on now. A fourth is being built now. The fifth

1061
01:24:39,150 --> 01:24:44,930
is coming from what I understand there will be six additional buildings at QTS. Facebook

1062
01:24:44,930 --> 01:24:52,790
has five buildings now, the three ECO, or the three original buildings, two additional

1063
01:24:52,790 --> 01:24:57,190
buildings that went in just previously and they are building two more buildings out there now.

1064
01:24:57,810 --> 01:25:05,210
So what tax breaks do they get? As more people come in building these, that brings revenue into

1065
01:25:05,850 --> 01:25:13,050
the economy. Am I wrong to say that there's 6,000, four to 6,000 construction workers between

1066
01:25:13,050 --> 01:25:17,910
Facebook and QTS building those facilities? They bring money into this community every day

1067
01:25:17,910 --> 01:25:21,370
at the gas stations, the grocery stores, everything.

1068
01:25:22,050 --> 01:25:26,490
So that generates money for this community, okay?

1069
01:25:26,670 --> 01:25:29,650
We do need to have police force out here,

1070
01:25:29,750 --> 01:25:30,550
the first responders.

1071
01:25:31,190 --> 01:25:32,370
Those are very important,

1072
01:25:32,530 --> 01:25:35,390
but we also need to be able to live.

1073
01:25:35,870 --> 01:25:37,870
There are a lot of communities that are being built in here

1074
01:25:37,870 --> 01:25:39,510
that have, what do they call them,

1075
01:25:39,570 --> 01:25:42,050
the ADUs, apartments in the basements.

1076
01:25:42,250 --> 01:25:44,930
So that shows that people that are buying these houses

1077
01:25:44,930 --> 01:25:50,470
is their supplementing income by having renters in their basements, okay?

1078
01:25:51,050 --> 01:25:55,050
What's the average income of Eagle Mountain, $78,000?

1079
01:25:55,470 --> 01:25:57,070
What's the average cost of a house?

1080
01:25:57,310 --> 01:26:00,110
What's the average cost of that house?

1081
01:26:00,470 --> 01:26:04,670
And then you want to increase our taxes by 220%.

1082
01:26:05,230 --> 01:26:12,010
So if we haven't had a tax increase on our property tax in 10 or 15 years,

1083
01:26:12,010 --> 01:26:19,230
Why wasn't this budgeted in at 5% 2% a year over the last 15 years?

1084
01:26:19,630 --> 01:26:21,290
That's kind of piss-poor planning

1085
01:26:22,770 --> 01:26:25,030
It really is sorry to say it

1086
01:26:25,030 --> 01:26:27,670
So I seconds remaining you got it

1087
01:26:27,670 --> 01:26:33,570
I work 60 70 hours a week not because I like to but because I try to provide for my family

1088
01:26:33,570 --> 01:26:39,930
So that we can have the house we live in the vehicles that we drive and take vacations put food on our table

1089
01:26:39,930 --> 01:26:45,950
When these property taxes go up and they're going to go up on residents and commercials commercials going to raise their tab

1090
01:26:45,950 --> 01:26:51,650
Their cost of living their prices at the grocery stores at the convenience stores everywhere

1091
01:26:51,650 --> 01:26:56,570
And it's going to affect everybody in this in this room not just 220%

1092
01:26:57,170 --> 01:26:59,050
Your time is up. Thank you

1093
01:27:00,810 --> 01:27:02,490
Elba Maria Perez

1094
01:27:09,390 --> 01:27:11,370
my name is Elba Maria Perez and

1095
01:27:12,870 --> 01:27:15,350
Pretty much everything that I was going to say is being said

1096
01:27:15,350 --> 01:27:17,490
So I don't want to repeat it.

1097
01:27:18,050 --> 01:27:27,150
The only thing that I have not heard is that I don't hope, but I pray that you guys really

1098
01:27:27,150 --> 01:27:28,850
listen to what is being said.

1099
01:27:30,390 --> 01:27:37,450
Each one of you really listen because people are suffering and you're chalking us by these

1100
01:27:37,450 --> 01:27:40,730
big increases in taxes.

1101
01:27:42,710 --> 01:27:47,070
I really pray that you will listen to what has been said this evening.

1102
01:27:48,630 --> 01:27:49,270
That's all.

1103
01:27:52,070 --> 01:27:52,990
Walter Peterson.

1104
01:28:00,080 --> 01:28:03,140
Good evening. I'm Walter Peterson. I've lived here for about three years.

1105
01:28:04,400 --> 01:28:07,200
And we just were able to buy a home here in Eagle Mountain,

1106
01:28:07,960 --> 01:28:09,400
which we're really excited about.

1107
01:28:09,640 --> 01:28:12,240
I'm a little less excited with the 200% increase.

1108
01:28:13,640 --> 01:28:16,560
And a lot of my thoughts have been said.

1109
01:28:17,420 --> 01:28:22,780
A more moderate view of this or increase would be appreciated here.

1110
01:28:23,160 --> 01:28:28,340
I'm also extraordinarily wary about the school district coming in next year as a teacher.

1111
01:28:29,260 --> 01:28:32,820
That isn't anything that worries me with that, where I probably won't have a pay increase

1112
01:28:32,820 --> 01:28:34,680
for those few years where they're trying to get going.

1113
01:28:36,500 --> 01:28:44,420
And so having maybe a 100%, 130, I don't know, a smaller number increase would be

1114
01:28:44,420 --> 01:28:50,420
greatly appreciated if you do have time to make that change. I think that you've heard

1115
01:28:50,420 --> 01:28:55,500
that from the other people that have spoken this evening, but we appreciate what you do

1116
01:28:55,500 --> 01:28:59,040
and we hope that you listen tonight. Thank you.

1117
01:29:02,400 --> 01:29:03,140
Jacob Moore.

1118
01:29:18,140 --> 01:29:22,060
Thank you to the City Council and Mayor Graham. My name is Jacob Moore. I was not intending

1119
01:29:22,060 --> 01:29:26,920
to make a comment tonight and I initially strongly oppose this increase. However,

1120
01:29:26,920 --> 01:29:32,120
However, I recently received more clear information to the city's purpose and why the drastic

1121
01:29:32,120 --> 01:29:33,800
two hundred and twenty-one percent increase.

1122
01:29:34,780 --> 01:29:39,200
The state is planning on passing a law this next legislative session, limiting any city

1123
01:29:39,200 --> 01:29:40,740
to a five percent increase.

1124
01:29:41,240 --> 01:29:45,000
So Eagle Mountain City has to do it now or will be restricted by state policies.

1125
01:29:46,420 --> 01:29:51,280
Because Utah is revenue, not rate driven, the massive growth has not increased the

1126
01:29:51,280 --> 01:29:55,080
city's tax revenue because the rate is lowered to account for the growth, which

1127
01:29:55,080 --> 01:29:59,800
which keeps the revenue roughly the same. That's something that I've frequently heard

1128
01:29:59,800 --> 01:29:59,980
that

1129
01:30:00,020 --> 01:30:05,860
We've had so much growth, we should have more money. But that's apparently not the way it works here in Utah.

1130
01:30:07,460 --> 01:30:15,020
It's important to understand that the 221% increase applies only to the city's portion of your property tax bill, not your total property taxes.

1131
01:30:15,620 --> 01:30:23,860
For the average homeowner that translates, it's roughly a 12% increase in the overall property tax, not 221%.

1132
01:30:24,820 --> 01:30:28,840
The city wants the property tax increase, so our full sheriff's contract is paid for

1133
01:30:28,840 --> 01:30:33,260
by the property tax has been said multiple times tonight, not having to pull those millions

1134
01:30:33,260 --> 01:30:34,500
from the city's general fund.

1135
01:30:35,500 --> 01:30:40,320
I've been told that the funds freed up in the general fund would be used for infrastructure

1136
01:30:40,840 --> 01:30:42,540
and other public safety improvements.

1137
01:30:43,460 --> 01:30:48,560
If that's true, then the messaging from the city has not been as misleading or

1138
01:30:48,560 --> 01:30:50,100
dishonest as a lot of people are saying.

1139
01:30:51,340 --> 01:30:55,080
I believe it would go a long way if the City Council and Mayor would explain as much as

1140
01:30:55,080 --> 01:30:59,640
possible exactly what the freed up general fund money would be used for, as others have

1141
01:30:59,640 --> 01:31:00,060
requested.

1142
01:31:01,780 --> 01:31:05,640
I do believe it's unfortunate that the city's hand is being forced by the state legislature,

1143
01:31:05,640 --> 01:31:09,020
which wants to step into city policies and tell cities what they are and are not

1144
01:31:09,020 --> 01:31:10,360
allowed to do with their tax rates.

1145
01:31:12,880 --> 01:31:16,900
I'm not opposed anymore, but I believe a smaller increase, as many others have

1146
01:31:16,900 --> 01:31:19,840
said, is a better solution than the proposed increase.

1147
01:31:23,900 --> 01:31:28,960
and I did want to add that I encourage Eagle Mountain citizens to ask the state

1148
01:31:28,960 --> 01:31:34,820
legislature to change the property tax to a rate-driven system so as the

1149
01:31:34,820 --> 01:31:39,340
population increases our revenue does as well. Instead of the current system it

1150
01:31:39,340 --> 01:31:43,880
is forcing the city council's hand to increase our taxes to increase the

1151
01:31:43,880 --> 01:31:52,720
revenue and then I do also believe that it's there's been unintentional confusion

1152
01:31:53,180 --> 01:31:57,620
30 seconds remaining and it's not the same as distant dishonesty as many are

1153
01:31:57,620 --> 01:32:02,720
claiming tonight I feel like a lot of emotions are clouding judgment want to

1154
01:32:02,720 --> 01:32:06,020
thank you for all you do I can't imagine being in your shoes and I'm glad

1155
01:32:06,020 --> 01:32:09,600
I'm not have a great night we

1156
01:32:12,000 --> 01:32:14,900
do have a form filled out by Garrett Hotter who

1157
01:32:14,900 --> 01:32:18,160
does not want to make a verbal comment but did note down I want to echo what

1158
01:32:18,160 --> 01:32:22,520
Charlotte Dukow said. And then our next one is Jason Rasmussen.

1159
01:32:32,840 --> 01:32:33,660
Good afternoon

1160
01:32:33,660 --> 01:32:38,140
Jason Rasmussen. I've been a resident here for three years. First of all I want

1161
01:32:38,140 --> 01:32:44,260
to thank all of you for the efforts that you make and I want to thank our

1162
01:32:45,400 --> 01:32:50,680
public first responders for all the things that they do to keep our city

1163
01:32:50,680 --> 01:32:59,220
safe. I think a lot of the frustration that we're hearing is essentially what you did

1164
01:32:59,220 --> 01:33:05,320
is you held up a marble that said public safety and you put it under a cup and then you had

1165
01:33:05,320 --> 01:33:11,480
three other cups. You flipped them around, you pulled up the cups and what you revealed

1166
01:33:11,480 --> 01:33:18,520
was a card that said 210% tax increase. And so we're a little bit confused how this

1167
01:33:18,520 --> 01:33:24,900
Public safety marble is replaced with a 210% or 220% tax increase.

1168
01:33:25,640 --> 01:33:31,320
And I know that a lot of people have already expressed that we just need more transparency

1169
01:33:31,320 --> 01:33:35,220
about like how the monies would be spent.

1170
01:33:35,860 --> 01:33:39,160
We need more transparency about how money could be reclaimed.

1171
01:33:39,720 --> 01:33:46,600
We need more transparency about how money could be saved, how you can retrench in

1172
01:33:46,600 --> 01:33:46,840
ways.

1173
01:33:46,840 --> 01:33:52,300
So it's essentially just what can you do to kind of let us know how the money is going to be spent?

1174
01:33:52,760 --> 01:33:58,400
Are there other sources of revenue and how can you retrench in places that you can retrench?

1175
01:33:59,180 --> 01:34:01,700
And I would add just one additional item.

1176
01:34:02,520 --> 01:34:09,220
I know that a lot of the data centers that have been built in Eagle Mountain have been built with, you know,

1177
01:34:09,640 --> 01:34:14,700
tax breaks of up to $77 million, $150 million.

1178
01:34:14,700 --> 01:34:22,540
And that's a large percentage more than the $6 million revenue that you're trying to get.

1179
01:34:22,980 --> 01:34:29,600
And it seems in some ways like you gave a break to artificial intelligence at the expense

1180
01:34:29,600 --> 01:34:35,120
of all the human intelligences in this room and in our community.

1181
01:34:35,880 --> 01:34:36,600
So thank you.

1182
01:34:40,300 --> 01:34:41,140
Joy Rasmussen.

1183
01:34:49,640 --> 01:34:59,800
So in 2018, Facebook got tax breaks on their property taxes that was pretty hefty and some

1184
01:34:59,800 --> 01:35:01,520
of you were involved in that.

1185
01:35:01,900 --> 01:35:07,560
It was $150 million in property tax incentives that they are not paying for, what, 40 years.

1186
01:35:08,200 --> 01:35:12,120
So that's money the city could have been using all this time that you took away

1187
01:35:12,120 --> 01:35:12,480
from us.

1188
01:35:12,480 --> 01:35:20,480
And then 2021, more data centers were given 77 million in property tax incentives, again

1189
01:35:20,480 --> 01:35:26,240
for Metta. QTS is currently building more data centers that are for Metta and Google.

1190
01:35:26,800 --> 01:35:32,880
And they have also been given tax breaks on sales tax. So the city has made a choice.

1191
01:35:33,260 --> 01:35:39,900
Do we tax data centers to build AI to take our jobs and take our children's jobs and

1192
01:35:39,900 --> 01:35:44,780
and then tax the residents? Or do we not do that? And you have made those choices. Now

1193
01:35:44,780 --> 01:35:49,560
to say that you're paying the price for previous politicians, most of you have been here in

1194
01:35:49,560 --> 01:35:55,360
city politics for many years. You have voted last year's budget. You did not increase property

1195
01:35:55,360 --> 01:35:59,760
taxes but you added public safety officers and you bragged about it on your website.

1196
01:35:59,980 --> 01:36:03,280
I took the screenshot tonight. Somehow you managed to do it before but now you're

1197
01:36:03,280 --> 01:36:06,960
saying you can't anymore. I have done some research and guess what? When you add

1198
01:36:06,960 --> 01:36:10,840
data centers to your city, public infrastructure costs go up.

1199
01:36:11,520 --> 01:36:14,060
So somebody in this town, Alex Washburn,

1200
01:36:14,200 --> 01:36:15,980
has done a grammar request and asked

1201
01:36:15,980 --> 01:36:18,980
you guys for information about why you're doing this

1202
01:36:18,980 --> 01:36:21,460
and where you're spending the money and what capital projects

1203
01:36:21,460 --> 01:36:23,620
this is going to go towards, because that's what it's for.

1204
01:36:24,320 --> 01:36:27,000
And his request was denied, and you're

1205
01:36:27,000 --> 01:36:28,900
going to charge him a huge fee he can't afford.

1206
01:36:29,520 --> 01:36:31,720
And then you met with him and somehow got him

1207
01:36:31,720 --> 01:36:32,560
to think it was necessary.

1208
01:36:32,820 --> 01:36:35,200
But here's the thing, we have a lot more houses

1209
01:36:35,200 --> 01:36:36,420
in Eagle Mountain than we did before.

1210
01:36:36,420 --> 01:36:41,640
So even if the amount that you can charge per house has not increased the number of houses has increased

1211
01:36:41,640 --> 01:36:46,880
So you still have more revenue with the increase in citizens. This is absolutely to fund the data centers

1212
01:36:46,880 --> 01:36:50,460
There's an electrician in Eagle Mountain that has messaged me. He works at the data centers

1213
01:36:50,460 --> 01:36:54,580
He said that QTS wants to put 27 data centers in Eagle Mountain

1214
01:36:55,240 --> 01:36:57,140
there's already about seven approved and

1215
01:36:58,600 --> 01:37:01,060
That's he said if he lived here, he would be upset

1216
01:37:01,520 --> 01:37:05,380
He said he's not gonna stay because the energy cost and the water cost are gonna skyrocket

1217
01:37:05,380 --> 01:37:11,440
He doesn't understand why the residents are not upset the city has been trying to put nuclear reactors in the city for the data centers

1218
01:37:11,440 --> 01:37:13,740
All of you in this room need to know this and wake up

1219
01:37:13,740 --> 01:37:19,640
We need to fight this like Boxelder County because we are already paying the price these data centers are getting the break and we're getting

1220
01:37:20,060 --> 01:37:22,060
Dorked over 30 seconds remaining

1221
01:37:23,280 --> 01:37:25,680
People can't afford it. There's a lady. I know who messaged me

1222
01:37:25,680 --> 01:37:30,320
She is elderly her husband has dementia and Parkinson's they are on fixed incomes

1223
01:37:30,320 --> 01:37:34,500
And she said our house is paid for but we cannot afford this property tax increase

1224
01:37:34,500 --> 01:37:37,940
My husband is going to have to go into a care center for $5,000 a month.

1225
01:37:38,380 --> 01:37:42,180
This is going to bankrupt us. You need to think about those people and not do this.

1226
01:37:42,260 --> 01:37:46,880
This is totally inappropriate. There needs to be more time and more public disclosure about where this money is really going

1227
01:37:46,880 --> 01:37:51,480
and what infrastructure you're putting it towards, what capital projects, and listen to the people.

1228
01:37:52,560 --> 01:37:54,220
Your time is up. Thank you.

1229
01:37:56,100 --> 01:37:56,880
Michael Kerry.

1230
01:38:04,900 --> 01:38:06,620
Michael Kerry. I'm going to read this.

1231
01:38:07,180 --> 01:38:11,200
Mayor and members of the City Council, thank you for your service and for the opportunity

1232
01:38:11,200 --> 01:38:11,940
to speak tonight.

1233
01:38:12,620 --> 01:38:15,080
I want to begin by saying that I support public safety.

1234
01:38:15,420 --> 01:38:19,880
I believe our deputies and first responders deserve the resources they need to protect

1235
01:38:19,880 --> 01:38:20,860
our growing community.

1236
01:38:21,500 --> 01:38:25,840
As Eagle Mountain continues to grow, it is reasonable to expect that the cost of providing

1237
01:38:25,840 --> 01:38:27,500
those services will grow as well.

1238
01:38:28,400 --> 01:38:31,160
My concern is not whether we should invest in public safety.

1239
01:38:31,420 --> 01:38:35,420
My concern is the size of the proposed increase and whether residents have been given

1240
01:38:35,420 --> 01:38:36,640
on the complete financial picture.

1241
01:38:37,380 --> 01:38:39,500
The city's public information states that every dollar

1242
01:38:39,500 --> 01:38:41,820
of the proposed increase will go toward funding

1243
01:38:41,820 --> 01:38:44,260
the sheriff's contract and expanding public safety.

1244
01:38:44,540 --> 01:38:47,340
At the same time, the city's published materials

1245
01:38:47,340 --> 01:38:49,500
also discuss other financial pressures

1246
01:38:49,500 --> 01:38:52,480
facing Eagle Mountain, including rapid population growth,

1247
01:38:52,620 --> 01:38:54,640
inflation, increased road maintenance, parks,

1248
01:38:54,840 --> 01:38:57,200
infrastructure, and other essential city services.

1249
01:38:58,140 --> 01:39:00,320
If public safety is the immediate use

1250
01:39:00,320 --> 01:39:02,380
of these new tax dollars, I understand that.

1251
01:39:02,520 --> 01:39:04,840
But if broader budget pressures

1252
01:39:04,840 --> 01:39:09,640
measures are also contributing to the need for this increase, I believe residents deserve

1253
01:39:09,640 --> 01:39:14,400
a transparent discussion about those challenges as well. An informed public is better able

1254
01:39:14,400 --> 01:39:19,280
to support difficult decisions. I would also encourage the City Council to consider a phased

1255
01:39:19,280 --> 01:39:24,720
approach instead of implementing the full increase in a single year. A three to five

1256
01:39:24,720 --> 01:39:28,400
year graduated plan would still provide additional funding for public safety while

1257
01:39:28,400 --> 01:39:33,760
giving families time to adjust to higher property taxes during a period when many

1258
01:39:33,760 --> 01:39:39,760
Many are already experiencing rising costs in housing, insurance, groceries and utilities.

1259
01:39:40,680 --> 01:39:45,940
A three to five, sorry, a phased approach would also allow the city to measure results

1260
01:39:45,940 --> 01:39:46,520
along the way.

1261
01:39:46,960 --> 01:39:51,520
Before each phase, the City Council could publicly report measurable outcomes such

1262
01:39:51,520 --> 01:39:57,100
as improvements in emergency response times, changes in deputy workload and staffing ratios,

1263
01:39:57,560 --> 01:40:01,880
growth in calls for service, progress toward clearly defined public safety goals,

1264
01:40:01,880 --> 01:40:07,400
whether growth-related revenues or operational efficiencies have reduced the need for future

1265
01:40:07,400 --> 01:40:08,340
tax increases.

1266
01:40:09,140 --> 01:40:14,040
I would also respectfully ask the Council to explain why seven additional deputies represent

1267
01:40:14,040 --> 01:40:18,500
the appropriate staffing level and what objective analysis supports that recommendation.

1268
01:40:19,040 --> 01:40:22,500
Understanding the data behind the proposal will help public confidence.

1269
01:40:22,880 --> 01:40:28,300
Finally, I encourage the Council to continue exploring every available option to reduce

1270
01:40:28,300 --> 01:40:34,400
the burden on taxpayers, including efficiencies within city operations, careful prioritization

1271
01:40:34,400 --> 01:40:39,880
of spending, and identifying growth-related revenue sources before asking residents to

1272
01:40:39,880 --> 01:40:42,280
absorb significant increases in property taxes.

1273
01:40:42,840 --> 01:40:47,100
I believe Eagle Mountain residents are willing to invest in their community when they understand

1274
01:40:47,100 --> 01:40:48,640
the need and have confidence in the plan.

1275
01:40:48,800 --> 01:40:52,920
Transparent, measurable, and great gradual approach can strengthen that trust while

1276
01:40:52,920 --> 01:40:55,980
still meeting city's responsibilities, keep our community safe.

1277
01:40:55,980 --> 01:40:59,240
Thank you for your time and service and for your consideration

1278
01:41:01,850 --> 01:41:02,670
Camille Gardner.

1279
01:41:09,000 --> 01:41:12,180
I don't see Camille. I'll add her paper to the

1280
01:41:12,900 --> 01:41:13,380
record

1281
01:41:14,200 --> 01:41:18,840
Please remember you represent those who elected you. We don't need additional police nor all the other projects

1282
01:41:18,840 --> 01:41:23,520
Do you think we do we want economy at the city like Stuart Adams?

1283
01:41:23,700 --> 01:41:28,960
We will vote you out if you vote for this increase. Additionally, we don't need ranches Parkway

1284
01:41:28,960 --> 01:41:31,420
Why didn't we need a right hand turn lane?

1285
01:41:34,480 --> 01:41:36,200
from KB Bergensen?

1286
01:41:45,550 --> 01:41:47,450
Good evening, KB Bergensen.

1287
01:41:47,590 --> 01:41:48,910
I've lived here about three years.

1288
01:41:49,790 --> 01:41:51,790
Before that, I lived in California in Washington,

1289
01:41:51,790 --> 01:41:54,410
and I moved here to get away from those places,

1290
01:41:54,410 --> 01:41:56,390
so I was glad to be here.

1291
01:41:57,010 --> 01:42:00,590
But I am a seven-year Army veteran,

1292
01:42:00,850 --> 01:42:03,850
and I also retired from law enforcement.

1293
01:42:04,270 --> 01:42:05,470
I worked for a sheriff's office.

1294
01:42:06,230 --> 01:42:07,630
So I have deep respect,

1295
01:42:08,130 --> 01:42:11,150
and I'm grateful for the services they do provide us.

1296
01:42:11,950 --> 01:42:16,510
And I'm grateful, you know, for their service and what they, you know, do for us.

1297
01:42:17,310 --> 01:42:22,530
I'm 75 years old and I live with my daughter and her family.

1298
01:42:23,050 --> 01:42:28,410
And I came here to join with them so we could be on a budget and survive the economy.

1299
01:42:28,590 --> 01:42:29,950
I'm on a fixed budget. I'm retired.

1300
01:42:31,610 --> 01:42:37,610
With that in mind, I don't think that we need a 220% increase in property tax

1301
01:42:39,310 --> 01:42:41,990
to support law enforcement and what they're doing.

1302
01:42:43,610 --> 01:42:47,510
I emailed all of you, you know, asking you about this,

1303
01:42:48,050 --> 01:42:50,830
and I did receive one response from Craig,

1304
01:42:50,950 --> 01:42:52,010
and I appreciate that.

1305
01:42:52,290 --> 01:42:53,550
I thought it was very insightful.

1306
01:42:54,650 --> 01:42:55,870
I quote, he said,

1307
01:42:56,050 --> 01:42:57,230
also I don't think we need,

1308
01:42:57,390 --> 01:43:01,110
we need that we'll end up needing a 220% increase.

1309
01:43:01,290 --> 01:43:03,430
In the past few weeks, we've been diving into the numbers,

1310
01:43:03,530 --> 01:43:05,290
and I think the city can get by with a smaller

1311
01:43:05,290 --> 01:43:10,850
than a number than 220%. I'm not sure what number. It will still be a large increase,

1312
01:43:10,950 --> 01:43:16,130
but not 220%. A few comments I'll give you since I've been on the council for three and a half

1313
01:43:16,130 --> 01:43:22,650
years. We anticipate, next year we anticipate revenue, that revenue, that data center revenues

1314
01:43:22,650 --> 01:43:27,030
will take a jump. We needed an increase to help with additional needs. He said the next year

1315
01:43:27,030 --> 01:43:31,570
doesn't bring enough data center revenue. I'm sure three and four years we'll see that

1316
01:43:31,570 --> 01:43:35,550
money coming in further. We should have Smith's development online by then as well, and I think

1317
01:43:35,550 --> 01:43:37,830
there's a realistic possibility to visit that increase.

1318
01:43:39,150 --> 01:43:43,890
I think if that's a case, if that's in mind, we should take a measured approach to any

1319
01:43:43,890 --> 01:43:47,910
increase right now. There's other things that can be done for law enforcement too.

1320
01:43:48,230 --> 01:43:52,450
I know that there's other places I've been, they've had a citizens patrol where they

1321
01:43:52,450 --> 01:43:57,690
have seniors volunteer to take a workload off of deputies that can be done and

1322
01:43:57,690 --> 01:44:00,550
maybe that can be looked into. And there's a lot of other things that can be done

1323
01:44:00,550 --> 01:44:05,410
looked into to help with law enforcement without, you know, budgeting huge amounts of money.

1324
01:44:06,450 --> 01:44:11,310
I'm on a fixed balance budget and I think that the city should also be on a fixed balance

1325
01:44:11,310 --> 01:44:17,070
budget. You need to take the funds that you make and use them wisely and determine what

1326
01:44:17,070 --> 01:44:21,390
takes priority and spend that money according to those priorities and other things should

1327
01:44:21,390 --> 01:44:25,650
not be done until the money comes in and it can be spent accordingly. Thank you

1328
01:44:25,650 --> 01:44:26,090
very much.

1329
01:44:38,070 --> 01:44:43,470
I'm going to make this really simple. I think we've been here long enough and everyone has

1330
01:44:43,470 --> 01:44:49,830
said a lot, but I have a question. The other day I just happened to hear that the Federal

1331
01:44:49,830 --> 01:44:57,530
Government Office of Management and Budget provides grants to cities. A grant is free

1332
01:44:57,530 --> 01:44:59,690
money I mean it's not free it's our

1333
01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:06,560
Tax dollars to the federal government. They will provide grants to cities to upgrade public

1334
01:45:06,560 --> 01:45:12,720
safety, police departments, this type of thing. I wasn't aware of this. I don't know if you

1335
01:45:13,270 --> 01:45:22,020
folks are aware or not. If you're not, it bears looking into. If you have, great. I don't

1336
01:45:22,020 --> 01:45:28,720
know the process for applying for a grant. I do know the available. My daughter gets

1337
01:45:28,720 --> 01:45:33,200
them all the time from the federal government for disadvantaged children in the school systems.

1338
01:45:34,940 --> 01:45:39,000
So just point of interest. Anyway, good to see you. Good to see you all. Thank you, Bertman.

1339
01:45:44,040 --> 01:45:45,140
Shedrick de Chermont.

1340
01:45:48,250 --> 01:45:51,030
Feel free to correct me if I'm not close. Yeah,

1341
01:45:54,100 --> 01:45:54,560
for the record,

1342
01:45:54,760 --> 01:45:59,080
Shedrick de Chermont. I was going to write this with the help of AI, but the Wi-Fi

1343
01:45:59,080 --> 01:46:02,860
wouldn't connect, and I thought maybe it's a little too ironic to not just speak from

1344
01:46:02,860 --> 01:46:08,220
my heart. So my wife and I moved to Eagle Mountain a little over three years ago due

1345
01:46:08,220 --> 01:46:13,480
to the prospect of affordable living, safety, well-planned growth strategy, and to raise

1346
01:46:13,480 --> 01:46:18,800
our own family. I've worked and lived all across this country. This is the first home

1347
01:46:18,800 --> 01:46:23,680
I've ever bought, and I'm proud of it. As a young family, our budget is tight and

1348
01:46:23,680 --> 01:46:27,900
our options are weighed when we spend our hard earned money. We want to start a family

1349
01:46:27,900 --> 01:46:33,640
money, and often deliberate how. I won't explain what it is you're doing in economic

1350
01:46:33,640 --> 01:46:38,080
principles. Plenty of us have already done that already, and frankly, you should already

1351
01:46:38,080 --> 01:46:44,240
know. Taxes and costs often go up and rarely go down. I worry that you already know that

1352
01:46:44,240 --> 01:46:50,180
too. The proposed tax increase, or upon its original inception, does not even begin

1353
01:46:50,180 --> 01:46:54,480
to address concerns regarding the following. Future impacts due to the new school district,

1354
01:46:54,480 --> 01:46:55,560
and my wife is a teacher.

1355
01:46:56,280 --> 01:46:57,920
Current shortfalls in infrastructure

1356
01:46:57,920 --> 01:47:00,060
and future growth of infrastructure needs.

1357
01:47:00,900 --> 01:47:03,000
The irony in the truth in transparency

1358
01:47:03,000 --> 01:47:06,360
is that as taxpayers we are seeing a limited view

1359
01:47:06,360 --> 01:47:08,300
into the current stewardship of the use

1360
01:47:08,300 --> 01:47:09,660
of our current tax revenue.

1361
01:47:10,260 --> 01:47:11,940
If you are a poor steward now,

1362
01:47:12,120 --> 01:47:14,080
you will be a worse steward with more.

1363
01:47:15,260 --> 01:47:16,660
But as a general populace,

1364
01:47:16,880 --> 01:47:18,820
we cannot contend with what we do not know

1365
01:47:18,820 --> 01:47:21,140
and what you are failing to accurately disclose.

1366
01:47:21,440 --> 01:47:22,840
We as citizens can't keep up

1367
01:47:22,840 --> 01:47:26,820
with all of the wavering of priorities and promises being potentially broken,

1368
01:47:27,340 --> 01:47:30,740
we can nonetheless see that you are ostensibly lying.

1369
01:47:31,920 --> 01:47:35,680
Are all of the developers, outside contractors, and multi-billion dollar

1370
01:47:35,680 --> 01:47:39,180
industries that operate and profit off of our city paying their fair share?

1371
01:47:39,840 --> 01:47:44,180
We all know the answer. You want to hold our feet to the fire but won't stand against them?

1372
01:47:44,580 --> 01:47:48,440
Can you account for the impact of this proposed tax increase in terms of

1373
01:47:48,440 --> 01:47:54,460
hungry mouths, missed payments, and ultimately families no longer being able to call Eagle Mountain their home.

1374
01:47:55,000 --> 01:47:55,840
I don't think you can.

1375
01:47:56,840 --> 01:48:01,200
You can't share the budget you have, and you can't show the forecast for the projects you want.

1376
01:48:01,660 --> 01:48:06,060
A lot of people blame young kids for the hood rat behavior and damage we see growing around here.

1377
01:48:06,460 --> 01:48:07,320
I blame parenting.

1378
01:48:07,840 --> 01:48:12,800
Can we account for the lack of parental guidance as a result of them having to work harder to pay for this fund?

1379
01:48:13,720 --> 01:48:15,560
Are we operating in a banana republic?

1380
01:48:15,560 --> 01:48:20,500
I and others helped elect you in those chairs on the principles of family values, economic

1381
01:48:20,500 --> 01:48:22,380
frugality, and fiscal conservatism.

1382
01:48:22,820 --> 01:48:23,560
Is this tyranny?

1383
01:48:24,020 --> 01:48:26,420
We have enough of that going on in our country and in our world.

1384
01:48:26,900 --> 01:48:28,800
This city council should reject those sins.

1385
01:48:29,740 --> 01:48:33,560
I would request that you consider a motion to defer this vote until you can better communicate

1386
01:48:33,560 --> 01:48:38,500
your past decisions, future intents, and your clearly stated budget objectives to

1387
01:48:38,500 --> 01:48:41,720
the community that deserves to hear a transparent truth of the situation.

1388
01:48:42,540 --> 01:48:42,980
Thank you.

1389
01:48:45,830 --> 01:48:46,670
Isaac Gardner.

1390
01:48:51,360 --> 01:48:54,780
He did provide a written comment in opposition to the tax increase. We will

1391
01:48:54,780 --> 01:48:58,700
add it to the record. Daniel Lamb. Lob.

1392
01:49:03,760 --> 01:49:05,340
Phil Fee to correct me if I'm incorrect.

1393
01:49:05,700 --> 01:49:13,860
For some reason, it's always Lamb. It's Lob. Anyway, thank you for having this opportunity

1394
01:49:14,300 --> 01:49:19,040
for us to speak. I'm here not because I want to be like a lot of other people. We

1395
01:49:19,040 --> 01:49:20,540
We have a lot of other things we want to be doing,

1396
01:49:21,240 --> 01:49:23,000
but we're so against this increase,

1397
01:49:23,280 --> 01:49:23,960
that's why we're here.

1398
01:49:24,600 --> 01:49:26,780
We don't feel that we can afford this.

1399
01:49:28,360 --> 01:49:29,400
Transparency has been discussed.

1400
01:49:29,640 --> 01:49:31,360
Like, I just agree with all the other comments

1401
01:49:31,360 --> 01:49:31,920
have been made.

1402
01:49:32,200 --> 01:49:33,640
Like, that's probably the best way to sum it up.

1403
01:49:35,920 --> 01:49:38,180
Yeah, right now, we're not buying it.

1404
01:49:38,280 --> 01:49:40,760
We're just, we don't buy what you guys are proposing.

1405
01:49:41,020 --> 01:49:42,080
We don't agree to it.

1406
01:49:42,200 --> 01:49:44,520
That's why I'm here, is to make my voice heard.

1407
01:49:44,980 --> 01:49:45,860
Don't agree to it.

1408
01:49:45,860 --> 01:49:53,240
But it's not the best thing, and I hate to say this, like I'm not trying to be offensive,

1409
01:49:53,600 --> 01:49:59,140
but the citizens, like for myself, I will try to make sure you're not reelected again.

1410
01:49:59,360 --> 01:49:59,640
I will.

1411
01:50:00,160 --> 01:50:04,380
If this passes, just know it may be your last term.

1412
01:50:04,860 --> 01:50:09,340
So anyway, we appreciate everything else you're doing that's positive and not try

1413
01:50:09,340 --> 01:50:12,980
to be negative here, but we really don't want this increase.

1414
01:50:12,980 --> 01:50:16,760
and if it goes through and you pass it, it's a death knell.

1415
01:50:16,900 --> 01:50:17,660
Pretty sure about that.

1416
01:50:22,590 --> 01:50:23,270
Shona Clark,

1417
01:50:28,310 --> 01:50:28,750
is that right?

1418
01:50:35,490 --> 01:50:38,710
I wasn't going to get up today because I'm not very eloquent

1419
01:50:38,710 --> 01:50:41,230
and there's been a lot of people that have talked very well.

1420
01:50:42,870 --> 01:50:45,750
But the more I sat there, the more I just wanted to make sure

1421
01:50:45,750 --> 01:50:48,430
that I'm just not a person sitting in the audience

1422
01:50:48,430 --> 01:50:50,350
observing that you know that how I feel.

1423
01:50:51,290 --> 01:50:54,270
In September of 1998, my family moved out here.

1424
01:50:54,730 --> 01:50:57,530
So next month will be 28 years that I've been out here.

1425
01:50:57,770 --> 01:51:01,330
We moved out here because we couldn't afford to live anywhere else.

1426
01:51:02,230 --> 01:51:03,690
I raised my kids out here.

1427
01:51:04,130 --> 01:51:05,890
I became single out here through divorce.

1428
01:51:06,470 --> 01:51:07,710
And I've been able to stay here.

1429
01:51:08,730 --> 01:51:16,150
My youngest daughter and her four kids range in age from three to nine live with me as well.

1430
01:51:17,130 --> 01:51:18,850
She stays home to take care of the kids.

1431
01:51:19,570 --> 01:51:21,210
And I make $16 an hour.

1432
01:51:21,210 --> 01:51:22,330
I've

1433
01:51:29,600 --> 01:51:31,040
heard it said about the impact fees,

1434
01:51:33,810 --> 01:51:37,630
the homes being built, more money that way.

1435
01:51:39,930 --> 01:51:46,570
I just feel like with the tax breaks that other big businesses get and then being scammed

1436
01:51:46,570 --> 01:51:52,410
out of the money, I feel like me as a $16 an hour person and being asked to pay that.

1437
01:51:53,030 --> 01:52:00,570
It is not my fault, not that it's your fault, not all of it, but I feel like this

1438
01:52:00,570 --> 01:52:05,350
This is a huge ask of you guys, not ask, you're not asking us, you're just going to do it.

1439
01:52:07,290 --> 01:52:13,630
I've had to refinance my house a few times to get my ex-husband off, to get money out

1440
01:52:13,630 --> 01:52:19,390
because I couldn't afford things, and the last time was to lower my interest rate.

1441
01:52:19,930 --> 01:52:24,190
So even though I've been out here for almost 28 years, I still owe 25 years on my house.

1442
01:52:24,190 --> 01:52:28,550
I just not like I can save many other places.

1443
01:52:29,210 --> 01:52:30,830
And so I really wish you would think about

1444
01:52:30,830 --> 01:52:33,650
how this affects the small people.

1445
01:52:37,620 --> 01:52:38,580
Dax Steadily,

1446
01:52:43,140 --> 01:52:44,640
all right, I do not see him present.

1447
01:52:44,880 --> 01:52:46,880
Also in opposition to the tax increase,

1448
01:52:47,040 --> 01:52:48,120
we'll add his comment to the record.

1449
01:52:48,980 --> 01:52:49,600
Colton Hart,

1450
01:52:55,390 --> 01:52:56,390
I do not see him.

1451
01:52:56,650 --> 01:52:58,470
In opposition to the tax increase,

1452
01:52:59,170 --> 01:53:00,610
we'll add his comment to the record.

1453
01:53:01,250 --> 01:53:01,790
Sadie Hart,

1454
01:53:07,310 --> 01:53:10,570
also opposition to the tax increase.

1455
01:53:10,890 --> 01:53:12,190
We'll get that one added as well.

1456
01:53:14,250 --> 01:53:15,210
Melissa Gordette.

1457
01:53:20,210 --> 01:53:21,950
She states, please don't raise our taxes.

1458
01:53:22,430 --> 01:53:23,490
I do not see her in person.

1459
01:53:23,610 --> 01:53:24,890
We'll add her comment to the record.

1460
01:53:26,070 --> 01:53:26,790
Kristen Meyer.

1461
01:53:37,550 --> 01:53:39,770
Good evening, Mayor and City Council members.

1462
01:53:40,370 --> 01:53:41,430
My name is Kristen Meyer,

1463
01:53:41,570 --> 01:53:42,630
and I'm a resident in Beagle Mountain.

1464
01:53:43,450 --> 01:53:45,490
I'm here tonight to urge you to vote no

1465
01:53:45,490 --> 01:53:47,130
on the proposed tax increase.

1466
01:53:47,970 --> 01:53:48,750
Let me state why.

1467
01:53:49,630 --> 01:53:51,490
Roughly 1.5 million is allocated

1468
01:53:51,490 --> 01:53:53,910
to the Utah County Sheriff's Contract.

1469
01:53:53,910 --> 01:54:01,990
act. I don't have an issue with that. My issue is with the remaining amount. It hasn't been

1470
01:54:01,990 --> 01:54:06,450
allocated clearly enough. We want to know exactly how it will be spent.

1471
01:54:10,250 --> 01:54:10,970
These are public

1472
01:54:10,970 --> 01:54:16,150
funds and we need transparency, not vague line items. Second, how did we get here?

1473
01:54:16,870 --> 01:54:21,550
The podcast indicated that a failed bill from the previous legislative session may

1474
01:54:21,550 --> 01:54:25,270
may have kept, it might have kept future tax increases,

1475
01:54:25,790 --> 01:54:29,090
fair enough, but your response along with other cities

1476
01:54:29,090 --> 01:54:31,410
seems to be that we should raise taxes now

1477
01:54:31,410 --> 01:54:33,630
before the state can cap us in the future,

1478
01:54:34,030 --> 01:54:36,770
and the bill failed, and what is the response?

1479
01:54:37,570 --> 01:54:39,390
As a city, you knew we were growing,

1480
01:54:39,810 --> 01:54:42,710
you approved the development, you approved the growth,

1481
01:54:43,250 --> 01:54:44,750
and instead of having the common sense

1482
01:54:44,750 --> 01:54:46,850
to plan for the roads and the infrastructure

1483
01:54:47,350 --> 01:54:49,970
in all the needs that we require, you failed to act.

1484
01:54:49,970 --> 01:54:51,150
Third,

1485
01:54:54,540 --> 01:54:56,600
we are in an affordability crisis.

1486
01:54:57,180 --> 01:55:03,100
It's a crisis fueled in part by greedy corporations and the politicians who too often put the powerful

1487
01:55:03,100 --> 01:55:05,020
interests ahead of the hardworking Americans.

1488
01:55:06,220 --> 01:55:10,040
I propose you lower the tax to cover only the sheriff's contract.

1489
01:55:10,780 --> 01:55:15,740
And before these words fall on deaf ears, think about the people you represent.

1490
01:55:16,760 --> 01:55:19,140
Think about the senior living on a fixed income.

1491
01:55:19,140 --> 01:55:22,560
them. Think about the mother, wondering how she's going to make it to the next paycheck.

1492
01:55:23,340 --> 01:55:27,300
Think about the people who have experienced the embarrassment of having their credit card

1493
01:55:27,300 --> 01:55:34,500
declined. Although we do not have the power to decide how you vote, we do have the power

1494
01:55:34,500 --> 01:55:36,900
to decide who votes in these seats tomorrow.

1495
01:55:39,900 --> 01:55:43,000
And I ask that you earn our trust. Vote no

1496
01:55:43,000 --> 01:55:48,440
on this proposal as it stands, and we ask for greater transparency. Thank you.

1497
01:55:51,730 --> 01:55:53,230
Cheryl Carr.

1498
01:56:04,530 --> 01:56:06,930
Good evening. My name is Cheryl Carr.

1499
01:56:09,390 --> 01:56:13,930
We bought our land in 1998. We built

1500
01:56:13,930 --> 01:56:22,950
our home in 2004, been here for 22 years. I'm 71 years old. My husband is 76.

1501
01:56:28,220 --> 01:56:28,700
Our property

1502
01:56:28,700 --> 01:56:38,080
property has more than doubled since we've been here. Our income has not. That value

1503
01:56:38,650 --> 01:56:51,260
is not realized unless we sell our home. I want to read President Donald Trump. He may

1504
01:56:51,260 --> 01:56:56,600
be federal, but this is his view. He has proposed eliminating local property taxes

1505
01:56:56,600 --> 01:57:03,540
for homeowners aged 65 and older who have fully paid off their mortgages.

1506
01:57:04,220 --> 01:57:09,700
He characterized property taxes as a form of perpetual rent that prevents seniors

1507
01:57:09,700 --> 01:57:14,020
on fixed incomes from truly owning their own homes.

1508
01:57:15,360 --> 01:57:20,760
Relief for fixed incomes, supporters state the plan protects older Americans

1509
01:57:20,760 --> 01:57:25,000
from raising housing, insurance and valuation costs.

1510
01:57:25,000 --> 01:57:34,260
Aging in place. Advocates argue it helps retirees keep their lifelong homes instead of being forced to move.

1511
01:57:34,960 --> 01:57:41,720
I will tell you if this passes we will have to sell and we will have to move.

1512
01:57:46,980 --> 01:57:49,400
I know there needs to be more money

1513
01:57:51,510 --> 01:57:55,770
and the people who are coming to Eagle Mountain create

1514
01:57:57,790 --> 01:57:59,690
more traffic on the roads.

1515
01:57:59,690 --> 01:58:02,890
we've all seen that. So what is the answer?

1516
01:58:06,200 --> 01:58:09,740
It's a tough one, but I think that the impact

1517
01:58:09,740 --> 01:58:16,540
fees need to be raised. I don't know what they are, but I do know that this problem

1518
01:58:17,100 --> 01:58:26,040
is a result of more people moving here. And they need to pay for that impact. And

1519
01:58:26,040 --> 01:58:34,600
And so that would be my request that you look at those impact fees and see where things can

1520
01:58:34,600 --> 01:58:35,940
be shifted.

1521
01:58:36,040 --> 01:58:36,940
30 seconds remaining.

1522
01:58:38,100 --> 01:58:40,600
I do thank you for your service and for your time.

1523
01:58:41,420 --> 01:58:41,660
Thank you.

1524
01:58:43,990 --> 01:58:44,750
Roger Laird.

1525
01:58:54,300 --> 01:59:00,140
Sorry, I'm not exactly just as nice as everybody, but my day started at 2.30 this morning

1526
01:59:00,840 --> 01:59:07,620
And I didn't get off until 4.30 today, and I rushed down to be here for this.

1527
01:59:09,080 --> 01:59:11,880
Two hundred and twenty percent is rather asinine.

1528
01:59:13,540 --> 01:59:20,620
I probably more than anybody in here support police officers in EMS because I spent the

1529
01:59:20,620 --> 01:59:22,760
entirety of my young adulthood in EMS.

1530
01:59:23,540 --> 01:59:28,960
I've been shot at, I've been stabbed, I've been shoulder to shoulder with police

1531
01:59:28,960 --> 01:59:39,420
fighting and it's not fun. Well, it was, but probably none of you guys have been shot

1532
01:59:39,420 --> 01:59:45,620
at or stabbed or been in those situations or watched people die or drug a wounded police

1533
01:59:45,620 --> 01:59:50,480
officer that was shot because some gangbanger wanted some clout while we were on the side

1534
01:59:50,480 --> 01:59:57,060
of a road at a call. I worked very hard for my money. We moved here because it

1535
01:59:57,060 --> 01:59:59,140
It was affordable. It was a nice community.

1536
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:01,420
It's a little bit of ways from it all.

1537
02:00:04,240 --> 02:00:11,060
You can't tell me. You can't convince me 220% is reasonable.

1538
02:00:11,760 --> 02:00:17,200
Some of you are real estate agents. That is a negative asset that you're trying to sell

1539
02:00:17,200 --> 02:00:23,380
people. And if you're the kind of real estate agent that sells negative assets to people,

1540
02:00:23,520 --> 02:00:29,060
I would probably say you're not exactly an ethical real estate agent. I did real estate.

1541
02:00:29,060 --> 02:00:35,420
One of the many things I've done besides EMS, paramedic, crane operator, real estate,

1542
02:00:36,140 --> 02:00:37,680
and mortgage loan officer.

1543
02:00:40,700 --> 02:00:46,180
The fact that you guys can't articulate where all that's going other than you're selling

1544
02:00:46,180 --> 02:00:49,780
it under the guise of helping the police officers, which is a good thing.

1545
02:00:49,820 --> 02:00:55,040
I don't think anybody's opposed to giving them help and the EMS, any help.

1546
02:00:57,320 --> 02:01:02,220
But those data centers, which I've worked on, I've been on a crane in there for 16 hours

1547
02:01:02,220 --> 02:01:02,900
one day.

1548
02:01:05,630 --> 02:01:14,750
The tax breaks you give them could be paying for all of this. And the bull crap

1549
02:01:14,750 --> 02:01:20,310
part is that you guys know it, but you give them all these tax breaks. And then all these

1550
02:01:20,310 --> 02:01:24,650
builders that want to come in, and we're getting more revenue from taxes on that. Again,

1551
02:01:24,650 --> 02:01:29,570
You know it. I'm not saying you guys that things weren't mismanaged in the past

1552
02:01:29,570 --> 02:01:37,430
But you can fix it by simply cutting costs and stop giving all these tax breaks. There's seven more buildings going in there

1553
02:01:37,430 --> 02:01:39,110
I know that because I work there

1554
02:01:39,970 --> 02:01:41,250
Please do better

1555
02:01:44,080 --> 02:01:44,520
budget

1556
02:01:45,360 --> 02:01:46,620
Like we all do

1557
02:01:48,100 --> 02:01:49,080
Thank you

1558
02:01:53,200 --> 02:01:54,320
Zeke Magdaleno.

1559
02:02:00,990 --> 02:02:05,250
Hi, my name is Zeke Magdaleno. I've been here about seven years. I'm kind of neutral

1560
02:02:05,790 --> 02:02:11,250
gentlemen right here between the data centers and a resident because I build

1561
02:02:11,250 --> 02:02:16,270
them and I know what they cost I know what they bring in I have to be careful

1562
02:02:16,270 --> 02:02:23,630
when I say so I have a job tomorrow so but I I'm finding myself not

1563
02:02:23,630 --> 02:02:29,490
understanding because I feel it's a duty just even though I could lose my

1564
02:02:29,490 --> 02:02:34,310
job if I'm not careful I have to say something for all these people here

1565
02:02:35,170 --> 02:02:38,890
including myself, that might not be able to afford a home.

1566
02:02:39,230 --> 02:02:45,790
I was able to as a single dad afford a house on a single income,

1567
02:02:45,970 --> 02:02:48,350
raise my children, and I'll be perfectly honest.

1568
02:02:48,670 --> 02:02:51,490
I hated it in the middle of the desert. I couldn't stand it.

1569
02:02:51,910 --> 02:02:54,090
But we've come a long way in six years.

1570
02:02:55,590 --> 02:03:00,710
So I want to bring some transparency for the people behind me

1571
02:03:02,110 --> 02:03:10,570
data centers. And by the time QTS is done, I can say QTS, we all know, it's signed out

1572
02:03:10,570 --> 02:03:17,990
there. They're predicted that Eagle Mountain will be the biggest data center campuses for

1573
02:03:17,990 --> 02:03:24,770
them in the world, not United States, the world. Let that sink in.

1574
02:03:27,340 --> 02:03:28,760
So if we're allowing

1575
02:03:28,760 --> 02:03:34,060
these data centers to be built, and we are getting them tax breaks, which I understand.

1576
02:03:34,900 --> 02:03:38,660
We want them to come here and build these data centers, but isn't that supposed to help

1577
02:03:38,660 --> 02:03:41,620
these people, us, out in the long run?

1578
02:03:41,860 --> 02:03:42,560
That's what I thought.

1579
02:03:42,700 --> 02:03:46,540
That's what they're supposed to do, and I know how many they're planning on building.

1580
02:03:47,520 --> 02:03:51,080
Honestly, we shouldn't have to pay taxes for our lifetime.

1581
02:03:51,760 --> 02:03:55,500
These guys have so much money, I know what they bring in when they rent these data

1582
02:03:55,500 --> 02:04:05,120
data centers and it's insane. It's insane how much money that these people have that

1583
02:04:05,120 --> 02:04:16,420
are building these data centers. So I'm confused on why 220% why are we paying anything? I got

1584
02:04:16,420 --> 02:04:22,460
here late so I'm sorry if this was talked about earlier. But being that I'm building

1585
02:04:22,460 --> 02:04:28,400
building them and I'm kind of neutral. I just don't see, and I, you know, obviously I'm

1586
02:04:28,400 --> 02:04:33,740
a community member paying my mortgage. That's insane. I think that comes out to like $300

1587
02:04:34,280 --> 02:04:39,820
more, I think a month, something like that. That's crazy. But anyways, just to stick up

1588
02:04:39,820 --> 02:04:43,560
for the data centers a little bit, the ones we're building are closed systems. They

1589
02:04:43,560 --> 02:04:47,500
don't use water like the other ones just letting, you know, they do in the beginning,

1590
02:04:47,500 --> 02:04:52,560
but they're closed. They're not evaporative. That's Facebook. I worked on that one, too.

1591
02:04:52,980 --> 02:04:53,680
That's all I got to say.

1592
02:04:59,470 --> 02:05:00,370
Megan Streeter.

1593
02:05:08,070 --> 02:05:13,150
Does it start when I speak? Hi. I'm a delegate and

1594
02:05:13,150 --> 02:05:17,270
precinct chair in Eagle Mountain and have interacted with several of my city council members.

1595
02:05:18,030 --> 02:05:21,830
Nice to see you, Brett. Nice to see you, Melissa. I know you too and find you to be

1596
02:05:21,830 --> 02:05:26,370
reasonable logical humans. And with that said, I do feel like we're missing a mark here.

1597
02:05:26,370 --> 02:05:29,270
I do feel that way, especially with the sheriffs.

1598
02:05:29,370 --> 02:05:32,530
I do not dislike the sheriffs, appreciate you.

1599
02:05:33,110 --> 02:05:35,070
But I do think in the current state we're in,

1600
02:05:35,190 --> 02:05:37,270
I mean, I think it's a good idea to invest with them

1601
02:05:37,270 --> 02:05:38,130
in the current state we're in,

1602
02:05:38,130 --> 02:05:40,030
but I do feel that we need our own department.

1603
02:05:43,390 --> 02:05:44,850
And with that said,

1604
02:05:47,270 --> 02:05:48,770
renting is worse than owning.

1605
02:05:48,950 --> 02:05:52,130
I do feel like we are making a bad decision

1606
02:05:52,130 --> 02:05:53,170
by renting the sheriffs.

1607
02:05:53,330 --> 02:05:55,090
I don't think it's an investment for our city.

1608
02:05:55,670 --> 02:06:01,690
Aside from that, I do believe we are missing the opportunity to negotiate with data centers and he pretty much set me up for success when he was speaking.

1609
02:06:02,330 --> 02:06:07,170
I have a unique perspective as I have rented land from many of the farmers out there by the data centers.

1610
02:06:07,850 --> 02:06:16,030
I have watched as these farmers have been cornered, I have watched as they have been bullied, I have watched even their own cows be poisoned.

1611
02:06:17,510 --> 02:06:23,990
There are so many stories you guys don't know about and you haven't been out there talking to the farmers and if you've ignored them then you would know what's been going on.

1612
02:06:25,670 --> 02:06:30,090
One of those guys out there, he leased his land for $100,000 a month.

1613
02:06:31,210 --> 02:06:33,890
And then when he's done leasing, he will be bought out.

1614
02:06:35,550 --> 02:06:41,310
And then just one QTS manager gets $500,000 for 10 months.

1615
02:06:41,890 --> 02:06:45,070
We need to stop acting like we need the data centers to start acting like they need us

1616
02:06:45,070 --> 02:06:45,570
as they do.

1617
02:06:45,930 --> 02:06:48,390
We have the land and the water to provide space for them.

1618
02:06:48,510 --> 02:06:51,310
Data centers are being banned all over the nation and in the world.

1619
02:06:51,430 --> 02:06:52,030
And we know this.

1620
02:06:52,030 --> 02:06:53,950
It's it's a hot topic right now

1621
02:06:55,050 --> 02:07:01,190
They need us period and they have the money to give us the full $7 million you need for the 220 increase

1622
02:07:01,190 --> 02:07:03,950
I guarantee that you can negotiate this. I have faith in you

1623
02:07:03,950 --> 02:07:09,050
I absolutely believe that you guys could do this because they need us Eagle Mountain Special were unique

1624
02:07:10,650 --> 02:07:15,490
And aside from that I love this city and I hope we can manage these situations in a way that allows us

1625
02:07:15,490 --> 02:07:19,430
to move forward in a small town ideal

1626
02:07:19,910 --> 02:07:21,710
since a lot of these people moved here for that

1627
02:07:21,710 --> 02:07:22,470
and I did as well.

1628
02:07:22,650 --> 02:07:24,510
And I absolutely hate your job.

1629
02:07:24,650 --> 02:07:25,310
I'm sure it's horrible,

1630
02:07:25,470 --> 02:07:27,250
but I really think that we're missing the mark

1631
02:07:27,250 --> 02:07:29,030
and I really hope we can do something better.

1632
02:07:29,590 --> 02:07:30,010
I really do.

1633
02:07:32,850 --> 02:07:33,690
Tony Castillo.

1634
02:07:34,150 --> 02:07:34,510
Well,

1635
02:07:45,360 --> 02:07:45,960
Tony Castillo.

1636
02:07:48,300 --> 02:07:49,440
Everybody knows who we are.

1637
02:07:49,620 --> 02:07:50,400
We own our roofing company.

1638
02:07:51,220 --> 02:07:52,260
COVID hit us hard.

1639
02:07:54,690 --> 02:07:56,830
I saw prices go up every month.

1640
02:07:57,330 --> 02:07:59,210
My material cost every month.

1641
02:07:59,210 --> 02:08:01,050
10% here, 10% there.

1642
02:08:02,110 --> 02:08:03,170
I'd go to my wife.

1643
02:08:03,570 --> 02:08:04,370
We've got to face the prices.

1644
02:08:06,490 --> 02:08:09,330
And this is after my suppliers were chewing me out

1645
02:08:09,330 --> 02:08:11,870
because they were hearing from competitors

1646
02:08:11,870 --> 02:08:13,310
how I was undercutting them.

1647
02:08:15,010 --> 02:08:15,630
And I said,

1648
02:08:16,270 --> 02:08:17,790
is it affecting your bottom line?

1649
02:08:18,070 --> 02:08:19,130
I'm still buying from you guys.

1650
02:08:20,190 --> 02:08:21,850
The only difference is I'm not getting rich

1651
02:08:21,850 --> 02:08:22,710
like those guys are.

1652
02:08:27,320 --> 02:08:28,920
This year, I'm out of COVID,

1653
02:08:29,040 --> 02:08:30,900
we had about a 60% price increase.

1654
02:08:32,520 --> 02:08:33,000
60%.

1655
02:08:33,000 --> 02:08:42,580
just in one year and I got smart, didn't change suppliers, just negotiated.

1656
02:08:45,580 --> 02:08:47,400
This year we had

1657
02:08:47,400 --> 02:08:49,400
about a 30% price increase because of the war.

1658
02:08:52,890 --> 02:08:54,870
I watched my, I wanted it to be a front

1659
02:08:54,870 --> 02:09:05,770
guys, my per bundle price to operate my company for one brand is $150 a bundle. That was after

1660
02:09:05,770 --> 02:09:10,310
of the price increase that I got. And I went back and I said, I can't operate like this.

1661
02:09:13,880 --> 02:09:21,130
And you know, a lot of you guys are my customers. I had Charlotte ask me, her daughter ask me,

1662
02:09:21,170 --> 02:09:27,030
how the heck are you $5,000 less than these other companies? But you're doing more. I want

1663
02:09:27,030 --> 02:09:33,710
your business. I know my numbers. I'll go back to my suppliers and renegotiate.

1664
02:09:37,150 --> 02:09:37,490
You

1665
02:09:37,490 --> 02:09:38,530
Can I support the tax increase?

1666
02:09:42,350 --> 02:09:45,090
220%, I mean, I'll be honest with you, it's very shocking.

1667
02:09:47,150 --> 02:09:50,010
Can you imagine if I raised my prices, 220%?

1668
02:09:51,670 --> 02:09:54,090
I mean, Craig, you had a customer beat me up

1669
02:09:54,990 --> 02:09:57,190
over the court I gave him, even a repair.

1670
02:09:58,310 --> 02:09:59,590
I had to walk away from it.

1671
02:10:00,490 --> 02:10:02,050
Had I done it, it would have opened me

1672
02:10:02,050 --> 02:10:03,670
into a multimillion dollar community.

1673
02:10:04,090 --> 02:10:07,090
But my values are a lot more worth more than that.

1674
02:10:10,540 --> 02:10:11,660
Elections are coming up again.

1675
02:10:15,980 --> 02:10:17,540
At the end of the day, guys, do what's right.

1676
02:10:17,940 --> 02:10:18,900
30 seconds remaining.

1677
02:10:19,440 --> 02:10:21,760
A lot of us can't afford to eat.

1678
02:10:22,940 --> 02:10:29,960
And I was like, I'm wondering if I can afford to buy a cow this year if the rate goes up.

1679
02:10:30,760 --> 02:10:32,360
Because that's the first thing I'm going to be cutting.

1680
02:10:33,100 --> 02:10:34,120
So thanks, guys.

1681
02:10:34,280 --> 02:10:34,700
Appreciate you all.

1682
02:10:38,350 --> 02:10:43,110
I have Melanie Castillo who chooses not to make a verbal comment and while she states

1683
02:10:43,110 --> 02:10:47,310
while I support an increase and see its need she's interested to hear from each member

1684
02:10:47,310 --> 02:10:53,290
of the council the top three capital projects and she's seen the list and wants to know

1685
02:10:53,290 --> 02:10:59,190
what's important to the council members and then we do have we did have a public comment

1686
02:10:59,190 --> 02:11:04,330
from Matthew Joseph who has that he would like to discuss the budget and we just

1687
02:11:04,330 --> 02:11:08,210
want to remind you that this is for the proposed tax rate only, that the budget public hearing

1688
02:11:08,210 --> 02:11:14,710
will be on August 18th. So Matthew Joseph wanted to clarify that. And I don't see him

1689
02:11:14,710 --> 02:11:16,330
here, so we will add it to the record.

1690
02:11:19,140 --> 02:11:19,820
Joanna Brown.

1691
02:11:27,480 --> 02:11:33,860
Hi, Joanna Brown. I'm sorry that I'm dressed this way. I would never approach in any

1692
02:11:33,860 --> 02:11:38,220
other circumstance, but I heard a comment that was made, and I had to stop in before

1693
02:11:38,220 --> 02:11:39,460
before I go to my vlog while it came.

1694
02:11:40,320 --> 02:11:48,590
The comment that was made was made that somebody said

1695
02:11:48,590 --> 02:11:50,290
that they support the tax increase,

1696
02:11:50,930 --> 02:11:53,130
but maybe to less than 220%.

1697
02:11:53,130 --> 02:11:54,690
And then the comment was made,

1698
02:11:54,730 --> 02:11:56,930
maybe it's something that most people

1699
02:11:56,930 --> 02:11:58,810
probably still won't be happy with.

1700
02:11:59,670 --> 02:12:03,030
And that got me off of watching on my phone

1701
02:12:03,030 --> 02:12:04,050
in here in front of you because

1702
02:12:04,590 --> 02:12:06,050
that's not the way government works,

1703
02:12:06,130 --> 02:12:07,150
government's for the people.

1704
02:12:07,290 --> 02:12:09,150
So the majority of the people

1705
02:12:09,150 --> 02:12:14,770
voted you guys into where you are, the majority of the people are represented by you, so the

1706
02:12:14,770 --> 02:12:17,530
majority of the people should be happy with the decisions that are made.

1707
02:12:17,750 --> 02:12:25,050
So I guess I just wanted to reiterate that, that a democracy is a government for the people

1708
02:12:25,050 --> 02:12:29,390
by the people, and we are in a democratic republic where we vote for representatives

1709
02:12:29,390 --> 02:12:30,770
who represent the majority.

1710
02:12:31,390 --> 02:12:35,110
So that comment of maybe the majority will be upset, but that's fine, do what you

1711
02:12:35,110 --> 02:12:35,550
want to do.

1712
02:12:35,550 --> 02:12:41,270
You know, remember that the majority of the people are why we have this government and

1713
02:12:41,270 --> 02:12:43,950
why you're all sitting where you are, because the majority of us voted for you.

1714
02:12:45,830 --> 02:12:51,490
And I guess my other really quick comment before I head out the door was just thinking, Mr.

1715
02:12:51,570 --> 02:12:55,390
Rasmussen, for clarifying that, again, it's been put out, which I felt like I was

1716
02:12:55,390 --> 02:13:02,010
a little bit confusing that under that truth and taxation that, yes, the amount per household

1717
02:13:02,010 --> 02:13:11,130
stays the same but because there's more households there is more money so I hope

1718
02:13:11,130 --> 02:13:16,870
that most people don't come from a house where dinner was mom coming home with a

1719
02:13:16,870 --> 02:13:20,130
can of beans and saying that's all she could afford and that that can of beans

1720
02:13:20,130 --> 02:13:25,670
now cost her $37 instead of $2 because now she was getting an overdraft fee for

1721
02:13:25,670 --> 02:13:33,190
it, but I hope that the city isn't going into direction because we need whatever these capital

1722
02:13:33,190 --> 02:13:38,810
projects are to put its citizens in that kind of a position because I'm grateful I'm not

1723
02:13:38,810 --> 02:13:41,490
in that position anymore, but I have been and it sounds like a lot of our citizens

1724
02:13:41,490 --> 02:13:48,690
also know what that feels like. So I'll just ask you to remember that you represent

1725
02:13:48,690 --> 02:13:54,850
the majority. Remember, like, try to make the majority happy, I guess. Thank you for your time.

1726
02:14:00,840 --> 02:14:06,120
These public comments are from participants who showed up today, but they do not want to make

1727
02:14:06,120 --> 02:14:11,080
a verbal comment. So I'll just read the names. They're all in opposition to the tax increase,

1728
02:14:11,080 --> 02:14:23,280
to be clear, Trenton Webb, Derek Rappel-Eye, M. Patrick Mayo, Brianna Nelson, Alex Nelson,

1729
02:14:24,560 --> 02:14:30,140
Jessica Demers, David Gordette, and Vienna Portella.

1730
02:14:36,810 --> 02:14:38,430
These are the public comments that

1731
02:14:38,430 --> 02:14:43,110
came in through our via email and I'm unsure if they are in attendance so I'll call your

1732
02:14:43,110 --> 02:14:45,450
name and if you're here come on up. Brittany Mitchell,

1733
02:14:47,970 --> 02:14:50,910
she's in opposition to the tax increase

1734
02:14:50,910 --> 02:14:53,970
so we'll get that in the record. Lily Anna Elliott,

1735
02:14:56,740 --> 02:14:59,980
also in opposition. Cammie Wa...

1736
02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:00,380
Watterson.

1737
02:15:03,730 --> 02:15:10,890
Also not here. She states I'm all for keeping the city running safe, but why

1738
02:15:10,890 --> 02:15:15,090
is it 220% so she doesn't say for or against. Jill Jones.

1739
02:15:17,970 --> 02:15:21,350
I do not see her here. She wishes

1740
02:15:21,350 --> 02:15:26,110
to pause the increase of the property taxes. Susanna Norris.

1741
02:15:29,300 --> 02:15:31,180
She's writing to voice the

1742
02:15:31,180 --> 02:15:33,760
a strong opposition to the 220% increase.

1743
02:15:35,240 --> 02:15:36,060
Carly King,

1744
02:15:39,010 --> 02:15:42,370
also not here, opposition to the increase

1745
02:15:42,370 --> 02:15:42,850
as well.

1746
02:15:44,330 --> 02:15:46,130
Brenda Martinez, hold on.

1747
02:15:46,770 --> 02:15:49,190
Oh, we do have Carly King online, let me double check that.

1748
02:15:52,960 --> 02:15:54,500
Okay, we do have Carly King online,

1749
02:15:54,560 --> 02:15:55,520
so we will come back to her.

1750
02:15:56,720 --> 02:15:57,500
Brenda Martinez,

1751
02:16:00,680 --> 02:16:02,240
I do see Brenda online,

1752
02:16:02,360 --> 02:16:03,480
so that could be her.

1753
02:16:03,480 --> 02:16:11,500
and she, her statement is, the point is lack of transparency, so we'll get that

1754
02:16:11,500 --> 02:16:14,020
added in. Zachary Vance,

1755
02:16:19,970 --> 02:16:25,830
he doesn't say for or against either. And then Martin in

1756
02:16:25,830 --> 02:16:33,810
Dreboe, I do not see that and he does not also say for or against. Okay, so now

1757
02:16:33,810 --> 02:16:39,090
we're going to move to the virtual comment period. And as a reminder, I

1758
02:16:39,090 --> 02:16:41,570
I will unmute your mic if you are online

1759
02:16:41,570 --> 02:16:45,530
and it will tell you to unmute it on your side.

1760
02:16:46,390 --> 02:16:48,370
I will start the timer once you start speaking

1761
02:16:49,110 --> 02:16:50,570
and then once you are finished,

1762
02:16:50,690 --> 02:16:52,530
you're welcome to stay online to watch the meeting

1763
02:16:53,450 --> 02:16:55,770
but not required to as you only be able to speak once.

1764
02:16:56,030 --> 02:16:57,090
Am I missing anything else?

1765
02:16:57,770 --> 02:16:59,650
Okay, we're just gonna go ahead and start at the beginning.

1766
02:17:00,270 --> 02:17:01,450
I see AJ online.

1767
02:17:01,950 --> 02:17:03,630
I do not see last names on some of them

1768
02:17:03,630 --> 02:17:05,190
so please state your first and last name

1769
02:17:05,190 --> 02:17:06,530
when you jump on as well.

1770
02:17:07,310 --> 02:17:08,810
Okay, we're going to move over to that

1771
02:17:14,030 --> 02:17:17,290
AJ. You should be able to unmute your mic.

1772
02:17:35,000 --> 02:17:35,400
Looks

1773
02:17:35,400 --> 02:17:38,220
like he's still muted. So we might have to come back to him.

1774
02:17:46,580 --> 02:17:48,280
Okay, we're going to go

1775
02:17:48,280 --> 02:17:52,760
past AJ and we're going to go over to Alex Washburn. Let's see if we can get this one

1776
02:17:52,760 --> 02:17:53,680
to work out. Here we go.

1777
02:17:56,250 --> 02:18:01,450
Good evening, Mayor, Council, members and fellow residents. My

1778
02:18:01,450 --> 02:18:05,550
name is Alex Washburn. Over the past week I've spent dozens of hours reading

1779
02:18:05,550 --> 02:18:11,070
the city's budgets, attending meetings, filing grandma requests, and trying to understand why

1780
02:18:11,070 --> 02:18:16,770
Eagle Mountain is proposing what amounts to a 220% property tax increase. Yesterday,

1781
02:18:16,970 --> 02:18:21,470
I had the opportunity to spend about an hour meeting with Mayor Jared Gray, the city manager,

1782
02:18:22,010 --> 02:18:26,830
council member Clark, and members of the finance team. I sincerely appreciate each of

1783
02:18:26,830 --> 02:18:31,150
them taking the time to answer my questions because that meeting genuinely changed my

1784
02:18:31,150 --> 02:18:36,150
understanding of several things. I now have a much better understanding of how Utah's truth

1785
02:18:36,150 --> 02:18:43,030
in tax law has affected Eagle Mountain over the last 15 years. As property taxes values increase,

1786
02:18:43,270 --> 02:18:49,010
the certified property tax rate decreased, while the cost of providing services, especially law

1787
02:18:49,010 --> 02:18:54,650
enforcement, continued to rise. I now understand why the city has gradually had to use more and

1788
02:18:54,650 --> 02:18:59,090
more of the general fund to cover the increasing costs of the sheriff's contract,

1789
02:18:59,090 --> 02:19:03,670
contract, leaving less capacity for roads, infrastructure, parts, and other priorities.

1790
02:19:04,410 --> 02:19:07,130
I believe that's a real problem, and I believe it needs to be addressed.

1791
02:19:07,650 --> 02:19:10,030
However, I still have two significant concerns.

1792
02:19:10,610 --> 02:19:12,690
The first is the policy objective itself.

1793
02:19:13,250 --> 02:19:17,630
During yesterday's meeting, it was explained that this recommendation was built around

1794
02:19:17,630 --> 02:19:20,590
fully funding the sheriff's contract through property taxes.

1795
02:19:21,230 --> 02:19:26,010
But when I reviewed the 2010 budget, the last 100 tax increase, I found that property

1796
02:19:26,010 --> 02:19:32,930
tax revenue was approximately $974,000, while police expenditures were approximately $2

1797
02:19:32,930 --> 02:19:33,230
million.

1798
02:19:33,910 --> 02:19:38,630
So unless I'm misunderstanding those numbers, property taxes did not fully fund law enforcement

1799
02:19:38,630 --> 02:19:39,430
even then.

1800
02:19:40,130 --> 02:19:44,550
That tells me that fully funding the sheriff's contract through property taxes isn't simply

1801
02:19:44,550 --> 02:19:47,990
restoring the way things have always been, it's a policy decision.

1802
02:19:48,530 --> 02:19:52,210
And I think taxpayers deserve to understand why that policy was chosen.

1803
02:19:52,210 --> 02:19:57,710
Why is it better to have property taxes fully fund the sheriff's contract instead of continuing

1804
02:19:57,710 --> 02:20:02,350
to fund it through a combination of property taxes and other general fund revenues as the

1805
02:20:02,350 --> 02:20:03,690
city has historically done?

1806
02:20:04,190 --> 02:20:07,350
My second concern is how the amount of this increase was determined.

1807
02:20:07,770 --> 02:20:10,870
During yesterday's meeting, I asked what I thought was a simple question.

1808
02:20:11,430 --> 02:20:16,290
If this proposed tax increase were reduced or didn't pass at all, what projects or

1809
02:20:16,290 --> 02:20:18,870
priorities would actually be delayed or eliminated?

1810
02:20:18,870 --> 02:20:22,170
The answer was that those decisions haven't been made yet.

1811
02:20:22,710 --> 02:20:27,450
I appreciate the city genuinely wants public input before making those decisions, but

1812
02:20:27,450 --> 02:20:30,350
I respectfully believe that the analysis should have come first.

1813
02:20:31,110 --> 02:20:35,690
I wish the city had come to the public with several funding scenarios.

1814
02:20:36,070 --> 02:20:41,590
If we approve the full increase, if we reduce it by 10% or reduce by 20%, what projects

1815
02:20:41,590 --> 02:20:42,430
would have to wait?

1816
02:20:43,030 --> 02:20:46,930
That would allow taxpayers to have an informed discussion about priorities instead

1817
02:20:46,930 --> 02:20:54,010
of simply reacting. Based on everything I support raising at the 1.5 million to fund the 2027

1818
02:20:54,010 --> 02:20:59,450
fresh shares contract but I oppose the increase beyond that unless the city can clearly explain

1819
02:20:59,450 --> 02:21:03,670
exactly what the remaining dollars will find and what funds are for priorities.

1820
02:21:10,430 --> 02:21:16,010
The next one we have online is Amy Larcher. I'm going to go ahead and allow you to talk

1821
02:21:16,010 --> 02:21:17,410
and unmute you Mike.

1822
02:21:21,700 --> 02:21:25,600
It looks like she left. Ashley Garcide?

1823
02:21:43,120 --> 02:21:48,700
Lacey, I see Ashley's on there twice. Is there a chance that the other Mike that she could be using?

1824
02:21:48,960 --> 02:21:49,580
Maybe I'll unmute both of them?

1825
02:21:50,180 --> 02:21:52,420
You unmuted me on accident.

1826
02:22:15,410 --> 02:22:16,970
Do I need to click it again?

1827
02:22:18,350 --> 02:22:21,630
We will move on to Ben Crabtree one moment.

1828
02:22:27,770 --> 02:22:28,290
Alright Ben.

1829
02:22:30,580 --> 02:22:36,340
Thanks. Sorry. I'm just driving back. I really appreciate each member of the City Council

1830
02:22:36,340 --> 02:22:42,240
and the Mayor for hearing our comments. And I think most of what I would have said has

1831
02:22:42,240 --> 02:22:50,600
already been stated in regards to those who are on fixed incomes who don't have room in

1832
02:22:50,600 --> 02:22:57,320
the budget for this level of increase. It's just way too much. And I also appreciate

1833
02:22:57,320 --> 02:23:05,200
I don't remember her name, but she mentioned that there have been communications that have

1834
02:23:05,200 --> 02:23:12,440
been sent out from the city about some of the projects that need to be done or are going

1835
02:23:12,440 --> 02:23:17,660
to be done. I would love to see those as well. I think a lot of us are feeling that

1836
02:23:17,660 --> 02:23:25,560
same way. I would also follow up on some of the other comments that were made about

1837
02:23:25,560 --> 02:23:34,620
the data centers. I really, I can't imagine how companies like Metta and Google can come

1838
02:23:34,620 --> 02:23:41,260
out here and I know they're going to, they can, they have enough money to fund wherever

1839
02:23:41,260 --> 02:23:45,820
they want to build and so why would we, I don't know the nature of the negotiations

1840
02:23:45,820 --> 02:23:50,640
but I also run my own business and so I also have six kids. I'm trying to support six

1841
02:23:50,640 --> 02:23:57,780
So, here in this increase is just wild and why are we passing it on to the taxpayers

1842
02:23:57,780 --> 02:24:02,780
when we could get some of these companies who are building infrastructure that's going

1843
02:24:02,780 --> 02:24:09,000
to increase our cost of electricity and increase the cost of water to put some of these bills.

1844
02:24:09,240 --> 02:24:11,780
It just seems like that would be a better approach.

1845
02:24:13,000 --> 02:24:16,680
And again, just think of the number of people in our community.

1846
02:24:16,680 --> 02:24:22,400
I hope to be more involved in future city council meetings and look up some of the data

1847
02:24:22,400 --> 02:24:29,700
behind our community and looking at how many people are really struggling and from a financial

1848
02:24:29,700 --> 02:24:35,220
standpoint and what people are doing to try and already make ends meet, what can we do

1849
02:24:35,820 --> 02:24:41,940
in other ways besides raising taxes like this, especially at such a high rate to help lower

1850
02:24:41,940 --> 02:24:42,480
their burdens.

1851
02:24:42,940 --> 02:24:43,720
That's what I have to say.

1852
02:24:43,780 --> 02:24:44,100
Thank you.

1853
02:24:47,410 --> 02:24:49,250
Okay we're gonna try Amy Larcher again.

1854
02:24:58,450 --> 02:25:02,410
Let's go down to Brenda. I don't know your

1855
02:25:02,410 --> 02:25:03,030
last name Brenda.

1856
02:25:12,990 --> 02:25:14,210
Okay, we'll move on to Brett.

1857
02:25:30,970 --> 02:25:31,750
We'll move on to Bruce.

1858
02:25:39,400 --> 02:25:40,480
Bruce can you hear us?

1859
02:26:06,230 --> 02:26:06,410
Cam

1860
02:26:06,410 --> 02:26:15,390
you represent the people who voted you in. I think that the majority has a consensus that transparency

1861
02:26:17,270 --> 02:26:23,350
hasn't met for an ass to this big. I think a lot of families

1862
02:26:26,680 --> 02:26:35,000
open their wallet and they don't see much. And I think that you as a council

1863
02:26:35,600 --> 02:26:43,640
need to look in your wallets and simply ask yourself who do you represent you

1864
02:26:48,440 --> 02:26:49,120
know I came

1865
02:26:49,120 --> 02:27:03,320
from a big family and I saw my parents struggle I put food on the table and you know it hurts

1866
02:27:03,900 --> 02:27:13,060
I think every person who grew up seeing their parents struggled to put just a meal on the

1867
02:27:13,780 --> 02:27:22,200
to feed their kids. And for a city as big as Eagle Mountain, I'll be honest with you.

1868
02:27:24,920 --> 02:27:33,980
It's not just not right. It's deceptive. And it's kind of evil to think that you as a

1869
02:27:33,980 --> 02:27:40,560
council are going to ask each citizen to open their pockets, their wallets that might

1870
02:27:42,040 --> 02:27:44,820
and say, you know what, we haven't

1871
02:27:44,820 --> 02:27:46,740
been transparent with you, but we're

1872
02:27:46,740 --> 02:27:49,060
going to ask a huge, huge favor.

1873
02:27:49,880 --> 02:27:51,380
Give me money that you don't have.

1874
02:27:55,250 --> 02:27:56,250
That's all I have to say.

1875
02:27:59,660 --> 02:28:00,320
Thanks, Kim.

1876
02:28:01,440 --> 02:28:02,680
We're going to move on to Carly King.

1877
02:28:13,790 --> 02:28:15,030
Hey, I think I'm unmuted.

1878
02:28:16,290 --> 02:28:17,170
Yep, we can hear you.

1879
02:28:17,370 --> 02:28:19,290
My name's Carly King.

1880
02:28:19,870 --> 02:28:22,330
I have looked at people for about 11 years.

1881
02:28:23,150 --> 02:28:24,990
And initially, I wasn't going to share very much

1882
02:28:24,990 --> 02:28:25,550
about myself.

1883
02:28:25,550 --> 02:28:33,770
I don't like speaking, but hearing that the council members have pretty much

1884
02:28:33,770 --> 02:28:39,450
already made up their minds stating that their hands were being forced. I feel like

1885
02:28:39,450 --> 02:28:44,310
it's important for you guys to all understand the weight that you are

1886
02:28:44,310 --> 02:28:48,610
putting on the shoulders of your citizens. So just a little bit about my

1887
02:28:48,610 --> 02:28:55,090
family. I'm a mom of a two year old. My husband and I both work full-time. I

1888
02:28:55,090 --> 02:29:00,710
I have to manage working full-time while also being home with my daughter and trying to

1889
02:29:00,710 --> 02:29:03,390
be a present parent to her while keeping my job.

1890
02:29:04,730 --> 02:29:08,690
This is my reality because I can't afford to lose one of our incomes.

1891
02:29:09,530 --> 02:29:11,130
We already struggle as it is.

1892
02:29:12,390 --> 02:29:19,070
We have medical debt, bills, groceries, gas, diapers, as does everyone else, and sometimes

1893
02:29:19,070 --> 02:29:24,930
we have to choose between any one of those items, which one are we going to pay this month.

1894
02:29:27,870 --> 02:29:34,170
So I am against this 221% taxing degree. This is going to def date many families in

1895
02:29:34,170 --> 02:29:38,510
April mountains. Single families will become non-existent.

1896
02:29:41,080 --> 02:29:42,300
And this is going to force

1897
02:29:42,300 --> 02:29:48,540
many mothers that are able to currently stay home with their kids back into the workforce.

1898
02:29:48,540 --> 02:29:56,500
of course. Moms deserve better and so do those kids. Voting for this is a vote.

1899
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:07,760
The city is going to make a decision without being transferred, and the suggestion of a

1900
02:30:07,760 --> 02:30:15,420
two hundred and twenty percent increase is pretty egregious. We haven't been presented with data.

1901
02:30:15,700 --> 02:30:19,480
We've just been told it's going to public safety, and like many other people have

1902
02:30:19,480 --> 02:30:24,080
that vote, nobody's against public safety, but you are being truthful.

1903
02:30:30,040 --> 02:30:30,460
Everyone's

1904
02:30:30,460 --> 02:30:35,720
is for people to take time away from their families, to work more hours, and to cut up

1905
02:30:35,720 --> 02:30:42,960
back on the cities, just to be able to afford this tax increase. You should all be ashamed.

1906
02:30:43,620 --> 02:30:49,740
Whoever votes for this, you are the ones that have to go home and live with us all.

1907
02:30:51,160 --> 02:30:56,920
You're still in front of the pockets of the citizens of the city. Eagle Mountains

1908
02:30:56,920 --> 02:30:59,740
to manage our top tax funds better.

1909
02:31:00,360 --> 02:31:02,920
You need to hold the city employees to a higher standard.

1910
02:31:03,260 --> 02:31:05,660
Hold them accountable for fraud, waste, and abuse.

1911
02:31:06,860 --> 02:31:12,580
In addition, stop giving data centers astronomical tax breaks.

1912
02:31:13,740 --> 02:31:14,360
Thank you.

1913
02:31:20,350 --> 02:31:21,490
Next one we have is Chris.

1914
02:31:21,830 --> 02:31:22,890
I don't have a last name on this.

1915
02:31:23,430 --> 02:31:24,250
We will ask to unmute.

1916
02:31:35,890 --> 02:31:36,730
Okay, moving on.

1917
02:31:37,370 --> 02:31:38,810
The next one we have is just citizen.

1918
02:31:39,410 --> 02:31:41,110
I'm not sure if you would like to make a public comment.

1919
02:31:57,240 --> 02:31:58,660
Okay, the next one we have is Courtney.

1920
02:32:11,950 --> 02:32:14,870
The next one we have, the title is Elder and Sister Squire.

1921
02:32:18,060 --> 02:32:21,080
Your mic, if you'd like to give a public comment at this time, okay.

1922
02:32:31,030 --> 02:32:32,170
The next one we have is Embret.

1923
02:32:42,310 --> 02:32:44,450
We have a couple more, so why don't we do this.

1924
02:32:44,710 --> 02:32:48,230
If you would like to give a public comment and you're currently on our Zoom portal,

1925
02:32:48,390 --> 02:32:49,510
will you please raise your hand?

1926
02:33:01,100 --> 02:33:01,400
There we go.

1927
02:33:01,500 --> 02:33:02,700
We're going to start with Steve Muggleson.

1928
02:33:06,250 --> 02:33:06,730
Can you hear me?

1929
02:33:07,110 --> 02:33:07,930
Yes, there you go.

1930
02:33:08,130 --> 02:33:08,190
Yep.

1931
02:33:08,510 --> 02:33:08,750
Okay.

1932
02:33:09,710 --> 02:33:12,470
Like everyone here, I want my community to be safe.

1933
02:33:12,470 --> 02:33:16,790
I support our deputies and I support giving law enforcement the resources that they need

1934
02:33:16,790 --> 02:33:17,850
to protect the citizens.

1935
02:33:18,690 --> 02:33:20,250
This isn't about public safety.

1936
02:33:21,270 --> 02:33:24,250
This isn't whether or not public safety is important because of this.

1937
02:33:24,870 --> 02:33:28,290
But placing this tax burden solely on the residents is egregious.

1938
02:33:29,150 --> 02:33:34,290
Evil Mountain residents are already carrying heavier financial burdens than they were just

1939
02:33:34,290 --> 02:33:35,190
a few years ago.

1940
02:33:35,750 --> 02:33:41,250
A Forbes survey finds that 78% of Americans consider themselves living paycheck to paycheck.

1941
02:33:41,250 --> 02:33:46,810
check. Mortgage payments have increased. Property insurance has gone up. Groceries

1942
02:33:46,810 --> 02:33:52,730
cost more. Utilities cost more. Nearly every household expense has risen. People must make

1943
02:33:52,730 --> 02:33:57,270
difficult choices every month, and now the city is asking them to shoulder one of the

1944
02:33:57,270 --> 02:34:03,170
largest property tax increases in its history. At the same time, Eagle Mountain has welcomed

1945
02:34:03,170 --> 02:34:08,390
some of the largest and wealthiest companies in the world to build multi-million dollar

1946
02:34:08,390 --> 02:34:14,230
data centers in our community to attract these projects, the city approved redevelopment agreements

1947
02:34:14,230 --> 02:34:20,210
that reimburse a substantial portion of the new property tax revenue those developments

1948
02:34:20,210 --> 02:34:26,450
generate. Homeowners should not become the default solution every time the city needs

1949
02:34:26,450 --> 02:34:32,330
more revenue, while generous incentive agreements remain in place for billion-dollar companies.

1950
02:34:33,150 --> 02:34:37,210
How much tax revenue has been reimbursed to these major data center developments?

1951
02:34:37,990 --> 02:34:41,750
This money is going straight to the pockets of those who don't even know Eagle Mountain

1952
02:34:41,750 --> 02:34:45,210
exists and do not support the community that they use.

1953
02:34:45,690 --> 02:34:48,570
This isn't about opposing growth or law enforcement.

1954
02:34:49,130 --> 02:34:51,750
This is about fairness, accountability, and transparency.

1955
02:34:52,550 --> 02:34:52,930
Thank you.

1956
02:34:55,950 --> 02:34:56,570
Thanks, Steve.

1957
02:34:56,670 --> 02:34:59,250
We'll move on to Joel Anderson online.

1958
02:35:03,200 --> 02:35:03,640
Yeah.

1959
02:35:03,860 --> 02:35:04,580
Yeah, thanks.

1960
02:35:04,780 --> 02:35:07,240
Thanks for taking your time to listen to us.

1961
02:35:08,720 --> 02:35:12,500
A lot of what I was going to say has already been said, so let me just maybe

1962
02:35:12,500 --> 02:35:23,720
pitch one possible alternative to the 220% increase. Doing a little bit of research, looking

1963
02:35:23,720 --> 02:35:34,860
back at 2016, we were paying about $67.53 per capita for public safety. In 2026, estimated

1964
02:35:34,860 --> 02:35:43,100
made it to be about $63.16 per capita, adjusted to $216.

1965
02:35:44,160 --> 02:35:53,140
So we're spending roughly 6.9% less than what we should be

1966
02:35:53,140 --> 02:35:55,120
if we were to be on par with 2016.

1967
02:35:55,360 --> 02:36:00,360
So if we were to do something like maybe add

1968
02:36:01,300 --> 02:36:06,260
three new shareups rather than seven that would get us actually a little bit

1969
02:36:06,260 --> 02:36:13,760
over that being on par with 2016 and then if we were to take that five point

1970
02:36:13,760 --> 02:36:20,520
three million dollars that is currently being pulled from other budgets to

1971
02:36:20,520 --> 02:36:25,820
help pay for the you know current share of contract if we were to cut that in

1972
02:36:25,820 --> 02:36:29,820
half and leave half of it to pay for

1973
02:36:31,920 --> 02:36:38,440
sheriffs and public safety and then put the other roughly 2.7 million back

1974
02:36:38,440 --> 02:36:46,720
toward the original I guess back toward other projects that would leave the

1975
02:36:46,720 --> 02:36:54,540
new property tax let's see excuse me anyway that would that would result in

1976
02:36:54,540 --> 02:37:00,640
about an 8% property tax increase would be required to get us into that range.

1977
02:37:02,920 --> 02:37:12,140
Anyway, maybe something like that might be an alternative that it would reduce the tax

1978
02:37:12,140 --> 02:37:14,620
change from 220% to 8%.

1979
02:37:14,620 --> 02:37:22,420
It would put $2.7 million back into other projects and it would increase the sheriff's

1980
02:37:22,420 --> 02:37:28,660
capacity by three sheriffs and so anyway just just to thought something along

1981
02:37:28,660 --> 02:37:34,640
those lines possibly could be a more tempered approach to to what's needed

1982
02:37:34,640 --> 02:37:42,360
here 30 seconds remaining let's see I did yeah also well yeah that's all I have

1983
02:37:42,360 --> 02:37:45,240
to say I think everything else has been said I don't want to be the dead horse

1984
02:37:46,120 --> 02:37:51,900
thank you thanks Joel the next one we have is Joe I do not have a last name

1985
02:37:51,900 --> 02:37:54,800
So please ensure that you give us your last name for the record.

1986
02:37:56,720 --> 02:37:59,820
Yes, my name is Joe Richmond. Thank you for the time.

1987
02:38:01,440 --> 02:38:05,260
So it's interesting going towards the end of this common time.

1988
02:38:05,820 --> 02:38:09,480
There have been a lot of common themes that have come up, lack of transparency,

1989
02:38:10,260 --> 02:38:12,040
not knowing where the money is going.

1990
02:38:12,580 --> 02:38:16,540
We're asking to pay more money, more in taxes to cover things.

1991
02:38:16,540 --> 02:38:22,420
And maybe, you know, the city council, being in leadership is not easy.

1992
02:38:22,640 --> 02:38:24,780
I understand that I've been in leadership my entire career.

1993
02:38:25,180 --> 02:38:31,700
And I understand that you see things and have context that the citizens probably don't have.

1994
02:38:32,340 --> 02:38:34,100
And that's why you're elected.

1995
02:38:34,820 --> 02:38:40,900
But part of your job as being elected is to communicate well, to be transparent,

1996
02:38:40,900 --> 02:38:48,380
to simplify and make it easy for citizens, how many people have come up who have sacrificed to be here

1997
02:38:48,900 --> 02:38:53,760
to voice their comment, their opposition to this, as I am.

1998
02:38:54,360 --> 02:38:59,220
And we don't have time in our daily lives to research this and to become experts.

1999
02:38:59,960 --> 02:39:06,080
And so if this many people are coming to the table and are opposed to this because we don't understand it

2000
02:39:06,080 --> 02:39:09,220
and it's not clear where the money's going,

2001
02:39:09,660 --> 02:39:12,300
then you have failed at your job at leadership.

2002
02:39:12,860 --> 02:39:15,720
It is your job to help us understand it.

2003
02:39:15,900 --> 02:39:18,780
It's your job, we may not like it,

2004
02:39:19,160 --> 02:39:20,700
but if we can understand it,

2005
02:39:20,800 --> 02:39:23,240
I think we have a better chance of supporting something.

2006
02:39:23,660 --> 02:39:26,680
We have to do that all the time as adults, as leaders.

2007
02:39:27,140 --> 02:39:30,780
So that is what I ask and expect from leadership.

2008
02:39:30,860 --> 02:39:34,620
And I think everybody that's present in the room,

2009
02:39:34,620 --> 02:39:39,580
that's online, that's listening, and those that haven't been able to join, to voice their

2010
02:39:39,580 --> 02:39:43,280
opinion, I've talked to so many people who can't even join because they're busy running

2011
02:39:43,280 --> 02:39:49,000
businesses, they're busy with life, and they can't vote their, voice their opinion here.

2012
02:39:49,400 --> 02:39:56,580
So my, I want to voice my opposition to this, not because it's a big increase, maybe it's

2013
02:39:56,580 --> 02:40:02,280
needed, but you've not done your job to let us, to simplify, to help us to understand

2014
02:40:02,280 --> 02:40:07,740
what's happening. I mean, and especially with the data centers, help us to

2015
02:40:07,740 --> 02:40:14,320
understand how there is such a, how we're giving such tax breaks to these

2016
02:40:14,320 --> 02:40:20,480
these large corporations with deep pockets and yet families and households

2017
02:40:20,480 --> 02:40:26,780
that don't have deep pockets, we can't just raise funds for 220% for to

2018
02:40:26,780 --> 02:40:34,640
to buy a new car or whatever it is remaining so I'm asking that please take

2019
02:40:34,640 --> 02:40:39,800
a step back pause and do a better job of communicating and helping us understand

2020
02:40:39,800 --> 02:40:44,500
what it is you're trying to accomplish trust your citizens to understand that

2021
02:40:44,500 --> 02:40:49,300
what you're seeing and explain it to us in a simple way so that we can maybe

2022
02:40:49,300 --> 02:40:54,840
get behind maybe we don't need the 220% maybe we need 150% or whatever it is

2023
02:40:54,840 --> 02:40:56,160
but help us understand it.

2024
02:40:56,620 --> 02:40:57,280
Thank you for your time.

2025
02:41:00,330 --> 02:41:02,530
The last one we have online is Zachary Vance.

2026
02:41:05,640 --> 02:41:08,760
Hello, I feel like Joe led right into my points.

2027
02:41:10,220 --> 02:41:14,580
Basically, as a democracy, as an experiment in self-governance,

2028
02:41:15,480 --> 02:41:17,380
a lot of this comes down to adequate representation.

2029
02:41:17,860 --> 02:41:19,840
And I don't even know where the citizenry lands

2030
02:41:19,840 --> 02:41:22,020
on how many support it, how many reject it.

2031
02:41:22,280 --> 02:41:23,580
I get the feeling after tonight

2032
02:41:23,580 --> 02:41:24,480
that if you took this

2033
02:41:24,480 --> 02:41:26,140
to some kind of ballot initiative somehow,

2034
02:41:26,560 --> 02:41:28,440
we would likely be rejecting this.

2035
02:41:28,440 --> 02:41:33,560
And honestly, the bottom line is nobody cares what you think as the city council.

2036
02:41:33,900 --> 02:41:36,820
As the city council, you were elected to represent us.

2037
02:41:37,140 --> 02:41:41,420
So I just want to have more transparency on how you're adequately representing the will

2038
02:41:41,420 --> 02:41:41,940
of the people.

2039
02:41:42,320 --> 02:41:43,620
That's what you were elected to do.

2040
02:41:43,880 --> 02:41:47,860
You need to represent the will of the people, and if the people are against you and you

2041
02:41:47,860 --> 02:41:51,080
see a better reason, like Joja said, explain yourself.

2042
02:41:51,460 --> 02:41:53,880
With clear communication, we could be on board.

2043
02:41:54,080 --> 02:41:57,100
We might support you, but I don't even know if you're listening.

2044
02:41:57,100 --> 02:42:02,080
I don't know if you've done anything to listen to your constituents and adequately represent them.

2045
02:42:02,240 --> 02:42:05,300
That's the point of this democracy. That's the point of your job.

2046
02:42:05,480 --> 02:42:09,400
You need to represent your people. It does not matter what you think.

2047
02:42:09,600 --> 02:42:13,120
It is about the people you represent, and that is my only point.

2048
02:42:17,120 --> 02:42:18,100
Thank you, Zachary.

2049
02:42:18,820 --> 02:42:23,920
I want to reiterate, anybody online who would like to participate, will you please raise your hand at this time?

2050
02:42:28,680 --> 02:42:30,980
Okay, we're going to go ahead and move over to the email submission.

2051
02:42:30,980 --> 02:42:34,100
Oh, we have Joe already spoke,

2052
02:42:38,270 --> 02:42:40,150
Joe Richmond already spoke.

2053
02:42:44,880 --> 02:42:46,780
So we will move over to the email portion.

2054
02:42:46,980 --> 02:42:50,260
We got a couple emails through our, to the recorder.

2055
02:42:50,460 --> 02:42:51,700
We have one from David Salazar.

2056
02:42:52,160 --> 02:42:54,480
Thank you, Mayor, Council members for working so hard

2057
02:42:54,480 --> 02:42:56,180
to ensure the city can continue providing

2058
02:42:56,180 --> 02:42:57,620
strong public safety services

2059
02:42:57,620 --> 02:42:59,880
and funding the critical projects for our community needs.

2060
02:43:00,480 --> 02:43:02,580
My father taught me that true character is revealed

2061
02:43:02,580 --> 02:43:04,040
when we are faced with adversity.

2062
02:43:04,640 --> 02:43:06,380
I appreciate each of you being willing to stand

2063
02:43:06,380 --> 02:43:08,000
in the face of criticism and confrontation

2064
02:43:08,000 --> 02:43:09,940
and still make the decisions you believe are right,

2065
02:43:10,060 --> 02:43:12,260
not for yourselves, but for political gain,

2066
02:43:12,340 --> 02:43:14,020
but for the long term, betterment of our city.

2067
02:43:15,000 --> 02:43:16,720
So he says, thank you for your service, courage,

2068
02:43:16,820 --> 02:43:18,600
and your commitment to the future of Eagle Mountain City.

2069
02:43:19,800 --> 02:43:22,580
The other public comment that we got through email

2070
02:43:22,580 --> 02:43:23,720
is from Gary Fuchs.

2071
02:43:24,080 --> 02:43:26,860
He did email it to the council on August 3rd.

2072
02:43:27,260 --> 02:43:28,080
It's only at the email,

2073
02:43:28,180 --> 02:43:29,360
so we'll make sure it's part of the record,

2074
02:43:29,500 --> 02:43:32,800
but he says he's unable to attend.

2075
02:43:33,120 --> 02:43:34,580
He doesn't want to pay higher taxes,

2076
02:43:34,580 --> 02:43:36,440
but understands that 22% increase

2077
02:43:36,440 --> 02:43:40,620
gets people attention and continues to say my hope is that the investment is

2078
02:43:40,620 --> 02:43:43,980
followed by regular incremental planning so Eagle Mountain never again faces the

2079
02:43:43,980 --> 02:43:49,960
need for an increase of this magnitude. And then the last email we got was from

2080
02:43:49,960 --> 02:43:54,580
Steve Prophet. It was also sent to the Council. Looks like on August 6th this

2081
02:43:54,580 --> 02:43:58,480
morning. Thank you for your dedication to the future of the city. I

2082
02:43:58,480 --> 02:44:03,020
understand that proposing a tax increase is a difficult decision and he

2083
02:44:03,020 --> 02:44:06,260
He talks about how the proposal will directly affect his family.

2084
02:44:06,560 --> 02:44:11,000
He asks that you vote no to the proposed increase and revise the budget with outcomes based

2085
02:44:11,000 --> 02:44:14,060
plan that lessens the financial impact on the residents.

2086
02:44:15,780 --> 02:44:19,620
Mayor, that is all of the public comments that I have received at this time.

2087
02:44:19,960 --> 02:44:21,400
I will move it to you at this time.

2088
02:44:22,300 --> 02:44:23,160
Lacey, I will.

2089
02:44:23,300 --> 02:44:26,080
I'm going to forward you one that just came in at 8.03 to the council.

2090
02:44:26,500 --> 02:44:28,740
Can you send it to Recorder at Eagle Mountain, please?

2091
02:44:29,020 --> 02:44:30,060
Stephanie will get that printed.

2092
02:44:32,450 --> 02:44:32,810
Okay.

2093
02:44:32,890 --> 02:44:33,550
Why he's doing that?

2094
02:44:33,550 --> 02:44:34,230
Can you hear me okay?

2095
02:44:34,690 --> 02:44:35,730
Yes, we can hear you, Mayor.

2096
02:44:36,710 --> 02:44:38,130
I just wanted to...

2097
02:44:38,130 --> 02:44:38,670
Mayor, Mayor, hold on.

2098
02:44:47,600 --> 02:44:50,600
It's the poor, poor Tella, poor Ella, yeah.

2099
02:44:56,940 --> 02:44:58,800
Yeah, remind me of her name, please.

2100
02:45:21,930 --> 02:45:22,370
All

2101
02:45:32,580 --> 02:45:37,820
right, we received it. It was a packet of opposition to the tax increase, and it's read,

2102
02:45:37,940 --> 02:45:43,260
no other city in Utah has ever passed a 22% tax increase. 220% tax increase.

2103
02:45:46,210 --> 02:45:46,610
Okay, we'll

2104
02:45:46,610 --> 02:45:47,550
get that one printed.

2105
02:45:59,970 --> 02:46:02,990
Okay, so this is the email that was just received to our office

2106
02:46:02,990 --> 02:46:07,730
from Ethan Neal, who is a husband and father of two on a resident of Eagle Mountain. If

2107
02:46:07,730 --> 02:46:11,410
the city council chooses to approve the proposal, which would increase my property taxes by

2108
02:46:11,410 --> 02:46:16,810
approximately 220% and place an even greater burden on my families already struggling in

2109
02:46:16,810 --> 02:46:21,730
my community. I will make it my mission to ensure residents are aware of how each council

2110
02:46:21,730 --> 02:46:26,630
member voted. I urge you to consider the financial impact of this proposal that we'll

2111
02:46:26,630 --> 02:46:30,830
have on the families that you were elected to represent. So we'll make sure to get that

2112
02:46:30,830 --> 02:46:32,150
printed for the packet as well.

2113
02:46:36,520 --> 02:46:38,320
Now I think we have them all, Mayor.

2114
02:46:39,800 --> 02:46:47,620
Okay, I just wanted to give one last chance. Is there anyone in person that did not get a chance to speak that would like to please make it now?

2115
02:46:50,880 --> 02:46:51,300
Anybody?

2116
02:46:52,000 --> 02:46:52,600
I see nobody.

2117
02:46:53,300 --> 02:46:53,940
Thank you.

2118
02:46:54,320 --> 02:46:57,940
Hold on. Hold on, Mayor. We have one raise hand. Hold please.

2119
02:46:58,540 --> 02:47:05,080
Okay. Please state your name for the record. And fill out a sheet if you would. You can return it to the recorder afterwards.

2120
02:47:06,400 --> 02:47:07,360
Of course we'll do.

2121
02:47:08,860 --> 02:47:17,360
So my name is Chris Baldwin, and I didn't want to talk, but I kept thinking all night

2122
02:47:17,360 --> 02:47:21,220
what would Rich would do, and he would make his voice known.

2123
02:47:22,660 --> 02:47:29,060
So I want to applaud you for your example of fearless being able to speak and say what

2124
02:47:29,060 --> 02:47:29,400
you want.

2125
02:47:29,400 --> 02:47:37,100
I listened to the Pitch Book podcast and I was appalled at a comment that was made

2126
02:47:37,100 --> 02:47:43,940
about we're doing this tax increase because the state is gonna could

2127
02:47:43,940 --> 02:47:50,340
potentially cap the city's ability to increase it and to me the fact that

2128
02:47:50,340 --> 02:47:55,940
that's admitted kind of shocked me. It made me think of Tiffany Walden in the

2129
02:47:55,940 --> 02:48:03,180
comments she's made about malfeasance. I just don't think that's ethical to increase

2130
02:48:06,610 --> 02:48:15,930
at such a high rate because the state might stop our ability to do it. It completely exemplifies

2131
02:48:15,930 --> 02:48:22,430
why the state would have to have that bill even on the table. So that was it.

2132
02:48:26,790 --> 02:48:31,470
Okay, one more time. Is there anyone else in person that would like to make a comment at this time?

2133
02:48:33,520 --> 02:48:35,140
There's one in the back I can see.

2134
02:48:36,140 --> 02:48:40,220
The same instructions that you'll get a paper to lacy when you're done. State name for the record.

2135
02:48:41,100 --> 02:48:48,320
My name is Eric Nelson. I as well didn't want to speak, but 220% is above egregious.

2136
02:48:48,780 --> 02:48:52,700
It's only the Iron Horse or the Trojan Horse. It's just the start.

2137
02:48:52,700 --> 02:48:58,800
what 220 is this year. What's it going to bring to us in the future? There's

2138
02:48:58,800 --> 02:49:06,560
claims for a new city hall, a rec center. I agree that if this goes through, you

2139
02:49:06,560 --> 02:49:11,940
guys aren't going to be elected and you won't be using that city hall. The

2140
02:49:11,940 --> 02:49:17,240
financial burdens that are being put on the families for this kind of increase

2141
02:49:17,240 --> 02:49:21,760
that can barely afford groceries, their bills just surviving, barely keeping

2142
02:49:21,760 --> 02:49:25,860
their heads above water and you want to provide them with a community center that they can't afford

2143
02:49:26,440 --> 02:49:34,000
to even use. It's just so far out there. I moved to Eagle Mountain a year ago,

2144
02:49:35,180 --> 02:49:39,320
moved to Eagle Mountain a year ago because this is the only place I could afford

2145
02:49:39,900 --> 02:49:46,400
and now these kinds of increases are happening. It's going to very quickly make this a place

2146
02:49:46,400 --> 02:49:51,500
that's not affordable to live. I left Salt Lake County to live somewhere that I could afford.

2147
02:49:52,600 --> 02:49:58,200
this is going to turn into Salt Lake County if you approve this. There will be even more

2148
02:49:58,200 --> 02:50:05,820
problems in this community with a 220 percent increase. Support our law enforcement 100 percent,

2149
02:50:06,320 --> 02:50:10,820
but 220 percent doesn't need to support our law enforcement. A much smaller number

2150
02:50:10,820 --> 02:50:13,540
can support our law enforcement. That's all I got.

2151
02:50:18,720 --> 02:50:22,660
Okay, I'm going to say in person, is there anyone else that feels like they're not

2152
02:50:22,660 --> 02:50:24,160
an opportunity to address the council.

2153
02:50:27,420 --> 02:50:30,980
I don't see anyone. Lacey, have we received any last

2154
02:50:30,980 --> 02:50:31,480
minute email?

2155
02:50:31,580 --> 02:50:32,060
We got one more.

2156
02:50:32,660 --> 02:50:33,160
Okay.

2157
02:50:34,300 --> 02:50:42,640
Hello. My name is Elisa Harless and I've come to City Councils a little bit and I'm

2158
02:50:42,640 --> 02:50:50,740
new to Eagle Mountain. I work in a local dental office here and I know that when I'm presenting

2159
02:50:50,740 --> 02:50:55,960
Planning treatment plans to families, a lot of them struggle to provide proper dental care

2160
02:50:55,960 --> 02:50:59,380
for their children, for their families because they can't afford it.

2161
02:51:00,040 --> 02:51:06,620
I know that we came and met with the City of Commerce and I know that you guys try

2162
02:51:06,620 --> 02:51:13,080
and help small businesses, but your choice of doing this is going to be detrimental

2163
02:51:13,080 --> 02:51:15,700
to those small companies that are trying to thrive.

2164
02:51:16,160 --> 02:51:20,020
The move to Eagle Mountain for a purpose because they can't afford Salt Lake County.

2165
02:51:20,020 --> 02:51:21,380
They can't afford the east side.

2166
02:51:21,540 --> 02:51:22,140
They move out here.

2167
02:51:22,820 --> 02:51:24,700
Their family is that both parents work

2168
02:51:25,360 --> 02:51:27,520
and they live on low incomes

2169
02:51:28,040 --> 02:51:30,500
and they already can't afford their medical bills

2170
02:51:30,500 --> 02:51:32,940
and their dental bills and, you know,

2171
02:51:32,980 --> 02:51:34,380
they ask to make payments on things

2172
02:51:34,380 --> 02:51:36,960
and they're really struggling and it's real out there

2173
02:51:36,960 --> 02:51:40,500
and I don't know if you guys can even relate to that.

2174
02:51:40,600 --> 02:51:42,000
I don't know your personal situations.

2175
02:51:43,380 --> 02:51:45,660
But what's going on, I feel like

2176
02:51:45,660 --> 02:51:47,280
and I feel like a lot of people feel like this too,

2177
02:51:47,280 --> 02:51:52,280
that there's been a lot of mismanagement of money and I don't know if you guys know history

2178
02:51:52,800 --> 02:51:57,540
but it sounds like a lot of the French Revolutionary where King Louis was overspending and keeping

2179
02:51:57,540 --> 02:52:03,020
it secret and not being transparent with his people until they realized what was going

2180
02:52:03,020 --> 02:52:07,100
on and look what happened to them. It's getting to the point where you guys are responsible

2181
02:52:07,100 --> 02:52:12,620
for our money and using it wisely. It's not your money to spend, it's our money

2182
02:52:12,620 --> 02:52:19,200
and you need to treat it and respect it and have integrity and have a voice and

2183
02:52:19,200 --> 02:52:24,780
know how to say no and stand up to these big corporate companies but to me and I

2184
02:52:24,780 --> 02:52:28,120
feel like a lot of people like that too is there's been really a lot of poor

2185
02:52:28,120 --> 02:52:34,320
decisions made in the past government of the city and we know we know it we

2186
02:52:34,320 --> 02:52:38,160
know it and we we recognize it and we've had enough of it and we're

2187
02:52:38,160 --> 02:52:44,340
saying no. So think about history, think how, you know, government has changed because of

2188
02:52:44,340 --> 02:52:48,920
poor decisions with spending money and being bankrupt and not telling the people and it's

2189
02:52:48,920 --> 02:52:53,880
going to come out. So for me, I feel like that's why you have to increase taxes so

2190
02:52:53,880 --> 02:53:00,260
much is because we could be bankrupt. We don't even know. And you have to keep increasing

2191
02:53:00,260 --> 02:53:05,200
taxes to make up for poor excuses and poor decisions that you guys made in the past.

2192
02:53:05,740 --> 02:53:09,680
And I know that some of you are new to it, but there's people that have been on the board

2193
02:53:09,680 --> 02:53:12,040
for a long time that were part of those poor decisions.

2194
02:53:12,820 --> 02:53:17,700
And it's unfortunate that they still get loaded in, I don't know why, but something

2195
02:53:17,700 --> 02:53:18,400
has to change.

2196
02:53:23,450 --> 02:53:23,850
Okay.

2197
02:53:24,170 --> 02:53:24,350
Thank you.

2198
02:53:24,650 --> 02:53:26,130
Lacey, I did see a couple online.

2199
02:53:26,350 --> 02:53:30,610
I know there's a Joe and also, I just lost the other one, can we go to those two

2200
02:53:30,610 --> 02:53:31,050
real quick?

2201
02:53:31,350 --> 02:53:31,490
Yep.

2202
02:53:32,090 --> 02:53:32,410
Tim Blair?

2203
02:53:35,980 --> 02:53:36,340
Yes.

2204
02:53:36,340 --> 02:53:46,140
Yes, I am calling remotely now, but I just couldn't make this pass without getting my

2205
02:53:46,140 --> 02:53:46,980
two cents in.

2206
02:53:47,560 --> 02:53:50,360
I've lived in the Eagle Mountain now about four years.

2207
02:53:51,040 --> 02:53:55,120
Last year, my taxes went up about $800 a year.

2208
02:53:55,280 --> 02:54:04,360
That's about $70 a month for evaluation and one thing and another, and, you know, that

2209
02:54:04,360 --> 02:54:05,300
didn't sound like a lot.

2210
02:54:05,300 --> 02:54:14,800
but it is to me a lot and I've lived all over the United States pretty much and the recent the

2211
02:54:14,800 --> 02:54:22,220
poorest places I've lived in were the ones that had the highest taxes and you know out here in

2212
02:54:22,220 --> 02:54:30,240
this community we've got a lot of things going for us and I just I don't know that I could afford

2213
02:54:30,240 --> 02:54:39,180
to keep, you know, getting that kind of tax increase every year. So, you know, I'm totally

2214
02:54:39,180 --> 02:54:50,720
set against this 220-something percent increase and just wanted to say that I think it's

2215
02:54:50,720 --> 02:54:57,740
a losing proposition, so, for a lot of us. So, that's all I've got. Thank you.

2216
02:55:03,420 --> 02:55:10,000
Okay, I think this is a different Joe. We get to hear from one Joe. So would you check

2217
02:55:10,000 --> 02:55:12,820
and see if Joe has spoke, maybe state the last name?

2218
02:55:16,420 --> 02:55:19,840
Yep, he's the same one that had spoke already. Looks like I recognize the picture.

2219
02:55:21,980 --> 02:55:22,360
Okay.

2220
02:55:27,120 --> 02:55:30,860
Was there, before I go on, I just wanted to double check. I've run into two devices

2221
02:55:30,860 --> 02:55:35,240
here. Sorry, I'm a little slow. Was there anyone else online who did not get the

2222
02:55:35,240 --> 02:55:40,440
opportunity to speak if they would raise their hand please actually

2223
02:55:44,340 --> 02:55:46,020
I'm trying

2224
02:55:46,020 --> 02:55:49,700
to run the two devices and I believe on Joe's device his wife wanted to speak

2225
02:55:49,700 --> 02:55:52,540
Roxanne is that correct we asked a proxies analyst

2226
02:55:52,540 --> 02:56:01,420
Gotcha okay yeah we'll get them unmuted yeah my name is Roxanne Richmond go

2227
02:56:01,420 --> 02:56:07,420
ahead Roxanne we'll get you going okay thank you for thank you for listening

2228
02:56:07,420 --> 02:56:11,920
to me. My family and I have lived in Eagle Mountain for seven years and we really love

2229
02:56:11,920 --> 02:56:16,660
the community here. I really believe that the city council members and the mayor are

2230
02:56:16,660 --> 02:56:21,800
good people. Jared called me personally the other day to help me understand why the city

2231
02:56:22,580 --> 02:56:29,120
needs more revenues and that makes some sense. However, I took the time to compare this proposed

2232
02:56:29,120 --> 02:56:37,080
tax rate of .00171 to other cities in Utah County and what I found is that that

2233
02:56:37,080 --> 02:56:42,840
rate is extremely high, even in comparison to cities like Gorham, Linden, Highland, Alpine,

2234
02:56:43,720 --> 02:56:53,100
and Saratoga Springs. I wanted to figure out if this pretose tax rate was sensible in comparison

2235
02:56:53,100 --> 02:56:59,840
to other cities, which have happened to have far more services, although some of them

2236
02:56:59,840 --> 02:57:05,120
aren't going through as much rapid development as Eagle Mountain. But what I've concluded

2237
02:57:05,120 --> 02:57:09,360
that it is an extremely high rate and that the citizens should not be asked to

2238
02:57:09,360 --> 02:57:16,700
foot this bill. I support improved law enforcement but I would ask the city

2239
02:57:16,700 --> 02:57:23,360
council to go back to the drawing board and reevaluate what's needed prioritize

2240
02:57:25,700 --> 02:57:29,860
and renegotiate with the data centers and try to bring in revenues elsewhere

2241
02:57:29,860 --> 02:57:34,620
because this burden would be far too much and asking far too much of tax

2242
02:57:34,620 --> 02:57:35,720
Thank you.

2243
02:57:39,650 --> 02:57:44,250
Okay, if there was anyone else online, please raise your hand if you have not spoke.

2244
02:57:45,210 --> 02:57:55,670
One final chance there. Also, I wanted to ask Lacey, have there been, maybe I think Stephanie's tracking, is there anyone that has emailed in in the last few minutes so we did not get to.

2245
02:57:57,170 --> 02:57:58,090
We will double check.

2246
02:58:01,330 --> 02:58:02,570
No, no more emails.

2247
02:58:03,290 --> 02:58:10,370
Okay. And I don't see any hands raised on the computer. Last call for those in-person.

2248
02:58:10,810 --> 02:58:15,330
We have not had a chance to speak. Is there anyone there that feels like they would like to speak?

2249
02:58:20,480 --> 02:58:21,780
I don't see anyone standing.

2250
02:58:26,160 --> 02:58:28,660
Last call for anyone online, emails.

2251
02:58:29,580 --> 02:58:31,880
I want to make sure everybody feels like they've been heard and had a chance.

2252
02:58:32,060 --> 02:58:32,780
Are we good, Lacey?

2253
02:58:33,160 --> 02:58:36,520
We have Tyler do close online that just raises hand.

2254
02:58:37,440 --> 02:58:37,840
Okay.

2255
02:58:38,000 --> 02:58:38,700
We'll get him unmuted.

2256
02:58:44,960 --> 02:58:52,160
I've lived in Eagle Mountain for over seven years and I lived in Lehigh where Eagle Mountain was a part of it.

2257
02:58:53,000 --> 02:59:02,560
My whole family lives out here and for a property tax increase of 220%, I'm opposed of it.

2258
02:59:03,320 --> 02:59:08,000
I'm all for supporting our Sheriff's Department and Public Safety,

2259
02:59:08,000 --> 02:59:13,780
but I'm like most that I've heard tonight think that we got to go back and find it elsewhere.

2260
02:59:15,060 --> 02:59:16,840
Taxes are killing us already.

2261
02:59:17,780 --> 02:59:21,660
You know, I can barely afford groceries, medical supplies.

2262
02:59:21,800 --> 02:59:23,980
I'm a type one diabetic and I'm having to go without.

2263
02:59:25,620 --> 02:59:35,160
You know, and talking with family, friends, neighbors, you know, majority of my circle are all for

2264
02:59:37,260 --> 02:59:40,000
supporting our Sheriff's Department, public safety.

2265
02:59:40,860 --> 02:59:44,560
But if you look at what the city's done, look at our parks,

2266
02:59:45,200 --> 02:59:50,260
look at our walking paths, even behind my house,

2267
02:59:50,320 --> 02:59:52,580
which is a new build for the most part.

2268
02:59:53,040 --> 02:59:54,060
It's all beyond the crap.

2269
02:59:54,820 --> 02:59:58,620
It looks unpresentable, ugly on the eye,

2270
02:59:58,620 --> 02:59:59,780
And

2271
03:00:01,010 --> 03:00:07,530
I don't think that a 220% increase is going to help with that, because the problems more

2272
03:00:08,150 --> 03:00:12,790
within of like looking at what we need to do to improve.

2273
03:00:14,110 --> 03:00:19,110
There's countless times I see Eagle Mountain City trucks just parked not doing anything

2274
03:00:19,110 --> 03:00:20,610
with employees just sitting there.

2275
03:00:22,720 --> 03:00:24,860
And I don't think that's right. If you have employees

2276
03:00:24,860 --> 03:00:30,520
that are overworked, I understand. But for someone to be overworked but yet sitting

2277
03:00:30,520 --> 03:00:36,800
in a parking lot not doing anything that's not being overworked that's being lazy and they got

2278
03:00:36,800 --> 03:00:43,840
to be held accountable but I just wanted to add my two cents to this and I don't think that this

2279
03:00:43,840 --> 03:00:49,160
is going to help us things going to hurt us as a community where we grow further apart thank you

2280
03:00:54,580 --> 03:01:00,660
okay I don't see any other hands raised I don't see anyone in person and no emails

2281
03:01:01,280 --> 03:01:02,460
Is that correct?

2282
03:01:03,100 --> 03:01:03,640
Correct.

2283
03:01:07,030 --> 03:01:09,250
Wait, we have one more in person.

2284
03:01:09,870 --> 03:01:09,910
Right?

2285
03:01:15,040 --> 03:01:15,860
Yes? No?

2286
03:01:16,440 --> 03:01:17,020
Oh, yes.

2287
03:01:24,760 --> 03:01:27,680
Friends, colleagues, good to see you guys.

2288
03:01:29,200 --> 03:01:30,960
Yeah, I just quickly will say,

2289
03:01:32,700 --> 03:01:35,060
it's hard to squeeze money from people who have no money,

2290
03:01:35,480 --> 03:01:38,820
but we do have companies of global wealth income,

2291
03:01:38,820 --> 03:01:44,640
like Facebook and Google so it's better to try to get some strategy plans to see

2292
03:01:44,640 --> 03:01:47,620
what they could do because they could easily cover whatever you guys need

2293
03:01:47,620 --> 03:01:52,020
versus squeezing these people out so that's just a good strategy you could

2294
03:01:52,020 --> 03:01:56,800
talk about how to get a plan to see all these new companies company all these

2295
03:01:56,800 --> 03:02:01,220
new companies coming in how to structure that deal better contact the

2296
03:02:01,220 --> 03:02:05,140
citizens in Alaska from the golden oil the citizens actually get money

2297
03:02:05,140 --> 03:02:14,420
back. And so I do believe in the natural growth to kind of let that natural income come as

2298
03:02:14,420 --> 03:02:18,960
you know people are moving in every week into this town. So just strategies like that. So

2299
03:02:18,960 --> 03:02:23,300
you guys are doing great. We'll talk. Thanks. Can you state your name for the record please?

2300
03:02:23,900 --> 03:02:26,600
Yeah, for the record. James Russen. Thank you.

2301
03:02:30,450 --> 03:02:32,890
Okay. I don't see anyone else still.

2302
03:02:32,890 --> 03:02:39,390
Again, I know we want to make sure everybody's had a chance to speak, so is that everyone?

2303
03:02:40,290 --> 03:02:41,610
We did receive one email.

2304
03:02:41,870 --> 03:02:46,390
I don't recognize the name Lee Kim that they want to make known that I'm against the increase.

2305
03:02:46,690 --> 03:02:48,430
No transparency is being had.

2306
03:02:50,480 --> 03:02:51,040
Okay.

2307
03:02:51,740 --> 03:02:56,720
All of the emails, I don't see any hands raised or anyone coming forward at this time.

2308
03:02:59,200 --> 03:03:00,060
Last chance.

2309
03:03:01,040 --> 03:03:01,380
Okay.

2310
03:03:01,980 --> 03:03:02,760
I don't see anybody.

2311
03:03:02,760 --> 03:03:09,760
So at 9 o'clock pm, August 6th, we'll close this public hearing at this time.

2312
03:03:09,860 --> 03:03:13,180
I'd like to read our proposed property tax impact schedule.

2313
03:03:14,080 --> 03:03:15,940
This is just the proposed schedule.

2314
03:03:16,180 --> 03:03:21,680
It's what's been in front of people I've read it in almost every single meeting for quite some time now.

2315
03:03:21,720 --> 03:03:29,000
So just for some understanding, the proposed property tax impact schedule is Eagle Mountain City will consider

2316
03:03:29,000 --> 03:03:36,560
and increase this property tax rate to generate an additional $6,742,938.

2317
03:03:37,480 --> 03:03:42,840
The following information is intended to provide the decision makers and the public with an

2318
03:03:42,840 --> 03:03:50,320
explanation of how the city operations would be affected if the proposed property tax

2319
03:03:50,320 --> 03:03:51,540
increase is adopted.

2320
03:03:51,540 --> 03:04:01,760
it. Property tax rate with no increase is 0.000530. Property tax revenue with no increase

2321
03:04:02,340 --> 03:04:15,220
$3,055,201. Proposed revenue with tax change $9,798,139. Increase revenue to Eagle Mountain City

2322
03:04:15,220 --> 03:04:32,460
$6,742,938, Eagle Mountain City's 2026 proposed property tax rate, 0.001700, estimated increase

2323
03:04:32,460 --> 03:04:39,480
to Eagle Mountain City's property tax revenue, 220.88%, estimated increase to the average

2324
03:04:39,480 --> 03:04:49,560
First primary resident market value $488,000, estimated tax increase $314.03, total city

2325
03:04:49,560 --> 03:05:05,360
tax $456.28, estimated increase to average businesses, market value $2,554,303, estimated

2326
03:05:05,360 --> 03:05:18,900
tax increase $2,987.84 total city tax $4,341.62 the affected budget share of

2327
03:05:18,900 --> 03:05:29,900
contract the proposed budget is 9,798,139 the budget with no tax change is

2328
03:05:29,900 --> 03:05:39,400
is $8,290,000 and the budget change would be $1,507,939.

2329
03:05:40,500 --> 03:05:43,060
If a new property tax increase is approved,

2330
03:05:43,240 --> 03:05:44,520
the revenue will be used to fund

2331
03:05:44,520 --> 03:05:46,040
essential public safety operations

2332
03:05:46,040 --> 03:05:48,620
that allow approved by the city council.

2333
03:05:49,320 --> 03:05:51,180
These funds will help support core functions

2334
03:05:51,180 --> 03:05:52,820
of the Utah County Sheriff's Office,

2335
03:05:53,000 --> 03:05:53,880
Eagle Mountain Division,

2336
03:05:54,440 --> 03:05:55,920
including the addition of deaf youth

2337
03:05:55,920 --> 03:05:57,200
to meet the growth of the city.

2338
03:05:57,200 --> 03:06:04,300
city. That is the proposed property tax impact schedule. Thank you for listening to that.

2339
03:06:04,440 --> 03:06:09,420
I appreciate everybody that's made their comments. I think as is our custom, I want to bring

2340
03:06:09,420 --> 03:06:14,920
this back to the council and allow each of you to address maybe some of the notes you

2341
03:06:14,920 --> 03:06:20,700
made before we start our deliberation. I would, however, ask him and maybe council

2342
03:06:20,700 --> 03:06:24,980
with my fellow council members in the same respect of the public that they had, only

2343
03:06:24,980 --> 03:06:29,900
three minutes to speak that at this time you each limit your comments to maybe three minutes

2344
03:06:30,500 --> 03:06:36,220
and try to address some of the questions or or any of the the ideas that you have and then

2345
03:06:36,220 --> 03:06:43,160
we will have also additional time to deliberate on on the item in front of us but I just

2346
03:06:43,160 --> 03:06:48,900
want to give everybody a chance to to seek concerning the public hearing and any council

2347
03:06:50,300 --> 03:06:54,960
questions or concerns so I think I'm going to start on my right

2348
03:07:03,180 --> 03:07:11,620
I would like a timer, please. I've got more than three minutes, but I'll keep this to this part to three minutes first

2349
03:07:11,620 --> 03:07:18,240
I want to say I'm sorry that that you're here. I am grateful that you all showed up for those that have come the gentleman that

2350
03:07:18,240 --> 03:07:24,540
was up at 2.30 this morning and got off work at 4.30 to be here. I'm sorry that you're

2351
03:07:24,540 --> 03:07:31,080
here. Quite frankly, I don't want to be here. I don't want to be in this chair. I threw

2352
03:07:31,080 --> 03:07:35,820
my hat in the ring for Mayor Gray's city council seat because we have had compounded

2353
03:07:35,820 --> 03:07:42,680
serial missteps in our city for several years. I've lived here over 20 years and quite

2354
03:07:42,680 --> 03:07:46,200
Right, frankly, we need to step it up as leaders in the city.

2355
03:07:47,720 --> 03:07:49,080
I'm hearing four themes.

2356
03:07:49,240 --> 03:07:54,580
One is affordability, which maybe I'll address a little bit later, transparency.

2357
03:07:55,480 --> 03:07:56,080
We failed you.

2358
03:07:56,640 --> 03:07:57,820
We absolutely failed you.

2359
03:07:57,980 --> 03:08:00,740
I took it into my own hands to do a podcast.

2360
03:08:01,280 --> 03:08:04,520
It's hard to communicate effectively to a city of 80,000 people.

2361
03:08:05,120 --> 03:08:10,160
The Citizens Page, I just didn't feel like was a good way to communicate in sound

2362
03:08:10,160 --> 03:08:10,460
bites.

2363
03:08:11,000 --> 03:08:15,640
There's been a lot of miscommunication, it's been told that this was passed unanimously,

2364
03:08:16,380 --> 03:08:21,420
it was not passed unanimously, even though that's out on the citizens page, so I tried

2365
03:08:21,420 --> 03:08:26,260
to put a podcast out at my own expense to try to build context, I've put my phone number

2366
03:08:26,260 --> 03:08:31,620
out there, I've had five or six residents reach out to me personally, I've had ten

2367
03:08:31,620 --> 03:08:36,080
to fifteen emails, and I'm just grateful that we are here tonight, even though none

2368
03:08:36,080 --> 03:08:38,740
of us wanted to be here, I'm grateful that we are here.

2369
03:08:38,740 --> 03:08:43,260
This process allows everyone to share their thoughts, their feelings, and it's scary to

2370
03:08:43,260 --> 03:08:45,320
come up to the pulpit in front of the diocese.

2371
03:08:45,580 --> 03:08:46,400
I've stood there myself.

2372
03:08:47,640 --> 03:08:50,560
The second thing is the policy, which we're going to come back to.

2373
03:08:50,900 --> 03:08:52,360
I want to spend more time there.

2374
03:08:52,500 --> 03:08:54,880
And then third, the data centers.

2375
03:08:55,220 --> 03:08:57,200
That has been one of those compounding things.

2376
03:08:58,340 --> 03:09:05,080
The state has floated, or policy makers at the state have floated the idea of socializing

2377
03:09:05,080 --> 03:09:09,640
the MET tax that we've all talked about, that we've all been counting on and told that we're

2378
03:09:09,640 --> 03:09:16,820
going to have this tax, there is a policy that was not passed, was defeated, that would

2379
03:09:16,820 --> 03:09:20,580
essentially take the municipal energy tax and socialize it to other cities.

2380
03:09:21,540 --> 03:09:22,780
In my mind, that's wrong.

2381
03:09:23,000 --> 03:09:23,580
We've been waiting.

2382
03:09:24,080 --> 03:09:27,620
We've been promised that that tax would come back to our city.

2383
03:09:28,080 --> 03:09:34,060
So there are very active, real threats around revenue to our city, and we're trying

2384
03:09:34,060 --> 03:09:40,200
to manage that as best we can along with the with the caps. I don't know that this is the

2385
03:09:40,200 --> 03:09:46,700
right rate. I didn't vote for this. 30 seconds remaining. And I'm hoping to have a lively

2386
03:09:46,700 --> 03:09:49,040
discussion with everyone tonight. Thank you for being here.

2387
03:09:51,460 --> 03:09:54,620
Go ahead. Start my time.

2388
03:09:56,040 --> 03:10:00,600
Thank you for speaking. I think everybody here that knows me or that has listened

2389
03:10:00,600 --> 03:10:04,500
to me knows that we're not afraid to hear your words. We want to hear everything

2390
03:10:04,500 --> 03:10:09,740
that you feel. And sometimes we get stuff wrong. I mean, that's just the reality. I'm

2391
03:10:09,740 --> 03:10:13,220
going to tell you the number one highlighted thing. I share your frustration. I think we

2392
03:10:13,220 --> 03:10:18,660
did a horrible job of communication. I think that's been highlighted by every person here.

2393
03:10:19,560 --> 03:10:23,680
And so for that, I want to apologize. And I don't remember who the gentleman was that

2394
03:10:23,680 --> 03:10:26,760
said it was our responsibility to communicate that. I think he was one of the people

2395
03:10:26,760 --> 03:10:35,200
online. I will own that. I should have communicated to Zach's point it is

2396
03:10:35,200 --> 03:10:39,140
difficult to find a method that we can reach to people and get truthful

2397
03:10:39,140 --> 03:10:44,060
information out. There is so much disinformation that is out there. It's in

2398
03:10:44,060 --> 03:10:48,620
the media, the social media outlet, go to the Eagle Mountain Citizens

2399
03:10:48,620 --> 03:10:52,120
page. There's very little truth in anything that's being said in there.

2400
03:10:52,920 --> 03:10:56,920
And I debated how do I get the information to people?

2401
03:10:57,060 --> 03:11:02,300
How do I tell them why I'm interested in voting for a tax increase of any size?

2402
03:11:04,040 --> 03:11:07,040
We're going to have a chance to talk about that, and I want to address that at that point.

2403
03:11:07,600 --> 03:11:10,540
But I agree that there are the four things that we need to talk about.

2404
03:11:10,960 --> 03:11:12,380
What is real with data center money?

2405
03:11:12,880 --> 03:11:17,820
What are the challenges that we're facing from the state in their efforts

2406
03:11:17,820 --> 03:11:19,900
to try to raise additional funds at our expense?

2407
03:11:19,900 --> 03:11:23,800
what are some of the laws that have been floated that were defeated that we

2408
03:11:23,800 --> 03:11:29,460
know are coming back and then I think I definitely want to talk about the way

2409
03:11:29,460 --> 03:11:32,640
that we communicate with you. I've been very frustrated with that long before I

2410
03:11:32,640 --> 03:11:35,240
was ever on this council and I don't think it's improved all that much

2411
03:11:35,240 --> 03:11:40,880
frankly. I think that the information that you expected I would expect if I

2412
03:11:40,880 --> 03:11:44,740
was in your seat and we didn't provide that information to you and I will

2413
03:11:44,740 --> 03:11:48,500
address that in that latter part. Thank you for taking the time it's a

2414
03:11:48,500 --> 03:11:54,600
great sacrifice for you to be here. That's not lost on me. I appreciate you being here

2415
03:11:54,600 --> 03:11:58,160
so we can actually have a dialogue and explain to you some of the things that we're thinking

2416
03:11:58,160 --> 03:12:03,860
about and where I'm going to end is not predetermined. I will tell you I'm not sure where I'm going

2417
03:12:03,860 --> 03:12:08,940
to be at the end of this. We did have to make a decision to be able to have this discussion

2418
03:12:09,440 --> 03:12:14,100
and so we started with what are our actual needs and I like an opportunity to be able

2419
03:12:14,100 --> 03:12:15,000
to explain that to you.

2420
03:12:18,520 --> 03:12:20,640
Thank you, Councillor Wighting.

2421
03:12:21,660 --> 03:12:23,220
Thank you so much for being here.

2422
03:12:23,380 --> 03:12:24,880
We really, really appreciate you.

2423
03:12:24,940 --> 03:12:26,400
We appreciate all the comments.

2424
03:12:27,140 --> 03:12:33,160
We appreciate you that you've stayed here already for over three hours and we hope you can stay

2425
03:12:33,160 --> 03:12:34,900
for the duration of the commentary here.

2426
03:12:35,260 --> 03:12:36,840
There's been a lot of questions asked.

2427
03:12:37,200 --> 03:12:39,840
There's a lot of information that's going to come back to your direction.

2428
03:12:41,480 --> 03:12:47,200
Skepticism of government is a highly healthy thing and I encourage it, I applaud

2429
03:12:47,200 --> 03:12:53,040
And I hope the Eagle Mountain City, the citizens here, will ever remain skeptical of government,

2430
03:12:53,160 --> 03:12:54,840
whether it's local or state or federal.

2431
03:12:55,400 --> 03:12:56,440
We need to do that.

2432
03:12:56,600 --> 03:13:02,500
We've had so much experience in the past where there has been fraud and abuse at the levels

2433
03:13:02,500 --> 03:13:02,980
of government.

2434
03:13:03,620 --> 03:13:07,320
We've experienced that even recently in the last couple of weeks for those paying

2435
03:13:08,180 --> 03:13:12,840
attention to hearings in Washington, D.C.

2436
03:13:12,840 --> 03:13:19,020
policy, we have learned that the federal government was deceitful on numerous levels and numerous

2437
03:13:19,020 --> 03:13:21,860
occasions with how it handled the COVID situation.

2438
03:13:22,740 --> 03:13:27,640
We are learning that Dr. Fauci in his private diary was saying one thing and publicly saying

2439
03:13:27,640 --> 03:13:28,760
something completely different.

2440
03:13:29,380 --> 03:13:32,040
That affected public policy in a significant way.

2441
03:13:32,540 --> 03:13:34,060
The social distancing was a lie.

2442
03:13:34,280 --> 03:13:36,820
There is no science behind it, Dr. Fauci admits that.

2443
03:13:37,240 --> 03:13:38,740
That's what shut down our businesses.

2444
03:13:38,960 --> 03:13:39,960
That's what shut down our schools.

2445
03:13:40,140 --> 03:13:41,200
That's what shut down our churches.

2446
03:13:41,200 --> 03:13:44,380
And that is what led to massive inflation.

2447
03:13:45,460 --> 03:13:48,720
That's what led to significant costs we are now experiencing.

2448
03:13:49,480 --> 03:13:53,760
But I only bring that up because skepticism is healthy.

2449
03:13:54,240 --> 03:13:57,980
You need to come before us and say, you guys need to document this, that, and the other.

2450
03:13:58,540 --> 03:13:59,760
You have the right to know.

2451
03:14:00,160 --> 03:14:03,680
You need to make sure that we're not doing the same thing that other government leaders have done.

2452
03:14:04,000 --> 03:14:05,160
So I applaud that you're here.

2453
03:14:05,920 --> 03:14:09,180
The only thing that's sad about it is we only have a few of you here.

2454
03:14:09,180 --> 03:14:13,840
There are so many online that will get their information from social media where there are

2455
03:14:13,840 --> 03:14:14,660
only half truths.

2456
03:14:15,280 --> 03:14:18,920
Or people think they have the truth and lead a whole garrison of people in the wrong direction.

2457
03:14:19,240 --> 03:14:23,840
So I hope they'll stay so we can have a dialogue that can be healthy where we can transmit

2458
03:14:23,840 --> 03:14:26,440
information as to why would we consider an increase?

2459
03:14:26,700 --> 03:14:28,680
Why would we do something that would be unpopular?

2460
03:14:29,320 --> 03:14:30,600
Why would we want to do that?

2461
03:14:31,360 --> 03:14:36,780
It would be easy for any of us to be the single champion and have a whole people

2462
03:14:36,780 --> 03:14:41,140
people will rally behind us. Why would we consider the tax increase? So I hope

2463
03:14:41,140 --> 03:14:44,120
they'll stay as we can have additional discussion and I really appreciate

2464
03:14:44,120 --> 03:14:44,840
again that you're here.

2465
03:14:47,490 --> 03:14:50,490
Okay, thank you, Council Member Wright. Go ahead. Thank you,

2466
03:14:50,550 --> 03:14:53,550
Mayor. It's been good to hear from you.

2467
03:14:55,860 --> 03:14:57,180
Somebody said that we're gonna take

2468
03:14:57,180 --> 03:14:59,980
the easy way out. I can assure you this is not the

2469
03:15:05,390 --> 03:15:10,890
The easy way out is really ignoring the needs that the city is experiencing, the growth that

2470
03:15:10,890 --> 03:15:18,470
we're dealing with, the loss of employees because we can't keep them even in a median

2471
03:15:18,470 --> 03:15:20,190
area as far as payroll goes.

2472
03:15:25,630 --> 03:15:28,930
There's a lot that we need to discuss, but I do want to thank you for

2473
03:15:28,930 --> 03:15:33,990
coming. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I really hope you'll listen to the discussion

2474
03:15:33,990 --> 03:15:38,790
that's going to ensue because I don't get the feeling, I haven't had the feeling that this

2475
03:15:38,790 --> 03:15:41,010
is settled in an exact place.

2476
03:15:41,510 --> 03:15:44,270
But we're going to have some dialogue and some discussion

2477
03:15:44,270 --> 03:15:44,870
about it.

2478
03:15:45,870 --> 03:15:50,610
But I am absolutely considering a tax increase

2479
03:15:50,610 --> 03:15:52,110
for all of the right reasons.

2480
03:15:53,230 --> 03:15:55,530
And some of you are going to shake your heads and say,

2481
03:15:55,650 --> 03:15:57,350
well, what are the right reasons?

2482
03:15:57,470 --> 03:15:58,690
We're going to have that discussion.

2483
03:16:00,690 --> 03:16:01,930
It's not the easy way out.

2484
03:16:02,350 --> 03:16:03,810
In fact, it's the most difficult path

2485
03:16:03,810 --> 03:16:05,030
that we have to take forward.

2486
03:16:05,150 --> 03:16:06,950
The easy way is to say, we're not going to do anything.

2487
03:16:06,950 --> 03:16:09,830
And what we're going to do is just continue to reduce services and we're not going to

2488
03:16:09,830 --> 03:16:13,290
take care of those things that we own and that we should be taken care of.

2489
03:16:13,750 --> 03:16:15,830
And that's what we've done for a number of years.

2490
03:16:16,390 --> 03:16:22,310
It's always tighten your belt, figure out a way forward without dealing with the hard

2491
03:16:22,310 --> 03:16:27,170
problems of the fact that we don't have the resources that we need to take care

2492
03:16:27,170 --> 03:16:28,350
of those things that we have.

2493
03:16:30,310 --> 03:16:32,130
It really is a resourcing problem.

2494
03:16:32,130 --> 03:16:43,550
And I can assure you this, this city council and those of the very short past have been anxiously engaged in creating economic development that is going to bear fruit.

2495
03:16:44,350 --> 03:16:45,890
I'm confident of that.

2496
03:16:46,690 --> 03:16:59,170
And you shake your heads, no, and you can disbelieve that, but the day will come when Eagle Mountain will be known as one of the most, I want to use the right word, prosperous cities.

2497
03:17:00,070 --> 03:17:06,110
in Utah County, certainly and within the state of Utah, those days are on our horizon, but

2498
03:17:06,110 --> 03:17:11,210
they are not today. They are coming. And I know Mayor Gray has gotten in trouble for saying

2499
03:17:11,210 --> 03:17:17,430
that and I'm going to do you a favor. I've started into my second term, this is my

2500
03:17:17,430 --> 03:17:23,410
fifth year. I'm not going to rerun. I'm here to do it for the right reasons and

2501
03:17:23,410 --> 03:17:27,810
to make the right decisions and to make the changes and we have said no. We have

2502
03:17:27,810 --> 03:17:32,330
said no in multiple occasions in multiple ways and made very hard decisions.

2503
03:17:32,750 --> 03:17:36,010
We've adjusted the way development happens in Eagle Mountain, the way the water is

2504
03:17:36,010 --> 03:17:40,550
allocated. We have made some tremendous strides in holding the development

2505
03:17:40,550 --> 03:17:44,490
community accountable when they were not being held accountable prior to my

2506
03:17:44,490 --> 03:17:49,610
arrival here. I'm sure we'll talk a little bit more about that. My time's

2507
03:17:49,610 --> 03:17:51,190
about out, but thank you for being here.

2508
03:17:54,070 --> 03:17:56,210
Okay, I go ahead and milk. Council Member Clark.

2509
03:17:57,230 --> 03:18:03,270
Thank you all for being here tonight. I totally get why people are angry and it

2510
03:18:03,270 --> 03:18:07,510
makes sense that you're mistrustful and it even makes sense why maybe you're a

2511
03:18:07,510 --> 03:18:11,590
little bit afraid that your quality of life and your ability to take care of

2512
03:18:11,590 --> 03:18:18,710
your family and provide for their needs could change and the fact is is I feel

2513
03:18:18,710 --> 03:18:24,670
all of those same things before I ran for city council I was pissed that the

2514
03:18:24,670 --> 03:18:31,050
city was spending money on a park that I didn't think we had money for and I

2515
03:18:31,050 --> 03:18:34,750
would rant and rave on Facebook and I would take all my elected officials and

2516
03:18:34,750 --> 03:18:42,570
ask them to be accountable for all of that and as I've got into office I

2517
03:18:42,570 --> 03:18:46,950
started to realize that there's way more than I ever could have

2518
03:18:46,950 --> 03:18:51,670
comprehensive and frankly serving the city is

2519
03:18:54,710 --> 03:18:58,250
an honor but it's also super

2520
03:18:58,250 --> 03:19:01,790
hard because there were a lot of decisions made in the early years of the

2521
03:19:01,790 --> 03:19:07,830
city that set us up for trajectory that makes it so that we don't have as much

2522
03:19:07,830 --> 03:19:08,530
control now.

2523
03:19:11,050 --> 03:19:15,190
I want you to know too that this isn't settled. I spent a lot of

2524
03:19:15,190 --> 03:19:23,070
time going through budgets, I spent a lot of time going through what our cities doing,

2525
03:19:23,290 --> 03:19:27,870
what other cities are doing and trying to find ways that we could save money so that we don't

2526
03:19:27,870 --> 03:19:34,210
have to raise taxes. But like my colleagues up here have said, it would be easy for us

2527
03:19:34,210 --> 03:19:40,590
just to say no and not look at the real needs that we have as a city. I think the biggest

2528
03:19:40,590 --> 03:19:46,690
thing that we have to figure out tonight while we're meeting with you guys is what do we cut?

2529
03:19:47,330 --> 03:19:51,030
What are the priorities that matter the most to the people of our community?

2530
03:19:52,470 --> 03:19:58,410
Because there's more needs than we have money. We do need to do a better job of communicating.

2531
03:19:59,570 --> 03:20:06,330
Mayor Gray and this council have tried to come to your neighborhoods and do a listening tour.

2532
03:20:06,330 --> 03:20:11,870
We've tried to go to farmers markets, but it's still not enough. It's still not enough and

2533
03:20:14,610 --> 03:20:16,530
We need to do better I

2534
03:20:18,310 --> 03:20:23,410
Want to thank you all for being here. I hope that we get an opportunity to talk about

2535
03:20:24,630 --> 03:20:29,990
Some of the history some of the changes some of the reasons for the things that we 30 seconds remaining

2536
03:20:31,190 --> 03:20:35,170
And I hope that you guys get a chance to stay and be a part of that conversation.

2537
03:20:35,670 --> 03:20:36,570
So thank you.

2538
03:20:39,880 --> 03:20:40,280
Okay.

2539
03:20:40,440 --> 03:20:41,920
Now, something a little different.

2540
03:20:42,560 --> 03:20:45,720
Council kind of knew that they were going to get a chance and as they always do.

2541
03:20:46,520 --> 03:20:48,000
But this part maybe they didn't know.

2542
03:20:48,100 --> 03:20:49,640
I'm just going to ask you can say no.

2543
03:20:50,580 --> 03:20:56,500
Our city manager, Ben Reeves, has been a great addition to our city and has a wealth of knowledge.

2544
03:20:56,700 --> 03:21:00,420
I'm just going to ask if there are any comments that you'd like to make.

2545
03:21:00,420 --> 03:21:04,860
and if there's any maybe clarifying things or anything that you could help the public

2546
03:21:04,860 --> 03:21:10,260
or the council. And you can say no. And following that, I do know that Sheriff Smith is also

2547
03:21:10,260 --> 03:21:15,020
in the audience and give him a chance to represent the Sheriff's Department if he wishes.

2548
03:21:15,860 --> 03:21:19,260
I don't mean to put you on the spot, but I just wanted to relay that out there.

2549
03:21:21,760 --> 03:21:27,540
Thank you, Mayor. And I echo the comments of the council and I echo the fact that

2550
03:21:27,540 --> 03:21:29,720
But it is a great honor to serve this community.

2551
03:21:30,340 --> 03:21:37,560
I've been here just a short time, but I've seen Eagle Mountain City from afar since its

2552
03:21:37,560 --> 03:21:44,000
inception back in 1996, when 250 residents came together to collectively work to build

2553
03:21:44,000 --> 03:21:45,040
towards a brighter future.

2554
03:21:45,720 --> 03:21:53,760
And today here we are inheriting a city of 80,000, and yet the services and the

2555
03:21:53,760 --> 03:21:58,040
work and the infrastructure and everything that is needed is so essential in order to

2556
03:21:58,040 --> 03:22:02,820
enhance and protect and preserve the quality of life that you've enjoyed for these last 30 years.

2557
03:22:03,660 --> 03:22:11,880
Coming in new, I just look and applaud at our first responders, both with the Sheriff's

2558
03:22:11,880 --> 03:22:17,780
Department and with the UFA and our city staff and all that they do. And it's what's hard for

2559
03:22:17,780 --> 03:22:22,160
me is that I truly feel like for many, many years that they have been working with

2560
03:22:22,720 --> 03:22:27,720
basically an arm tied behind their back, we haven't invested in them, and I think there

2561
03:22:27,720 --> 03:22:33,020
is a strong desire for the mentality of use it up, wear it out, make it do or do it out.

2562
03:22:33,820 --> 03:22:39,800
And that's great, but there's also a certain expectation that our property values go down

2563
03:22:39,800 --> 03:22:44,520
if we don't take care of our open spaces, if we don't take care of our parks, people

2564
03:22:44,520 --> 03:22:45,800
go to other areas.

2565
03:22:46,520 --> 03:22:48,920
I know it was talked a lot about the data centers.

2566
03:22:48,920 --> 03:22:53,500
I wasn't here when the first data center was approved, but I can tell you that the incentives

2567
03:22:53,500 --> 03:22:57,000
given to the first data center brought the next, and then that brought the next.

2568
03:22:57,160 --> 03:23:01,960
And with each subsequent data center to today, there's been less incentive, less incentive.

2569
03:23:02,420 --> 03:23:03,760
There's no incentives today.

2570
03:23:04,200 --> 03:23:08,940
And they're going the other direction and bringing money to the table up front.

2571
03:23:09,100 --> 03:23:13,860
And so if it wasn't for some of the decisions of the past, we wouldn't have inherited

2572
03:23:14,280 --> 03:23:15,760
the bright future as well.

2573
03:23:15,760 --> 03:23:19,400
And so it's hard to stand in judgment for those who have been here before

2574
03:23:19,900 --> 03:23:25,160
But I can tell you today that our city staff is about a third of the size of city

2575
03:23:26,800 --> 03:23:33,000
Staff of equivalent population and they are working their hearts out and they care and they

2576
03:23:33,000 --> 03:23:39,180
They love the city that they work for they love the council that they work for and they love serving the people that they work for

2577
03:23:39,180 --> 03:23:43,320
And yet it's hard to hear after day after day that you know

2578
03:23:43,320 --> 03:23:47,760
We suck. We're not keeping up. We're not keeping the parks up. We're not keeping the trails up

2579
03:23:47,760 --> 03:23:51,420
Well, we can only do what we can do with the staff that we have and we can only

2580
03:23:52,000 --> 03:23:53,660
provide that level of service

2581
03:23:54,480 --> 03:23:57,500
That we can afford to 30 seconds remaining

2582
03:23:57,500 --> 03:24:02,980
And so ultimately this is a policy decision and I will support the council and whatever they do

2583
03:24:02,980 --> 03:24:09,300
And I'm absolutely confident our staff will support the council and whatever they decide and they will do the very best with whatever

2584
03:24:09,300 --> 03:24:10,960
for resources that you entrust with them.

2585
03:24:11,700 --> 03:24:14,400
But at the same time, please recognize

2586
03:24:14,400 --> 03:24:15,340
that we're in it together.

2587
03:24:15,720 --> 03:24:17,540
We are one team, we're one family,

2588
03:24:17,760 --> 03:24:18,760
we're one Eagle Mountain City.

2589
03:24:18,860 --> 03:24:19,560
We all live here.

2590
03:24:19,980 --> 03:24:21,460
We all wanna see our kids and grandkids

2591
03:24:21,460 --> 03:24:22,860
live here in the future as well.

2592
03:24:23,480 --> 03:24:24,000
Thank you.

2593
03:24:29,800 --> 03:24:32,080
I can't see Sheriff Smith off the screen,

2594
03:24:32,200 --> 03:24:34,660
but you see, there he is.

2595
03:24:36,400 --> 03:24:37,240
Thank you, Mayor.

2596
03:24:37,580 --> 03:24:39,540
Super excited to speak at something like this.

2597
03:24:42,180 --> 03:24:47,820
So, hey, you know, honestly, I get PTSD with these type of meetings, I hate them.

2598
03:24:48,380 --> 03:24:53,340
I feel for everybody that spoke tonight, my heart goes out to you.

2599
03:24:53,900 --> 03:24:54,640
It's a horrible thing.

2600
03:24:54,760 --> 03:24:56,080
I feel for the council.

2601
03:24:56,460 --> 03:24:57,180
It's a tough decision.

2602
03:24:58,020 --> 03:25:05,020
It's easy to arm share a quarterback this and criticize, but I can tell you as somebody

2603
03:25:05,020 --> 03:25:08,560
who sits in the seat also, it's a whole different story when you're sitting in the

2604
03:25:08,560 --> 03:25:09,980
and you have to make the decision.

2605
03:25:10,400 --> 03:25:12,820
So I respect that.

2606
03:25:13,300 --> 03:25:14,540
I respect you for what you're doing.

2607
03:25:14,900 --> 03:25:16,800
And what I will say is the sheriff

2608
03:25:16,800 --> 03:25:25,320
is we are extremely proud to be your law enforcement out

2609
03:25:25,320 --> 03:25:25,960
in Eagle Mountain.

2610
03:25:26,320 --> 03:25:28,900
We are Eagle Mountain out here.

2611
03:25:29,900 --> 03:25:31,500
The deputies that we send out here

2612
03:25:31,500 --> 03:25:35,160
are the finest deputies that we have in the sheriff's office.

2613
03:25:35,160 --> 03:25:41,060
office. You are getting high quality people. We're able to, through the Sheriff's Office,

2614
03:25:41,540 --> 03:25:46,780
we're able to recruit top officers. A lot of times, you know, I get Chiefs that are

2615
03:25:46,780 --> 03:25:51,140
mad at me. We're taking them from other cities because they want to come work for the Sheriff's

2616
03:25:51,140 --> 03:25:56,420
Office. And so the Eagle Mountain benefits from that. And what I will tell you is

2617
03:25:57,220 --> 03:26:02,140
it's a tough decision to come to Eagle Mountain Council and say, hey, we need this.

2618
03:26:02,140 --> 03:26:07,920
But as we look at crime, as we look at the growth of this city, I'll tell you, as far

2619
03:26:07,920 --> 03:26:13,380
as the truth and taxation and what it costs to do it, again, that's a really tough decision.

2620
03:26:13,500 --> 03:26:15,460
But that's not what I look at.

2621
03:26:15,540 --> 03:26:18,160
I look at how do we keep Eagle Mountain safe?

2622
03:26:18,500 --> 03:26:23,460
How do we keep Eagle Mountain a community that people want to move to, that people

2623
03:26:23,460 --> 03:26:27,980
feel comfortable living in, that people feel like their public safety is doing their jobs?

2624
03:26:27,980 --> 03:26:34,520
I come out and I campaign I go to meetings and I'll tell you what I hear not in a truth and taxation meeting

2625
03:26:34,520 --> 03:26:41,880
But what I hear overwhelmingly from people is is they're upset. They're upset because they called on, you know

2626
03:26:41,880 --> 03:26:43,220
Maybe something

2627
03:26:43,880 --> 03:26:48,680
Lower level on the food chain of law enforcement and they didn't get the response they needed

2628
03:26:49,520 --> 03:26:55,660
Why aren't you guys responding and I can tell you the reason why is is because the the deputies are

2629
03:26:55,660 --> 03:26:59,640
basically going from call to call to call and I heard a few comments tonight

2630
03:26:59,640 --> 03:27:04,600
about what we saw him getting a drink at 7-Eleven or wherever they were and I've

2631
03:27:04,600 --> 03:27:08,780
told them and I challenge them like if you have downtime I would rather have

2632
03:27:08,780 --> 03:27:12,960
you 30 seconds remaining instead of coming to the office and hanging out I

2633
03:27:12,960 --> 03:27:17,380
would rather have you going somewhere like that to take a break and talk to

2634
03:27:17,380 --> 03:27:21,820
the community be out there with the community so we we want to be your

2635
03:27:21,820 --> 03:27:26,480
please force them. What I will guarantee you as your sheriff is, we're not asking for

2636
03:27:26,480 --> 03:27:31,000
anything that's not needed out here. It is definitely needed, actually more is needed.

2637
03:27:31,460 --> 03:27:37,120
I've heard a few comments about doing your own police. That's on the table if they

2638
03:27:37,120 --> 03:27:40,860
want, but I think the Council knows in a feasibility study that is no where it's

2639
03:27:40,860 --> 03:27:45,920
not cheap, it's not even close to what you're getting for what we do. Thank you.

2640
03:27:48,980 --> 03:27:55,480
Okay, thank you. And I will add a couple of comments I forgot to do earlier, but some

2641
03:27:56,440 --> 03:28:00,060
of the things like that were brought up in the meeting impact fees and grants, those are

2642
03:28:00,060 --> 03:28:06,100
all one-time monies. These deputies that we hired will be ongoing expenses year over

2643
03:28:06,100 --> 03:28:10,980
year with their salaries, just as thoughts for some of the questions that were brought

2644
03:28:10,980 --> 03:28:18,140
up. Also, I work extensively with our data center partners. I've been in office

2645
03:28:18,140 --> 03:28:25,280
now 213 days. And I've got to know those guys very, very well. And in the course of

2646
03:28:25,280 --> 03:28:29,840
the week, I wanted to know some of the actual numbers for the community to understand. And

2647
03:28:29,840 --> 03:28:34,760
QTS actually provided some talking points just to, you guys can take these numbers

2648
03:28:34,760 --> 03:28:39,600
back and look at what it is that we've been telling you is coming. They're under construction

2649
03:28:39,600 --> 03:28:45,400
and so these haven't been fully realized yet. But the property tax impact from

2650
03:28:45,400 --> 03:28:50,020
QTS. They're committed to building within our city. In the new buildings, there's three

2651
03:28:50,020 --> 03:28:53,220
buildings running construction right now. They're looking to break down on two more

2652
03:28:53,220 --> 03:28:59,880
buildings just to the north. The impact will generate over $19 million a year for our local

2653
03:28:59,880 --> 03:29:00,460
jurisdictions.

2654
03:29:02,740 --> 03:29:06,100
And Evan obviously knows these numbers and we're going through these numbers

2655
03:29:06,100 --> 03:29:10,980
every day. Just for Eagle Mountain City alone, at our current tax rate, the Eagle

2656
03:29:10,980 --> 03:29:17,480
amount of city that would be $2.7 million a year. The Utah County would get $1.7 million.

2657
03:29:17,640 --> 03:29:22,200
Here's the big one. I heard of this a lot during this, you know, the concerns about

2658
03:29:22,200 --> 03:29:26,080
the school district. Lake Mountain School District, on the current five buildings,

2659
03:29:26,200 --> 03:29:32,480
we get $10.4 million a year. That's an additional $10.4 million for the budget. Every three

2660
03:29:32,480 --> 03:29:37,700
years that builds an elementary school. So when I mentioned earlier on that this

2661
03:29:37,700 --> 03:29:42,200
money is coming these are the actual numbers unified fire district under the

2662
03:29:42,200 --> 03:29:46,600
current tax system we get 3.2 million we're looking by next year to bring that

2663
03:29:46,600 --> 03:29:51,640
taxing authority back in house add that to the city amount and you would see a

2664
03:29:52,120 --> 03:29:57,620
little over five million dollars to the city rather than 2.7 so those are the

2665
03:29:57,620 --> 03:29:59,740
kind of numbers Utah Central Water District

2666
03:30:00,000 --> 03:30:04,940
We'll get almost a million, and then the other districts just shy of a half a million.

2667
03:30:05,860 --> 03:30:12,240
Another thing is QTS was granted some tax incentives when they started those first three buildings.

2668
03:30:12,400 --> 03:30:16,660
They came back on these next two. We didn't even ask this and said, hey, by the way, you

2669
03:30:16,660 --> 03:30:20,740
guys have been so great to us. We don't want any incentives on these next bills. Just

2670
03:30:20,740 --> 03:30:22,860
we're going to be full taxpayer starting day one.

2671
03:30:23,440 --> 03:30:29,400
So I want that to soak in a little bit that we are negotiating and we are working

2672
03:30:29,400 --> 03:30:35,340
with these people and they are going to contribute right around the corner. These dollars are

2673
03:30:35,340 --> 03:30:39,560
going to be realized right away. We haven't even talked about the MET that also generates.

2674
03:30:41,140 --> 03:30:46,720
So at another point, we were trying to figure out how to widen pony express here a couple

2675
03:30:46,720 --> 03:30:52,280
of weeks ago. QTS, I made one phone call to them and said, Hey, maybe we could do

2676
03:30:52,280 --> 03:30:55,980
a reimbursement agreement like how to work this out. That was some ideas to talk about

2677
03:30:55,980 --> 03:31:00,760
in the city hall. I called them and said, you know what, I don't feel like this is a burden

2678
03:31:00,760 --> 03:31:04,800
the residents should bear. Some of that traffic on Pony Express is because of their workers.

2679
03:31:05,460 --> 03:31:10,180
I said it's about a $5 million bill with two stop lights and two of those stop lights are

2680
03:31:10,180 --> 03:31:16,120
areas that are turned towards their development. It's about $5 million asked and I asked them

2681
03:31:16,120 --> 03:31:24,540
to consider helping us with that at least half or most the people that are charged

2682
03:31:24,540 --> 03:31:27,160
with making those decisions, said give me just a minute.

2683
03:31:28,020 --> 03:31:29,780
I hung the phone up and called me right back and said,

2684
03:31:29,880 --> 03:31:31,840
you know what, not only will we help,

2685
03:31:32,020 --> 03:31:33,620
we'll pay for that entire $5 million bill,

2686
03:31:34,180 --> 03:31:35,140
that road will be built.

2687
03:31:35,740 --> 03:31:38,160
So now our internal staff, our engineers are working hard

2688
03:31:38,160 --> 03:31:40,000
to make sure that we can get that as soon as possible.

2689
03:31:40,420 --> 03:31:41,860
I think we'll see some of it this year

2690
03:31:41,860 --> 03:31:42,580
and some in the future.

2691
03:31:43,120 --> 03:31:45,120
So I just want you to know that these data centers

2692
03:31:45,120 --> 03:31:46,380
are invested in our community

2693
03:31:46,820 --> 03:31:48,760
and not just at their site,

2694
03:31:49,100 --> 03:31:51,740
but in areas where we direct that we need some help.

2695
03:31:51,740 --> 03:31:59,620
So some of those numbers are now out there, and are you welcome to get further information?

2696
03:32:01,000 --> 03:32:05,720
I would say those are estimated a little bit, but we've done a lot of math over the last week

2697
03:32:05,720 --> 03:32:10,420
just so that we could provide that with some fairly good confidence that that's the direction

2698
03:32:10,420 --> 03:32:15,180
that we're headed on just that one site. That does not include some of the other data centers.

2699
03:32:15,580 --> 03:32:19,580
So I just wanted to get that out there as we move forward in this discussion.

2700
03:32:20,380 --> 03:32:28,940
I think it's time, I just want to reach out to Marcus, Lacey, I know Kimberly's there

2701
03:32:28,940 --> 03:32:29,780
procedurally.

2702
03:32:29,960 --> 03:32:34,000
If we missed anything that we need to address this time before I go on to item number four,

2703
03:32:34,220 --> 03:32:34,860
or the council.

2704
03:32:38,110 --> 03:32:39,450
It looks like we are okay.

2705
03:32:40,030 --> 03:32:42,630
Marcus, Kimberly and I, we have everything we need.

2706
03:32:42,710 --> 03:32:42,950
Thank you.

2707
03:32:43,430 --> 03:32:44,010
I think we're good.

2708
03:32:45,410 --> 03:32:45,790
Okay.

2709
03:32:46,070 --> 03:32:51,130
If the council has any questions as we move forward, you're welcome to let me know.

2710
03:32:51,130 --> 03:32:55,530
But I think it's time to move on to item number four on our agenda, which is a resolution of

2711
03:32:55,530 --> 03:33:01,070
Eagle Mount City approving a property tax increase above the certified tax rate for physical

2712
03:33:01,070 --> 03:33:02,330
year 2627.

2713
03:33:05,370 --> 03:33:09,070
I think we've talked about this a lot through our budget process and whatnot.

2714
03:33:09,470 --> 03:33:12,750
So at this time, I'd just like to turn it over to the council if you have any questions

2715
03:33:12,750 --> 03:33:13,330
or comments.

2716
03:33:13,830 --> 03:33:16,410
I know there were a few of you that said that you wanted to get into a little more

2717
03:33:16,410 --> 03:33:17,450
detail at this point.

2718
03:33:20,150 --> 03:33:26,230
So, I'm open to raise your hand, let me know if you'd like to speak, and we'll try to use

2719
03:33:26,230 --> 03:33:27,150
as orderly as possible.

2720
03:33:27,810 --> 03:33:31,090
Again, I appreciate you guys allowing me to do this remotely, but whoever wants to speak,

2721
03:33:31,670 --> 03:33:32,070
let me know.

2722
03:33:34,440 --> 03:33:38,940
Mayor, really quick, I think you guys have asked a question about transparency, and you're

2723
03:33:38,940 --> 03:33:46,480
like, we want a line-by-line explanation of the budget and what the money's being

2724
03:33:46,480 --> 03:33:47,100
spent on.

2725
03:33:47,100 --> 03:33:52,360
and I want you guys to know that that document exists and not only does that

2726
03:33:52,360 --> 03:33:57,340
document exist right now for this year's budget but it exists for all of the

2727
03:33:57,340 --> 03:34:02,760
previous year's budgets and they are all on our city website there's an

2728
03:34:02,760 --> 03:34:07,700
interactive budget so you can kind of see what the goals are for every single

2729
03:34:07,700 --> 03:34:11,720
department what their projects are that they're working on so if it's

2730
03:34:11,720 --> 03:34:18,420
parks, what parks they're upgrading, if it's the attorney's office, what contracts and

2731
03:34:18,420 --> 03:34:19,720
different things they're working on.

2732
03:34:20,460 --> 03:34:26,660
And it's important to us that you guys know today when you go home that that exists,

2733
03:34:27,260 --> 03:34:31,600
and we are 100% transparent and accountable to you guys.

2734
03:34:31,880 --> 03:34:34,280
We want you to know that it's out there.

2735
03:34:34,500 --> 03:34:39,240
We've done a crappy job of helping you know where it is, but it exists.

2736
03:34:39,860 --> 03:34:45,540
And I think it's really important for you guys to know that it's there.

2737
03:34:48,450 --> 03:34:52,590
Yeah, I think to your point, a lot of people have used the word transparency instead of communication.

2738
03:34:53,870 --> 03:34:57,950
Transparency, everything that we've done has been in an open and public meeting and it's very transparent.

2739
03:34:59,370 --> 03:35:05,430
What it isn't is easy to get it out to the public in a form maybe easy to understand or whatnot.

2740
03:35:05,430 --> 03:35:10,170
So the communication side, we've done our best, and we try and we improve every day.

2741
03:35:10,310 --> 03:35:14,190
But transparency is definitely everything we've done has been in the open.

2742
03:35:14,630 --> 03:35:18,710
So next, is that Council Member Hewish?

2743
03:35:19,090 --> 03:35:19,490
You go ahead.

2744
03:35:20,030 --> 03:35:24,050
Yeah, I just want to go deeper into the transparency piece.

2745
03:35:25,770 --> 03:35:31,830
When the, this is my understanding, and Ben, you can correct me if I'm misstep anywhere.

2746
03:35:32,550 --> 03:35:33,810
Okay, I'm going to be careful.

2747
03:35:33,810 --> 03:35:40,290
But when the application was submitted for the policy to cover 100% of the sheriff's contract,

2748
03:35:40,770 --> 03:35:44,870
100% with property taxes, that was the application.

2749
03:35:45,810 --> 03:35:53,170
And in the state of Utah, to vary from that application would completely disrupt this entire process.

2750
03:35:53,730 --> 03:36:01,510
So you have the communication that was put out to communicate the policy,

2751
03:36:01,510 --> 03:36:07,730
but it's obvious that you take 6.7 million minus roughly 1.5 million and

2752
03:36:07,730 --> 03:36:12,470
there's a gap there it's like well what happens with that money right and that's

2753
03:36:12,470 --> 03:36:16,290
not part of the initial application that's a separate discussion so I want

2754
03:36:16,290 --> 03:36:22,610
to if it's okay to talk about all right I just want to be clear this is

2755
03:36:22,610 --> 03:36:25,990
something that I also struggled with in understanding and trying to

2756
03:36:25,990 --> 03:36:29,930
communicate so some of some of the things as a council that we've talked

2757
03:36:29,930 --> 03:36:36,510
about. There are several projects going on within the city. There's also several staffing

2758
03:36:37,870 --> 03:36:44,330
shortfalls. Number one, we've talked about getting our staff to 90 percent. I believe it's 90 percent

2759
03:36:44,330 --> 03:36:50,790
of the median, is that correct, Ben? We're not there. Our staff is underpaid. My neighbor used

2760
03:36:50,790 --> 03:36:55,610
to work in the city of Eagle Mountain. He now drives to Harriman. They just pay more. He makes

2761
03:36:55,610 --> 03:37:02,210
more money there. He is excellent with concrete work and we train people up. We hire them

2762
03:37:02,210 --> 03:37:07,230
here, we train them, and then we lose them to other cities. And the cost of training is

2763
03:37:07,230 --> 03:37:12,210
expensive. For those of you that are business owners, it's expensive to train people. And

2764
03:37:12,210 --> 03:37:20,630
it's painful when you lose them because of salary. So part of the contemplation with

2765
03:37:20,630 --> 03:37:29,850
the freed up funds is to increase based on merit and getting people up to that level

2766
03:37:29,850 --> 03:37:38,130
to where they're not even above average, but at the 90% of the median of the middle, okay,

2767
03:37:38,190 --> 03:37:46,710
so not even there. That cost is about $525,000 to do that. So there's that. There's also

2768
03:37:46,710 --> 03:37:53,290
Also the contemplation, these are positions that would impact the general fund.

2769
03:37:53,970 --> 03:38:02,370
There's about 18 part-time and full-time positions, 13 of those in my estimation have to do with

2770
03:38:02,370 --> 03:38:03,030
our parks.

2771
03:38:03,150 --> 03:38:07,970
And I'm just going to, I won't go through each specific salary, but I would like to

2772
03:38:07,970 --> 03:38:10,730
mention the different jobs.

2773
03:38:10,730 --> 03:38:21,610
So, we've contemplated hiring three open space employees for, so when you're on Eagle Mountain

2774
03:38:21,610 --> 03:38:25,730
Citizens Page and you see someone complaining about, my trail needs to be cleaned, we've

2775
03:38:25,730 --> 03:38:26,590
got trails all over.

2776
03:38:26,730 --> 03:38:30,170
We've got, I don't know, hundreds of miles of trail.

2777
03:38:30,310 --> 03:38:32,270
I have them behind my house and they get overgrown.

2778
03:38:32,830 --> 03:38:35,930
And we've got a staff where that's what they're out doing.

2779
03:38:37,490 --> 03:38:40,590
We've contemplated having three parks technicians.

2780
03:38:41,530 --> 03:38:44,450
The other day I was at Corey Ride, and I'm sorry if I'm going.

2781
03:38:44,650 --> 03:38:45,050
Is it okay?

2782
03:38:45,530 --> 03:38:45,930
Okay.

2783
03:38:47,270 --> 03:38:48,230
I just have a lot to say.

2784
03:38:48,310 --> 03:38:49,350
I've been thinking about this a lot.

2785
03:38:50,230 --> 03:38:54,710
I was at Corey Ride at the dunk tank actually yesterday with the youth council,

2786
03:38:55,110 --> 03:38:56,890
and I was walking around the park and I was like,

2787
03:38:57,010 --> 03:38:58,890
the grass actually looks good.

2788
03:38:59,430 --> 03:39:01,210
The last time I was at Corey Ride it looked terrible,

2789
03:39:01,210 --> 03:39:04,530
and I thought we sold our utility for this park,

2790
03:39:04,530 --> 03:39:09,610
park and we just let it go. And I happened to run into one of the parks text that was

2791
03:39:09,610 --> 03:39:15,430
there. I said, this park looks good. I don't know what you're doing, but it does not look

2792
03:39:15,430 --> 03:39:20,110
like the park by my house. The park by my house is dying. It weeds everywhere and you

2793
03:39:20,110 --> 03:39:25,490
can drive around Eagle Mountain and see those conditions. And he said, you know, we took

2794
03:39:25,490 --> 03:39:30,570
this park back in house, meaning our employees are taking care of this park. We have

2795
03:39:30,570 --> 03:39:35,570
a lot of contract work that happens throughout the city in our parks and they don't look great.

2796
03:39:36,410 --> 03:39:41,590
So we've contemplated hiring more parks crews so that we can actually control the quality

2797
03:39:41,590 --> 03:39:53,070
and service level. We've considered recreation. We have brought soccer back in-house. So

2798
03:39:53,070 --> 03:39:58,410
our ball fields, our soccer fields are not in great condition. Some of the kids

2799
03:39:58,410 --> 03:40:01,710
that are playing or skin in their knees, maybe that's okay.

2800
03:40:02,470 --> 03:40:04,090
For me, I think we can do better there.

2801
03:40:04,790 --> 03:40:08,090
We've also contemplated a streets operator sealing the cracks.

2802
03:40:08,270 --> 03:40:12,890
Now it's true when you build a development and you charge impact to these to a developer,

2803
03:40:13,390 --> 03:40:16,850
that developer is not on the hook for the maintenance in perpetuity.

2804
03:40:17,310 --> 03:40:23,130
There's just not a fund that exists to maintain those streets and there are real costs.

2805
03:40:23,290 --> 03:40:24,570
We've contemplated hiring there.

2806
03:40:24,570 --> 03:40:33,090
There's also five positions considered around engineering and just day-to-day operations.

2807
03:40:33,410 --> 03:40:39,610
We have a lot of, well, Ben can probably speak to this to turn over within the city regarding

2808
03:40:39,610 --> 03:40:40,070
HR.

2809
03:40:40,510 --> 03:40:43,930
Our purchasing agent is overwhelmed.

2810
03:40:44,150 --> 03:40:47,290
Last year asked for to hire somebody.

2811
03:40:48,010 --> 03:40:49,450
We did not hire that person.

2812
03:40:49,550 --> 03:40:54,170
She's working a lot of overtime and, you know, it's emotionally exhausting.

2813
03:40:54,170 --> 03:41:00,370
So these are some of the things that freed up funds that were contemplating.

2814
03:41:01,890 --> 03:41:05,910
This was in the May 26 meeting. I talked about this specifically.

2815
03:41:06,970 --> 03:41:11,830
And you can go listen to those. I know nobody wants to go listen to six hours of budget meetings of City Council.

2816
03:41:11,850 --> 03:41:13,210
That's not your job. That's our job.

2817
03:41:13,610 --> 03:41:15,470
But these are things that weren't communicated.

2818
03:41:15,790 --> 03:41:20,410
I think out of a fear of crossing the line with the application that was filled.

2819
03:41:20,410 --> 03:41:26,250
So, I just want to clarify that, and if there's anything that I communicated in the podcast

2820
03:41:26,250 --> 03:41:31,370
that I put out there was not intended to mislead anybody or to confuse anyone, it was meant

2821
03:41:31,370 --> 03:41:36,130
to bring more context that I didn't feel like was being put out there in the Eagle Mountain

2822
03:41:36,130 --> 03:41:36,750
Citizens Page.

2823
03:41:37,110 --> 03:41:41,310
So, I'll just pause there on transparency, and I have more around policy that I'd love

2824
03:41:41,310 --> 03:41:41,710
to discuss.

2825
03:41:43,330 --> 03:41:49,010
Yeah, and I think the key to that, Zach, what you're talking about is more about

2826
03:41:49,010 --> 03:41:53,290
the budget and the budget process than so much this tax but just all of the

2827
03:41:53,290 --> 03:41:57,690
different things that are budget that we are dealing with right so appreciate the

2828
03:41:57,690 --> 03:42:02,770
context I think Councilmember Wood you had some other comments or

2829
03:42:02,770 --> 03:42:07,470
Councilmember Whiting go ahead yep thank you mayor so we were asked earlier

2830
03:42:07,470 --> 03:42:11,490
to answer the question what are the you know three capital projects you

2831
03:42:11,490 --> 03:42:15,470
would spend the money on and I'm going to jump on what Councilmember

2832
03:42:15,470 --> 03:42:18,530
or Hewish already indicated that our parks and open space

2833
03:42:18,530 --> 03:42:19,270
is very apparent.

2834
03:42:19,390 --> 03:42:21,010
You just drive around and you can see their condition.

2835
03:42:22,430 --> 03:42:25,470
So before I answer that question,

2836
03:42:25,610 --> 03:42:27,350
let me back up and support something.

2837
03:42:28,050 --> 03:42:32,470
So when we say that 100% of the property tax increase

2838
03:42:32,470 --> 03:42:35,410
goes to public safety, that is the correct answer.

2839
03:42:36,110 --> 03:42:39,550
What we need to do is help you understand,

2840
03:42:40,230 --> 03:42:42,330
and this means we didn't communicate this well enough,

2841
03:42:43,490 --> 03:42:44,910
how public safety has been paid.

2842
03:42:44,910 --> 03:42:51,950
So right now it's being paid for through property tax, and we're essentially robbing

2843
03:42:51,950 --> 03:42:58,030
from sales tax to help subsidize our police and our public safety.

2844
03:42:58,230 --> 03:43:05,130
So this communication that 100% of the tax increase goes to public safety is true.

2845
03:43:05,230 --> 03:43:08,730
It now puts property tax as the pillar upon which public safety now stands.

2846
03:43:09,610 --> 03:43:11,210
And this is what we need to communicate better.

2847
03:43:11,210 --> 03:43:18,630
What that now does is it takes the sales tax dollars that we were essentially robbing from

2848
03:43:18,630 --> 03:43:22,050
sales tax to go support public safety, and now it takes that sales tax dollars to do

2849
03:43:22,050 --> 03:43:22,510
other things.

2850
03:43:22,990 --> 03:43:27,230
And that's what Council Member Hughes was referring to, several different hires within

2851
03:43:27,230 --> 03:43:29,550
the city, wage increases for the employees.

2852
03:43:30,530 --> 03:43:35,130
And so that's, and perhaps that's what some of you were wondering, like, okay,

2853
03:43:35,210 --> 03:43:39,510
what is now, what can now be paid for, property tax is now taking care of public

2854
03:43:39,510 --> 03:43:39,710
safety.

2855
03:43:39,710 --> 03:43:44,210
safety, what can we now do with sales tax dollars that were being used for public safety,

2856
03:43:44,370 --> 03:43:47,970
what can we now do with them? And we're stating some of it. And if you go back and look at

2857
03:43:47,970 --> 03:43:52,510
our budgets, we said in the budget what we would do with that money, including several

2858
03:43:53,050 --> 03:43:59,890
understaffed departments. The city manager commented we're about a third the staffing

2859
03:43:59,890 --> 03:44:05,350
level as other cities of our size. But with that being said, so these dollars

2860
03:44:05,350 --> 03:44:07,090
that are available now through sales tax.

2861
03:44:07,830 --> 03:44:11,310
My number one thing is public safety on our streets.

2862
03:44:12,290 --> 03:44:15,950
We have a massive need right now for safer streets,

2863
03:44:16,170 --> 03:44:17,670
especially in our school zones.

2864
03:44:18,210 --> 03:44:22,170
And we need speed tables and other mechanisms

2865
03:44:22,170 --> 03:44:23,430
to keep the kids safe.

2866
03:44:24,190 --> 03:44:27,210
It may shock you, but a speed table costs about $70,000

2867
03:44:27,210 --> 03:44:27,890
to $80,000.

2868
03:44:28,870 --> 03:44:30,030
And we don't need to need one.

2869
03:44:30,530 --> 03:44:31,490
We don't need to need two.

2870
03:44:32,010 --> 03:44:33,310
We need a ton of them.

2871
03:44:33,310 --> 03:44:40,010
that cost a lot of money. If this tax, this doesn't go through what now happens.

2872
03:44:40,250 --> 03:44:46,430
Well, the sales tax will have to go back to support our public safety, and it gets diverted

2873
03:44:46,430 --> 03:44:51,030
from being able to put speed tables and other things like that in our school zones and other

2874
03:44:51,750 --> 03:44:55,250
streets. There was a comment that I know, you know, there's some of you that I know

2875
03:44:55,250 --> 03:44:58,110
well that have come up and made public comment.

2876
03:44:58,590 --> 03:44:59,850
I know that you live on

2877
03:45:00,000 --> 03:45:04,940
The streets that are not safe, your streets are being studied right now. We commission a

2878
03:45:04,940 --> 03:45:12,680
study that is being done on sensitive streets in the city so that we can get the best data

2879
03:45:12,680 --> 03:45:21,340
available on how to bring those cities to a safer level so we can slow down traffic so

2880
03:45:21,340 --> 03:45:27,040
kids can cross safely. And that, again, goes back to transparency. I think that's a message

2881
03:45:27,040 --> 03:45:32,500
we didn't clearly communicate well enough to the city, because had that been part of

2882
03:45:32,500 --> 03:45:38,000
the discussion, I think people would be like, oh wait a second, I can get behind freeing

2883
03:45:38,000 --> 03:45:43,880
up some sales tax dollars to go toward making sure our streets are safer. We just didn't

2884
03:45:43,880 --> 03:45:47,320
communicate that, which is why I'm happy you're here. This is part of the discussion

2885
03:45:47,320 --> 03:45:54,320
we can now have to help educate and get the information out there as to what we're

2886
03:45:54,320 --> 03:45:56,300
we're doing and why this increase is so important.

2887
03:45:56,880 --> 03:45:58,260
I'll leave it at that for the time being.

2888
03:45:58,360 --> 03:46:01,400
I've got comments on, well, maybe let me just say this

2889
03:46:01,400 --> 03:46:02,220
so I can wrap up.

2890
03:46:02,360 --> 03:46:04,760
I just had one additional comment on the data center thing.

2891
03:46:05,400 --> 03:46:06,500
We're hearing people saying,

2892
03:46:06,520 --> 03:46:07,760
we're not seeing it from the data centers.

2893
03:46:08,200 --> 03:46:09,320
I'm gonna tell you something.

2894
03:46:09,540 --> 03:46:10,120
You are wrong.

2895
03:46:10,220 --> 03:46:11,060
And I'll tell you why.

2896
03:46:13,500 --> 03:46:17,220
Everyone in this city who is 100%,

2897
03:46:18,320 --> 03:46:20,620
120% area median income or lower

2898
03:46:20,620 --> 03:46:24,480
can qualify for a down payment to buy a house.

2899
03:46:26,660 --> 03:46:29,280
That money is coming from data centers

2900
03:46:30,000 --> 03:46:33,360
so that you can, that down payment money just doesn't magically appear.

2901
03:46:33,500 --> 03:46:37,400
It is Facebook, and I believe Tyson, that's putting money

2902
03:46:37,400 --> 03:46:41,840
into an RDA from which we have created

2903
03:46:41,840 --> 03:46:45,840
the most successful down payment mortgage, down payment assistance program in the state.

2904
03:46:46,420 --> 03:46:49,660
It gives you more money and is more easily qualified for

2905
03:46:49,660 --> 03:46:56,460
than any other city and maybe that again comes down to communication. That is

2906
03:46:56,460 --> 03:47:00,500
available. There's millions of dollars that's already been given to two

2907
03:47:00,500 --> 03:47:04,080
citizens of Eagle Mountain to buy homes. Down payment is not something that

2908
03:47:04,080 --> 03:47:08,100
anybody needs to buy a home in the city. You don't need that if you know I don't

2909
03:47:08,100 --> 03:47:12,900
have a down payment. The down payment is available through the RDAs that was

2910
03:47:12,900 --> 03:47:17,580
set up that our data centers are funding into and it's only going to

2911
03:47:17,580 --> 03:47:22,260
bigger. We just approved, and this is another conversation, and I'll probably talk about

2912
03:47:22,260 --> 03:47:23,020
this later in the meeting.

2913
03:47:24,220 --> 03:47:30,320
Part of the reason why we arrived to this situation circumstance that we have arrived to is we

2914
03:47:30,320 --> 03:47:37,280
have built the city upon residential housing. And the challenge that owner-occupied residential

2915
03:47:37,280 --> 03:47:42,300
housing, which I support, but owner-occupied housing gets a 45 percent decrease on their

2916
03:47:42,300 --> 03:47:50,740
taxes. And so the growth issue is one reason why I ran. I've been on the city council for

2917
03:47:50,740 --> 03:47:55,560
a few months now, by the way. And so that, not that it's relevant or irrelevant, but

2918
03:47:55,560 --> 03:48:01,220
I've been on here just a few months. I got involved because of growth that was unsustainable.

2919
03:48:01,980 --> 03:48:07,720
And so what happens is when prior city councils, I'm not going to accuse them of their decisions,

2920
03:48:07,720 --> 03:48:14,900
but they made decisions where they granted developers the ability to build thousands of homes

2921
03:48:15,480 --> 03:48:22,180
at the fastest pace they want to build. There's 25,000 vested units that still exist

2922
03:48:22,180 --> 03:48:27,240
that we can't get rid of, and those can be built whenever those developers want to build it.

2923
03:48:27,720 --> 03:48:32,860
And so once you give the blank check to the developers to be able to build as fast as

2924
03:48:32,860 --> 03:48:35,520
they want to build, how can we then manage the growth?

2925
03:48:36,320 --> 03:48:38,060
Because they can build as fast as they want.

2926
03:48:38,820 --> 03:48:41,600
And when they build, yeah, we're collecting impact fees.

2927
03:48:42,160 --> 03:48:43,560
But, and that came up a lot to you tonight.

2928
03:48:44,540 --> 03:48:46,600
Impact fees, we are charging them.

2929
03:48:46,860 --> 03:48:47,240
And guess what?

2930
03:48:47,340 --> 03:48:48,960
We're charging as much as we're allowed to charge.

2931
03:48:49,780 --> 03:48:52,320
I would love for impact fees to pay for all of this stuff.

2932
03:48:52,800 --> 03:48:55,160
The state of Utah has laws about how impact fees

2933
03:48:55,160 --> 03:48:55,620
can be charged.

2934
03:48:55,760 --> 03:48:57,520
We're charging the maximum we can charge.

2935
03:48:57,880 --> 03:48:58,960
I'm just letting you all know that.

2936
03:48:58,960 --> 03:49:06,540
But those impact fees, the state has come in for whatever reasons it's come in and curbed how much we can charge.

2937
03:49:07,180 --> 03:49:12,760
So we charge as much as we can. But is it enough? It's not enough. But we are charging as much as we can.

2938
03:49:12,880 --> 03:49:17,040
So when citizens come up and say, what about impact fees? It's true that we should ask that question.

2939
03:49:17,460 --> 03:49:23,760
We're charging what we can charge. But the impact is clearly not being paid for correctly, right?

2940
03:49:23,860 --> 03:49:26,200
I mean, they're creating more impact than we can collect.

2941
03:49:27,020 --> 03:49:34,700
But anyway, I bring this up because you need to know that this city council, this year,

2942
03:49:35,040 --> 03:49:40,280
I want you to guess how many new housing units has this city council approved?

2943
03:49:41,360 --> 03:49:45,560
We have approved 33 total.

2944
03:49:47,250 --> 03:49:48,580
Is growth being managed?

2945
03:49:48,960 --> 03:49:49,760
It's being managed.

2946
03:49:51,060 --> 03:49:54,180
How many developers have just twice equal loan?

2947
03:49:54,180 --> 03:49:55,900
when I had two developers reach out to me privately,

2948
03:49:56,080 --> 03:49:57,880
not to my fellow city council members.

2949
03:49:58,420 --> 03:50:00,180
Craig, I want to do this high density development here.

2950
03:50:00,340 --> 03:50:01,320
I want to do this development here,

2951
03:50:01,360 --> 03:50:02,940
and I said, it's not the time,

2952
03:50:03,560 --> 03:50:04,540
and it's not going to happen.

2953
03:50:04,780 --> 03:50:05,760
We're not going to support it.

2954
03:50:06,240 --> 03:50:08,460
It's not going to happen, and they left.

2955
03:50:09,040 --> 03:50:11,480
You don't see the gates that we are defending,

2956
03:50:11,720 --> 03:50:13,540
that we are defending this castle right now

2957
03:50:13,540 --> 03:50:14,760
in a way that I can't say

2958
03:50:14,760 --> 03:50:16,020
hasn't ever been defended before,

2959
03:50:16,320 --> 03:50:18,100
but since I've been involved here,

2960
03:50:18,440 --> 03:50:20,480
and the city council has been unified in this,

2961
03:50:20,780 --> 03:50:22,560
we are managing residential growth

2962
03:50:23,400 --> 03:50:29,860
exceptionally well, because it's the additional residents that are coming in paying 20-10 taxes

2963
03:50:31,180 --> 03:50:36,900
that we cannot sustain. That math does not add up. When we're charging those new residents,

2964
03:50:37,040 --> 03:50:41,820
those new households 20-10 taxes, and we're trying to support them through 20-26 expenses,

2965
03:50:42,540 --> 03:50:49,880
every new resident that comes in, we cannot sustain it. There's not enough being collected

2966
03:50:49,880 --> 03:50:54,280
from the new households. The growth, you're saying, well, we have a larger tax base. Revenues

2967
03:50:54,280 --> 03:50:58,100
have increased because we have a larger tax base. But expenses have increased much faster.

2968
03:50:59,060 --> 03:51:02,640
So when people say the growth should pay for it, the growth is the issue because we are

2969
03:51:02,640 --> 03:51:08,080
growing under a 2010 tax break. Even the data centers say, well, get the data centers

2970
03:51:08,080 --> 03:51:11,780
to pay more money. I would love if we could tax the data centers separately. The

2971
03:51:11,780 --> 03:51:15,840
state of Utah doesn't allow it. I would love to do it. We cannot do that.

2972
03:51:19,500 --> 03:51:19,860
It's

2973
03:51:19,860 --> 03:51:23,180
Senate representative here would have also been standing at the very pulp that you stood

2974
03:51:23,180 --> 03:51:30,160
at and would have said we oppose the tax increase. They would have all done that. They are laughing

2975
03:51:31,000 --> 03:51:36,300
all the way to the bank right now that they are only paying 20-10 taxes. And the only

2976
03:51:36,300 --> 03:51:41,400
way we can make them pay more is to increase the tax rate. And that tax rate has to be

2977
03:51:41,400 --> 03:51:47,780
increased on that same tax rate that we could vote on today. That applies ubiquitously

2978
03:51:47,780 --> 03:51:52,620
across the city. That's the only way to get them to pay more. I wish we could get them

2979
03:51:52,620 --> 03:51:58,340
to pay more otherwise we just cannot. And so it's important for us to know that growth

2980
03:52:00,500 --> 03:52:04,960
unsustained that has caused us to be in a situation we're at today where we suddenly

2981
03:52:04,960 --> 03:52:09,100
have to make a decision that's difficult. Anyway, I will pass the microphone down.

2982
03:52:13,480 --> 03:52:14,640
Mayor, are you okay if I talk?

2983
03:52:15,720 --> 03:52:19,820
Yeah, go ahead. I just want to remind the council to item number four. I mean

2984
03:52:19,820 --> 03:52:26,620
free to speak. I'm not limiting debate necessarily. I'd just like to keep it to maybe your position

2985
03:52:27,260 --> 03:52:32,100
on the tax increase and supporting your position. And I understand everything we've heard is

2986
03:52:32,100 --> 03:52:36,460
in that manner, but just to keep it a bit higher.

2987
03:52:36,460 --> 03:52:40,500
With all due respect, I think that both of them have kept on topic with why people

2988
03:52:40,500 --> 03:52:45,560
are looking for answers as to what is motivating these decisions. And I think we need to

2989
03:52:45,560 --> 03:52:49,780
probably error on the side of allowing the council to give an explanation of why we're

2990
03:52:49,780 --> 03:52:50,560
going to tax people.

2991
03:52:51,800 --> 03:52:54,520
That's exactly what I'm asking, what I said.

2992
03:52:57,940 --> 03:53:02,000
First of all, thank you to both of the council members who have expressed a lot of the things

2993
03:53:02,000 --> 03:53:05,860
that I think have been part of the decision making process for me.

2994
03:53:08,240 --> 03:53:10,800
All of them will corroborate what I'm about to say.

2995
03:53:10,800 --> 03:53:17,880
When we had this discussion, I was actually remote, it was a discussion that began and

2996
03:53:17,880 --> 03:53:24,060
probably ended with our retreat in St. George, but one of the things that I said and I still

2997
03:53:24,060 --> 03:53:28,680
stand by this, the only thing anybody's ever going to remember is 220%.

2998
03:53:30,470 --> 03:53:34,330
Then no matter what else we say, the only thing they're going to hear is 220%.

2999
03:53:34,330 --> 03:53:41,950
So, we have to be concise and clear about how we express to them why that even makes

3000
03:53:41,950 --> 03:53:42,910
any sense to anybody.

3001
03:53:44,940 --> 03:53:49,840
The reason that I voted for us to put that certified tax rate at the level that it was

3002
03:53:49,840 --> 03:53:56,160
is because I believe a fiscal responsibility to fund our police force, our public safety,

3003
03:53:56,580 --> 03:53:58,160
with a stable revenue.

3004
03:53:58,920 --> 03:54:00,160
That is not sales tax.

3005
03:54:00,160 --> 03:54:05,960
tax. And I appreciate the head shakes. I do because let me explain that to you because

3006
03:54:05,960 --> 03:54:11,860
I want you to understand where I'm coming from. What happened when the pandemic happened

3007
03:54:11,860 --> 03:54:16,280
and sales tax wasn't providing anything for anybody? Did we just stop having police force?

3008
03:54:18,120 --> 03:54:23,500
What happened when the market crashed and everybody started losing their houses? Did

3009
03:54:23,500 --> 03:54:27,200
we suddenly not have a need for police force? In fact, we had a greater need for police

3010
03:54:27,200 --> 03:54:32,920
force. There isn't a single person who lives in this city that does not pay a property tax

3011
03:54:32,920 --> 03:54:41,060
of some sort that goes directly to the police force under this particular proposal. Perhaps

3012
03:54:41,060 --> 03:54:47,300
the rate's wrong, but I think in principle a stable revenue source to pay for public

3013
03:54:47,300 --> 03:54:54,980
safety should be a principle that we stand on. We have been woefully arrogant and

3014
03:54:54,980 --> 03:54:55,760
that we have been

3015
03:54:58,060 --> 03:55:07,000
loose with our lack of financial plans in this city. We haven't had one. When

3016
03:55:07,000 --> 03:55:11,100
I got here, I said, where's our five-year plan? Where's our ten-year plan? Do we have

3017
03:55:11,100 --> 03:55:17,540
a 20-year plan? The answer's no to all of those things. So when you're asking how

3018
03:55:17,540 --> 03:55:21,920
come you can't provide that information, I'm asking the same thing. Where is the

3019
03:55:21,920 --> 03:55:25,500
information that we're making these decisions on and how are we preparing for the future?

3020
03:55:25,500 --> 03:55:33,680
I think it's interesting when you have past council members come in and say things like how dare you did that.

3021
03:55:33,740 --> 03:55:35,880
We were able to live on the income that we had there.

3022
03:55:35,960 --> 03:55:38,820
And I think we're here because of your responsibility.

3023
03:55:39,620 --> 03:55:41,640
You left this big pile for us.

3024
03:55:42,620 --> 03:55:45,240
You didn't raise fees for water.

3025
03:55:45,480 --> 03:55:49,140
You didn't raise fees for sewer, almost to the point where we're in the red.

3026
03:55:50,060 --> 03:55:57,060
You didn't raise property taxes because of some crazy conservative fiscal federal mentality

3027
03:55:57,060 --> 03:56:01,260
of I'm not going to raise taxes because somehow money appears out of nowhere.

3028
03:56:02,000 --> 03:56:08,460
And it left us in a position where we hear you when you say our parks are in poor repair.

3029
03:56:09,040 --> 03:56:11,040
Our parkways are not being taken care of.

3030
03:56:11,320 --> 03:56:14,720
I can't ride my motorcycle down the road because all we can afford to do is crack

3031
03:56:14,720 --> 03:56:15,000
seal.

3032
03:56:16,900 --> 03:56:22,020
We can't raise the level of how we're taking care of the city because we don't have the

3033
03:56:22,020 --> 03:56:27,880
funds to do so because people in the past thought that being cheap was a good way of

3034
03:56:27,880 --> 03:56:29,040
public policy.

3035
03:56:30,000 --> 03:56:34,640
So I find myself in this situation now of how do we course correct this?

3036
03:56:35,300 --> 03:56:37,800
Some of you have said, how can we do it incrementally?

3037
03:56:38,560 --> 03:56:41,600
If you want to continue to kick the can down the road, we can do that.

3038
03:56:41,600 --> 03:56:45,460
you will find that we cannot keep on pace exactly what Craig was saying.

3039
03:56:46,200 --> 03:56:49,000
We are adding 1,800 building permits a year.

3040
03:56:50,120 --> 03:56:53,620
That is not sustainable for our roads, for our public safety,

3041
03:56:54,200 --> 03:56:57,280
for fire services. We're 50 square miles.

3042
03:56:58,240 --> 03:57:01,700
There is no other city that is experiencing the problems that we have

3043
03:57:01,700 --> 03:57:05,920
with basically two separate cities that existed forever

3044
03:57:05,920 --> 03:57:09,980
with nothing in between, and we had to service both with water, sewer,

3045
03:57:09,980 --> 03:57:17,180
were public safety, fire services. So we're left in this place with, well, what's the

3046
03:57:17,180 --> 03:57:21,600
decision to be made then? Everybody's going to hate the decision. If I came in and said

3047
03:57:21,600 --> 03:57:24,920
in the very beginning, we're going to raise the taxes by five percent, would anybody

3048
03:57:24,920 --> 03:57:29,520
raise their hand and say, yeah, I'm in favor of you raising taxes? The answer's going

3049
03:57:29,520 --> 03:57:33,980
to be no. We're raising taxes. I'm against it. I don't want to pay it. It affects

3050
03:57:33,980 --> 03:57:38,400
me. We are one income family as well, by the way, and it affects our ability

3051
03:57:38,400 --> 03:57:44,380
to be able to make our bills as well. I also pushed very, very hard to have a quarter that

3052
03:57:44,380 --> 03:57:50,960
goes behind my house that ruins the site and sound of my area. I live in Silver Lake that's

3053
03:57:50,960 --> 03:57:55,960
quiet and it will not be that anymore. I also voted to make sure that we built a road from

3054
03:57:55,960 --> 03:58:00,720
Brookhaven up to the upper part of Silver Lake out to Pony Express so there was a

3055
03:58:00,720 --> 03:58:06,980
safe walking route for the kids and guess whose house that goes by? Mine. I took

3056
03:58:06,980 --> 03:58:12,200
all the traffic. It's not good for me. It's bad for my family. My kids can't go out on

3057
03:58:12,200 --> 03:58:18,140
the street, but it created an opportunity for them to walk to school. Craig brought

3058
03:58:18,140 --> 03:58:22,500
up the speed tables. I think you need to know how passionate we are about making sure

3059
03:58:22,500 --> 03:58:28,280
that number one, every one of the elementary schools has sufficient, safe ways to stop

3060
03:58:28,280 --> 03:58:32,280
traffic so that they can cross. The crossing guards shouldn't have to feel like they're

3061
03:58:32,280 --> 03:58:36,240
going to get hit. And then we have a speed study that is going to address every

3062
03:58:36,240 --> 03:58:40,820
every other road that has the same problem. We had a community come in two meetings ago

3063
03:58:41,420 --> 03:58:45,420
talking about the speed in their community, and they've been told multiple times, you

3064
03:58:45,420 --> 03:58:47,200
know, we'll find a solution, then nothing's happened.

3065
03:58:48,320 --> 03:58:51,860
The one thing I want you to walk away from this today, regardless of what our decision

3066
03:58:51,860 --> 03:58:58,060
is, there isn't anybody up here that is looking for an easy way out. I hope that

3067
03:58:58,060 --> 03:59:01,960
there isn't anybody that's trying to make the decisions for a political reason, because

3068
03:59:01,960 --> 03:59:07,020
I think that's a coward's way out. We should be doing what's right regardless of the outcome.

3069
03:59:07,900 --> 03:59:14,260
And for me, that's how I will vote. I'll vote for what is best for 80,000 people. I'm not

3070
03:59:14,260 --> 03:59:15,380
going to do what's best for a few.

3071
03:59:20,340 --> 03:59:21,720
Mayor, is it okay if I go?

3072
03:59:22,660 --> 03:59:23,340
Yes, sir, please.

3073
03:59:24,440 --> 03:59:27,620
I would just echo everything that's been said. I think something that hasn't been

3074
03:59:27,620 --> 03:59:32,240
hit on is transportation. The biggest issue that we face in Eagle Mountain is transportation

3075
03:59:32,240 --> 03:59:38,280
transportation corridors. We sit in traffic far too often and far too long. We have intersections

3076
03:59:38,280 --> 03:59:44,940
that are missing traffic control signals because we can't afford to put them in. Where does

3077
03:59:44,940 --> 03:59:51,680
that money come from? If we continue to pull sales tax dollars which could fund those infrastructure

3078
03:59:51,680 --> 03:59:56,340
improvements and we continue to allocate it to our sheriff's contract or to our public

3079
03:59:56,340 --> 03:59:59,920
services. Those are the things that we really face.

3080
04:00:00,750 --> 04:00:05,570
Every time that we decide we need a road to be a little bit bigger, we've got to up-size some sewer,

3081
04:00:05,750 --> 04:00:09,750
we've got to do some sort of improvement. That comes out of the taxpayer's dollars.

3082
04:00:10,690 --> 04:00:16,530
It comes out of the general fund, and we have to decide, are we going to set some money aside to take care of those improvements,

3083
04:00:16,770 --> 04:00:21,350
or are we going to continue to fund as it grows? Because I'm going to tell you this,

3084
04:00:21,590 --> 04:00:25,110
should we choose to approve this at 220% this year?

3085
04:00:25,730 --> 04:00:30,370
next year, that is not going to cover 100% of the sheriff's contract, news flash,

3086
04:00:30,890 --> 04:00:35,050
because their fuel is going to go up, they're going to get raises, and they're

3087
04:00:35,050 --> 04:00:38,810
going to be back in here next year saying, you guys added another 6,000

3088
04:00:38,810 --> 04:00:43,270
people, we need a couple more officers. So it's not something that's going away.

3089
04:00:43,990 --> 04:00:48,250
It's just something that we are being asked to what do we do to adjust this

3090
04:00:48,250 --> 04:00:52,910
policy so that we can get to a better place today or today and work for a

3091
04:00:52,910 --> 04:00:53,810
better future tomorrow.

3092
04:00:56,490 --> 04:01:00,050
We've had a lot of hard conversations, one-on-one. We've had

3093
04:01:00,050 --> 04:01:05,130
a lot of dialogue, as we said in that retreat. We've had a lot of dialogue, as we've had

3094
04:01:05,130 --> 04:01:09,630
those opportunities in public meetings to have the discussion during the budget sessions.

3095
04:01:13,780 --> 04:01:18,060
And I'm just going to say this. I'm proud to serve with the council members who are

3096
04:01:18,060 --> 04:01:21,020
to my left and to my right. They are not cowards.

3097
04:01:25,540 --> 04:01:27,000
It's not easy to face you.

3098
04:01:27,000 --> 04:01:28,800
And it's not easy to tell you the truth.

3099
04:01:30,440 --> 04:01:32,020
But that's what we've chosen to do.

3100
04:01:38,720 --> 04:01:41,980
Yeah, I want to at least answer Melanie's question.

3101
04:01:43,160 --> 04:01:44,660
Everything that's been set up here

3102
04:01:44,660 --> 04:01:46,820
is exactly how I think all of us feel.

3103
04:01:47,460 --> 04:01:50,620
And we hope that it's kind of a glimpse

3104
04:01:50,620 --> 04:01:54,200
into some of the thought process

3105
04:01:54,200 --> 04:01:55,840
that we've put into this, the things

3106
04:01:55,840 --> 04:01:57,600
that we've wrestled with, the questions

3107
04:01:57,600 --> 04:01:58,940
that we've been asking ourselves.

3108
04:01:58,940 --> 04:02:03,840
But Melanie asked, like, what are the capital projects, top three?

3109
04:02:04,660 --> 04:02:11,740
And for me, obviously roads, safety, getting kids to school safely.

3110
04:02:12,200 --> 04:02:15,700
Those are things where there's no special fees coming from someplace else.

3111
04:02:16,280 --> 04:02:18,760
There's no additional dollars coming from anywhere.

3112
04:02:19,980 --> 04:02:26,280
And we have a family of seven in our house, and I was a teacher for ten years.

3113
04:02:26,280 --> 04:02:29,920
So it's important for me, for both kids and adults,

3114
04:02:30,200 --> 04:02:31,720
to be able to get where they need to go safely.

3115
04:02:32,860 --> 04:02:35,280
Every minute that you spend in your car

3116
04:02:35,280 --> 04:02:37,780
is time that you're not with your family.

3117
04:02:38,380 --> 04:02:41,260
It's time that you can't be at your kid's games

3118
04:02:41,260 --> 04:02:44,840
or spending time with your wife or husband

3119
04:02:44,840 --> 04:02:46,400
or your aged parents.

3120
04:02:46,920 --> 04:02:49,580
So like, roads are crazy important to me

3121
04:02:49,580 --> 04:02:51,480
and they will always be crazy important to me.

3122
04:02:52,040 --> 04:02:53,920
But the next two things for me

3123
04:02:53,920 --> 04:02:59,720
We are ones that aren't sexy and they're not ones that a lot of people think about but

3124
04:03:00,540 --> 04:03:05,680
I want when each of you flush your toilet for the stuff that you flush to leave your

3125
04:03:05,680 --> 04:03:13,060
house and not ever come back and we need a sewer treatment plant to be expanded so

3126
04:03:13,060 --> 04:03:15,080
that it can handle what we as a city have.

3127
04:03:15,700 --> 04:03:21,140
We're at capacity for a load and we need to do something about it now and it takes

3128
04:03:21,140 --> 04:03:27,660
three plus years to get a sewer treatment plant built and expanded, and it costs a crap

3129
04:03:27,660 --> 04:03:31,880
ton of money. So that's a huge capital project that's important to me.

3130
04:03:34,250 --> 04:03:35,010
Crap ton of money.

3131
04:03:35,630 --> 04:03:42,930
Oh my gosh. You guys are so quick. I didn't even think of that. And then the last of

3132
04:03:42,930 --> 04:03:48,770
the top three, but there's like about 40 that are important to me, are water sources.

3133
04:03:49,430 --> 04:03:54,890
The reality of it is, is we have a ton of water and a really nice aquifer that's under the ground.

3134
04:03:55,270 --> 04:04:03,350
But we have woefully inadequate infrastructure to get that water that we have up out of the ground,

3135
04:04:03,790 --> 04:04:06,570
and we don't have enough tanks to store it in.

3136
04:04:06,910 --> 04:04:14,930
And just to, it was the 4th of July week when we put out the request to all of our commercial businesses,

3137
04:04:14,930 --> 04:04:20,630
houses, all of our schools, all of our HOAs, all of our churches, and we said, please don't

3138
04:04:20,630 --> 04:04:26,710
water. We said to our residents, please don't water. And we as a city had already not been

3139
04:04:26,710 --> 04:04:31,370
watering our parks. So why is that important? Why do we need the whole water infrastructure?

3140
04:04:32,970 --> 04:04:38,190
If we don't have enough water in our tanks replenished at night, then we can't put

3141
04:04:38,190 --> 04:04:48,730
fires out. And we live in like a super wildfire prone area. And I don't want any of the people

3142
04:04:48,730 --> 04:04:52,470
in our community to lose their house because we couldn't put their fire out because we

3143
04:04:52,470 --> 04:04:59,550
didn't have enough infrastructure to get the water out of the ground. And we're working

3144
04:04:59,550 --> 04:05:05,490
like crazy. Our staff is working like crazy. A couple months ago, there was a water

3145
04:05:05,490 --> 04:05:13,570
line that just burst in the middle of behind scenic mountain up there. And there were dudes

3146
04:05:14,190 --> 04:05:19,630
from our team working late into the night, frankly, early into the morning, and it was

3147
04:05:19,630 --> 04:05:23,230
muddy and gross. And my husband and I went and brought them drinks and a couple candy

3148
04:05:23,230 --> 04:05:30,110
bars because I felt bad that they were working so late. And it was treacherous for me to

3149
04:05:30,110 --> 04:05:33,790
walk to bring them stuff. I can't imagine what it was like for them to work in those

3150
04:05:33,790 --> 04:05:39,870
conditions. And that's what the people of our city staff do over and over again. And

3151
04:05:39,870 --> 04:05:47,330
I just, you guys elect us because we're the ones that go and study things out and then

3152
04:05:47,330 --> 04:05:51,910
we bring you back information and we make decisions on your behalf. This is some of

3153
04:05:51,910 --> 04:05:57,010
the information that we have and the priorities that we have based off of the things that

3154
04:05:57,010 --> 04:06:00,090
you guys have told us. So thank you for being here.

3155
04:06:00,090 --> 04:06:00,730
Move

3156
04:06:05,980 --> 04:06:11,960
to like a policy discussion now. Okay, something that's been on my mind is

3157
04:06:12,980 --> 04:06:16,720
How do we prevent this kind of volatility from happening in the future?

3158
04:06:17,360 --> 04:06:20,800
We've benefited I've benefited personally for the last

3159
04:06:20,800 --> 04:06:27,980
I've lived here 20 years and my property tax rate has decreased as my home values gone up

3160
04:06:27,980 --> 04:06:34,280
I've paid the same nominal dollar amount if you don't believe me go look at your property tax rate

3161
04:06:35,020 --> 04:06:40,420
Not the rate, excuse me, the dollar amount for the city has been the same.

3162
04:06:41,100 --> 04:06:42,120
Just look at the city.

3163
04:06:43,120 --> 04:06:44,120
I didn't believe it.

3164
04:06:44,200 --> 04:06:46,360
When I served on City Council, I'm like, there is no way.

3165
04:06:46,600 --> 04:06:47,300
I was told that.

3166
04:06:47,560 --> 04:06:52,960
I went home, pulled out all my tax records, went back to 2016, pulled out my property

3167
04:06:52,960 --> 04:06:53,580
tax rate.

3168
04:06:54,040 --> 04:06:54,720
It's like 200 bucks.

3169
04:06:55,300 --> 04:06:56,840
What I pay last year is like 210.

3170
04:06:57,600 --> 04:07:01,220
The way that property taxes work is a flat nominal dollar amount.

3171
04:07:01,220 --> 04:07:06,660
But that rate, as your property value is going up, you're paying the same dollar amount.

3172
04:07:07,220 --> 04:07:09,600
So our rate has actually been going down.

3173
04:07:09,820 --> 04:07:17,400
And you can shake your head no, ASD has been raising, UFA has been raising, but the city

3174
04:07:17,400 --> 04:07:18,300
has not been raising.

3175
04:07:18,980 --> 04:07:25,400
So everyone listening, go home, pull out your property taxes, look at the city dollar

3176
04:07:25,400 --> 04:07:27,300
amount that you've paid, it's about the same.

3177
04:07:28,340 --> 04:07:29,340
It's not changed.

3178
04:07:29,820 --> 04:07:35,380
But the cost of the sheriff protecting your house, that cost has increased.

3179
04:07:35,780 --> 04:07:41,940
So where we have failed residents, and this isn't your fault, it's prior decisions that

3180
04:07:41,940 --> 04:07:45,480
were made that maybe they felt like, yeah, it's okay, data centers will come one day

3181
04:07:45,480 --> 04:07:47,320
and then all of our problems will be solved.

3182
04:07:48,800 --> 04:07:54,360
The mayor just talked about, I've heard him say that before, whenever that day comes

3183
04:07:54,360 --> 04:07:56,060
it's not today, we're not there.

3184
04:07:56,660 --> 04:08:04,440
So, a couple things that I thought about and I would be curious, this isn't specifically

3185
04:08:04,440 --> 04:08:09,460
to the rate, but I would propose that we have a code and maybe that's something that we

3186
04:08:09,460 --> 04:08:15,700
can work on that requires future city councils each, whatever that proportion is, whether

3187
04:08:15,700 --> 04:08:22,280
it's 100% or 50% or 60% or 10%, whatever we're looking to kind of set that rate

3188
04:08:22,280 --> 04:08:28,220
at to cover the sheriff's contract, I would propose that we have a code that requires

3189
04:08:28,880 --> 04:08:35,060
future city councils to come back every single year, review where the council is at.

3190
04:08:35,820 --> 04:08:43,940
If QTS comes online and some of these data centers are property taxes exceed the sheriff's

3191
04:08:43,940 --> 04:08:48,400
contract, I would like to see our rate go down, and I would like to pull that pressure

3192
04:08:48,400 --> 04:08:49,840
away from the residents.

3193
04:08:49,840 --> 04:08:56,500
But that will only happen if we have a code in place, a policy, strategically, long-term

3194
04:08:56,500 --> 04:09:00,720
that requires councils to come back and review that on an annual basis.

3195
04:09:01,420 --> 04:09:06,400
And I would just be curious if the other council, we don't need to vote on that tonight, but

3196
04:09:06,400 --> 04:09:10,040
I'd be curious if you would support moving forward in that direction.

3197
04:09:10,540 --> 04:09:15,940
Marcus, if that is something from a legal standpoint that we can put into our city

3198
04:09:15,940 --> 04:09:16,260
code.

3199
04:09:17,180 --> 04:09:21,780
Yeah, I mean, you can put in the code that as part of the budget process, you're going

3200
04:09:21,780 --> 04:09:26,280
to review this and the future city councils will either keep that code and follow it or

3201
04:09:26,280 --> 04:09:30,460
they may change the code at a future date, but then they would go through the public

3202
04:09:30,460 --> 04:09:31,420
process to do that.

3203
04:09:31,700 --> 04:09:36,320
I know for me I would have been grateful if that existed because we would have had

3204
04:09:36,320 --> 04:09:39,680
gradual increases year to year.

3205
04:09:41,760 --> 04:09:45,120
So that's one comment I have on the policy.

3206
04:09:45,120 --> 04:09:50,660
I'd also be – and this is more of a legal question for Marcus – the ability for us

3207
04:09:50,660 --> 04:09:52,080
to segregate these funds.

3208
04:09:53,940 --> 04:09:57,080
We're proposing collecting property taxes.

3209
04:09:57,220 --> 04:09:58,400
That goes into a general fund.

3210
04:09:59,020 --> 04:10:03,820
Can those be segregated by the city into a fund account that just pays specifically

3211
04:10:03,820 --> 04:10:05,600
for a sheriff's office?

3212
04:10:06,080 --> 04:10:07,360
Oh, can I see where they want to speak?

3213
04:10:08,000 --> 04:10:09,080
Both of you can answer that question.

3214
04:10:09,080 --> 04:10:11,860
I don't want to speak, but I can speak to that matter.

3215
04:10:12,580 --> 04:10:16,720
The property taxes will have to be received into the general fund.

3216
04:10:17,360 --> 04:10:25,220
At that point, you can still create a separate fund for public safety, but you would do an operating transfer to send the revenue over.

3217
04:10:25,500 --> 04:10:27,220
Would we need a code to require that?

3218
04:10:27,480 --> 04:10:29,360
It would be a resolution that we would bring.

3219
04:10:29,980 --> 04:10:38,400
So for 2027 there were, we created a new special revenue fund for public art and several of those.

3220
04:10:38,400 --> 04:10:42,700
So we could do that for specifically for the sheriff's contract. Okay. Thank you

3221
04:10:43,900 --> 04:10:47,800
Yeah, I'm glad you brought that up. That's actually one of the and I talked about

3222
04:10:47,800 --> 04:10:53,200
being willing to reduce the property tax as the sales tax and the

3223
04:10:53,200 --> 04:10:55,600
MET money starts to come in

3224
04:10:56,200 --> 04:11:00,720
Commeserate so that that burden doesn't stay. I'm definitely in favor of

3225
04:11:01,340 --> 04:11:08,280
Finding a solution to that. I also feel pretty strongly about making sure that we if we're saying that we're going to put it

3226
04:11:08,280 --> 04:11:12,720
the public safety that there should be something that demonstrates to the citizens that that's

3227
04:11:12,720 --> 04:11:16,660
exactly where that's going. So I'm glad that you said that. I can't believe that was one

3228
04:11:16,660 --> 04:11:19,380
of my questions as well. I think that that needs to be clear.

3229
04:11:21,520 --> 04:11:26,260
I think that we need to do our budgets differently, and maybe that's something we need to have

3230
04:11:26,260 --> 04:11:31,660
a discussion about at a later date. One of the things that I feel like that we could

3231
04:11:31,660 --> 04:11:36,200
have done with this, where we're posing a tax increase, I believe we should have

3232
04:11:36,200 --> 04:11:42,820
had our current tax rate budget and a separate budget that is based on what the increase

3233
04:11:42,820 --> 04:11:46,080
would be so that we could actually have the very conversation that you guys are asking

3234
04:11:46,080 --> 04:11:50,700
about, where would we spend the additional funds that are being moved from the sales

3235
04:11:50,700 --> 04:11:56,020
tax? I'll give you my list of things that I think are important. I'm glad the person

3236
04:11:56,020 --> 04:12:00,720
asked the three top capital projects. In our meeting Tuesday, we talked about our

3237
04:12:00,720 --> 04:12:04,680
master transportation plan. That would be pretty sobering for you if you guys

3238
04:12:04,680 --> 04:12:08,880
we're able to see what that cost actually is. What's even more sobering is when we sat

3239
04:12:08,880 --> 04:12:14,500
in a regional meeting to listen to UDOT and the Mountain Land Association of Governments

3240
04:12:14,500 --> 04:12:17,200
tell us that we're not going to get some of these routes for 10 or 20 years.

3241
04:12:17,600 --> 04:12:22,340
Council Member Wood, $419 million by 2035.

3242
04:12:25,470 --> 04:12:26,730
That's Eagle Mountain's portion.

3243
04:12:27,170 --> 04:12:27,570
That's ours.

3244
04:12:30,500 --> 04:12:34,480
The only way that that can be paid for is by bonding or leveraging

3245
04:12:35,160 --> 04:12:36,660
We don't have that kind of money.

3246
04:12:37,360 --> 04:12:38,500
We have that kind of need.

3247
04:12:39,580 --> 04:12:40,620
We're still growing.

3248
04:12:41,020 --> 04:12:41,880
That's not going to change.

3249
04:12:42,000 --> 04:12:44,880
We still have that many cars that are being added every single year.

3250
04:12:45,860 --> 04:12:50,740
We're being ignored largely by the state, frankly, about what our needs are.

3251
04:12:50,880 --> 04:12:53,840
We're absolutely being ignored by the other side of the county,

3252
04:12:54,660 --> 04:12:59,520
as they prioritize rapid bus that are empty

3253
04:13:00,060 --> 04:13:03,280
that we all paid for, by the way, with our UTA funds.

3254
04:13:03,280 --> 04:13:08,020
funds, when they're building gondolas in Salt Lake County that should have been funds that

3255
04:13:08,020 --> 04:13:11,320
should have come out here and had 2100 North done four years ago.

3256
04:13:13,500 --> 04:13:14,580
I want you to know that

3257
04:13:14,580 --> 04:13:18,440
the fight is happening with who you have right here, and whether you decide to vote

3258
04:13:18,440 --> 04:13:23,500
us in honestly is really a material to me. If I can't gain your trust by telling

3259
04:13:23,500 --> 04:13:27,720
you the truth when the truth sucks, then you need to go on to somebody else. But

3260
04:13:27,720 --> 04:13:30,960
I'm going to tell you the one thing you can trust is that I will always tell

3261
04:13:30,960 --> 04:13:35,960
you what the truth is, whether you like it or not. And I think I've been pretty consistent

3262
04:13:35,960 --> 04:13:40,220
since I started on the planning commission with that. I think every developer will tell

3263
04:13:40,220 --> 04:13:45,420
you that. I'm about what is best for Eagle Mountain as a whole and I fought for that.

3264
04:13:46,320 --> 04:13:50,240
When we take a look at policies, policies should be things that outlast us. If we don't

3265
04:13:50,240 --> 04:13:53,980
do things that are going to benefit the people in the future and I do something

3266
04:13:53,980 --> 04:13:58,700
that is just going to take care of right now, then I failed. If we don't put

3267
04:13:58,700 --> 04:14:03,480
a financial plan in place that you guys can rely on, that's a five and a ten and a twenty

3268
04:14:03,480 --> 04:14:08,700
year plan, that every council should have to come back and review based on what the current

3269
04:14:08,700 --> 04:14:14,340
needs on it at the time, then we failed. And I don't like to fail, frankly. I feel like

3270
04:14:14,340 --> 04:14:17,860
that, you know, I had some pretty specific things I wanted to accomplish being on the

3271
04:14:17,860 --> 04:14:22,060
council. I've hit a lot of them. There's a couple of them I'm pretty pissed. I still

3272
04:14:22,060 --> 04:14:26,460
haven't hit them. One of them is for sure making sure that we're financially sound.

3273
04:14:27,080 --> 04:14:31,360
And our economic growth has not happened at the rate that I would like it to.

3274
04:14:31,720 --> 04:14:34,040
And I'm tired of being told by people that that's the rate of government.

3275
04:14:34,200 --> 04:14:35,220
I just don't believe that crap.

3276
04:14:35,900 --> 04:14:37,780
I think that there's ways that we can do better.

3277
04:14:38,800 --> 04:14:42,700
So when we vote on this today, my vote's going to be based on that.

3278
04:14:42,800 --> 04:14:44,700
What is best for you in the future?

3279
04:14:45,440 --> 04:14:49,380
I'm sorry that it's going to have the same crappy effect on you that it's having on me and my family.

3280
04:14:49,820 --> 04:14:51,660
My wife is not in favor of it, just so you know.

3281
04:14:54,080 --> 04:14:59,100
and it's going to have an impact on me and my kids whether or not they're able to play certain sports, etc.

3282
04:15:01,490 --> 04:15:04,670
But I'm going to tell you the decision that we're going to make is going to give us the

3283
04:15:04,670 --> 04:15:08,470
ability to start moving traffic. It's going to give us the ability to take care of our

3284
04:15:08,470 --> 04:15:12,710
assets. If we let every one of our parks die, guys, it's going to be three times the amount

3285
04:15:12,710 --> 04:15:18,050
to fix them. So that's kind of where I stand with that. The last thing I want to talk

3286
04:15:18,050 --> 04:15:23,090
about, capital projects, I'm not affirmed that all of us should go to capital projects.

3287
04:15:23,090 --> 04:15:30,730
I really do think that we are undermanned, our labor force is woefully too small.

3288
04:15:31,690 --> 04:15:34,370
And I'm not talking about people that are sitting at desks.

3289
04:15:34,430 --> 04:15:40,590
I'm talking about the crews that fix our streets, our water, our parks.

3290
04:15:41,490 --> 04:15:45,230
I mean, if you guys knew how many employees we had at the parks, it would probably make

3291
04:15:45,230 --> 04:15:45,490
you mad.

3292
04:15:45,590 --> 04:15:47,010
I think it's like 10, isn't it?

3293
04:15:47,190 --> 04:15:48,030
Full-time employees?

3294
04:15:48,770 --> 04:15:49,850
For 68 parks.

3295
04:15:52,460 --> 04:15:53,840
I mean, that's not going to come from nowhere.

3296
04:15:53,840 --> 04:15:57,000
And so when I look at this, I'm like, if I'm going to vote for this,

3297
04:15:57,360 --> 04:16:00,760
it damn sure is not going to be for people getting raises at the top end.

3298
04:16:00,840 --> 04:16:03,580
We're going to start adding bodies so that we can tell people,

3299
04:16:03,840 --> 04:16:07,060
we did our very best to improve the quality of life and

3300
04:16:07,060 --> 04:16:09,760
quality of services that you should expect no matter where you live.

3301
04:16:16,870 --> 04:16:20,210
I support both of those policies you're talking about, by the way.

3302
04:16:21,310 --> 04:16:22,850
I wanted to add just a few other things.

3303
04:16:23,170 --> 04:16:27,590
So the city council has been fighting very hard to find additional money

3304
04:16:27,590 --> 04:16:29,550
outside the city for the city.

3305
04:16:30,270 --> 04:16:38,710
I spent a week of my year this year in March with the mayor back in Washington, D.C., and

3306
04:16:38,710 --> 04:16:44,090
we worked very diligently to try to secure federal dollars to come back to support projects

3307
04:16:44,090 --> 04:16:45,130
that we have here in Eagle Mountain.

3308
04:16:46,150 --> 04:16:49,630
To my understanding, it's the first time our city has ever sent a delegation to Washington,

3309
04:16:49,830 --> 04:16:50,170
D.C.

3310
04:16:50,510 --> 04:16:53,190
It's not going to be the last because we're going to keep beating that drum.

3311
04:16:54,310 --> 04:16:59,990
That's a week away from my family, it's a week away from my own job, but it is worth

3312
04:16:59,990 --> 04:17:04,110
it to me to try to figure out other methods to pay for the needs that are here.

3313
04:17:05,730 --> 04:17:10,810
I know that Mayor Gray, he was the one that identified some potential significant savings

3314
04:17:10,810 --> 04:17:13,190
by restructuring our relationship with unified fire.

3315
04:17:13,650 --> 04:17:17,370
That's something we're going to experience next year that was completely on him to

3316
04:17:17,370 --> 04:17:21,790
identify that, that could be millions of savings for the city, and I'm grateful

3317
04:17:21,790 --> 04:17:23,470
for his leadership in that regard.

3318
04:17:25,030 --> 04:17:27,430
We've other things we're trying to do.

3319
04:17:28,250 --> 04:17:31,570
We have a volunteer police force that also helps

3320
04:17:31,570 --> 04:17:34,870
with alleviate pressure on our sheriff's department.

3321
04:17:35,830 --> 04:17:36,650
They have no funding.

3322
04:17:38,890 --> 04:17:41,250
And Cedar Fort has a fire department that's volunteer

3323
04:17:41,250 --> 04:17:42,810
and they don't have enough funding.

3324
04:17:43,650 --> 04:17:48,790
So Alex Carter, who's a council member there in Cedar Fort

3325
04:17:48,790 --> 04:17:49,810
and I have put our heads together,

3326
04:17:50,010 --> 04:17:51,610
we're putting on a half marathon here

3327
04:17:51,610 --> 04:17:57,330
in Cedar Valley. October 10th, with money that will be raised to help our volunteer

3328
04:17:57,330 --> 04:18:02,930
police and the volunteer fire. We're trying to come up with ways to get money from other

3329
04:18:02,930 --> 04:18:08,450
sources. Even small ways where we're going to be working with the Best Friends Animal

3330
04:18:08,450 --> 04:18:12,110
Society where they can provide some free services to help with some animal control

3331
04:18:12,110 --> 04:18:15,610
stuff. We're adding those things in that we're trying to be active, proactive,

3332
04:18:16,230 --> 04:18:20,110
and we're trying to approach this from the front, not the back. Yet we are actively

3333
04:18:20,110 --> 04:18:26,390
engaged with our state legislature. There was a real potential for the state to pass

3334
04:18:26,390 --> 04:18:32,490
a cap on property tax increase. Had that passed, we would have been a very difficult scenario,

3335
04:18:33,210 --> 04:18:40,790
very, very difficult scenario. And I'm glad it didn't. Can we phase this next tax increase?

3336
04:18:41,950 --> 04:18:47,270
Part of the issue is what's the state legislature going to do? And we have to consider that

3337
04:18:47,270 --> 04:18:48,830
and play from the front instead of the back.

3338
04:18:51,210 --> 04:18:52,850
Also, the state legislature has been mentioned

3339
04:18:52,850 --> 04:18:54,770
that they want to socialize our M&T funds,

3340
04:18:54,890 --> 04:18:56,750
our municipal energy tax from data centers.

3341
04:18:56,870 --> 04:18:57,410
That's not fair.

3342
04:18:58,070 --> 04:19:02,490
So you need a city council that's going to be lobbying very much

3343
04:19:02,490 --> 04:19:05,530
for you at the state and with the feds

3344
04:19:05,530 --> 04:19:07,410
to make sure we get the best results for you.

3345
04:19:08,270 --> 04:19:11,230
It was also stated that perhaps the tax increase was

3346
04:19:11,230 --> 04:19:13,890
to give the city council staff pay increases.

3347
04:19:15,090 --> 04:19:16,490
The city council has no staff.

3348
04:19:17,850 --> 04:19:24,550
Other cities have city councils with staff. We don't have a staff. It's us. That's it.

3349
04:19:27,500 --> 04:19:31,340
It's been said that we're raising taxes to build a city hall, and that's false.

3350
04:19:32,100 --> 04:19:35,500
This has nothing to do with the city hall. Does the city need a city hall?

3351
04:19:36,220 --> 04:19:39,780
Yes, a lot of, there was a comment. You don't need a city hall. You have sufficient here.

3352
04:19:40,320 --> 04:19:43,300
That's an uninformed decision or uninformed comment.

3353
04:19:43,300 --> 04:19:49,080
And I would welcome a private discussion with any of you that feel that this building is sufficient.

3354
04:19:50,960 --> 04:19:57,480
So I just wanted to clear up some of those things. I think a rec center. This has absolutely nothing to do with a rec center.

3355
04:19:57,820 --> 04:20:03,780
And hopefully sheds light on why we can't do a rec center yet. We have so much going on. Let me see.

3356
04:20:03,940 --> 04:20:09,940
I'm just trying to see. The other thing I was going to mention is I'm going to tell you the tale of two HOAs.

3357
04:20:09,940 --> 04:20:13,860
because it's been brought up, well Craig you're in real estate, so you should know that this

3358
04:20:13,860 --> 04:20:20,200
is not healthy. Let me, it is my real estate background, that it will cause me to vote yes

3359
04:20:20,200 --> 04:20:26,740
on some form of tax increase right now and I will tell you why. When I was young in my

3360
04:20:26,740 --> 04:20:31,200
real estate career, actually I wasn't even in real estate yet at this moment, I was

3361
04:20:31,200 --> 04:20:36,560
on a board of an HOA because I was filling in for a period of time for someone who

3362
04:20:36,560 --> 04:20:37,420
could not be on that board.

3363
04:20:38,360 --> 04:20:40,920
And that individual said, he instructed me,

3364
04:20:40,980 --> 04:20:44,500
he said, Craig, make sure the HOA dues go up.

3365
04:20:45,360 --> 04:20:47,140
I'm like, why do you want the HOA dues to go up?

3366
04:20:47,160 --> 04:20:48,700
This is a business guy.

3367
04:20:49,320 --> 04:20:50,920
I'm like, why do you want the HOA dues to go up?

3368
04:20:51,100 --> 04:20:52,400
That's the thing that will hurt you.

3369
04:20:52,480 --> 04:20:53,920
You're not going to get money back from that.

3370
04:20:54,540 --> 04:20:55,840
He said, Craig, I'm planning.

3371
04:20:56,460 --> 04:20:58,540
I'm not planning on what's gonna happen

3372
04:20:58,540 --> 04:21:00,080
to the HOA this next year.

3373
04:21:01,160 --> 04:21:03,460
I'm planning at a minimum for five years,

3374
04:21:03,460 --> 04:21:05,860
but Craig, I'm actually planning for 10 to 20.

3375
04:21:07,560 --> 04:21:11,020
And so they increase the HOA dues without a need

3376
04:21:11,020 --> 04:21:12,400
to increase the HOA dues.

3377
04:21:13,520 --> 04:21:15,800
But what affected that happen?

3378
04:21:16,600 --> 04:21:20,180
That HOA has never had a special assessment ever.

3379
04:21:20,800 --> 04:21:23,200
When roofs came due, they had the money for it.

3380
04:21:23,280 --> 04:21:24,920
When they had to redo parking lots,

3381
04:21:25,140 --> 04:21:26,160
they had the money for it.

3382
04:21:26,340 --> 04:21:28,680
And when properties go on the market at that HOA,

3383
04:21:28,680 --> 04:21:35,440
it they sell in like a day because of how well that each way is maintained it's

3384
04:21:35,440 --> 04:21:41,500
because they put they budgeted money early on what's interesting is there is a

3385
04:21:41,500 --> 04:21:46,760
subdivision immediately next door to them that did not do that it is currently a

3386
04:21:46,760 --> 04:21:51,780
shuttered facility that will be knocked down that is what will happen

3387
04:21:51,780 --> 04:21:56,400
we are at a crossroads and I know people have said well if you you were

3388
04:21:56,400 --> 04:22:00,040
not listening to the people, Craig, if you vote for a tax increase is that people don't

3389
04:22:00,040 --> 04:22:00,440
want it.

3390
04:22:00,960 --> 04:22:05,180
But let me give a brief, just a 60-second historical moment.

3391
04:22:06,380 --> 04:22:12,340
The Battle of Gettysburg, there was a group that was assigned to protect the flank on

3392
04:22:12,340 --> 04:22:13,040
Little Round Top.

3393
04:22:15,350 --> 04:22:19,510
And when the Confederate Army was coming up the hill, that group came in such numbers

3394
04:22:19,510 --> 04:22:21,990
of force that they ran out of ammunition.

3395
04:22:23,230 --> 04:22:26,650
The troops said, let us, we got it back out.

3396
04:22:26,650 --> 04:22:28,670
But we don't have any more ammunition.

3397
04:22:30,130 --> 04:22:36,330
And their leader said, if we back out now, our flank came in, and they will come in behind

3398
04:22:36,330 --> 04:22:37,450
us, and we lose the war.

3399
04:22:38,390 --> 04:22:45,010
And so he told his troops that were with him that were torn and tired, put on your bayonets.

3400
04:22:46,530 --> 04:22:49,170
And they did, and they charged down the hill.

3401
04:22:51,910 --> 04:22:55,070
That changed the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg.

3402
04:22:55,070 --> 04:23:01,690
work. Sometimes leadership requires leading people to a place they do not want to go because

3403
04:23:01,690 --> 04:23:07,450
we see a vision that we know we must obtain. And that's what we bring forward to you today.

3404
04:23:07,750 --> 04:23:11,190
That I ask you humbly, please at least acknowledge to a degree.

3405
04:23:18,510 --> 04:23:22,810
One question that came up when we were in our retreat and different discussions through

3406
04:23:22,810 --> 04:23:29,450
this is can we create a tax change and just create it for like a year or two and

3407
04:23:29,450 --> 04:23:35,690
then roll it back. And the fact is state law doesn't allow you to do that. But it was something

3408
04:23:35,690 --> 04:23:39,790
that we as a council were like, yeah, we could get behind that. And it's kind of unfortunate

3409
04:23:39,790 --> 04:23:44,830
that state law doesn't allow you to do that because there will be additional income coming

3410
04:23:44,830 --> 04:23:51,270
into our community soon. But right now we have to find money to make sure we get

3411
04:23:51,270 --> 04:23:54,910
everything accomplished. So I wanted to let you guys know if anybody was wondering

3412
04:23:54,910 --> 04:23:57,070
And why can't you just do it for two years or a year?

3413
04:23:57,710 --> 04:23:59,750
It's just not allowed in the state law.

3414
04:24:08,580 --> 04:24:13,880
So I just want to point out maybe one additional benchmarking

3415
04:24:14,600 --> 04:24:15,620
tool if it's helpful.

3416
04:24:16,000 --> 04:24:20,600
We currently, as a city, we are the ninth fastest growing

3417
04:24:20,600 --> 04:24:24,840
city in America, not in Utah, but in the United States,

3418
04:24:25,020 --> 04:24:25,740
Saratoga Springs.

3419
04:24:26,340 --> 04:24:27,420
I don't know how they beat us.

3420
04:24:27,540 --> 04:24:28,660
It doesn't feel like they did.

3421
04:24:32,370 --> 04:24:33,450
Not that it's a competition.

3422
04:24:33,450 --> 04:24:42,130
I don't want to be the fastest, but if we are our rate today, we are the second lowest

3423
04:24:43,590 --> 04:24:46,790
in all of Utah County behind Cedar Fort.

3424
04:24:47,170 --> 04:24:50,630
So our current rate is .00534.

3425
04:24:52,030 --> 04:24:54,670
I'll say sister city, Saratoga Springs.

3426
04:24:55,690 --> 04:25:01,030
Maybe they've done a better job of managing that rate, but they're at .00976.

3427
04:25:01,030 --> 04:25:06,650
They are also proposing a 100% increase to their rate.

3428
04:25:06,810 --> 04:25:14,650
And I thought about that and I thought Saratoga Springs has a much, much larger producing commercial

3429
04:25:14,650 --> 04:25:16,030
base than we do.

3430
04:25:16,250 --> 04:25:20,610
They have Costco, Home Depot, I mean a lot of our residents shop there.

3431
04:25:20,730 --> 04:25:24,730
We're actually helping them with their revenue.

3432
04:25:25,050 --> 04:25:28,210
Every time you shop at Costco, you're helping Saratoga Springs.

3433
04:25:28,210 --> 04:25:36,270
tax. When we shop here, that helps us from a sales tax point. If this proposed rate,

3434
04:25:36,370 --> 04:25:45,130
and I will just say I am not in support of this rate as proposed, I think it needs to

3435
04:25:45,130 --> 04:25:52,250
be lower. It needs to be certainly somewhere in the middle. If we increase, if we change

3436
04:25:52,250 --> 04:25:58,970
our rate from .0005, and there's some other numbers after that, but that'll suffice for

3437
04:25:58,970 --> 04:26:07,130
my point I'm going to make. If we just doubled our rate to .0011%, that would – new revenue

3438
04:26:08,530 --> 04:26:15,830
generated would be 3.4 million. So to be fair to our conversation, all of those dollars

3439
04:26:15,830 --> 04:26:21,630
would go to the sheriff's office. That would free up about roughly just under $2 million

3440
04:26:22,390 --> 04:26:29,410
of sales tax revenue that's currently supporting that contract. I think at a bare minimum given

3441
04:26:29,930 --> 04:26:37,270
all the road infrastructure we have, the staffing, getting our employees just to 90% of the

3442
04:26:37,270 --> 04:26:47,170
median. That would be the lowest that I would consider. But after this increase, Saratoga

3443
04:26:47,170 --> 04:26:52,350
Springs, and again, I'm just kind of benchmarking because they are close to us, but I do think

3444
04:26:52,350 --> 04:26:57,290
they have a better commercial base than we do. Although we're working on it as hard

3445
04:26:57,290 --> 04:27:01,850
as we can. We have an economic director that is traveling all over the country, knocking

3446
04:27:01,850 --> 04:27:06,230
on every, knocking on every door, beating every bush. I get emails from her every, it

3447
04:27:06,230 --> 04:27:11,630
feels like every other day of who she's meeting with, who she's talking to, to try to build

3448
04:27:11,630 --> 04:27:17,670
out our commercial base. But with the proposing Cree, Saratoga Springs would land at about

3449
04:27:18,350 --> 04:27:26,970
.0015. And the next city down from there at .0014 is Benzold Employer, Saniquin City.

3450
04:27:26,970 --> 04:27:35,610
So I would just encourage the council to consider backing off that number of point zero zero one

3451
04:27:35,610 --> 04:27:42,410
seven and I would love to hear an argument you know we can go high we've we've heard several

3452
04:27:42,410 --> 04:27:49,350
residents that have come here tonight and I'm mindful that we have two district one

3453
04:27:49,790 --> 04:27:57,090
elementaries in our city. Those families, it's tight. I'm sorry, what did I say? What

3454
04:27:57,090 --> 04:28:03,410
did I say? District one? That would be college football, I think. Title one, excuse me.

3455
04:28:03,870 --> 04:28:08,930
It's getting late. But we have two Title I elementaries. And that just means that

3456
04:28:08,930 --> 04:28:14,810
the families, we do have families that will be sensitive to the stacks increase. And

3457
04:28:14,810 --> 04:28:21,010
And so in my mind, I'm trying to balance that along with we have needs within the city.

3458
04:28:21,150 --> 04:28:22,070
We have not kept up.

3459
04:28:22,190 --> 04:28:23,610
And again, that's not the resident's fault.

3460
04:28:24,170 --> 04:28:28,350
That is, I think, a failure of policy within our city for the last decade.

3461
04:28:28,690 --> 04:28:36,110
But that's kind of where I'm landing, is to come somewhere closer to maybe where Saratoga

3462
04:28:36,110 --> 04:28:42,210
Springs is that has a similar population rate, although they do have a better commercial

3463
04:28:42,210 --> 04:28:42,650
base.

3464
04:28:44,650 --> 04:28:50,850
Hey, just a point of clarification, if that's okay, I don't think Saratoga's rates 100%

3465
04:28:50,850 --> 04:28:51,830
is closer to 50.

3466
04:28:54,810 --> 04:28:55,350
53%.

3467
04:28:55,350 --> 04:28:57,410
So they're at today,

3468
04:28:59,750 --> 04:29:06,970
their rate today, excuse me, is .00976, and after their increase, they'll

3469
04:29:06,970 --> 04:29:11,590
be at .0015, so they'll go up six points.

3470
04:29:16,480 --> 04:29:17,260
Let's talk.

3471
04:29:17,820 --> 04:29:22,260
they don't want to sit here and listen to us collaborate well sorry what do we

3472
04:29:22,260 --> 04:29:27,180
want to do look I'm gonna tell you that I've I've kind of looked at this and I've

3473
04:29:27,640 --> 04:29:34,500
I've talked to a couple of council members individually and there's such a

3474
04:29:34,500 --> 04:29:38,640
tremendous need but I feel like that probably a better balance is to bring

3475
04:29:38,640 --> 04:29:42,120
it right down a little bit and I could get behind where council member

3476
04:29:42,120 --> 04:29:45,840
Hewish is that he and I have actually talked about this for me I think the

3477
04:29:47,660 --> 04:29:55,300
however many zeros in the 1,500, I don't know what that percentage is, but for me, that's

3478
04:29:55,300 --> 04:29:56,860
perhaps a more appropriate number.

3479
04:29:57,740 --> 04:29:59,960
Also recognizing that-

3480
04:29:59,960 --> 04:29:59,980
You

3481
04:30:00,000 --> 04:30:04,020
And I hate to even tell the citizens this, because next year we're going to be right back

3482
04:30:04,020 --> 04:30:10,580
here again as we go through the UFSA. And frankly, it'll give us a year to evaluate where things

3483
04:30:10,580 --> 04:30:16,260
go and to take a look at any, perhaps, increases in revenues that we see and allow us to make

3484
04:30:16,260 --> 04:30:19,120
an adjustment then. So that's what I'm thinking.

3485
04:30:22,990 --> 04:30:24,030
Can I? Oh.

3486
04:30:24,410 --> 04:30:28,250
I was just going to say, I will say, councilmember Hewish brought up, we're just going to

3487
04:30:28,250 --> 04:30:32,970
call it the one one that's the median of what's going on in our county and that

3488
04:30:32,970 --> 04:30:40,490
really is the bare minimum of what we could do it still gives us a revenue

3489
04:30:40,490 --> 04:30:51,580
shortfall of three point three million dollars so I I think we should look at

3490
04:30:51,580 --> 04:30:56,760
that but I also am sensitive to the fact that because we haven't changed

3491
04:30:56,760 --> 04:31:02,620
anything for so so long. We are so far off the mark of other cities our size like Saratoga

3492
04:31:03,020 --> 04:31:12,540
and they're at the one five. And right now the one you guys got as a tax statement all

3493
04:31:12,540 --> 04:31:17,520
said one seven. So it is a significant step down from that.

3494
04:31:20,980 --> 04:31:22,780
And it's probably in the

3495
04:31:23,700 --> 04:31:28,920
75 to 70th percentile of what's going on in the county as far as tax rates.

3496
04:31:38,580 --> 04:31:44,640
So one of the gentlemen that spoke earlier read a private email that I had exchanged with

3497
04:31:44,640 --> 04:31:44,760
him.

3498
04:31:44,780 --> 04:31:48,900
I didn't realize it would be read and I'm fine that he read it but that email openly

3499
04:31:48,900 --> 04:31:55,280
stated that I was already considering a reduction from 1.7.

3500
04:31:55,280 --> 04:32:00,280
So I'm definitely definitely open to considering it a number that's different than the one seven number

3501
04:32:02,260 --> 04:32:03,600
What number do you suggest?

3502
04:32:05,820 --> 04:32:07,240
I've been around one five

3503
04:32:08,080 --> 04:32:10,380
This one is though is what I've been looking at. I

3504
04:32:13,710 --> 04:32:17,530
want to manage expectations because honestly where we land on the numbers

3505
04:32:18,170 --> 04:32:21,350
We're going to be looking at this again. I think that you need to be aware of that

3506
04:32:21,770 --> 04:32:23,910
We need to be able to evaluate every year

3507
04:32:24,650 --> 04:32:25,810
Where we actually land

3508
04:32:27,740 --> 04:32:31,200
Going the other direction with this that means that we're going to have to say no to things

3509
04:32:31,740 --> 04:32:36,420
and I think if you're okay with that as citizens and you're like we understand

3510
04:32:36,420 --> 04:32:40,680
there's not money for us to do all the trails there's not money for us to keep

3511
04:32:40,680 --> 04:32:44,900
our parks where they need to be we don't have enough people to even take care of

3512
04:32:44,900 --> 04:32:48,820
those things and you'll you'll rally around us and help us come up with

3513
04:32:48,820 --> 04:32:52,900
some options to be able to deal with some of these things then it's

3514
04:32:52,900 --> 04:32:56,040
probably something that we can get behind because then we're dealing with

3515
04:32:56,040 --> 04:33:01,620
this as a community, but if we continue on the path that was laid for us, everything

3516
04:33:01,620 --> 04:33:07,880
is going to be in disrepair that's going to cost two and three times the amount to bring

3517
04:33:07,880 --> 04:33:10,760
it back to a level that's acceptable. So I,

3518
04:33:12,880 --> 04:33:16,340
though I am not excited about going to

3519
04:33:16,340 --> 04:33:21,580
the 0.15 because I feel like that is, if we felt like that's what it was, we should

3520
04:33:21,580 --> 04:33:23,260
have started with that, frankly.

3521
04:33:25,640 --> 04:33:29,440
I heard what you said, too, and I felt what each one of

3522
04:33:29,440 --> 04:33:31,160
you said about how it's impacting your homes.

3523
04:33:33,640 --> 04:33:36,140
So maybe that's the direction we need to go

3524
04:33:36,140 --> 04:33:43,060
for this year. We all hope and pray that when QTS starts this next month, that those funds

3525
04:33:43,520 --> 04:33:48,000
bring the revenue that we've all been waiting for, that we've all been promised, and

3526
04:33:48,000 --> 04:33:53,920
that as these other buildings are built for Facebook and QTS that we realize those funds.

3527
04:33:55,700 --> 04:34:01,260
I hope this isn't the last time you're here. We're better when you come in here, pissed

3528
04:34:01,260 --> 04:34:08,260
off and ready to fight frankly. It makes us better at making the decisions that we

3529
04:34:08,260 --> 04:34:12,200
have to make but we also need you to stand side by side with us when we make the decision

3530
04:34:12,200 --> 04:34:16,060
and help us to meet the shortfalls. So that's where I'm at.

3531
04:34:17,280 --> 04:34:22,300
Hey, just for the benefit of the residents, I know we've talked about this a lot in other meetings,

3532
04:34:23,020 --> 04:34:32,300
but using numbers like 1517 as it can get confusing, maybe you can refer to a dollar amount

3533
04:34:32,300 --> 04:34:35,840
if it's possible or just help us understand where that's going.

3534
04:34:36,860 --> 04:34:46,280
So, just to clarify, Mayor, what we're discussing is reducing the proposed tax increase rate

3535
04:34:46,280 --> 04:34:52,340
to .0015, that would be from .0017.

3536
04:34:55,670 --> 04:34:59,710
Yeah, and I don't want to get anybody there besides us to understand the $1 amount that

3537
04:34:59,710 --> 04:34:59,970
means.

3538
04:35:00,130 --> 04:35:02,230
So that's what I'm trying to tell you.

3539
04:35:05,960 --> 04:35:13,520
So here it's somewhere in the middle in terms of like a tax rate so an annual sorry an average

3540
04:35:13,520 --> 04:35:19,640
home annual increase over the certified rate it would land somewhere between $245 to $268

3541
04:35:19,640 --> 04:35:25,040
because we're sort of proposing something in between two numbers I'm looking at so

3542
04:35:25,040 --> 04:35:31,340
So, call it like 255 or something, divide that by 12, or sorry, divide that by 365.

3543
04:35:33,420 --> 04:35:37,140
So it's like a 69 cent per day increase, something like that.

3544
04:35:37,360 --> 04:35:38,880
Kimberly, can you give us a number?

3545
04:35:39,680 --> 04:35:40,400
Can you do the math?

3546
04:35:40,680 --> 04:35:41,920
I've got the exact math.

3547
04:35:43,560 --> 04:35:46,060
Yeah, it ends up being, I can get you the exact number.

3548
04:35:47,240 --> 04:35:51,780
No, not the tax rate, because the breakdowns we have go by 5% each.

3549
04:35:52,520 --> 04:36:01,840
And so, the actual number, it would be a 183.02% increase is what I'm, so what I'm seeing is this.

3550
04:36:01,940 --> 04:36:08,400
The annual revenue, sorry, the net revenue above the certified rate would be 5,591,594,

3551
04:36:09,020 --> 04:36:12,840
which represents a 183.02% increase instead of a 220.

3552
04:36:14,760 --> 04:36:19,660
But I was just saying the net effect of the residence is closer to like a 70 cents per day on the average.

3553
04:36:19,660 --> 04:36:22,640
That's what I was talking about is the net revenue, Craig.

3554
04:36:22,840 --> 04:36:23,720
So thank you, that's,

3555
04:36:24,100 --> 04:36:26,300
I think that helps everybody understand what it means.

3556
04:36:26,500 --> 04:36:31,960
We're talking about $5.5 million, $250 a year,

3557
04:36:32,100 --> 04:36:36,500
things like that around that 0.1 or 0.0015.

3558
04:36:37,700 --> 04:36:42,820
Is there any other comments on rate or dollar amounts?

3559
04:36:43,580 --> 04:36:45,420
I've heard a few opinions.

3560
04:36:46,240 --> 04:36:47,220
I kind of lost track.

3561
04:36:47,220 --> 04:36:52,360
I think I heard that council member Whiting say around the five and a half million dollars

3562
04:37:04,550 --> 04:37:07,110
It's not appropriate. The public hearing time has passed.

3563
04:37:13,520 --> 04:37:16,460
If there's no further discussion. I will entertain a motion

3564
04:37:17,320 --> 04:37:19,380
I haven't seen anybody raise their hand. So

3565
04:37:21,330 --> 04:37:22,450
Mayor I'll make a motion

3566
04:37:24,030 --> 04:37:29,920
Okay, and then hopefully we're listening to this so make sure I do this right

3567
04:37:29,920 --> 04:37:34,820
but I move that the city council here by approves and adopts a property tax rate of

3568
04:37:34,820 --> 04:37:49,860
of .001500. For fiscal year 2026 to 2027, this rate exceeds the certified tax rate of .00530,

3569
04:37:50,460 --> 04:37:56,240
and we'll result in an increase in the city's ad valorem property tax budgeted revenue of

3570
04:37:56,240 --> 04:38:02,280
approximately 5,591,594,

3571
04:38:07,920 --> 04:38:15,580
183.02% above the city's property tax budgeted revenue for the

3572
04:38:15,580 --> 04:38:19,440
prior year exclusive of new growth. Second.

3573
04:38:22,430 --> 04:38:24,270
Okay, we do have a motion by Council Member

3574
04:38:24,270 --> 04:38:31,990
White and second by Council Member Wright, either Marcus or Lacey. You feel you understand

3575
04:38:31,990 --> 04:38:35,290
on the motion and is it clear?

3576
04:38:38,640 --> 04:38:43,560
I want to clarify the tax, the 0.0015.

3577
04:38:47,520 --> 04:38:47,620
Yep.

3578
04:38:50,930 --> 04:38:52,490
Is there any other questions on the motion?

3579
04:38:53,370 --> 04:38:55,090
Just one question for Marcus.

3580
04:38:55,350 --> 04:38:58,390
If we have a desire to put a policy in place for this,

3581
04:38:58,530 --> 04:39:01,530
is this something that we do at this time as a condition

3582
04:39:02,190 --> 04:39:03,890
or do we bring that back?

3583
04:39:04,070 --> 04:39:05,450
I think that's going to bring back later.

3584
04:39:05,610 --> 04:39:07,490
If you're talking about adopting an ordinance

3585
04:39:07,490 --> 04:39:13,810
requirements say to look at it every year, which was suggested earlier, or adopting a

3586
04:39:13,810 --> 04:39:19,550
resolution on a later date that after it comes into the general fund that it be segregated

3587
04:39:19,550 --> 04:39:23,050
into a separate fund, then that will come out in another meeting.

3588
04:39:23,630 --> 04:39:24,270
Thank you.

3589
04:39:25,870 --> 04:39:30,610
I think that we need to definitely address that in our next City Council meeting, so

3590
04:39:30,610 --> 04:39:31,410
no other questions.

3591
04:39:34,720 --> 04:39:35,180
Okay.

3592
04:39:35,320 --> 04:39:36,440
Not seeing any other questions.

3593
04:39:37,280 --> 04:39:38,520
We'll go ahead and start a vote.

3594
04:39:38,520 --> 04:39:46,300
we'll start with councilmember Wood yes councilmember Whiting yes councilmember

3595
04:39:46,300 --> 04:39:54,760
right yes councilmember Clark yes and councilmember Hewish yes okay that

3596
04:39:54,760 --> 04:40:04,560
passes five is zero and carries that is the last item on our agenda other than

3597
04:40:04,560 --> 04:40:14,700
one other item motion to adjourn second okay was that council member Wooden

3598
04:40:14,700 --> 04:40:21,630
council member Wright and all in favor of the motion we say aye

3599
04:40:23,310 --> 04:40:30,010
any opposed see none we will adjourn the meeting at 1038 thank you