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Year in Review
We Have a Great Librarian
Last June the Daily Herald ran a story on a number of Utah Libraries that have started lending out all-access state parks passes. I contacted our library to find out if we could do the same.
Our wonderful librarian Gene Nelson made it happen – he was able to successfully obtain a pass for our Library, so now Provo residents are able to check the $75 state pass out free of charge and access some of Utah’s most beautiful parks.
The pass is now available via a first come first served reservation system at the reference desk of the library. Since some libraries in the county have had less than a terrific experience with the circulating pass, Gene came up with a clever solution to see that as many residents as possible had access to the pass.
Recreation Center Bond Passes – Construction to Begin mid-2011
Passing by almost a 20% margin, with every precinct but East Bay seeing a majority, Provo voted resoundingly to build a $39 million dollar Recreation center at North Park in Provo.
This vote was a bit unique for several reasons. First, unlike the $40 million used on iProvo, the city council did not vote directly to fund the project, but rather allowed the voters of the city to decide whether they wanted to see a modest property tax increase in return for a recreation center facility.
Additionally, while recreation projects lost by landslides in neighboring cities like Eagle Mountain, Provo’s election was distinctly the opposite, with voters expressing a clear desire to see the rec center built.
With the recreation center being located off of Freedom, next to the splash pad, Provo’s downtown neighborhoods will greatly benefit from this new facility.
Provo City’s Wonderful Employees
When I took office earlier this year, Provo was in a difficult position. In order to balance our budget to meet sinking sales tax revenues we had to make several very difficult cuts. Many of these cuts required sacrifice by Provo city employees: they were asked to forego a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the second straight year, merit increases remained prohibitied, and roughly fourty positions were removed.
The net effect of this was a much leaner Provo, with many employees finding themselves doing extra work to help cover some of the positions that were lost. I was amazed at how well city employees were able to fill in the gap and the long hours that many talented people put in to provide residents with the high level of services Provo is recognized for.
Yesterday morning when I witnessed a car accident down the block from my house, I was reminded of the extra effort our employees give as I was amazed to see a nearly immediate response by the Provo fire department to ensure the safety of those involved in the crash.
The efforts to reduce expenses has resulted in a modest surplus, allowing for us to provide a 1% bonus in time for Christmas for all city employees. I strongly believe that Provo has some of the most talented employees in the nation, and it directly benefits the city to do what it can to offer financial incentives to keep talent in the city.
Last night the council voted unanimously to approve the $330,000 expense for the cost of living payment.
Council members are by default, not included in this payment unless they request to do so. I don’t think the council should vote itself a pay raise, and as such I stated that as a council member I will not take any such bonus.