By Naomi Hatch–
In the past, members of the Taylor Town Council briefly discussed supporting the inclusion of the towns of Taylor and Snowflake in the same county supervisor’s district.
The Snowflake Council unanimously approved a resolution to this effect. The issue was discussed again by the Taylor Council Aug. 3, and a similar resolution was approved.
Town Manager Eric Duthie presented the council with a draft of a resolution created and provided by the Town of Snowflake, noting, “They thought it was important to have the towns of Snowflake and Taylor together.”
“We’re (staff) not making a recommendation, this is 100 percent political and we’re staying out as much as we can,” said Duthie, who added that he would like action on the resolution one way or another that evening, because the Redistricting Committee was slated to meet Aug. 5.
Duthie displayed a map of the proposed redistricting created by Snowflake Councilman Tom Poscharsky that would be included with the resolution.
Councilman Gary Solomon said he had seen a new map that showed some of Taylor’s precincts in another district and was concerned. Solomon said he had not studied the map, but thought Highway 77 was the dividing line between the precincts. “I understand Taylor would lose some of its precincts,” he said, noting that if the towns were in the same district, Taylor and Snowflake would probably keep Snowflake’s supervisor, J.R. DeSpain, and Heber would maintain Supervisor David Tenney.
Keith Baldwin said that is a different map than council was discussing, noting, “Taylor only has two districts.”
“My opinion is, if we’re connected with Snowflake there’s more of a possibility of us selecting a candidate from our immediate area. We have a little more clout that way,” said Mayor Fay Hatch.
“Do you want a part voice with two districts or a strong voice with one, is what it comes down to,” said Duthie. He added that there had been another proposal put forward that would split the Taylor precincts.
“I know the meeting’s going to be on Friday where they’re going to hammer this out,” said Councilman Alan Ramage. “This resolution looks like something we’re on board with, so passing that resolution we’d do our part.”
Solomon asked for comments from the audience, noting, “This is not just a council decision, everybody’s welcome.” There were no comments.
A motion to adopt Resolution R-2011-07 supporting the inclusion of Taylor and Snowflake as a “community of interests” in the same county district passed unanimously.
The council also held a public hearing seeking comment concerning the adoption of the final fiscal year 2011-12 town budget. There was no public comment.
The council unanimously approved Resolution R-2011-04, adopting the $5,311,625 town budget, a reduction of almost $426,000 from the 2010-11 budget in large part due to the loss of state funding.
In other action Aug. 3, the council:
* Held the first reading of Ordinance R-2011-06, adopting the 2011 amendments to the tax code.
Finance Director Gus Lundberg explained that the Municipal Tax Code Commission adopted some changes in the language of the code due to legislative changes. The Model City Tax Code is adopted by reference, with a copy available at town hall for anyone to review.
* Ratified an airport residency agreement.
Councilman Jared Hatch explained that the town employee residing in a double-wide mobile home at the airport purchased a home, and so the Airport Committee discussed this because they had to move very quickly on it to not leave the airport unattended after hours. An agreement specifically stating services performed by the town and by the resident, Chad Tenney, who will provide after-hours and weekend access to the fuel pumps, was ratified.
