A Lively Discussion

To attend a lively discussion of the iProvo Debate, you might pop in at the Facebook group called "Our Provo". The conversation can give you some background of the topic of what to do about iProvo and the bond to pay for it.
There is also a "Political Tailgate Party" planned for 5 PM on Tuesday, September 20th, prior to the public meeting on that issue. Look for it at the parking lot and lawn west of the City Center.

The iProvo Question

There will be a public hearing at the Provo Municipal Council meeting on September 20 on how to make the bond payments related to the city's fiber optic network, also known as iProvo.  The meeting will start at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Municipal Council Chambers of the Provo City Center, 351 W. Center St.

The annual bond payment for the network is $3.2 million. For over a year, Provo Mayor John Curtis has discussed in public the need for a more reliable, transparent way to pay that debt, and the possibility of a monthly charge to utility customers. The administration has developed options that it will present to the council, which controls utility rates.

The options include a fixed charge, charging a percentage of each customer's utility bill, and combinations of the two. Under each of the options, the average residential customer would pay up to $7.65 per month. The charge would begin November 1 and would continue until the bond is paid in 15 years.

Since selling the network three years ago, the city has applied the payments from the sale to the bond payments, but payments from the sale ended earlier this year, and surety funds intended to secure the payments will soon be exhausted.

The city is continuing to evaluate its options regarding the future of the network, including reselling it, managing it again, and "going dark," and will seek public input on that later this year. The new utility charge would be required to cover the bond payments under any of those options.

"We have what many cities wish they had--a fully built, city-wide fiber-to-the-home network," stated Curtis. "Many of us were not involved in the decision to build it, but we benefit either directly or indirectly, and more importantly, we have an obligation to pay for it."

Although the meeting starts at 7 p.m., the public hearing is later on the agenda. After a presentation by the administration, the public will be invited to comment.

No Property Tax Increase

At the City Council Meeting last night, the Council members voted unanimously not to raise property taxes this year. 

From Your City Council Representative

I am posting information from our City Council Representative, Sherrie Hall Everett. 

The Municipal Council will decide Tuesday Night whether or not to raise your Property Tax. I just posted a blog entry discussing the proposed property tax increase. [see it here]

In that post I talk about three reasons we are having this discussion. I want your informed decision about the level of services we offer in our city, the timing of these proposed increases and the reality of the city budget issues we are trying to help our citizens understand.

At the bottom of that post is a survey. I hope you will take it.
I hope you will get your neighbors to take it, too. It will provide me with some valuable insight as I work to make a decision for the community and for you.

I'm not anxious to raise taxes for a lot of reasons I cover in the blog. A paramount concern is the current state of the economy and the rates and fees that have already been adjusted in the budget. We've held multiple information meetings and have had some very good discussions with many throughout the city. I've heard from many of you that you have appreciated the transparency and effort. The audio from the Lakeview Information Meeting will be posted on the city website sometime this morning. <Note from Neighborhood blogger: I looked for the recording and couldn't find it Monday afternoon>

It is time for us to all understand and engage in the opportunity to decide together where we want to go as a city. Taking this survey and leaving your thoughts in the comment section will be a great help.
Here's a link to the information posted by the Council.

The final decision

You may also come to the public hearing on Tuesday, August 9th.

   Truth in Taxation Hearing
   Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.
   Council Chambers
   351 West Center Street
 
Working to keep you informed,
   Sherrie Hall Everett

Property Tax Hike Proposal

The Provo Municipal Council will hold a public hearing considering up to a 16% property tax increase on August 9, 2011, 6:00pm, at the Provo City Center, 351 West Center Street.

A series of public informational meetings will be held with Council Members to discuss your specific questions regarding the proposal at the following times and locations:

Tuesday, July 26 at 6:30 pm, District 5, Sterling Beck, Municipal Council Chambers, 351 W. Center St.

Wednesday, July 27 at 6:30 pm, District 3, Midge Johnson, Spring Creek Elementary School Wednesday, August 3, 6:30 pm, District 1, Cynthia Dayton and District 2, Rick Healey, Timp High School Thursday, August 4, 6:30 pm, District 4, Sherrie Hall Everett, Lakeview Elementary

The meetings have been arranged as close to the neighborhoods of these Council members as possible.  However, residents are invited to attend any of the meetings that are convenient for them. So, although Sherrie Hall Everett is our City Council Member, attend a meeting that is convenient.

More information regarding the impacts of a property tax increase may be found at http://council.provo.org.

Truth in Taxation

The information that was shared with Council Members regarding property taxes at the last Council Meeting is now posted to the web with explanatory notes. If you are interested in the nuts and bolts of your property taxes, you'll find them here:

https://sites.google.com/site/provocitybudgetfy2012/