About The Issues
Growth
Morgan is experiencing the same growth pressures felt by the rest of Utah. As more of our children want to return to live in our community and local land owners are enticed to sell their property, it is crucial that Morgan County have a long Master Plan for this development. Even in the midst of the amount of growth our country has seen, we can still learn from and apply our Utahn heritage by focusing on community planning. Land use will remain the most divisive issue for local governments to navigate, but community planning is still critical. The balance between property rights and the required community services costs brought by development is very important, and our community planning, communication and cooperation must happen if we are to make the best decisions for our county.
While Morgan County does not want to be in the “water business”, we do have a responsibility to current residents to verify new development will not impact the quality or quantity of water for those already here. To maintain our quality of life, we must plan for the impacts of growth already approved in every area of our community. Now is the time to put the needed infrastructure for roads, the internet, and ensure adequate water resources are available for those who are already here, and are coming.
Property Tax
The Morgan School District is funded through property taxes, Morgan County’s growth has been almost exclusively in residential properties (school children). This causes an increase in property taxes, that prices business out of Morgan County. There is a plan to turn this trend around. As we look to sales tax, transient room tax and restaurant tax, we can find the needed financial understanding to diversify our tax revenues and solve the issue with our ever-increasing property tax. I encourage you to look at the Morgan County Economic Development Plan to see how we are planning now to create economic diversification.
Ethics and Accountability
As an honest and vocal advocate for all Morgan County residents, I have fought hard to make county government more transparent and accountable to the people and will continue to do so if re-elected. Whether it is an ill timed incorporation attempt, improper county processes, or insisting on adequate water resources, my position has been that the needs of my constituents are more important than my personal relationships. My accounting background is a vital asset to our community. I believe that tax money is a sacred funds, and that there should be proper financial oversights and dual controls to ensure public trust and protect the taxpayers’ hard-earned money.
Unity
A better future for our community is my goal. True Unity can only happen with respect for different opinions. We will not always agree, but I can always explain the principles behind my votes. Come talk with me, learn the realities and the challenges our community faces and how we can unify as a community working together for our future.
Transportation Infrastructure
Understanding the process and varied sources of transportation funding is crucial to keeping Morgan County’s infrastructure up to date. Long term plans for road, bridges and trails should be following a logical maintenance and upgrade schedule . Let’s make sure our infrastructure projects have the best use of our community in mind.
Public Participation
The most important part of any form of County government is Public involvement. Nothing can replace a well informed and educated public who actively participate in the process. I encourage you to call, email or meet with me. I share the County Council Meetings on my Facebook page so more people can attend remotely.
Adequate Water
We need both quality and quantity with our water supply here in Morgan County. As growth continues, we need to ensure that the adequate water supply for our current residents is not negatively impacted by new growth. The Mountain Green area is currently underserviced. We need to protect the rest of our county from this problem. I will work with other elected officials to ensure that the proper regulations and safeguards are put in place to protect our quality and quantity of water supply. We want to be able to quickly respond and have adequate water supply for any fire related emergencies.
Wasatch Peaks Resort
Prior to the development of Wasatch Peaks Resort, the property it will soon stand on paid less than $3,000 in property tax. At completion and with current property tax rates, the project will pay more in property taxes than the rest of the county’s residential homes combined. This kind of increase to the tax base with a density of 17 acres per unit is incredibly rare. This resort is a lifesaver.
Mountain Green Area
First, lets talk about the “annexation into Weber County. Unfortunately, this rumor was started with the Mountain Green Incorporation attempt. It is a rumor, and nothing more.
Second, the recent incorporation attempt for Mountain Green. The proposed tax rate on the attempted incorporation was higher than was considered “feasible” As part of the process, if an incorporated city wants to contract for services, it may solicit bids from any willing provider and choose to accept the lowest bid. (see the rumor of annexation into Weber County)
What we can learn from this attempt:
- The feasibility study done by the Lt. The Governor's office for the Mountain Green Incorporation area shows the proposed community still needs a viable commercial tax base in order for incorporation to be feasible.
- Snowbasin is a valuable part of Morgan County’s commercial tax base, and the planned expansion is key in helping to diversify Morgan County’s tax revenues. It is a valuable partner in planning for Morgan County’s future.
- As the growth in the Ogden Valley, Snowbasin and Mountain Green continues as planned, the full Mountain Green interchange will be incredibly important in order to keep the traffic impacts of growth focused into a town center and off of Old Highway Road.
Economic Development
As a part of the Economic Development team for six years, and am honored to be the Chair of Morgan County’s Economic Development Board. We work hard to make Morgan County a great place to do business. There are so many exciting things happening in Morgan County, who wouldn’t want to locate their businesses to our beautify area! Just like all our current residents, the rising property tax rates make doing business a more and more expensive proposition. A diversification of tax revenues and taxable property types is key to our long term success for business growth in Morgan County.
The Platform
Leadership
Leadership means being out in front. Making hard decisions and working hard to ensure my constituents are represented well. There will always be critics of my votes and my actions, but I am able and willing to discuss and explain my votes. My first few months as a representative of Mountain Green, I was asked to attend a meeting and given the challenge to work on securing the I-84 interchange. Two of the prior representatives told me privately, that the Interchange was an impossible goal. I have worked for over 5 years to get it done. The interchange is moving forward as never before. Keep working with me, it can and will happen
Morgan on the Map
I have called Morgan County home for the past 21 years, and I have served conscientiously as a county representative over the past six years. During that time I have built strong relationships with other elected representatives around Utah, and through participating in meetings and conventions around the state, I have communicated that Morgan County will be an active and important piece of Utah's future
Get Involved
I need your help getting my message out. Walk with me on and October 13th and 20th. Campaign Flyering, word-of-mouth, and donating are all ways of helping spread our message.
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