Even as the water from the melting snowpack in southwest Utah continues raging down the Virgin and Santa Clara rivers, leaders and first responders in Washington County are reveling in the fact that there has been no major flooding. That said, public safety concerns from people taking foolish risks on the rivers still pose a major concern.
Free speech or maintaining public order, which matters most? That’s what political pundits are commenting on in the wake of St. George Mayor Michele Randall’s recent decision to curb incivility by putting an end to the public comment segment in the first City Council meeting each month.
Before Ivins City Council members can adopt a final budget for fiscal year 2024 next month, they need to get the red out – a $382,000 deficit in the general fund. One option Councilman Mike Scott is proposing is to hike Ivins’ property tax portion by 18.6%, which would raise the amount collected on a $500,000 home by $47 per year. If adopted, it would be the first property tax hike since 2010.