Better city management and prioritized spending appear to be the big issue in the Riverton election.
City residents responded angrily this past summer, when the City Council proposed implementing a 6 percent franchise tax on utilities or an 86 percent property tax hike to finance what city officials say are badly needed road improvements and an upgrading of the city's Fire Department.There are no incumbents seeking election to their posts. Mayor Dale Gardiner and Councilwoman Darla Serassio are not running, while Councilwoman Jan C. Wells is making a run at the mayor's post.
Wells, a 34-year-old homemaker, is being challenged by James Warr, 52, a rehabilitation counselor for the state.
The two council seats are being sought by Brent C. Richards, 51, a self-employed businessman; Richard T. Huffman, 55, a self-employed real estate consultant; Raquel Ohmie, 38, a beauty shop owner; and David K. Goldhardt, 30, a former contractor now employed by the LDS Church.
Mayor
James Warr said his main concern is the city's financial condition and a belief that city finances are not well-managed. He believes prioritizing spending and concentrating on providing basic services first can resolve many of the problems facing the city.
"There are two ways to have more money; either make more or spend less," Warr said. "I think Riverton falls into that second category, and if we are going to maintain Riverton as a viable community we must do a better job of managing our money."
Warr said he believes the city can avoid raising property taxes by better using what it has. He said there are areas he believes can be cut in favor of road improvements and maintenance, snow removal, public safety and water system improvements. Improving employee management practices and motivation for job improvement, such as performance bonuses, are among the ideas Warr favors.
Jan C. Wells said she too wants to avoid increasing taxes but is not sure an increase can be delayed. She said tax spending has fallen from $149 per person in 1980 to $89 per person now, a trend affecting basic services.
Wells said she wants to see the city develop a five-year spending plan to better manage finances. She said this would prepare the city to meet future challenges. She said economic development efforts should focus on assisting existing businesses in the city before efforts are made to bring in additional commercial development.
Wells said she also wants to see the city embark on a long-range planning effort that would involve residents and keep them better informed.
"I would like to use neighborhood groups to work with the Planning Commission to help develop a plan," Wells said. "The city is half developed, and we need to have the people involved as the rest develops."
City Council
David K. Goldhardt said he would propose the city consider changing its form of government to a council-mayor system with council representation by district. He feels this would give each area of the city better representation and accountability from its council member.
Goldhardt said he also favors developing a five-year budget plan to help the city prepare for expensive projects. He also wants to promote an expanded commercial tax base to offset the need for residential property-tax increases.
"There is a need to bring reality, not campaign promises, to city government," Goldhardt said. "There is a need to get back to basics."
Richard T. Huffman said he plans to aggressively seek new business development in the city to address financial needs. He said he opposes raising property taxes and the city must live within its present income while building for the future.
He said reducing current spending by just 2 percent would resolve current financial problems plaguing the city, and he believes that should not be difficult with good management practices.
"Tax increases are like pep pills, you can get addicted to them," Huffman said. "I think we can find creative ways to generate money without creating a hardship on the people."
Raquel Ohmie said she wants to see the city embark on long-range planning to solve some of the problems affecting Riverton. She said careful study is needed by council members to determine just what course of action is needed.
She said she wants to see more effort focused on keeping existing businesses in town and council members should work at developing good relationships while building the trust of residents.
While the city is facing some tough decisions, many of which may prove unpopular, Ohmie said the council must be more decisive.
"I would like to see the citizens involved in a more positive way in the city," Ohmie said. "We need to listen to what they are saying."
Brent C. Richards said he believes the city is not being run well and priorities have been misplaced. He said the issue facing the city is to provide basic services at a reasonable cost. He said current budget shortfalls stem from poor spending choices in the past.
"The city needs to show some fiscal conservatism and some creative leadership," Richards said. "The council has not followed a good plan, and any crisis has been created by council actions."
Richards said the city needs good long-range planning with set goals. He said there is a need for more citizen involvement with emphasis on determining what the citizens want.