It's said a fool and his money are soon parted. The residents of Sandy just lost some of their money. In the past elections 55 percent of the people of Sandy voted for a hidden tax increase, a flat fee of $5 per month. They voted to pay $300 per household over five years for street lights. I support the idea of more street lights in Sandy (even though most of them will go to the east side), but I am against paying more than I have to.
The residents of Sandy voted to get 2,340 new street lights at the cost of $5.6 million. Why is Sandy collecting $7.2 million (an extra $1.6 million) to install these new lights? Sandy estimates there are 24,000 households in the city. If each household pays $300 ($5 per month for five years), the city collects $7.2 million. The city estimates that the lights will cost $5.6 million to install and maintain (including the electricity the lights use). That leaves $1.6 million for other purposes.Sandy's strategy of putting this issue on the ballot at the last minute, thus eliminating public discussion, has given the city an extra $1.6 million in revenues. The residents of Sandy who will now pay this new tax need to ask their city representatives why they are paying more for these lights than is needed and where is the extra money going.
Kent Steadman
Sandy