Hans V. Andersen (R)
Hans Verlan Andersen hopes that being elected to Seat B on the Utah County Commission means he'll get the opportunity to follow correct principles when one is governing.
He doesn't see that happening very often now, on a local, state or federal level.
What he does see happening are taxes going up disproportionately with the growth in population.
"To illustrate what happens without voter involvement, the county population from 1995 to 1998 grew from 301,000 to 334,000," he said. "That is an 11 percent growth in population. Utah County government's share of our property tax has grown (from 1995 to 1998) from $8.9 million to $18.7 million. That is a 109 percent increase. This is happening at all levels of government."
Andersen intends to redo the county budget with the will of the people in mind.
"Utahns face an overwhelming tax burden, yet many politicians don't seem to care," he said. "Last fall, the commission didn't even keep its promise to cut the restaurant tax."
As a licensed CPA with an Orem accounting firm, he believes he's qualified to make financial decisions and changes.
"Today, the breadwinner in your average five-member Utah family must work nearly three hours a day just to pay local, state and federal taxes. It's time that government leaders, beginning on the local level, gave taxpayers a break."
David J. Gardner (R)
Commissioner David J. Gardner is proud of the accomplishments in Utah County and is willing to serve another four years in Seat B.
Gardner is a doctor of psychiatry who was in private practice and the treatment coordinator at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center as well as a teacher at Brigham Young University and Utah Valley State College before he became a full-time commissioner.
He lives in Springville and says he is striving to do his part to keep his home county a place that offers a good quality of life for his family.
"I have a vision for Utah County which has just begun," he said. "I want us to look to a future where we have economic stability so our children can stay here if they choose."
With Gardner on the commission, Utah County has opened and staffed the new Security Center in Spanish Fork, completed and opened the David O. McKay Special Events Center, finalized negotiations with Micron in north Utah County and stabilized revenue sources for the county.
"We have been able to do some very significant things, and we have done what the people have asked us to do," he said.
"As a commission, we are particularly pleased that we were able to have a major role in getting a quarter-cent sales tax allocated to the county. Because of this legislation in 1997, we will reduce the county portion of property taxes by 50 percent."