Provo citizens and city council members gathered Tuesday to select a new City-wide District II Council Member, discuss issues concerning telecom debt service payments and learn more about recent and upcoming city events, among other issues.
With an unanimous vote of the council members, Gary Garrett, vice-president of Corporate Relations at Nu Skin, was selected to fill the empty District II Council Member seat. Rick Healey, council chair, led the meeting and conducted the selection.
In October, Provo citizens received a notice indicating an additional fee each month for a Telecom Debt Service Fee in order to help pay off bond payments incurred from i-Provo. In order for the funds from this fee to be transferred from the Energy Fund to the Debt Service fund, a hearing was held on Tuesday to approve this.
Because of the negative feedback concerning this fee, Rick Healey tried to explain why it had to be done.
“It has been a very difficult decision,” Healey said. “We as a city go into a debt together. If it is not paid, we will be foreclosed on and they will take that fee from taxes.”
Jesse Montgomery, a Provo resident, said he felt there must be another way.
“I understand there is a debt, and the city needs to pay it,” Montgomery said. “The way in which it is paid should not be placed on the people. The council needs to find a way to benefit the citizens.”
Debate continued for the majority of the meeting between council members and Provo citizens. Despite the hesitation of many, the movement was passed to allow the $2,144,000 to be moved to the Debt Service Fund to be applied to the current fiscal years.
A presentation on Provo’s 6th annual WinterFest was given by Ryan Smith and Whitney Booth from Provo’s Recreation Department. They encouraged everyone to participate in the month-long celebration which includes a Santa 5k, the Parade of Lights and Countdown to Provo, a New Years event held at Provo Towne Center. Healey said he had enjoyed the events from past years.
“It is a lot of fun,” Healey said. “I encourage everyone to participate.”
Other items that were passed included putting .39 acres of land on 55 South Freedom Blvd. back on the surplus list because of the recent growth of downtown Provo and to appropriate $50,000 in the library fund to allow the Provo Library to expand their e-book stock.
