December 2020
RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Changes Coming to How We Pay for Fire and Emergency Medical Services By Mayor Trent Staggs
Riverton City sent out a mailer recently to every Riverton property owner announcing the city’s plan to replace the Unified Fire Service Area (UFSA) with its own taxing district for fire and emergency medical services. Beginning January 2021, Riverton will no longer be a member of UFSA as the means of paying for fire and emergency services provided by Unified Fire Authority (UFA), and will instead pay directly for UFA services using this newly created Riverton Fire Service Area (RFSA). Residents will only see RFSA and no longer UFSA on their property tax statements, with the RFSA rate projected to be lower than the proposed UFSA rate in 2021.
Fire Service Area, we will continue to receive fire and emergency medical services from UFA. The services we have received from UFA have been exceptional and we look forward to our continued partnership. Some have asked me what the difference is between UFSA and UFA. Simply put, UFA is the service organization that provides fire and emergency services, whereas UFSA is like the bank account which pays for those services. In creating RFSA, we are simply changing the way we pay for the services provided by UFA. As Riverton continues to grow and get closer to build out capacity, we must be willing to find ways to innovate our services to remain fiscally responsible. Currently, UFSA collects taxes and funds services in many communities including: Brighton, Eagle Mountain, Herriman, Kearns, Magna, Midvale, Millcreek, Taylorsville and others. The decision to create the Riverton
“In creating the Riverton Fire Service Area, we are simply changing the way we pay for the services provided by UFA.”
Although we are leaving the Unified
RIVERTON REVIEW | DECEMBER 2020
Fire Service Area was determined when UFSA announced their intention to bond for millions of dollars to pay for new fire stations in communities outside of Riverton. With no additional services being allocated to Riverton, and with Riverton having paid for its fire stations in the city, your elected officials felt it would be fiscally irresponsible to make Riverton residents pay additional taxes for services that will never directly benefit them. In forming our own taxing district within Riverton, the Mayor and City Council members serve as board members and will be able to ensure local control of property tax dollars. The fire stations within Riverton will revert back to city ownership. This is anticipated to save Riverton property taxpayers money in both the short and long term; with a proposed property tax increase for UFSA in 2021 that we will avoid and as property taxes collected will only be used to fund fire and emergency medical services in our city. This is very similar to the move away from the countywide taxing district for law enforcement to our own Riverton Law Enforcement Service Area. As always it is an honor to serve as your Mayor. My goal, and that of the city council, is to always seek ways to provide you with the very best services at the least financial impact.
Winter Parking Policy and Snow Removal Protocol The following snow removal protocol and winter parking policy is in effect in Riverton:
• No vehicles may be parked on city streets during a snow storm or where snow has accumulated between November 1 and March 1. • Major roadways, high-traffic areas and school zones are prioritized in snow removal efforts as a matter of public safety. • Minor roads and cul-desacs are cleared if 4 inches of snow or more has accumulated once main roadways are clear.
For additional details, visit rivertonutah.gov/snow PAGE 1
COUNCIL MESSAGE
Healing, Hope and Service MAYOR Trent Staggs tstaggs@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129
CITY COUNCIL Sheldon Stewart - District 1 sstewart@rivertonutah.gov 801-953-5672 Troy McDougal - District 2 tmcdougal@rivertonutah.gov 801-931-9933 Tawnee McCay - District 3 tmccay@rivertonutah.gov 801-634-7692 Tish Buroker - District 4 tburoker@rivertonutah.gov 801-673-6103 Claude Wells - District 5 cwells@rivertonutah.gov 801-875-0116
CITY MANAGER David R. Brickey dbrickey@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3125
CITY OFFICES
City Hall............................... Cemetery............................ Animal Control.................... Building............................... Code Enforcement.............. Fire Dispatch (UFA)............. Justice Court....................... Parks & Recreation............. Planning & Zoning.............. Police.................................. Public Works....................... Recorder.............................. Utility Billing........................ Water...................................
801-254-0704 801-208-3128 801-208-3108 801-208-3127 801-208-3174 801-743-7200 801-208-3131 801-208-3101 801-208-3138 385-281-2455 801-208-3162 801-208-3128 801-208-3133 801-208-3164
FIND US ONLINE! @rivertonutahgov www.rivertonutah.gov PAGE 2
By Councilmember Tawnee McCay
801-871-5080 to schedule a time to volunteer or donate at 11835 S 3600 W in Riverton. Learn more at standrewut.com/ food-pantry.
A few years ago, my kids came to me with a great • Candy Cane Corner – Rividea. They told erton City is collecting new, me that “all their unwrapped items that will be friends” had vardistributed through The Road ious advent calendars leading up to Home. The Road Home has volChristmas Day. They would get 25 unteer slots available. You can little treats, toys or small gifts each sign up to volunteer or see items day before Christmas. They wanted to donate at candycanecornerslc. to start this new family tradition at com. our home. I was left with the feeling that my kids were acting like kids • Utah Food Bank – Help sort, do, a little entitled and not realizing assemble, deliver or decorate how to feel the true spirit of the food boxes. Learn more at utahseason. I thought about it for a few foodbank.org/give-time. weeks and decided that instead of them getting more gifts, our family • Just Serve – There are many would do the 12 Days of Service varying volunteer opportunities leading up to Christmas. We were listed at justserve.org. bell ringers, delivered meals, did sub for Santa, • Salvation Army worked at the Bell Ringers – food pantry For details, visit and my kids saltlakecity.salvawere always tionarmy.org. I decided that on the lookout for someone • Utah Refugee instead of them in need. That – getting more gifts, Connection year was my For details, visit our family would all-time favorite serverefugees. Christmas! org. do the 12 Days of
Service leading up • Riverton High This year has been extra School’s Silver to Christmas. stressful with Rush – Go RHS! the pandemic, You are awesome! earthquakes, job insecurity and • Bear-O Care the political environment. I am once – Help support individuals with again feeling the need to focus multiple disabilities and their on serving others this Christmas families by donating needed season to help our family bond, heal items or your time. Find details at and feel the happiness that comes bearocare.org. from thinking more about others than ourselves. I decided to share a • South Valley Services – Dofew local service ideas: mestic violence service provider, volunteer opportunities or donate • St. Andrew Food Pantry – urgently needed items, svsutah. Help with food distribution, call org/get-involved
There are countless ways to serve this holiday season and lift those around us and in the process uplift ourselves.
• A Child’s Hope Foundation – Participate in a service trip for your family or group to serve and play with kids in a family-style orphanage in Mexico. Find details at achildshopefoundation.org. • Write letters or make cards for residents of assisted living centers. • Take out a neighbor’s trash, shovel their walks or deliver groceries to a family with COVID-19. Several of these ideas can also be used for youth or work groups looking to do service. I do not want to create any extra work or stress for anyone during this busy time of year, but if your family is looking for ways to serve others, I thought my research may be helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your city council member if there is anything we can do to help you or your family. The Riverton City Council and our great city staff want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope for a wonderful new year!
RIVERTON REVIEW | DECEMBER 2020
PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE
Keep Your Holidays Happy by Taking Precautions By Chief Don Hutson
your mail. Many of our home burglaries and thefts happen in the middle of the day, when the perpetrators assume no one is home. This means lock your doors and windows, even when you are home. If you have security cameras, make sure they are working. If you don’t have security cameras, there are other options that can prevent theft (e.g., security systems, signs, interaction with neighbors).
Unfortunately, we in the business of policing find ourselves working extra hard during the holiday season due to an increase of thefts which typically occur at this time of year. First, we must acknowledge the sad fact there are individuals living among us who are exerting an unbelievable amount • Keep items out of plain view. If of energy, every day, to formulate you leave items of value in your a plan to steal property and othvehicle, be sure to lock the car, erwise victimize but also hide the law-abiding the valuables citizens in our too. If the “Prime targets for community, items aren’t even during the visible, it these thieves are holidays. Prime means the packages left on targets for these suspects porches, checks thieves are have to work packages left on to find the received in the mail, porches, checks items, and and gifts purchased received in the in many inmail, and gifts stances, they and left in vehicles.” purchased and left are looking in vehicles. for the quick and easy The following actions can make score. Also know, if it is a larger a difference and will minimize the venue you are attending (church possibility you will be victimized: meetings, funerals, concerts, etc.), there is a chance the bad • Make arrangements for someguys/girls are watching. After you one to remove packages from enter the venue, they may walk your porch as soon as they are the parking lot looking for the delivered and do the same with easy score. If they see you take
Make arrangements for someone to remove packages from your porch as soon as they are delivered and do the same with your mail.
your purse and put it in the trunk, all they need to do is find the trunk button inside your car and they will take your purse. • Finally, never leave your car running and unattended, even for a few seconds. As the weather turns cold, it is tempting to leave your car running and unattended to allow it to warm up. This is an invitation to a criminal opportunist to take it for a spin. Thank you for watching out for one another and keeping your fellow citizens safe by taking steps to protect yourself and your property. Be sure to report suspicious circumstances when you see them.
Christmas Tree Recycling Properly dispose of live Christmas trees at one of three drop-off locations through the end of January. Monarch Meadows Park 13600 S 4800 W
RIVERTON REVIEW | DECEMBER 2020
Centennial Park 13000 S 2700 W
Riverton Rodeo Arena 12800 S 1300 W
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RIVERTON REVIEW
Visit candycanecornerslc.org for a list of items to donate. Donations may be dropped off at the Parks & Recreation window at Riverton City Hall until Friday, December 11. All items must be new and unwrapped. Candy Cane Corner is an annual holiday donation drive sponsored by The Road Home and Volunteers of America.
Start Smart
Basketball
Start Smart Basketball is designed to help children and parents develop the skills necessary to have a positive start with organized sports. Parents will work one-on-one with their children during four 1-hour classes.
'Twas The Lights Before Christmas DECEMBER 1 - December 31, 6 - 9 p.m. Bring the family and come walk around Riverton City Park to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and see the fun lights!
This is a free event for all and no ticket is required. Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S, Riverton, Utah
Learn more at rivertonutah.gov/recreation
Join us in the new year for the Mission Slim Possible Weight Loss Challenge, an individual 8-week mission to lose weight and feel great! Mission Slim Possible is a weight loss challenge, not a weight loss program. It is up to you to lose the weight. Cash prizes will be given out for the highest percentage of body fat lost, most pounds lost, and male and female divisions winners.
Riverton residents who put up awesome Christmas light displays are encouraged to enter Riverton City’s 2nd Annual Christmas Lighting Contest! Cash prizes are available for 1st – 3rd Place. Entry is free. Entry Deadline: Tuesday, December 15
January 6 - March 3, 2021 | $30 per person Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Learn more at rivertonutah.gov/slimpossible
For contest details, or to enter, visit:
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rivertonutah.gov/contests
RIVERTON REVIEW | DECEMBER 2020