Provology 101 - Provo Airport

Provology 101, a series of classes that give a behind-the-scenes look at how Provo City runs, has given City departments the chance to show and tell about what they do for Provo. One of the participants, Anona Sobczak, has been sharing her experiences on Facebook and gave us permission to share them with you.

I travel a lot, but this was the fastest I've ever gotten through security! We went behind the scenes at the Provo Airport (Part of the Public Works Department) and found out some interesting things. Did you know there is a moat around the airport? For security, but primarily to keep water off the runway. Also, I've always wondered how they can tell if you've paid for parking at the airport. Apparently they have a printout of what spots are paid for, and if your car is parked in a spot that hasn't been paid for, you get towed. The airport's commitment was to keep their parking fees half the price of the SLC airport, and they earn 110,000 a year in parking fees.

Please Join Us to Say Farewell

We invite you to join us in saying farewell to three Council Members whose terms of service have come to an end. Hal Miller, Calli Hales, and Gary Garrett chose not to run for reelection and will be honored in a brief reception at the beginning of the December 1, 2015, Council Meeting.

Join us at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, to offer thanks for their service on the Provo City Council and best wishes for the future. Miller and Garrett each served four year terms and Hales is completing a ten month term after being appointed to fill the vacancy left by Stephen Hales' passing.



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Comment below (requires Google+ account), on our Facebook page, through our online comment form, or by contacting Council Members directly. Comments/input on items appearing on an upcoming meeting agenda will be compiled and provided to Council Members the day before the meeting. **Note - your comments will be part of the public record.

Provology 101 - Redevelopment Agency

Provology 101, a series of classes that give a behind-the-scenes look at how Provo City runs, has given City departments the chance to show and tell about what they do for Provo. One of the participants, Anona Sobczak, has been sharing her experiences on Facebook and gave us permission to share them with you.

Dramatic "before and after" pictures were the order of the day with the Redevelopment Agency of Provo. I love the outside of the Pioneer Bookstore on Center street--it's a very visible example of a project done through the redevelopment agency. Other visible examples: the downtown Conference Center, the property south of the tabernacle/temple which got sold to the LDS Church, the Maeser School homes, and the Taylor House (Habitat for Humanity).

Summary of the November 17 Council Meetings

In the Work Session

Neighborhood Program update:
Council Member Dave Sewell presented Neighborhood Program ordinance revisions from the Neighborhood Evaluation Committee. Changes were made for clarity on Neighborhood Chair duties and to encourage the election of Vice Chairs in each neighborhood. Vice Chairs can help take on some of the work and/or can help represent other viewpoints within the neighborhood. Creating a business liaison position was also added to support the program's purpose of involving all stakeholders in the neighborhood. The ordinance revisions will be presented formally at the December 1 Council Meeting.

Council Priorities:
The Council's Executive Director presented a timeline for working on the "balanced mix of housing"priority. Council Members will address the questions the Director put forward and continue work to develop strategies.

Provo City Council Work Session - November 17, 2015

Part 1 - technical difficulties with the Internet connection led to the broadcast being cut short

Part 2
  Agenda 

Provology 101 - Provo Library

Provology 101, a series of classes that give a behind-the-scenes look at how Provo City runs, has given City departments the chance to show and tell about what they do for Provo. One of the participants, Anona Sobczak, has been sharing her experiences on Facebook and gave us permission to share them with you.

"Are you getting your money's worth?" We all drove to the Provo Library, where Joella Peterson asked us this question several times. HUGE BIAS ALERT I am on the library board, so I naturally thought it was a great class session. Did you know that a portion of your property tax goes to the library, and that income from late books/materials is less than 1/18th of the library's total funding? The librarians don't have to be nice to you, because they get your money whether you come to the library or not. But you may as well come, because they are nice and you should get your money's worth. I should mention here that Gene Nelson, the Library Director, prides himself on watching the budget closely. Actually I've been surprised at how many departments in the city make a point of being very careful with the taxpayer's money. I guess I hear about wasteful government so much that I had this stereotype in my mind.

How Today’s Municipal Council Governs

“How to govern?” may be among the first questions a Municipal Councilor asks. In Provo, the answer to the question appears in the state legislative code and the municipal code, which address issues of the structure of municipal government, duties of the municipal council, and sundry related matters. A variant of the question—“How does the Municipal Council govern itself?—is not answered in the same sources. Consulting the Provo City Municipal Council Handbook may be helpful.

Next Steps for Provo's RAP Tax

The 2015 General Election brought voter approval of the Provo's recreation, arts, and parks (RAP)

tax. This is an increase to the sales tax of 1 penny for every $10 of sales in Provo. It will be in effect for 10 years and would end at that time unless renewed by voters.

What happens next?

1. The Canvass of Election will be held November 17 to certify the election results
2. At the November 17 Council Meeting the ordinance authorizing the RAP tax would be passed by the Council
3. Provo City is required to provide notice to the Utah State Tax Commission of the enactment of the RAP tax. The Tax Commission administers, collects, and distributes the tax.
4. The RAP tax would be effective on sales in Provo beginning April 1, 2016. 
5. On April 26, 2026, the tax would effectively end. The City Council could choose to place it on the ballot for voters to approve it for another 10 years.

We're grateful to all those who gave us input during the process of deciding whether or not to place the RAP tax on the ballot. Your ideas and suggestion help us to know where the funds can best be spent as we discover the needs of the community.  We are also looking forward to receiving updates from Mayor Curtis and the Parks and Recreation Department on the use of these funds.


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Comment below (requires Google+ account), on our Facebook page, through our online comment form, or by contacting Council Members directly. Comments/input on items appearing on an upcoming meeting agenda will be compiled and provided to Council Members the day before the meeting. **Note - your comments will be part of the public record.