ST. GEORGE – St. George City Council was busy at their regular meeting on Thursday. In all, the Council passed more than 20 measures, including the purchase of four new police vehicles and a street sweeper, a resolution to do away with certain discounts on SunTran bus passes, and the introduction of new fees at St. George Municipal Airport. The Council also awarded a $121,432 contract for work on the Virgin River Trail system.
A contract for four 2014 Dodge Chargers was awarded to Stephen Wade Dodge dealership for $26,125 each, totalling $104,500. The cars will replace existing police cruisers and were purchased from the $219,000 set aside in the current city budget to replace six city vehicles
The Council also approved the purchase of a street sweeper for $224,970. The contract was awarded to Cate Equipment, a heavy equipment dealer in Salt Lake City and includes a 5-year buy-back guarantee for 33.3 percent of the purchase price or $75,000.
Interstate Rock won a $121,432 contract to build a trailhead at the intersection of Bluegrass Way and Arrowhead Canyon Drive, as well as a 1,500 foot length of trail connecting to the existing SunRiver trail, which runs along the south bank of the Virgin River. Interstate Rock will also install barrier fencing, bike racks, umbrellas, trash receptacles, and benches along the new trail.
A resolution was passed to do away with a 50-percent discount on unlimited-use day, month, and semester passes for the city’s SunTran bus line. The discounts which were offered only to senior citizens and the disabled had been subject to widespread abuse, Transportation Director Fred Davies said, especially among college students who have discovered that they did not need to show proof of their disability to qualify for the discounted rates. Nearly 80 percent of all unlimited-use passes sold last year were at the discounted rate, Davies said.
Changes to the fee schedule at the new airport were also approved. The airport will now charge commercial and charter flights a $1,000 annual permit fee, as well as a $50 fee for apron parking privileges and a fee of 60 cents for each item of baggage processed through the airport. Looking forward, the Council also approved a 10 percent fee against the gross revenue of any restaurant or concessions businesses at the airport, although no restaurants or concession vendors have yet contracted with the airport.
The City Council also approved various other permits, fee waivers, and resolutions, including an approval to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Southwestern Special Service District to provide fire response services to the Ledges and Trails areas of the city. The complete agenda for Thursday’s meeting can be found here. All items on the agenda were approved by the council.
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St. George does not need four new police cars, can’t we learn anything from the over spending of big government?
and 2014 dodge chargers…….what’s that about…..I mean couldn’t they get something a little less expensive….Maybe spend that money on things we need….Especially with the whole government shutdown…maybe they could help out with something there.
And what is it that we actually need? Have you seen some of the police cars driving around, paint missing and rust spots. They look terrible. We have a beautiful city and those hunks of junk to represent our public safety. Your right, maybe we need more flowers for the parks or new benches. I think spending over 100k on a trailhead is a little more pointless than something we can actually see in use.
Why are those six cars coming out of capital outlays and not the police budget. FYI they are getting eight new cars total.. Also why dose the police dept. need ANOTHER $4,500 sniper rifle, and why are there wages going up $200,000. and the JAMAR Tech. Traffic Counter and 11 new bikes at a cost of $17,000. Hell I could go on for a days.
But no Soccer fields!….Huh ….They don’t want to bring anyone outside in to spend $…..Way to go you old farts!
I am glad the officers get a few new cars. As for prop 9 that will raise property taxes it can eat me.
They spent less than half of the budget for the cars, yet purchased 4 out of 6 vehicles. Sounds like they did well compared to budget.
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What happens to the four cars being retired? Are they sold at auction? Given to someone’s sister-in-law? Taken to the demolition derby?
‘Real Truth’ is right! Thumbs up. They spend a whole heck of a lot on the militarization of the police. The only way to explain it is they are getting ready for combat. Against whom and for what reason is the question?- Truth Members know who and why though. Sadly people aren’t listening to us though.
I think it is a terrible idea to charge an air charter company $1000 to land at St. George. A lot of Air Charter companies only come to St. George 1 or 2 times a year. $1000 to land here 1 or 2 times is ridiculous. They will just go to Cedar City. Dumb Idea Counsel members.