Does George McEwan support further Centerville debt to UTOPIA?
The Verdict: No
Although George McEwan is not an incumbent, there is quite a bit of documented interaction with the Centerville City Council concerning UTOPIA. Additionally, George McEwan has presented a plan on his website to bifurcate Centerville, protecting it’s residents from the financial burden of other UTOPIA member cities.
The Facts:
In minutes recorded from a Centerville City Council meeting dated February 3, 2004, George McEwan expresses concerns about UTOPIA, including the flawed financial analysis of UTOPIA and inaccurate take rates. It is important to note that both mayoral candidate Paul Cutler (then a Centerville City Councilman) and then City Councilman Jack H. Dellastatious were in attendance.
http://www.centervilleut.net/displayarticle1020.html
In the minutes from a West Valley City Council meeting minutes dated January 27, 2004, George McEwan expresses his opposition to UTOPIA debt. Here is the link:
http://www.wvc-ut.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/209
Does George McEwan have a plan to make UTOPIA work for Centerville?
The Verdict: Yes
On his website, George McEwan presents a plan to bifurcate Centerville from the debt of other UTOPIA member cities, preventing Centerville citizens from further UTOPIA debt. I will continue to investigate and post more information as it comes along.
Does George McEwan support raising property taxes in 2014?
The Verdict: No
The Facts: Because George McEwan is a new candidate, it’s important to look for ways to understand his position (much like with Stephanie Ivie). Most telling about his position are his associations. He endorses Lawrence Wright for Mayor, and Lawrence Wright has a position against raising property taxes. He also has not given a blanket endorsement to the Centerville City Manager who has stated he wants to raise property taxes for Centerville City in fiscal year 2014. Based on these facts, George McEwan does not support raising property taxes in Centerville City in 2014.
Here is a link to Lawrence Wright’s stated position not raising property taxes in 2014:
http://lawrencewright.org/issues-4-2/
Here is a link to the Davis County Clipper article quoting the Paul Cutler endorsed Centerville City Manager that property taxes need to be raised anywhere between 10 and 35%; the article cites UTOPIA debt as a factor:
Here is a link to an article in the Centerville Budget Newsletter for Fiscal Year 2014, where it states that the Utopia debt repayment for FY 2014 is $436,251, in addition to Centerville’s share of $163,000.
http://www.centervilleut.net/downloads/administration/budget_newsletter_2014.pdf
Centerville Election Fact Check 