Utah County 'rolling along economically,' commissioner says
Utah County 'rolling along economically'
PROVO — While much of the country faces difficult financial times, Utah County is "rolling along economically," said County Commissioner Gary Anderson.
Anderson and fellow Utah County Commissioners Steve White and Larry Ellertson were optimistic during their state-of-the-county remarks Friday to the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce.
Anderson said the economy in Utah County is strong and backed by great universities, a great work force and a tremendous atmosphere for manufacturing, business and services.
"I would say we're the hottest in the state, and the state's the hottest in the nation," he said. "So it's an exciting place to be."
Anderson cited plans for a Duncan Aviation maintenance facility at the Provo Municipal Airport as an example of the type of economic growth Utah County is anticipating in the near future.
"You'll see in the next months some incredible announcements in terms of economic development," he said.
Transportation, however, remains a challenge for Utah County. Anderson said he was troubled by recent talk that a planned widening of I-15 in Utah County was no longer financially possible.
"We've sat back and been very supportive (as) Salt Lake County and Davis County built their freeways and infrastructure, and we've waited our turn," he said.
In response, county leaders banded together with Utah County mayors and legislators to stand up in support of projects in Utah County, including I-15, Pioneer Crossing, County North Boulevard, 400 South in Springville and better access to Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs, Anderson said.
"Things are happening in Utah County transportation that have never happened before," he said.
Even with so much growth anticipated in Utah County — particularly in the southern and western parts of the county — commissioners are taking steps to be as frugal as possible.
Throughout the county's budget development process, county leaders had the opportunity to review budget items with department heads, White said.
"Mostly, we just say no," he said, "because what we're trying to do is get more efficiency. We're privatizing everything we possibly can— take it out of the public sector and put it into the private sector. That supports the chamber, that supports small business."
White said the county is doing everything it can to respond to the residential and commercial growth in Utah Valley. Through it all, the county hasn't raised property taxes since 1995, when extra funds were needed for the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork.
The county also is operating with about 50 fewer employees than it was a year ago, which White says is evidence of the county's commitment to efficiency.
In addition to Utah County's economy and transportation issues, Ellertson discussed senior citizen programs and jail statistics. He also made note of upcoming plans for Utah Lake, trail systems and a county dispatch center.
E-mail: jdavis@desnews.com
posted by Derek Whetten @ 8:27 AM
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