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City manager warns earmark uncertainty could threaten project eligibility; council briefed on several state bills
Summary
City manager Gina told the council a Homeland Security earmark tied to the city’s building is currently separated from a recently passed appropriations minibus and subject to a continuing resolution; if the award is not received before construction starts the project could become ineligible. Staff also summarized state bills on property-tax caps, school-district land sales, and billboard siting.
During the Feb. 5 meeting the city manager (identified in the record as Gina) updated the council on the status of a federal earmark that would support the city’s building project. She said the earmark, which had been part of a recently discussed minibus appropriations package, was removed by the Senate and was subject to a two-week continuing resolution while Congress and the administration negotiate related immigration and border issues.
"We are starting to run into a bit of a time crunch, because if we haven't received our award before construction starts on this building, our project may be ineligible," Gina said. She told members the city is monitoring the schedule and will report back, but cautioned that the process could take longer than two weeks.
Council members discussed the possibility of a small delegation traveling to Washington, D.C. in April to meet the congressional delegation if the timing supported advocacy around the earmark, or alternatively attending the League of Cities and Towns midyear conference in St. George. Staff and the city’s lobbyist advised waiting until the award status is clearer before committing a trip.
Gina also briefed the council on several state bills staff are tracking: a proposal to cap annual property-tax growth at 5 percent; a bill that would change the city's current right of first refusal when school districts sell property (potentially making charter schools co-equal claimants with a 90-day response window); House Bill 184 a local land-use preemption bill (described by staff as broad preemption of local authority); and a proposed billboard bill that would allow signs up to about 65 feet in many locations. Staff said some bills are moving, others are not, and updates will continue.
On a lighter note, staff shared a packet of public comments from children in District 1 asking for more bike trails, parks and separate dog spaces, and displayed drawings of their park ideas.
