Moment of reflection replaces prayer before River Heights meetings

By Diana Taylor

April 5, 2004 | RIVER HEIGHTS -- In response to a letter received from the Utah Atheists, River Heights City Council meetings will no longer start with an opening prayer. The council changed the opening prayer in the meeting to opening remarks. The council will no longer have an opening prayer, but will provide a moment for private reflection.

In other business, the council discussed raising property taxes.

"I think we need to raise taxes, it should have been done a long time ago," said Councilwoman Gladys Ann Atwood.

The council will hold a tax rate hearing later this year tentatively in August, as well as a public hearing to make decision about the increase in taxes.

The mayor reported on a meeting he had this week with the Logan City Fire Chief Mark Mechem. River Heights was billed $23,642 for fire services provided to the city. The bill in previous years was $9,300.

"Our bill is $23,642, this was not a negotiation meeting," said Mayor Vic Jensen. "I think we should call the fire chief and negotiate this with him as a council."

The council agreed to meet with the chief to negotiate the price.

The River Heights Youth Council reported on the leadership institute conference they attended at Utah State University last week. The city paid for five students from the council to attend the conference. The students attended classes about leadership and city government. They also heard from guest speakers Thurl Bailey and Kevin Eubanks.

"We really enjoyed it because we got to be with other youth councils," said Anika Jepsen. "I realized that we don't know too much about our city's government and I would like to learn more. It inspired me to be a good leader."

The council approved the Municipal Wastewater Planning Program Resolution. This approves an annual report on waste water and sewage discharge. This includes the city's plan to control it in the next six to eight years.

The Council approved a resolution to amend the interlocal agreement to change the makeup of the countywide planning governing board for the countywide planning and development office. The countywide governing board is being assessed to be sure that the makeup of the board is equally distributed among the county.

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