Each year Manti City transfers $75,000.00 and $250,000.00 from the sewer and electricity funds respectively to the general fund for the purpose of helping to financing all of the items on the city budget. These funds transferred represent a profit gained by the city from the sewer and electricity services rendered to the citizens.
The government has no right to make a profit on any service provided to the citizens. The government is not a private business and has no right to be involved in private business such as providing electricity to anyone. That is purely the realm of private sector.
Furthermore, it is not the proper role of a government to provide recreational facilities to the citizens, no matter how strong the demand from the citizens. I have no obligation to pay for other people’s recreation, yet I am being forced to by the power of the government under the threat of punishment if I do not comply. This is pure theft and it is immoral.
All of the following items listed below are line items of the city budget, and in my opinion are not the proper role of government and all should be eliminated:
Old City Hall……………………………………. $21,000
Health Services ………………………………….. $9,500
Memorial Park …………………………………. $65,200
Recreation Pool………………………………. $199,050
Recreation Sports …………………………… $284,350
Library ………………………………………….. $14,800
Airport ………………………………………….. $14,600
Economic Development…………………… $28,250
Total Budget Reduction………………….. $762,750
All of the money tabulated above belongs to the citizens and should be returned to the citizens. I respectively request that my fellow citizens serving on the city council budget honestly and truthfully consider these suggestions and take action to eliminate all of these budget items.
Emery Kiss-Illes
Manti
