June 8, 2022 Update

So, last evening the Municipal Council voted unanimously to hold what is called a "Truth in Taxation" hearing in August to consider a property tax increase for the first time in at least a decade.  Their concern is that our City's reliance on sales tax (which is now 35% of general fund revenues) has become so significant and that it is the revenue source that is most likely to suffer in the case of a recession (as we found in 2008 and 2009).  Property tax, which is only 7% of the general fund budget, is the most resilient to economic swings.  Their interest is to begin to gradually reduce our dependence on sales tax and focus on more resilient revenue sources like property tax - to get back to a healthier balance.  

So today I am doing something I try to do about every three months, and that is to do a personal half-day "retreat" to step away for a few hours from the thick of the work week and think more holistically and strategically about the city, the community, the organization and what I see coming down the pike.  It is refreshing and overwhelming all at the same time.  But I come away feeling more focused and energized on things that matter most.  As some of my thoughts take shape, I hope to share with you some things that I feel I need to tackle in the coming months and the news few years, and enlist your help in making some of those things become reality.

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

Lakeview Park Beautification Service Project I June 9 6:00 pm

Jive Spring Concert: Riverton I June 10 - June 11

Provo Touch-A-Truck I June 11 11:00 am

Movies in the Park: Sing 2 I June 13 8:00 pm

Wasatch Ballet Presents "Princess" I June 17 - June 18

Movies in the Park: Hercules I June 20 8:00 pm

Provo Market I July 23 10:00 am

Shops at Riverwoods Summer Beach Party I June 24 4:00 pm

The Tom Proctor Band I June 24 7:30 pm

Movies in the Park: Spider-Man No Way Home I June 24 8:00 pm

Ammon and Liahona I June 25 6:00 pm

Motown & More I July 1 7:30 pm

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Utah researchers have found snail venom could be used as a fast-acting insulin for diabetics.
• About 48,000 Americans have signed up to sponsor refugees under Uniting for Ukraine.
• The United States and South Korea launched warning missiles as the North Korean nuclear threat continues to loom.
• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived a no-confidence vote yesterday, securing enough support from his Conservative Party to remain in office.
• Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk signaled he may walk away from his potential $44B acquisition of Twitter, according to a letter sent by Musk’s legal team yesterday. Musk said the company has not provided adequate user data on the platform’s spam and fake accounts, as required by the merger agreement. 

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUR VOICE

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EMPLOYEE / DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHT

Koby Johnston, Utility Billing Editor, just graduated with a Bachelor of Accounting degree! Congrats Koby!

FUN STUFF

A couple of days ago I was in a meeting with one of our employees who asked what I really thought about Top Gun:Maverick.  He commented that it was one of his favorite movies ever.  I tend to agree.  So, whether you have taken the plunge to go see it on the big screen, or whether you are waiting for the streaming version, stop and listen to this OneRepublic song from the soundtrack - including a few scenes from the film - and enjoy a little taste (or a memory) of the movie.

I hope you have a great rest of your day.  And thanks for all you do to make the City such a great place.

Wayne