St. George Chamber to host County Commission debate, Prop 1 presentation

Composite image. In the foreground from L-R: Josh Warburton, Dean Cox, Greg Allred, candidates for Washington County Commission on the November 2015 ballot; background shows the City of St. George historic downtown district, St. George, Utah, dates not specified | Composite image by St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The candidates for Washington County Commission will be in a debate during a luncheon hosted by the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday. The chamber will also feature a presentation on the Proposition 1 ballot initiative.

Candidates featured at the debate will be former Washington County Administrator Dean Cox, who is running on the Republican ticket, as well as entrepreneur Greg Aldred and publher of the Independent Josh Warburton. Aldred and Warburton are both running as independents.

The three were previously featured in a debate hosted by the Red Rock Rotary Club, which can be read about here.

St. George Mayor Jon Pike and Public Works Director Cameron Cutler will also be at the luncheon to present information concerning Proposition 1, the proposed local option sales tax that would generate revenue for transportation infrastructure and public transit.

City officials are asking voters to approve Proposition 1 on the ballot in November. The ballot initiative proposes a 0.25 percent increase in sales tax - 1 cent out of every $4 - go to transportation infrastructure and public transit funding, St. George, May 24, 2016 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News
City officials are asking voters to approve Proposition 1 on the ballot in November. The ballot initiative proposes a 0.25 percent increase in sales tax – 1 cent out of every $4 – go to transportation infrastructure and public transit funding, St. George, May 24, 2016 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Proposition 1 proposes sales tax be increased by a quarter-cent – 1 cent out of every $4 – and would not apply to such items and food and medications. The proposition is on the ballot for Washington County residents to vote up or down.

Supporters tout the sales tax as a way to help alleviate road funding shortfalls and help pave the way for local road upgrades and maintenance needs to accommodate the area’s growing population.

It will also provide over $1 million in funding for public transit, which could cover the cost of expanding for SunTran bus services.

Those opposed to Proposition 1 do not like the idea of dropping another tax on county residents. They have also said the civic leaders need to work within their means and budget accordingly for road projects.

Luncheon/Debate details

  • What: Washington County Commission candidate debate and Proposition 1 presentation.
  • Host: St. George Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • When: Noon Wednesday, Oct. 19.
  • Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 1731 S. Convention Center Dr., St. George.
  • Admission: Free to the public | $15 for lunch per person.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

 

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3 Comments

  • Ron October 19, 2016 at 8:38 am

    “…..to accommodate the area’s growing population….”

    Yeah, just what we need, more growth. More high-end, extremely high cost housing, (which many locals can’t even afford to live in).
    “Cheap labor”, (illegal immigrants) to build the homes, increased traffic and noise, crime, and lets not forget the ever “popular” tax increases to pay for it all. Yeah…just want we want and need more of.

    VOTE NO ON PROP. 1, NO MORE GROWTH!!

    • Bob October 19, 2016 at 12:24 pm

      that about sums it up

      • .... October 20, 2016 at 8:30 am

        Get some rest DumBob you must be exhausted after having a thought that consists of more than 4 words.

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