WEBER COUNTY LIBRARY

Welcome to Weber Reads 2021, a community-wide program that encourages discovery, reflection, and engagement in meaningful dialogue as we read books; listen to presentations; watch movies; and, most importantly, talk and learn from one another. This year’s theme, The Air We Breathe, presents a host of exciting learning opportunities, many STEM-related. Recent themes have addressed water and fire, and it seemed appropriate this year to consider air, given the effects that an airborne virus has had on our global community. There are many intriguing scientific, cultural, and historical “jumping-off” points to enhance our discussions of the topic. To encourage participation, every school in the County is receiving a package containing Weber Reads teaching materials created by teacher consultants from the Wasatch Range Writing Project. Books for children and teens, purchased in part by Friends of the Weber County Library, are being given to your school library, along with an invitation to have public librarians visit classrooms and deliver a special presentation. In addition to discussions in classrooms, people of all ages are invited to attend Weber Reads special events hosted at Weber County Libraries. Watch the Library Web site at weberpl.lib.ut.us for details. Lists of recommended, age appropriate learning materials, produced in a variety of reading, listening, and viewing formats are available for all. Please join us.

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield Tue., Oct 13th, 7:00 p.m. North Branch Register: 801-337-2650 On the night of the Winter Solstice, a village gathers for an evening of storytelling at a little inn set upon the River Thames. The arrival of a stranger carrying a dead child, fished out of the cold waters, interrupts their revelry. When the child miraculously awakens, the mystery of her identity raises ghosts of the past and changes the lives of the community forever. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Wed., Oct 14th, 7:00 p.m. Southwest Branch Register: 801-337-2670 Part of the Man vs. Nature book discussion series. Robin Wall Kimmerer is an ecologist, a Native American woman, and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her memoir is a profound piece of nature writing exploring the intersection of culture and science. There There by Tommy Orange Tue., Oct 20th, 7:00 p.m. Pleasant Valley Branch Register: 801337-2691 Part of the Native Voices book discussion series. Twelve strangers, all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, are connected in ways they do not yet realize. Together, their urban voices weave a complex and unflinching narrative filled with pain, beauty, spiritualism, and sacrifice.

old general plan to become obsolete. Current population projections estimate Weber County to have a 60% growth rate over the next 50 years, or about 1.2% per year. Applied to Western Weber, that would add 3,412 people for a total of 9,112 in the year 2065. However, based on current building trends, the area is growing much faster, at about 7.1% per year. If this trend continues, it will add an additional 13,383 people for a total population of 22,495 in the year 2065. For the last few years, Weber County staff have been working to collect essential data relevant to development of the Western Weber area, such as current zoning, land use, and existing physical conditions of the area. The in-depth study investigated different types, densities, and configurations of residential development that might be considered in Western Weber, with clustered development emerging as a possible key tool for helping direct growth and development in a manner that can preserve the cherished character and “sense of place.” Four public meetings were held in an effort to collaborate with residents and property owners to create a conceptual planning vision for Western Weber County. This vision will take a lead role in devising a new general plan that will adequately address the challenges and opportunities that future development will bring to the county. After spending more than a year working closely with the residents and stakeholders of Western Weber and countless hours of research conducted by county staff members, a Preferred Future Land Use Vision was established.

• Designate small mixed-use villages at primary transportation intersections • Do not allocate any more density rights to

the area, except those necessary to preserve or enhance the rural sense of place • Prioritize residential development near existing sewer systems • Create a buffer between the heavy manufacturing area and other land uses The vision also addressed Future Transportation needs of a rapidly growing and changing area.

• Petition UDOT to move the proposed West-Weber

Corridor alignment westward to better connect manufacturing areas and avoid prime agricultural land. • Extend 2550 South, 2200 South, and 2700 North to the West-Weber Corridor, effectively linking it to I-15. • Extend 4700 West to a future 2700

North extension in Plain City. • Support prior street-grid planning by requiring collector streets to be located on section lines, whenever possible. • Improve access to developed areas and across the Weber River. • Accommodate active transportation along major roads. The vision also addressed the desire to preserve open space and provide parks, trails, and natural systems in a manner that is coordinated to meet long-term community needs.

• Purchase and develop a large Ogden Bay regional park with a recreational focus, including a sport field complex, large open grassy areas, running track, playgrounds, pavilions, picnic areas, shade trees, pedal-cycle park, motor-bike park, equestrian facilities, fishing, public restrooms, and potentially camping facilities. • Purchase and preserve a green-space buffer along the

Weber River that will preserve the land from becoming developed and enhance the land as a recreational amenity, including an extensive regional trail system that connects regional and community parks. • Create regional trails/pathways along or adjacent to existing canals, rivers and other waterways, railroads, and collector streets in lieu of sidewalk. • Explore the public’s support for creating a community fishing pond in or near the Reese Park.

So, what do you think? Community input on the vision of Weber County growth and development is imperative to developing a general plan that reflects the vision of all stakeholders and residents of our great county. Your contribution and feedback are encouraged and appreciated.

*The graphs represent the results of the annual budget for Weber County and how revenue is allocated.

Inspired by the advice of an economist, who presented at a 2018 meeting, to “put your house in order, financially, by the year 2020,” Weber County Commissioners Jim Harvey, Gage Froerer, and Scott Jenkins, and Weber County Treasurer John Bond set in motion a 2-year plan to do just that; put the Weber County finances in “order.” With input from Weber County Clerk/ Auditor Ricky Hatch and Comptroller Scott Parke, the plan to reduce debt, increase liquidity and improve the County’s credit rating was set in motion and meticulously implemented step by step. By December 2019, the Weber County financial goals were realized. In describing their motivations to make these decisions, Commissioner Scott Jenkins stated, “This was about the stability of the economy and of the things you can't control, including the spending of the federal government. Right now we have runaway inflation and if we don't have control of ourselves and our County, we will lose the ability to control our future.” Commissioner Jenkins continued, “We want to protect the money and buying power of Weber County residents. The best way to control that is to not debt the future.” The plan started with the refinance of debt on the animal shelter, resulting in huge interest savings. Those savings and additional pooled savings were put toward paying off the remaining debt of the Pleasant Valley Library. Next, both the Ice Sheet and Health Department buildings were paid off. Then, as part of the plan, the County took steps to refinance the larger of two bonds that the County received for libraries during 2013-2015, totaling 45 million. As a part of the refinance process, the County’s credit rating was re-evaluated by two of the three major credit rating agencies. In 2013, when the County initially got the bonds, credit rating agency Fitch gave Weber County a AAA rating; the equivalent of an 850 FICO score. This rating was given to only 72 out of 3,006 counties nationally, ranking

standing. The credit review of AAA from Fitch has been twice re-affirmed since, most recently for the 2019 review. The credit rating agency, Moody’s, was also included in the current review and, due to the County’s debt reduction from the previous two years, Weber County’s credit rating was upgraded to AA1, just one step under AAA. These esteemed credit ratings allowed Weber County to refinance the library bond at a lower interest rate, the final implementation of the 2-year financial plan. The refinancing resulted in over 2 million in interest savings to the County. Commissioner Jim Harvey commented, “If you surround yourself with great people and you trust them, amazing things happen. Our leadership style is to trust our staff, but to verify, for the best decisions. We tightened our belt instead of raising your taxes. Weber County Corporation is being run like a healthy, proactive business.” Of course, no one, not even Treasurer John Bond, could have predicted the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic or anticipated how important the financial health of Weber County would be. Having reached the 2-year goal of reduced debt, increased liquidity, and good financial standing, the County was able to carefully, thoughtfully, and successfully navigate through hiring and purchasing freezes that began in March of 2020. “We have worked hard over the past three years to get positioned to weather any economic challenges that might come to our County. 2020 was the test for that model and we were very successful in getting through that test, thanks to good insight, wisdom, and decision making by the commissioners and the finance team.” stated John Bond, Weber County Treasurer. Commissioner Gage Froerer continued saying, “The excellent financial position of Weber County sends a powerful message to the community; one of confidence, forethought, and preparation. Every minute spent in meetings and the steps

We work diligently, in all capacities, to keep Weber County one of the best places in the United States to live, work and gather together.” “We have worked hard over the past three years to get positioned to weather any economic challenges that might come to our County.” John Bond, Weber County Treasurer