Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?

There aren't very many occasions where the vote of a city council can impact the national debt, but tonight (November 10, 2015) was one of those nights.  Sadly, the American Fork City Council chose to potentially add $200,000.00 to the national debt.

The issue is Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).  This is where the federal government takes money from you and I, sends it to Washington, and then sends some of it back to local governments.  The problem is, this isn't what our federal government was formed to do. 

Nowhere in the Constitution is the federal government given the Constitutional authority to fund  Community Development Block Grants.  There is no Article 1 Section 8 grant of Constitutional authority for HUD or CDBG's. 

Furthermore, the federal government currently doesn't have the money to do so either.  Our Federal government is 18 trillion dollars in debt, and runs a large budget deficit every year.  Indeed some within the government itself are warning that the out of control federal debt is THE biggest threat to our future national security.

I voted against CDBG tonight.  I voted to not add to our national debt. 

What if the American Fork City Council had joined me in voting against CDBG?  And what if our sister communities did the same?  And what if cities in other states followed suit?  We would be keeping our oath of office to defend the Constitution that way. 

We would also then be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. 

Why Not Lower Utility Rates?

Tonight the American Fork City Council had the opportunity to lower water rates to 2014 levels, but failed to do so.  Instead they raised rates, again.

American Fork City has realized budget surpluses the last three years, yet Council members continue to vote for tax and fee increases.  Tonight's vote also included dozens of new fees, including a $300 fee to build a residential accessory building (like a shed), a nearly doubling of several construction fees, and new fees for non-city league organized sports to use the parks.  (highlights from the new fee schedule are below.)

During the past two years, I've seen the American Fork City budget go from 48 million to 58 million, yet new and increased fee burdens continue to be placed upon our citizens.  I disagree with these fee increases and have consistently voted against them.  Unfortunately, incumbent Council members Frost, Clark, Shelton and Shorter voted to increase your water utility rates, add new fees, and increase other existing fees: