Fire Threatens Brian Head

Brian Head Fire 2009

Fire fighters from Brian Head and Parowan are currently on site doing their best to contain the fire. However, high winds pose a threat. A helicopter is currently dropping water and everyone hopes the fire does not grow.

It is unknown at this time how the fire started. The fire is located South East of Steam Engine Subdivision.

I was pulling up to my office when I saw the police truck race up Bear Flat road with sirens blaring. I quickly followed to see what all the excitement was about. As I drop up the mountain I could see the fire truck in my rear view mirror.  By the time I arrived there were only three other trucks just arriving. We all grabbed shovels and began to put out what had already grown to approximately one acre.

The winds are blowing North East, so it doesn’t appear that this fire will pose a threat to cabins in the surrounding areas.

Brian Head Fire Started at approximately 12:30 pm Brian Head Fire 2009

Fire is located above Steam Engine Subdivision

Dry wood and heat is not a good combination. The helicopter attempts to dominate the flames.

Smoke quickly filled the air during the initial attempts to tame the flame.

Proposed Tax Increase 18%

Yesterday, the town held a council meeting proposing a tax increase of 18.38% above what is already charged. The Spectrum has a great article you can read. Is the the town really interested in the public imput or are they already set on approving the tax increase? Local comments from town employees suggest that the town has intension of increaseing the taxes and are just going through the motion of holding public meetings as required by law.

Key points:

• Tax Increase will help balance the 2010 budget
• Don’t raise taxes – cut spending (Pay raise for council member, office supplys, and council travil)
• Annexed properties have already increased the tax revenue
• Increasing taxes will reduce sales
• $ will be taken away from business owners ultimately driving businesses out of town
• What are the current taxes being used for?
• 2009 shows higher revenues than expenses

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20090826/NEWS01/908260328/Brian+Head+residents+voice+tax+concerns

Mortgage Problems

This 60 Minutes video is eight months old, but I thought it would be interesting to post anyway. Look at the figures for the loans in the next few years that are going to reset to higher interest and higher payments. Here in Brian Head, we saw a lot of speculative buyers. Like most of the US, we experienced price inflation. What’s going to happen with second home owners looking to walk away from their second homes and how will that effect your Brian Head property?