Case made for tax hike in part of Utah County

Published: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 12:16 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
PROVO — Utah County commissioners and the county sheriff made their case Monday night for a tax increase in unincorporated areas while residents asked them to be mindful of the already tight economic squeeze faced by many families.

"I know," Commissioner Gary Anderson said to laughter and nods. "My 401(k) is now a 201(k)."

Sheriff Jim Tracy and the three commissioners told about 15 people who attended the public hearing that the tax increase is necessary to pay for basic police and fire service in the county's unincorporated area, approximately 1,800 square miles.

Four service districts are included in the proposed hike. If the commissioners approve the increase with the 2009 budget at their Dec. 9 meeting, the average increase for a $250,000 home would be $64 a year. Another $18 or $11 for fire service could be added, with the difference based on where the home is located because of the different types of fire service.

"It's not an insignificant amount," Anderson said.

The tax increase won't provide any increase in manpower, Tracy said. Instead, he is cutting management and secretarial staff to handle budget cuts. The tax money will simply allow him to maintain the 34 deputies that patrol the unincorporated parts of the county.

"These monies are necessary to keep you safe," Tracy said.

Story continues below
About a dozen residents spoke. While they clearly are chafing at the increase, they appeared resigned. Most of the comments were restricted to suggestions and specific questions about service in their neighborhoods.

"We hear you," Anderson told residents. "We're doing all we can to keep costs down. We're the second-largest county in the state but we have nowhere near the second-largest work force."


E-mail: twalch@desnews.com

Recent comments

Who is in charge of Utah County's Budget? It seems that this should...

No one knows better. | Dec. 2, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.



Commissioners spent like drunken sailors when they jumped on the...

Spent Like Drunken Sailors | Dec. 2, 2008 at 3:27 p.m.

Thats always the need for tax increases,fire and police.
Thats the...

John | Dec. 2, 2008 at 9:35 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

I'm a 25-year BYU fan. Great game to watch - it was close to the very last...

Where was her NCO beforehand? In my opinion a good NCO would have looked...

Hall mouths off about hate of Utah

Enough said.

there's the rub.

Traditional views are changing. Marriage syno is Joined. It doesn't mean...

Cougars beat Utes in overtime

Utah 2 BYU 0 (zero, zip, nil) And yes, Utah fans can still talk BCS since...

Memo to Ute Fans: Admit it. You hate BYU, and we hate you all too. Someone...

Field goals, penalties doomed Utes

Utah 2 BYU 0 (zero, zip, nil) And yes, Utah fans can still talk BCS...

legalizing marriage for the gays will end up being a plague upon them. Old...

2 more paragraphs and you would have made it. An entire piece without some...

Advertisements