Tax shifts opposed in Price, Vernal

Tax task force member Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, asked the local officials to provide him with the math used to arrive at those amounts, apparently questioning whether the figures were correct.

Bassett said he believed it would be appropriate for the League of Cities and Towns to prepare data to present to the task force to show what impact a proposal to shift sales tax revenue would have on property tax rates in all communities.

"A proposal such as that requires a lot of discussion, a lot of investigation," Bassett said.

Uintah Basin leaders told the task force they favor a change in the current tax structure that would allow local governments to build an "inflationary adjustment" into property tax rates to eliminate tax increases when budgets are tight.

"If Uintah County would have been able to use the inflationary rate over the past six years, we would not be looking to try to find the $2.5 million we are trying to find for our budget," Haslem said.

"Every year as costs go up, the cost of business goes up and it costs more to run a city," Bassett said.

The League of Cities and Towns also supports a built-in adjustment hike.

With an annual increase built into property tax rates, there would be no need for cities and counties to advertise Truth in Taxation hearings, which can be costly and confusing, according to Bassett.

Sen. Beverly Evans, R-Altamont, who represents Summit, Duchesne and Uintah counties, told the task force she has concerns about a proposal that would change the resort tax, which brings in revenue to the ski industry in Park City.

"Any time we have a tax shift, we need to realize the impact it has," she said, adding that sometimes the best course of action is no action. "Be careful, be cautious. If it is not broken, don't fix it."

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Tax reform hearings

Today, 6 p.m., Dixon Middle School, 750 W. 200 North, Provo

Thursday, noon, Cedar City chambers, Old Post Office, 10 N. Main, Cedar City

Thursday, 6 p.m., County Commission chambers, 197 E. Tabernacle St., St. George

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com; lwhiting@ubtanet.net