American Fork to raise property taxes

AMERICAN FORK — Some residents of American Fork will be paying nearly $100 more per year in property taxes after a unanimous decision made by the City Council Tuesday night.

The council approved a 20 percent increase in the city's property tax rate to pay for road upgrades, equipment upgrades and wage upgrades for police officers. While some residents will feel a financial pinch, city officials believe the upgrades are long overdue.

"We have tightened our belt and asked our department heads to go back two and three times to get a lower rate," said Councilman Shirl LeBaron. "We have gone so long without addressing these major issues. This is only our second tax increase in 30 years."

LeBaron said he doesn't expect the city to raise property taxes again in the near future. Because sales tax revenue is growing, LeBaron said he expects property taxes will eventually be cut.

The Meadows, a major shopping district in the area, should contribute a significant amount of sales tax revenue within three to four years, LeBaron said.

A recent county property revaluation could force many residents to tighten their financial belts even further. Homes homes previously valued at approximately $170,000 are now being assessed at $207,400, said American Fork Chief of Staff Melanie Marsh.

LeBaron said more than 30 percent of the homes in American Fork are currently valued at approximately $200,000.

Councilman Dale Gunther encouraged American Fork residents who disagree with the revaluation of their homes to contact the county assessors office.

"We encourage people who feel that their property is unfairly valued to protest," Gunther said. "If they've never done it and they want to do it, they're welcome to call me and I'll tell them the process."

LeBaron said approximately $300,000 of the $630,000 that will be generated by the tax increase will go to police salaries. The city currently has a turnover rate of about 30-percent for public safety officers because the pay is not competitive with surrounding cities, LeBaron said.

The remainder of the increase, plus an additional $300,000 to be taken from the city's general fund, will go toward road and sidewalk improvements, LeBaron said.

The tax increase will be included on this year's tax bill, Marsh said.

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