FARMINGTON — The Davis Board of Education tabled a proposed tax increase during a public hearing Tuesday, with plans to consider it during its next meeting.

The tax increase, which is expected to generate $3.5 million in revenue for the Davis School District, would be $35.57 a year on the average home valued at $210,000.

But when property valuations were recently sent to Davis County residents, many were surprised to see that values went up by 30 percent in Bountiful and percentages in the mid- to high 20s elsewhere in the county.

The increase in values showed many people could expect to pay higher taxes this year on their homes, and at least 25 people showed up Tuesday to oppose the school board's plan to increase property taxes, said board member Tamara Lowe.

Davis County is expecting to raise about $7 million this year with a property-tax increase commissioners set in December, and the Davis Mosquito Abatement District is expecting about $195,000 to augment its $1 million operating budget.

"Rather than vote to institute the things we talked about," Lowe said, the board asked its business manager, Bruce Williams, to run the numbers again.

Lowe said the $3.5 million the board hoped to generate with a tax increase would make the district eligible for $3.5 million in matching money from the state of Utah.

The money would be used for general supplies, textbooks, computer equipment, reducing class sizes and raising money for the K-3 reading program, according to the district's tax-hearing advertisement.

"It's a really tough decision," Lowe said. "I'm retired. I'm on a fixed income."

She said all of the taxing entities are in the same boat this year.

"All of our costs have gone up," she said. "All of us."

The board expects to review the tax numbers during its work session Aug. 21 and then vote on the proposed tax increase during its public meeting the same night, Lowe said.

A public hearing, however, will not be held again, she said.

On Aug. 21, the Davis Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. at the District Office Building, 45 E. State, in Farmington.

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com