Davis County likely to see tax hike in '07

FARMINGTON — Davis County residents won't be hit with a tax hike next year, but the relief looks to be only temporary.

Come 2007, residents will likely see a property tax increase to pay for the operating costs of the newly expanded county jail. The increase would need to be about $35 a year on a $167,000 home to cover the costs, according to County Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings.

Davis County commissioners unanimously voted to postpone the increase during a meeting Tuesday. The delay was recommended by Rawlings as he presented commissioners with the county's proposed 2006 budget.

"This is being very responsible and responsive to the county at large," said commissioner Dannie McConkie.

Added commissioner Alan Hansen: "To put off that tax shows some good fiduciary responsibility on behalf of our county department here."

While initial plans were to implement the tax hike in 2006, recent budget cuts have given the county leeway to postpone the increase until 2007, according to Rawlings.

Because of a revenue shortfall, Davis commissioners cut the county's operating budget in October by about $2 million. Next year's proposed budget will reflect those cuts: It's about $2 million less than what was budgeted at the beginning of the 2005 budget year.

The decline in revenues is being attributed to a number of factors, including decreased federal grant monies and property tax revenues that fell short this year.

Over the next month, Rawlings and his office will work to finalize Davis County's 2006 budget. A final draft is expected to be released before Dec. 5; a public hearing is planned for Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the county courthouse.

While small changes will be made to the budget over the next month, Rawlings said that the decision to postpone the tax increase on Tuesday would not change.

"That is a firm commitment," he said. "Everyone has agreed to that."

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com