Proposed new tax rates popping up across Utah

Kanarraville, in Iron County, is proposing to nearly quintuple its property taxes. Garden City, in Rich County, is more than quadrupling taxes there. And the Uintah Highlands water district, in Weber County, is proposing to triple its tax rates.

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Those are among surprises Utahns are finding statewide in notices now arriving in mailboxes. They contain new tax rates proposed by local governments, plus the new values put on property by assessors.

At least 66 local governments seek to raise property-tax rates above levels that would provide the same revenue as last year, according to an analysis by the Deseret Morning News of State Tax Commission data.

Most increases are not yet set in stone. The new notices contain lists of truth-in-taxation hearings, where most local governments that propose increases must explain them and listen to residents before voting on rates.

Increases are being sought by at least 22 of the state's 40 school districts, 25 of its 242 cities and towns, five of its 29 counties and 14 special districts.

Many increases proposed this year are huge. For example, five local governments are proposing to at least double their tax rates beyond levels needed to produce the same revenue as last year.

They are: Kanarraville (365 percent, or $173 on a $200,000 home); Garden City (344 percent, or $89); the Uintah Highlands district (183 percent, or $57); the West Millard Mosquito Abatement District (121 percent, or $24); and Woodland Hills (113 percent, or $167).

Reasons for those increases vary from needing to make up for years of not increasing taxes, to trying to keep up with new growth or building new facilities.

For example, Kanarraville Town Clerk David Ence said Kanarraville seeks its big increase "just to stop the hemorrhaging of cash" the town has suffered in recent years. He said revenue has not met expenses for several years, while the town used up a reserve fund — and even depended on donations to make ends meet.

"No one on the town board can remember the last time we had a tax increase. It has been at least 18 years," he said of Kanarraville, population 350.

Similarly, the West Millard mosquito district has used reserves in recent years, while revenues have not met expenses, said district manager Eldon Rowley. Also, he said, the district hired several extra workers to help fight increased West Nile disease threats, and it must cover higher chemical and gasoline costs.

In Garden City, Councilman Leon Hardt said, "We haven't had a tax-rate increase for at least 20 years. And with the growth Garden City has seen, we are just way behind the eight-ball. ... We need to build more roads."