From Deseret News archives:

Proposed new tax rates popping up across Utah

Published: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:46 a.m. MDT
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"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."

Similarly, Woodland Hills Mayor Toby Harding said it has been several years since the city raised taxes — and the city has no commercial base producing sales tax that might reduce pressure on property tax.

Meanwhile, the Uintah Highlands district just built a new million-gallon reservoir to keep up with growth, and it needs the increase to help fund it, said office administrator Jerilyn Call.

Other governments may not be doubling taxes, but many are coming close. Five are proposing hikes between 50 percent and 99 percent, according to State Tax Commission data.

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They are: Toquerville (98 percent, or $46 on a $200,000 home); Cedar Fort (94 percent, or $51); Draper (89 percent, or $86); Kane County (76 percent, or $124); and Gunnison (65 percent or $110).

Michael Sears, finance director for fast-growing Draper, said it had not raised tax rates in at least 10 years. The increase "will help replace infrastructure. A number of roads have reached the end of their useful life and need to be replaced," he said.

He adds the city needs to staff a new fire station and build some new frontage roads along freeways. "We realize the tax increase is large. But even with it, it's not going to fund all of our needs," he said.

Some areas are being hit with a double or triple whammy, as many separate governments that serve residents are proposing big rate hikes at the same time, while assessors are also raising the value of property.

Kane County is among them. County Commission Chairman Mark Habbeshaw said much of the land there has tripled in value in recent years because "we have been discovered" as a desirable vacation site or place to live, driving up market value.

"That higher valuation is hitting at the same time as our (county government) tax-rate increase. In addition, the school district has a major increase, and special improvement districts increased their assessment," he said.

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