Davis to ease tax sting by offering one-time discount

Davis County bloggers are calling the tax abatement plan a scheme, saying that the plan doesn't help out with next year's tax bill.

County officials say they recognize that this is a short-term fix.

"I and the other commissioners and other elected officials have worked diligently to find some resolution," said Commissioner Bret Millburn. "I think what we have here, at least for the moment, is a good option for some immediate relief."

Since the outcry over property values began in July, county officials say they have been scrambling to find a way for long-term relief.

The Davis County Assessor's Office will soon get more employees, Rawlings said, which will allow the office to appraise more property. And commissioners recently approved the purchase of software that will allow property to be appraised more frequently than the current rate.

About one-fifth of the county is appraised each year, meaning one-fifth of residents see a spike in home values every year.

"We're going to continue to pursue the reappraisal of all properties," Hardy said, "so we don't have sticker shock next year."

Millburn said it was prudent for the county to approve its tax rate for 2007, which contains a $7 million tax increase.

Rawlings said the county has already spent most of the revenue from the tax increase because commissioners approved spending the money in December.

That money is earmarked to pay 80 employees of the recently expanded Davis County Jail, increased service by the Davis County Health Department and construction on deteriorating flood channels in the county.

County officials also urge residents who disagree with their valuations this year to appeal them to the county's Board of Equalization by Sept. 17.

Appeal forms were sent with valuation notices in July but can be found online at www.daviscountyutah.gov/equity_adjustment/appeal_form.pdf.

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com