West Point mulling property-tax increase

WEST POINT — Take an already bare-bones budget and toss in a global financial crisis and shrinking sales-tax revenue, and you have the makings of a property-tax increase in West Point.

The northern Davis County city is proposing a $48 increase per year on the average home valued at $214,000.

It's part of an effort to raise about $132,000 for the fiscal 2011 budget year, which begins in July.

The city is holding two public meetings Tuesday and Wednesday to help residents understand the city's need for a tax increase. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m. at West Point City Hall, 3200 W, 300 North.

Public hearings are scheduled for City Council meetings on May 19, June 1 and June 15. The city's truth-in-taxation hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17.

"Basically, the tax increase will maintain an already limited budget," said West Point city manager Gary Hill.

If the tax increase is approved by the City Council, the city will have a general fund budget of $1.86 million.

Hill said the tax increase won't pay for any raises for employees. It won't put money into replacing aging city vehicles, whose average age is 11 years. It won't fund improvements to City Hall, public works or the city cemetery or purchase new computers or other city equipment.

The city also has an obligation to pay $450,000 for a parcel of land that will be a future city park, but there's only enough money to make two more payments, leaving the city with a $300,000 bill, he said.

This would be the first time the city has asked for a tax increase for city revenue, Hill said, adding that the city has been diligent at making cuts where it could.

"Last year, we became lean," he said. "(Without a tax increase,) we will be cutting muscle and bone."

The budget passed by the council for the current fiscal year was originally $2.1 million, but shrinking revenues forced the city to adjust the current budget to $1.84 million.

The city has cut $25,000 out of city celebrations, reduced travel and education for employees, cut out replacement money for vehicles and equipment and eliminated part-time crossing guard positions.

Further cuts in the proposed budget include part-time staffing positions in parks and another crossing guard, a reduction of hours for the city's human resources specialist, and decreased spending for parks equipment and supplies, such as fertilizer.

"If we don't do these things, we would have a much larger tax increase," Hill said. "We're past the point of easy decisions."

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West Point budget highlights

Proposed general fund: $1.86 million

Property tax increase: $48 per year on a $214,000 home

City services: No vehicle replacement

City employee cuts: Part-time parks personnel, one crossing guard

Employee raises: None

Open houses: 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, West Point City Hall, 3200 W, 300 North

Public hearings: 7 p.m. May 19, June 1, June 15 and Aug. 17, West Point City Hall