Salt Lake County eliminates small property-tax increase

SALT LAKE CITY — Rather than run a legal ad that would make it appear there was a $13.40 annual property tax increase on a $254,000 home when the tax is actually only $2.55, the Salt Lake County Council voted to do away with the tax increase altogether and find the funding through other resources.

The tax increase was to be used as refund money earmarked for people who appealed property taxes and won, according to Lance Brown, county budget director.

"For example, a property owner can appeal if they believe the county stated the value of their home or business as higher than market value," Brown said.

The total property-tax collections eliminated is $1 million.

"The county determined it could absorb those costs," said Deputy Mayor Nichole Dunn said, explaining the legal ad is required by HB23 but can be misleading to the public.

The law is meant to properly account for prior year redemptions as revenue. The question is how to reflect that information appropriately in a truth-in-taxation ad.

— Amy K. Stewart