The overwhelming majority of residents on hand for Tuesday's meeting, however, were against a tax increase of any kind, saying that with the current economic situation, a tax increase would only hurt residents. A number stressed to the council the difference between the city's needs and wants and asked the council to consider residents on a fixed income.

"Running a city isn't a whole lot different than running my family," said American Fork resident Phil Collins, who drew applause for his remarks. "When my costs increase and my revenues go down, I can't increase my revenues — I can't do that. I can't pull money out of the air."

Resident Hugh Issel called the proposed tax increase ludicrous, telling council members that, according to his calculations, the proposed 14 percent would cap a 246 percent increase in taxes paid to the city since 2005. He said the city was not learning to get by with what it has.

"Look at the many roads in the city and places where we have no sidewalks," Mayor Heber Thompson responded. "And you tell me if we haven't been just getting by."

A home valued at $240,000 would see a tax increase of about $41 per year, or just under $3.50 a month.

Citizens are willing to pay their fair share for services funded by taxes, resident Arlo Shelley said, but the city shouldn't have Cadillac ideas with a Ford income.

"A tax increase is inappropriate at this time under the conditions we live in," he said.

Saratoga Springs will hold another hearing on its tax increase on Aug. 20 prior to a vote that same day. American Fork will vote on its proposal Tuesday.

---

E-mail: ethomas@desnews.com; jdavis@desnews.com