Tax bite taking heavy toll in Utah
81 local governments are boosting levies this year
News of that is arriving in property tax notices around the state with some governments tripling rates, or increasing their portion of property taxes by more than $250 on a $250,000 home. Property taxes are due on Nov. 30.
Utah Tax Commission records show that 81 of nearly 600 local governments in the state went through a "truth-in-taxation" process to raise property tax revenues (not rates) beyond what they collected the previous year (not counting money from new growth). They had to advertise proposed hikes and hold hearings on them.
Most of the cities, counties, school districts, water districts, fire districts and even cemetery districts that raised taxes say they need the extra cash just to keep up with rising fuel costs, growth and higher prices for basic services and not for any big, new projects.
"This is a question of leveling the (property-tax) playing field," Iron County Assessor Dennis Ayers earlier told the Deseret News. "I have some employees here who live in the (unincorporated) county and they are not happy about it. But they understand that it has to be done," or the county could be sued for a double-taxation situation.
The second-highest property tax by dollar amount is a $165 hike by Saratoga Springs in Utah County.
Saratoga Springs city manager Ken Leetham said earlier, "We've been a city for about 10 years, and we've never raised taxes. ... This is mostly to catch up." The city has increased in size from a few hundred residents initially to about 15,500 now.
"In addition to costs going up for fuel and expanding services, we really need to make that tax adjustment" for not raising taxes for so many years, Leetham said.
Among the highest increases by percentage is a 204 percent increase in other words a tripling of taxes by the city of Riverton. Its share of property taxes increases by nearly $64 on a $250,000 home.
City officials said it was needed to fill gaps in city revenue caused by evaporating new construction. Last year, it had about 1,000 residential building permits but expected that to drop to 100 this year.
Recent comments
As a member of the military I was very pleased to be able to give up...
brandon | Nov. 11, 2008 at 1:07 a.m.
Sounds like the Republicans RAISE taxes also.
Tell the truth | Nov. 10, 2008 at 10:43 p.m.
raised the tax value of an unoccupied piece of land
from $133k to...
iron county | Nov. 10, 2008 at 8:45 p.m.
- Broncos have 1st quarter lead 7:26 p.m.
- No. 6 UNC beats FIU, 88-72 7:13 p.m.
- Turner leads No. 16 Buckeyes 7:08 p.m.
- MLB: Giants' prospect freed 7:00 p.m.
- Sandy may give $ to juco bowl game 6:42 p.m.
- Transactions 6:14 p.m.
- MLB: Police search for kidnappers 6:11 p.m.
- Students: Michigan AD shoved them 6:06 p.m.
- Spurs' Duncan, Parker sidelined 5:55 p.m.
- Falcons say they feed off Smith 5:54 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Prep girls soccer MVPs named
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- GOP blasts Matheson after vote
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
269 - House passes health care bill
223 - Lobo suspended
178 - TCU showdown has big implications
172 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
153 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
111 - Thousands protest health bill
110 - Provo company innovating engines
108 - RSL rallies to advance
103
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Cool information on what makes the English Holly unique.Helped a lot with my...
John your anger is misplaced. Our nation absolutely glorifies militarism and...
I stand by the Utes! We have the offensive players we need to beat any...
To Andy:453 PM! How dare you ASSUME I am a tea party member, republican...
"That's so gay" I think that would depend on who said it and when - you...
School sports were the greatest part of my high school career. I only did...
Considering that most of congress and the house members do not have passports...
Do not let this poor excuse for an athlete play anymore. SUSPENSION FOR THE...
I am the first to comment on this story.
UTAH has no chance of beating TCU!!!!!!!!!!!! Why would any MWC fan pull for...

