No countywide tax increase, Utah County commissioners tell residents

PROVO — Utah County government departments have tightened their belts so residents won't have to open their wallets for a tax hike.

The three county commissioners announced Tuesday they won't raise taxes after two of them who were considering doing just that to deal with shrinking tax revenue decided against it.

"We'd like to send a message of calm that there won't be a tax increase countywide," Commissioner Steve White said.

White was against raising taxes. Commissioner Gary Anderson was considering a hike. Commissioner Larry Ellertson had been unsure which way to go with his deciding vote.

But after reviewing the budget proposals from the county department heads, the commissioners agreed the cuts would allow them to balance the 2009 budget without raising taxes.

White estimated the county will spend between $79 million and $79.5 million this year, although they had originally budgeted $87 million. The commissioners tentatively agreed on a $77 million budget for next year and White said they had canceled a truth-in-taxation hearing the commissioners scheduled in case they felt a tax increase was necessary.

"Our people stepped up," Anderson said. "They said they will do more with less. We're hoping and believe that will be a temporary solution. We believe the sacrifices being made by our employees and departments will be for the benefit of residents in our area. I hope they will be grateful."

The commission will hold a truth-in-taxation hearing Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. to listen to public comment about a proposed tax increase of $569,000 in the county's unincorporated areas.

The county lost that much revenue when the Utah Tax Commission determined it gave Utah County too much sales tax revenue.

The commissioners said they must replace those funds with a slight tax increase to pay for police and fire protection in Utah County's canyons.

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