Reader comments
Like prices, property tax on the rise

Too much | 12:35 a.m. July 31, 2008

The Saratoga Springs manager summed it up nicely with two words. "Expanded service." Governments at every level are providing more and more services, and it costs enormous amounts of money. I hate tax increases, personally. So if you don't want higher taxes and don't like the government creeping into services you think others could provide, don't ask you city council, state legislator, or member of Congress to provide funding for more services. It takes lots of cash to provide services, and you are the source of that cash. There are no freebies.

Larry | 5:17 a.m. July 31, 2008

Governments in Utah are growing too large. I can see that many of us citizens will come up with a proposal to redue their size in order for the public to live or limit the amount of taxes per home. Many of their so call services are simply not needed at all!! We are paying 38% for payrol taxes and 8% more to feed our local govenment - that is 46% of our income. How are we to live on the rest with all other increases spoken about in this article - gas, food, etc. People who serve the citzens need to serve with their concerns and needs in mind, not their's. Reduce size or we will act.

41Cadillac | 6:40 a.m. July 31, 2008

So now all those home buyers who willingly paid too much for their homes and rushed to bid up the price will pay the price in higher property taxes.

So will those who stood on the side lines and did not push verbally with social pressure to keep people from buying over their heads.

Society is controlled by the masses either doing nothing or doing something.

Why was there not an outrageous out cry whem Alan Greenspan kept interest rates too low too long.

No people were too busy buying and flipping houses, realtors were to busy making that commission, and mortgage brokers were thrilled to take their cut.

Truly society gets what it asks for. So. Be. It 41Cadillac

Comments continue below

Sour | 7:41 a.m. July 31, 2008

If home prices have decreased by 15-25% why shouldnï¿½t the taxes decrease? Well itï¿½s because city, county and state government have to keep providing more and more services. It always seems that some minority voice has some crusade about something that will cost tax payers more!

We need to get back to government just providing us the basic necessities.

Asking Why | 8:19 a.m. July 31, 2008

Why is it necessary for government to have people that go through neighborhoods measuring how tall your grass is...or how far your car is parked from the curb...or what percentage of your parkway is green? Perhaps if the cities didn't worry about these types of "services" they wouldn't need to increase property taxes. Government is supposed to provide for public safety. Why are we allowing our local government to get so involved in our personal lives and then charge us for it? Perhaps what we need is a reduction of non-essential services and redirection of staff back to what is really important to us...the safety and welfare of ourselves and our families.

cheery | 8:35 a.m. July 31, 2008

Dear Sour,

In Sandy, I personally know of people who's taxes did decrease. One person said their taxes were down $100 from last year. not everyones taxes are going up.

Red Smith | 8:49 a.m. July 31, 2008

My house taxes went up $1,000. I saved $1 went the state shut down on Fridays.

The Great State of Utah, where we don't work to save energy.

Gerber | 8:54 a.m. July 31, 2008

Guess what people, EVERYONE is having to tighten their belts to deal with higher gas, higher food, and higher costs. I believe the cities and counties should largely do like everyone else, and tighten their belts. You lay heavier burdens on the people and you're going to make it even worse for them.

We don't need many of the services and money holes provided by cities. Firework displays, parades, free lunches at parks, and other such nonsense. Cities provide essential services, not entertainment and food.

Basic Economics Folks! | 8:56 a.m. July 31, 2008

When we have a run-a-muck government with runaway inflation, this is the result. It's a double edged sord, because absolutely no one, our local governments included, is insulated from it. So without "adding" any new services, a tax increase would be warranted. With a further devaluation of the dollar due to the housing bailout, we've only seen the beginning. We'll be tightening the belt much more than this. I fear that in time we'll have a complete collapse of our economy.

If we haven't heeded yet, the counsel to build our food storage, I suggest we do it as soon as possible (without further debt of course).

Taxes | 9:23 a.m. July 31, 2008

In New York, a home that costs about $300,000 will have a tax burden of about $8,000 per year. Here in Utah that same $300,000 home is taxed at about $2,000 per year. This means that in tax comparisons over 30 years you will have paid $60,000 in taxes in Utah and $240,000 in New York.

For years Utah has wanted to be like California. So now that we have Californian's moving to Utah at the rate of 240 people per day we are now focusing on New York and European's. Look at how many round-a-bouts are being built in Utah. They only cost about $200,000 to build one. So this is just the beginning.

tax and spend neocons | 9:43 a.m. July 31, 2008

Uh-oh!

Higher Taxes?

Isn't Utah supposed to be the Big Daddy of conservatism with only liberals raising taxes?

Mike in Saratoga Springs | 9:53 a.m. July 31, 2008

The Saratoga Springs newspaper mentioned in May that they were in the RED several hundred thousand dollars. If my family, that would be cause to tighten my belt, but Saratoga Springs decided to still throw a huge "Saratoga Splash" summer event. How much do you think that cost? I'm willing to bet property taxes could be lower if government entities spent their fixed income, and counted on 3% yearly raises... like the rest of us do.

Ridiculous hikes!!!

jackhp | 10:09 a.m. July 31, 2008

Sour,
Overall property taxes don't increase or decrease along with the value of homes. Individual taxes will increase or decrease but it is based on the individual increase or decrease in property value in relation to the overall increase or decrease in property values.

Tax Man | 10:30 a.m. July 31, 2008

First the appraiser in the Tax Assessors office who administratively decides the value based upon the Real Eastate Guide. Then they stick it to you with an itsy bitsy rase, using the old adadge that its progress for the 4 day work week.

DKL | 10:59 a.m. July 31, 2008

To Basic Economics Folks! | 8:56 a.m. July 31, 2008:

Right on the money! Get with it Utah, get prepared!

tax fraud | 2:07 p.m. July 31, 2008

Government should be ran like private business. When revenue decreases, there should be cut back and layoffs.

DAVIS COUNTY RESIDENTS | 7:37 p.m. July 31, 2008

The assessments on most our homes is way over valued, and in some cases, absolutely ridiculous. I got my notice in the mail, and it stated the value of my home that I bought last year was $400,000 MORE than what is appraised for in May of 2007. If you are getting ridiculous assessments like mine, Mr. Jolley at the State of Utah Property Tax Division suggests that you contact James B. Ivie (Davis County Assessor) directly and set up an appointment with him as it is a blatant mistake, and he writes it off to Mr. Ivie being "new". Mr. Ivie's number is: 451-3252. Hope this helps.

feeling the bite in Davis Co. | 10:53 p.m. July 31, 2008

My property tax rate did not increase, but the assessed value of my house went up a LOT and so did my property taxes - 45% higher than last year's rates.

Is this how the county government raised more $$$ without having to face hearings for tax rate increases?

needhlp20 | 8:21 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

I just spoke to some of the incumbents for the Davis County Commission at the county fair on this issue. At first his explanations were making sense but then he started blowing smoke up my butt blaming everyone from the county assessor to Mr. Huntsman. (still feels a bit breezy in here) To put it simply...these kind of forums can get us fired up but nothing will happen unless each and every one of us gets a "comp" done by a realtor and sends it in as evidence in your appeal. Only by swamping their desk with demands for honesty and fairness will they realize their mistake. State law requires counties to assess each parcel every 5 years, 20% per year. In 2007, they decided they had the manpower to assess 100% of properties before the housing market collapsed to get the highest $ assessment locked in. They probably expect 5-10% of homeowners to appeal and the rest will read forums til they feel guilty for not paying their fair share and do nothing...Join the smaller crowd and appeal.

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