Deseret News | Reader comments: Property tax hike may be on the way for Salt Lake County

Reader comments
Property tax hike may be on the way for Salt Lake County

LD | 4:26 a.m. June 17, 2009

I dont understand how they can talk of a property tax increase when home values are down and should justify a property tax decrease. Explain, please.

We are such a doltish people | 6:19 a.m. June 17, 2009

We voted for those bonds under the guise that they would be repaid by our sales taxes, and our sales taxes were increased to pay for them. Now, they are increasing our property taxes, too, to pay for them. Does that mean that they are going to decrease our sales taxes back to the pre-bond rates? Of course not. Government doesn't work like that. Are they cutting fluff out of the budget to cover the shortfall? Of course not - government doesn't work like that. Once the camel gets its nose under the edge of the tent, it won't be long until you have a camel sitting in your living room. People who work in risk-management know that there are always people looking for those with deep pockets that they can get their hands into to take more and more money. Government has the idea that "the people" have deep pockets - and it is their duty and responsibility to get as much money as they can - with no requirement for any kind of fiscal responsibility whatsoever.

And yet, we know that we the "stupid" people willtrust government and keep voting for new taxes.

Point Well Taken | 7:28 a.m. June 17, 2009

This tax hike was approved solely by Democrats. Same party as our Kenyan president, Obama. Do you get the drift? Democrats spend wildly, tax wildly. It is, after all, their money to spend, not ours. Whether taxes are raised now to pay the bill or raised later to pay the bill, money will be spent lavishly when you vote for a Democratic leader, and somebody -- Democrat or Republican -- will have to raise taxes to keep the government solvent.

WAKE UP!

Comments continue below

Mink | 7:57 a.m. June 17, 2009

How come we are expected to do with less and the government doesn't have to cut back. This is absurd.

Anonymous | 7:59 a.m. June 17, 2009

So if there have been large decreases in building permits issued, why aren't we seeing more cuts in the building department? It seems to me that instead of making some of the tough decisions like cutting out the fluff positions, the council has decided to take the easy way and just tax.

Voters Deserve this | 7:59 a.m. June 17, 2009

When are voters going to learn that governments will not get rid of programs once they get them, and will not get rid of taxes once they get them.

In this case, the sales tax to pay for these bonds has already been levied. However, because there is still a shortfall, they are looking to raise property taxes instead of cutting something else. We need to make choices on what we fund. If a greater cause come up, then we should cut a lesser cause to pay for it. The easy way out is to continue to have bond offerings.

Next time vote NO in regards to ANY bond offering. Whether it's a park, the Zoo, or any other public facility. If we as a public think it is such a good cause, then demand that our public officials take money away from a lesser cause to put towards it.

Mark my words, we will all be paying these tax increases for the rest of our lives.

John Wicks | 8:16 a.m. June 17, 2009

It's time to vote every living Democrat out of office to stop these horrible tax increase. Only then will things improve. Soon there will be nothing left to tax.

To LD | 8:33 a.m. June 17, 2009

In Utah, the amount of total property tax revenue is not determined by property values. Each taxing entity uses the previous year's revenue as a baseline to review their budgetary needs. If an entity decides more property tax revenue is needed, they have to hold public meetings to explain the increase and give notice to the taxpayers of the time and place for the meetings through newspaper ads and on the annual valuation notice. After the public input at the meetings, the council or boards of the entity decides whether it is politically expedient to raise the taxes. Once the entity decides whether or not to increase on the baseline of the prior year, a tax rate is set that amount based on the total value of the tax base. The values of properties do not determine how much tax revenue is collected, just how the total tax bill is split. Even if no taxing entities request an increase in total tax revenue, this years tax rate will increase so that last years baseline revenue is collected.

Wake up | 8:34 a.m. June 17, 2009

These wonderful righteous caring elected officials only care about one thing and that's staying in office! If they had to get a real job they could never get hired!

xscribe | 8:46 a.m. June 17, 2009

Stop complaining over your little $900 a year property taxes. Try moving to NY, where it's more like $10,000. You all only want government when it's convenient for your own purposes.

To xscribe | 8:57 a.m. June 17, 2009

I wish my property taxes were "$900 a year" - try $4,000. And our overall tax burden is way up there among the highest in the nation with lower wages.

So, please, stop telling the peasants in Utah what to do and how to act.

To xscribe | 9:01 a.m. June 17, 2009

I'm not sure where you got your "$900 a year property tax" info from. My property taxes are already at $5000. a year.

And no, I don't want government only when it's convenient for my own purposes. I think we should have LESS government in general!

Seriously? | 9:02 a.m. June 17, 2009

Well said, xscribe. For the person who said no fluff has been taken, try $17 million of "fluff" that was cut by County agencies already this year. 100 positions were cut, and over 100 remain unfilled. The County is doing "more with less." When voters approved these bonds, they voted to pay for them via tax. Sales tax isn't sufficient to pay it now, so we have to switch to different kind of tax. Just so you know, Republicans are advocating fee increases. A convenient way to increase revenue without having to call it a "tax increase." Yet you, the taxpayers, will still be paying for those fee increases. Salt Lake County provides incredible public safety, public works, and recreation opportunities to its citizens. Tell us which areas you want to eliminate, because the budgets are cut as low as they can go. Less patrol? More potholes? Fewer jail beds? Less recreation centers? For those of you sit back and complain, come up with an alternative to a modest $10 tax increase. Thats about two twelve packs of diet coke. Can you cut one diet coke out of your life each month?

What a waste | 9:08 a.m. June 17, 2009

I'm so glad that taxes can be raised to pay for this wasteful form of government. Someone start a petition to go back to the Commission form of government where there was so much less bureaucracy!!

The Council with their countless administrative assistants and legal and fiscal staff and the Mayor with his massive staff of micromanagers are out of control.

@9:02 and 8:46 | 9:20 a.m. June 17, 2009

spoken like a couple of Obama coolaid drinking voters. pray, do tell, at what point will enough taxes be enough for you two ignorant people? Will it be 60% or 75%? Guess what, that is whats comming down the pike because power hungry, socialist politicians could care less about the rich or the poor. wake up!

To "Seriously" | 9:55 a.m. June 17, 2009

Just who are you, Seriously? You seem to have a personal stake in the discussion. You ask: "Tell us which areas you want to eliminate .... "

US? Who is US?

If you're one of THEM -- that voted for the tax increase, you should say so.

Seriously... | 10:33 a.m. June 17, 2009

No I don't have a vote on the Council, but as an employee of Salt Lake County who has watched ALL county agencies cut people and services and budgets, it is frustrating to listen to people talk about all of the government waste and "fluff." You must really take for granted all of the services that are provided to you. Salt Lake County is a clean, safe, wonderful place to live both because of its citizens and its government. Responsible tax increases are necessary from time to time (it's been over 8 years since we've had one)to maintain service. We are talking about 3 cents per day here. The alternatives are more cuts in services or potential lay offs. I'll take the 3 cents per day.

When will we REVOLT? | 10:39 a.m. June 17, 2009

Seriously, folks, I am mad that they would have the gull to raise my property taxes in financially tough times. It is evident that government does not know how to cut back. Wait until homes start to appreciate again and you will see even higher taxes.

Dave | 10:52 a.m. June 17, 2009

I have never, in my 70 yrs. seen as much interest in politics as I have the last year. Which is a VERY good sign that people are starting to "wake up". I think, at least from my perspective that politicians who raise taxes will NOT be re-elected! When it comes right down to it, thats about all us taxpayers can do. Yes, it will take awhile to get all the "free spenders" out of office, but as taxpayers we MUST resolve as a group to do this, OR the tax bill will just keep going higher and higher. IF elected officials have to close rec. centers, golf courses, etc. so be it. They MUST be required to live within a budget and make hard choices.

To Seriously? | 10:52 a.m. June 17, 2009

You can't be seious that all 'fluff' is out of the county budget. There are countless examples of waste. What is a Diversity Coordinator- why does the county need one of these? The fine print in this job description probably says 'employee in charge of stopping the hiring of white, Mormon, males'. I am sure there are countless other positions that are just 'fluff' including over paid council administrative assistants which you are probably How many needless jobs have been added since the Mayor and Council?

enough is enough | 10:58 a.m. June 17, 2009

To Seriously. Two suggestions on areas.
1) Receration. I do not consider it the roll of governement to entertain me. I am more than able to take care of that aspect of my life. Especially when funds are too short.
2) duplicative levels of administration. Quick the turf wars and stream line the government We do not need various/multiple adminstrations and support staff groups all along the Wasatch front. They can not coordinate themselves anyway.

Seriously | 12:32 p.m. June 17, 2009

I am not a council aide and actually agree that some consolidation of council staff is a good idea. As for the diversity coordinator, there are many positions that may or may not be totally necessary, but who decides and where do you draw the line? So far, the Mayor feels that position is necessary. So yes, there are probably even more areas to look at and I guarantee you will see that happen when the 2010 budget is being set. But it will likely not be enough. Did you know that the tax increase of $10 per average house is actually half of what is needed and was originally considered? A democrat, Jenny Wilson, recommended that instead of going for the whole lot, that they minimize the impact on the taxpayer and just do half, and look elsewhere to make up the ever growing shortfall. Please know that so much has already been done by the County to reduce the budget and maintain service. I think a likely next step will be furloughs to employees. So we're all taking the hit.

To enough is enough, thanks for your thoughtful response.

RE: Seriously, et al | 1:15 p.m. June 17, 2009

As a former employee of the county I can tell you that even after the cuts, including the 100 positions many of which have already been vacant for quite some time, there is still a lot of 'fluff' left. Lazy people that still think government jobs are safe and you don't have to do anything or at least the minimum and you won't get fired!

For lack of a better term, the county is "old-fashioned." From processed to way too much paper to too many people handling tasks that take half as many people there is still a lot of fluff!

Seriously, who are you? | 2:22 p.m. June 17, 2009

"Seriously" (1) is not a county aide but is a county employee (2) speaks of Jenny Wilson in friendly terms (3) says "we" had to switch to a different tax and wants bloggers to tell "us" what services to eliminate (4) refers to decisions the Mayor makes as though he/she knows the thinking behind those decisions.

Who are you Seriously? And whoever you are, I doubt your bias on this topic reflects very much the attitude of most regular taxpayers.

RE:Re:Seriously, et al | 2:23 p.m. June 17, 2009

Yes, there IS a WHOLE LOT OF FLUFF! Over the years, there's been a whole lot of "salary creep",- by this I mean a guy making 100k per year gets a 2% raise, where the guy making 50k gets the same percentage,but he "gets" half as much dollar wise! When this occurs several years in a row, the base just keeps getting wider, and wider, and WIDER! The County Council SHOULD start with the highest 25% salaries, cut those, say 10%, and see how much they save. BUT - I doubt they will!

The state SHOULD also look at this issue instead of trying to find "new ways to tax that nobody notices"!

Remember this | 8:03 p.m. June 17, 2009

Remember this one truism and you can never go wrong, "When Democrats are in charge stupid things happen."

xscribe | 10:29 p.m. June 17, 2009

Just got off Utah's property tax page. Based on a property with a market value of $600,000, the property taxes were around $3500. I guess we know know what kind of house the one paying $5,000 in property taxes lives in. More than the average Joe!

Re: Remember This | 11:27 a.m. June 18, 2009

How true.

Just look at Obama and his socialistic agenda.

Utah Democrats aren't far behind.

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