County tables tax increase
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Loretta Park
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
lpark@standard.net
F
ARMINGTON -- Once again, Davis County commissioners faced a room filled with residents opposing a tax increase.
The last time was in 2002 when they proposed a 138 percent increase.
Wednesday at the Davis County Events Center in Farmington about 60 people, mostly senior citizens, attended the public hearing concerning a proposed 37 percent tax increase that would provide additional funds for the new jail operations cost, funding to repair and rebuild the county's flood channels and funding for senior citizen programs.
Commissioners voted to study the issue and decide at a later date if they will adopt the tax increase. They are mandated by law to have a 2007 budget in place by Dec. 31.
The commission meets again on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
"I don't know about you fellows, but I retired back in 1985 and that retirement hasn't changed," said Orlan W. Gumbrecht, of Layton.
Ruth Gulbransen also voiced her concerns about those on fixed incomes.
"My first comment is how much more can we seniors who are on a fixed income pay," she said.
Senior citizens were not the only ones opposed to the tax increase. Several business owners also voiced opposition.
"I'm very disappointed that the commission is proposing a tax increase," Spencer Young said. The increased taxes cannot all be passed on to customers.
"We're getting taxed to death," he said.
The county's 2007 tentative budget of $86.7 million is $10 million more than last year.
The proposed tax increase equals about $60 a year on a $171,000 home.
The county's request for an increase represents a 5.2 percent increase on the total tax bill.
County employees may receive a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment, a half of a percent less than last year.
The sheriff's office asked for $3 million more this year for total operations costs because of the new jail.
That tax increase is $35 per year on a $171,000 home.
The county's flood channels need extensive repairs and work, officials said.
The public works department is asking for $55 million to fund the projects over the next 14 years. That is a tax increase of $15 on a $171,000 home, which will generate $1.5 million a year.
Aging services is asking for a tax increase of $10 on a $171,000 home to generate $1 million a year to help seniors who want to stay home and not be institutionalized, upgrade the senior food program and maintain senior activity centers.
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