“If John Crofts is for this, then I will definitely reconsider it,” she said.

Crofts said the county is walking a tightrope.

“We have to represent the communities that elect us to get in office,” he said.

He said that he understood that the cities got together and had a Zoom call to discuss the proposed tax increase but said he wasn’t part of it.

“I don’t know what your discussions were amongst yourselves,” he said. “I believe it was the mayors. I don’t know if the city managers were involved with that or not, but I’ve heard from a couple of mayors that have, like Commissioner Kamalu, had some questions and concerns about it and others that were in favor of it.”

He said it increases the tax rate for everybody, and though he acknowledged $20 for every $10,000 “doesn’t sound like that much,” he said he thinks “everybody is concerned about increasing the tax rate, even small amounts.”

Crofts acknowledged there are “some strong benefits to doing this, and the Legislature offered us a lot of carrots” but also addressed the pressure facing the commission.

“We have the public. We have the voters,” he said. “We had a lot of pressure put on the commission with our latest tax increase.”

He acknowledged how consequential his vote was.

“If I say yes, then it’s easy, but I am not decided on it, frankly,” he said. “And I have reached out to the chamber of commerce. I’ve been talking to taxpayers about it and everything as well. So a lot of people see the benefit with it, and Lorene’s right – there’s two options. The commission could vote for it, and we could also put it out to a vote.”

Additionally, Crofts mentioned the competing opinions on the role of the commission.

“Some people believe that the electorate put us into office to make these tough decisions,” he said. “Other people believe that the public wants to be more involved with that and have a direct say in what goes on with tax policy. So, when you’re saying, ‘What are our opinions on it,’ I think that this is a really good work session to have you all here and express your opinions, and I’d be interested to see what the cities’ support is. There’s 15 cities in Davis County. … Clearfield’s in favor of it, it sounds like. Other cities are reticent.”

Later in the meeting, after Layton City Manager Alex Jensen spoke strongly in support of the increase, Crofts said Layton – being the biggest city – would benefit the most.

“I think that there are some important things to weigh out and consider, but I think it’s also an important part of the legislative process to take feedback from the cities, from the communities, from the voters and make a thoughtful decision,” he said. “I don’t think that it’s responsible or taking our oath to office to just go off and make a decision without having the deliberative process and the feedback from everybody that we represent as well. … We’re listening to everybody and taking feedback. I don’t think it’s great to make a decision without weighing all the benefits. And you know, people are being stretched right now with taxes.”

He said he wanted to hear more from the business community because “business typically doesn’t like new taxes” and emphasized again it’s important to listen to everybody.

“And I’m listening to you,” he said to Jensen. “I’m interested if there’s other cities that have disagreements with you and Clearfield.”

Contact Standard-Examiner editor Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net.