Davis property taxes to rise 37%
Board OKs budget and defends need for funds
The Davis County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the county's $87.7 million budget for 2007, including a property-tax increase of $60 per year on the average home, valued at $171,000.
The tax increase could bring Davis County's rate closer to that of Salt Lake County. In 2006, Davis County's tax rate was 73 percent of Salt Lake County's rate and 42 percent of Weber County's rate. Numbers for 2007 won't be finalized until the counties set their certified tax rates in June.
During a public hearing Dec. 13, Davis County residents and business owners showed up to protest the tax hike, and of the 15 people who spoke during the hearing, only two supported the increase. The hearing was part of the county's fulfillment of Truth in Taxation requirements mandated by state law for tax increases.
"I'm not persuaded to change my mind on the necessity of an increase," Commissioner Dannie McConkie said Tuesday. "I enjoy the protection of the the county government just like every other citizen in the county."
Commissioner Carol Page said no one likes paying higher taxes. "We certainly have empathy for them and their concerns that were expressed that evening," she said.
Since the summer, commissioners have been talking about the county's priorities for the 2007 budget, and highest on their list was funding the operations of the newly expanded Davis County Jail, which will begin housing inmates in the spring.
Voters approved a $24.8 million bond to build the jail during the 2003 election, with the understanding that a tax increase would be needed for jail operations down the road once the jail was completed, Page said.
Tax-increase dollars are also earmarked for repairs and upgrades to the county's 19 flood-control channels, which are eroding and decaying near homes and under major roads.
McConkie and Public Works director Tom Smith took their message of the need for an increase to all 15 city councils and made presentations showing scoured-out concrete and steel pipes, sink holes and erosion.
"It's not going to get any better if we put it off," Smith said.
Over the next 14 years, Public Works will spend $52 million on 108 projects around the county.
The rest of the tax increase is slated to pay for five new Meals on Wheels vans, new kitchen equipment and help to take the burden off overworked employees in the Davis County Division of Senior Services.
Recent comments
Last year, my taxes on a 200K valued home in North Salt Lake went…
Jack | Aug. 18, 2008 at 5:26 p.m.
