Kinard looks back
page 13 August 6, 2021 | Vol. 3 Iss. 1
$1.50
School board votes on tax increase By Becky Ginos becky.g@davisjournal.com
SIGNS OF CHANGE Fabian N. Rosenlof takes one last look at “Home of the Braves” sign before removing it. A new Red Hawks back-illuminated sign will soon replace it. The Braves mascot was retired at the end of the school year after some former students expressed concern over the meaning behind it.
Photo by Roger V. Tuttle
FARMINGTON—After more than two hours of public comment during a Truth in Taxation hearing on Tuesday, the school board voted five to one to approve a tentative budget that includes a property tax increase of $183.74 a year on a $403,000 home. School board member Cheryl Phipps cast the only dissenting vote. “Values of homes go up but people don’t get the benefit of that unless they sell their home,” she said. “I’m opposed to the timeliness of it. An increase is not a good thing right now. I’ve always been an advocate for people on a fixed income.” According to the district, “by law, the notice doesn’t incorporate the district’s debt tax rate, which is falling because the district continues to pay off existing debt. Because the school board has paid down debt and is not issuing any new bonds, the district can lower the tax rate by $122.79 making the overall increase $60.95 a year or $5.12 per month.” The increase is to maintain $7.8 million in matching funds from the Utah State Legislature. Every five years the district must achieve minimum levels of tax Please see TAXES: pg. 22