September 2018 | Vol. 18 Iss. 09
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TRUTH IN TAXATION DECISION brings 18 percent property tax increase By Erin Dixon | erin@mycityjournals.com n Aug. 18, the West Jordan City Council approved an 18 percent property tax increase . The last property tax increase in West Jordan City was in 2012. Before that was 1988— one tax increase in 30 years. The population has grown from 47,800 residents to 114,000 in that 30-year period. The money from the property tax goes to several places. The majority goes to school districts and Salt Lake County. David Brickey, city manager, outlined the details of the proposal to the council and public at the Truth in Taxation meeting Aug. 18. “[These] dollars do not necessarily end up in the city. The city gets 15 cents for every dollar collected,” Brickey said. “The city would end up with 18 cents of that dollar [with this increase].” Increased population means more residents to collect tax from, but the income for the city is still insufficient to meet the needs of the expanding community. With an average 2.7 percent inflation each year since 1988, $1,000 does not buy as much it did 30 years ago. The same $1,000 now covers only $476 in goods and services. Inflation affects salaries, health insurance and materials for building and repairs. Public comments The proposed tax increase was for 20 percent more than the current tax rate. The council chamber was full of residents with polarizing opinions. Some were in favor of the increase with no hesitation. Others were desperate to keep the rate the same. Jeff Black, a husband, father and 12-year resident of West Jordan said his employer won’t raise his salary just because the city raises taxes. “My income is not going to increase,” he said. “Please do not pass this increase. Do your best and leave things as they are.” Jamie Bevilhymer said that her income is a fixed $14,000 per year and was not in favor of the increase. “Citizens are made to believe they have no choice,” Bevilhymer said. “I wonder if in all your doings you can in your heart and soul say that you don’t waste, abuse or misspend. I am
sure you will find the money somewhere else. It has been done before.” Colleen Laird asked the council to look again at the budget to cut out unnecessary spending. “I would suggest you look at all the wants and the needs,” Laird said. “Clearly, fire and police are needs. What are the wants?” Jake Thomas was in favor of the increase. “Sometimes with police, seconds count for public safety,” he said. “It is your responsibility to protect all the citizens.” Some of the resident comments came from West Jordan police officers. Patrol Sgt. Hawn spoke about the needs for his force. “We’ve had the most calls in the valley,” he
said. “We are all in favor of this. This is not raises for us. We have domestic violence, we have rapes, we have priority calls. It takes us three or four hours to get to the lower priority calls. Let us recruit and retain the officers. Please help us out.” In total, there were nine resident comments in favor of the increase—nine opposed and two that were fence-sitters. Councilmember comments Mayor Jim Riding addressed a concern that was brought up several times during the public comments: cutting unnecessary spending. “I put budgets together for this city for years,” he said. “Working through those budgets, I never felt we had any fluff.” continued on page 5...
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David Brickey, city manager, gave a presentation before the public hearing that outlined what the increase of property tax would fund. (Erin Dixon/City Journals)
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