Mayor Claudia Anderson's 2007-08 wish list could nearly double the city's property-tax share - to more than $350 collected annually on a $250,000 home. But the City Council likely will trim her request, just like it did last year.

"I gave [the council] a list of what the city needs - as a growing city - and now it's in their ballpark," Anderson said Monday, adding that the city needs to fund more employees, maintenance and open space.

To do this, "we need more taxes. If we don't, then we won't."

Last year's increase was less than half the 82 percent jump Anderson wanted. The approved rate boosted taxes paid on a $250,000 home by $50 a year.

Some residents fear they're paying for lawyers involved in ongoing mayor-council disputes.

"Something doesn't smell right, especially right on top of last year's increase," said Al Halbert. "I'm concerned, is [the mayor] trying to rack more money into the coffers so she can bring more lawsuits?"

In April, the city had to cough up nearly $300,000, in part to pay legal fees, cut ties with a former employee and fund a June 24 referendum on its form of government.

The city also must come up with cash to pay for additional law-enforcement coverage - $125,000 each for one or two more sheriff's deputies, including their equipment.

Councilman Craig Briggs said it's easy to see that raising taxes could be the only answer to fund lawsuits.

"We've spent an awful lot of money on legal fees that would have normally gone to things she has proposed - and we're not finished yet," Briggs said.

However, one council member dismisses the notion that a potential tax hike is a result of legal battles.

"We just need facilities and people to take care of parks and roads," said Jesse Kelley. "It doesn't look pretty. We need to do something. It's politically unpopular, but it's probably needed."

Still, not everyone is on board.

Councilwoman Nancy Lord wants to nix some of the mayor's requests to keep taxes at status quo. "You can make a wish list a mile long, but when you look at the reality of what it's going to cost, you're going to have to start cutting," Lord said.

Briggs said he cautioned Anderson that her requests should not come at the expense of the citizens. "She's stated all along that we need to raise taxes for things that aren't really necessary right now. There's no way we can do what she wants to do with our current revenue structure."

sgehrke@sltrib.com

What's next

Bluffdale's City Council will consider Mayor Claudia Anderson's proposed budget at its 4:30 p.m., June 12 work meeting in the council chambers, 14175 S. Redwood Road.