But the abatement is not a done deal. The county school board needs to approve the concept. Either way, Bountiful resident Marva Egbert, whose tax bill shot up $900 this year, doesn't like the increase in her property's taxable value.

Speaking for herself and 23 widows, all members of her neighborhood church, she said the increase "hits right at their heart." She personally plans to appeal the recent 60 percent jump in the value of the land under her modest home.

The proposed tax abatement - $1 million from the county and $4.5 million from the Davis School District - is possible because of an unexpected windfall due to recent property reassessments piled on top of December's tax increase, due when property taxes are paid this fall.

The Davis Board of Education, also on Tuesday, unanimously voted to join the county in the tax abatement.

"It's above and beyond what was budgeted," said Bruce Williams, the district's assistant superintendent.

Here's how the abatement would work:

Homeowners who saw more than a 24 percent increase in their property values over the past two years would qualify for a reduction in their tax bill of $100 for every $20,000 beyond that threshold.

The decrease, calculated by the county, would show up as an equity-abatement credit on November tax notices, according to Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings.

Even with the abatement, evaluation appeals would still be encouraged. That deadline is Sept. 17. Last year, Davis County received 1,400 appeals. With less than a month to go, 502 have appealed this year, said Rawlings.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com