Nothing - or so he argues.

The manager of the Veyo Culinary Water Association has written letters to the County Commission asking that his 400 shareholders be removed from the district's tax rolls because they receive no benefits. After all, Veyo, a hamlet north of St. George, gets its water from springs.

Jones noted several other smaller towns in southwestern Utah's Dixie - such as Springdale, Enterprise and Rockville - back Veyo's position because they too are taxed by the district and receive no services.

"Normally, users of a utility pay for it," he said.

Jones also worries that Veyo tax dollars will be used to help build a controversial pipeline from Lake Powell to a reservoir near St. George - even though his community will get no water from the project.

"It's not up to me [the Veyo association] to build the pipeline to St. George to supply newcomers with water," Jones said. "If and when it benefits us, we'll pay the impact fee."

But Washington County Commissioner Alan Gardner said the commission cannot exempt the Veyo association from paying those property taxes. He said the levy is applicable to all property owners in the county because they all benefit - in some way - from the district.

"If people work and shop in areas served by the district, like St. George or Washington or Hurricane, then they benefit from the water," Gardner said.

Jones counters that when Veyo residents buy items in St. George, the price already includes those water costs.

Ron Thompson, executive director of the conservancy district, said the agency has no intention of exempting Veyo.

"All those people working in the St. George area drink water we provide," Thompson said. "We hear things like this occasionally, but they benefit."

mhavnes@sltrib.com