This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Gov. Gary Herbert's track record to make Utah the best performing economy in the nation is widely known, but his decisive approach to reducing the overall tax burden for Utah's citizens may not be.

To assess the tax burden on our citizens is not to look at one or even a few required taxes, but the total amount an individual pays. Taxes as a percentage of income have dropped from 9.6 percent in 2009 to 9.1 percent in 2015 and are projected to be about 8.9 percent in the coming year. Thus, the tax burden on a household making $60,000 goes from about $5,730 to $5,430 or a net reduction of more than $300.

Keeping taxes low is one thing, but to accomplish this while making landmark investments in education, preserving critical infrastructure and improving government services did not happen by accident. The Herbert administration focused on multiple fronts to achieve the vision. For example, all cabinet agencies were charged to improve performance by at least 25 percent. The results are paying off.

There are 149 Utahns per full-time equivalent state employee. When the governor took office, there were 134 Utahns per full-time equivalent state employee. If the ratio had held constant, 2,217 additional executive branch employees would have been hired by 2015. Using today's average costs, it is estimated that this efficiency has saved approximately $177 million to date — with additional savings to occur as efforts continue.

Cost reduction is only one part of the equation. Taxpayers are getting a better return on investment. For example, fingerprints processed at the Department of Public Safety are 55 percent more timely while the monthly average of fingerprints processed is up 9 percent. Visits to the driver's license office have increased by 23 percent and wait times have decreased more than 35 percent. When government services cost less and perform better, our tax burden is reduced.

Reducing and strategically managing debt contributes to lower overall costs for government. From day one in office, the governor set bold targets for reducing Utah's debt and strengthening Utah's position in the marketplace. Over the past five years, debt per-capita has been reduced by almost 45 percent, with Utah's total debt now reduced by $1.4 billion. The marketplace continually recognizes Utah's sound approach to managing its finances. Utah is one of only nine states awarded the AAA bond rating by the three major rating agencies.

Helping tax dollar recipients transition to becoming taxpayers is another key strategy within the Herbert administration. Utah's way is to embrace a safety-net approach that focuses on self-reliance and work instead of entitlement. By working with the private sector, communities, and families, people are moving out of poverty. Utah has some of the lowest enrollment and duration numbers on programs like food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Medicaid. People are helped when needed with a focus on moving them to self-reliance as quickly as possible.

Utah's poverty rate of 10.2 percent is among the lowest in the nation and is significantly lower than the national rate of 14.8 percent. Recent efforts with intergenerational poverty will do even more to eliminate poverty and support economic opportunities.

By growing the economy, reducing debt, holding government accountable, and helping to lift people out of poverty, the tax burden for Utah's citizens has been and will continue to be one of the lowest in the nation. Individuals and the private sector are what keep Utah at the forefront. By keeping government in check and taxes low, Utah will continue to the lead the nation in the years ahead.

Kristen Cox is executive director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.