This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
West Valley City • At the conclusion of a public hearing on Tuesday, the West Valley City Council voted 6-1 to approve an 18 percent property tax increase to cover a budget gap.
The increase will cost $5.87 per month, or $70.44 a year, on a home valued at $185,000. A business valued at $185,00 will pay $10.68, or $128.16 annually. Homes are taxed at 55 percent of their value, while businesses are taxed at 100 percent.
The city's most recent property tax increase was in 2006. The fiscal 2012 budget is approximately $63.6 million, a rise of less than 1 percent over fiscal 2011.
Mayor Mike Winder, the dissenter, said, "I would have preferred each department take a 5.8 percent decrease than see property taxes raise 18 percent."
The other council members said they want to maintain services rather than have more service cuts and attrition.
Councilman Russ Brooks passionately countered comments made at the hearing by State Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, who is head of the Utah Taxpayers Association.
Stephenson, who strongly opposed the tax hike, criticized the fact that West Valley City owns the Maverik Center and a fitness center that compete against facilities in the private sector.
"This is crazy. I've never seen anything like it. I just plead with you. Stop the direction you're going," Stephenson said.
As he was casting his vote, Brooks said the city balanced its budget for 26 years after its 1980 incorporation without raising property taxes to fund operational expenses. The first increase was in 2006 and the one approved Tuesday is only the second, he said.
There were three smaller increases for specific purposes — street lights, a fitness center and more police officers — between incorporation and now.
Raising his voice, Brooks said: "Sen. Stephenson, I can't believe that you would come in here and say to the previous councils, the previous mayors that they have not been doing the right things for the city. We have grown to a first-class city because of men and women that were elected by these citizens to make choices, to make this a better place to live, to play and to work."
Councilman Steve Buhler noted that the biggest piece of the budget is personnel, with police and firefighters being the two biggest departments.
"Although I could sit back and expect that four other people would pass this measure, I have found it to be dishonest in my heart to do that," Buhler said, adding that he's been threatened with being voted out of office if he voted for a tax hike.
"I'm OK with that because I would rather do the right thing today and not worry about how that might be perceived tomorrow," he said.
Councilwoman Carolyn Burt said the tax hike will affect her more than most people because she owns a home, five rental properties and two business properties in West Valley City, but she supports the increase.
She said it's "ridiculous" that city workers haven't gotten a raise in more than three years, and pointed out that police officers and firefighters put their lives on the line.
"I don't want to cut one police officer. Not one," Burt said. She added: "If everyone shares this burden, it's doable."
Councilman Don Christensen said he empathizes with residents who are worried about the financial impact of more taxes.
"I am on a fixed income, a fixed income, which, last week I was sent a letter saying it's going down," he said. "I didn't get a tax hearing on that."
Christensen said he still supports the tax increase. He told the crowd at the hearing that he recently attended a presentation about the state's new fireworks law and learned that cake fireworks costing $40 to $140 each were so popular that stores were selling out.
"If we've got burnable income out there for fireworks, we've got income for tax increases," Christensen said.
Councilman Corey Rushton said surveys of West Valley residents in recent years show that almost two-thirds are willing to pay more for increased fire and police coverage. The increase "is a necessary step to keep our city moving forward," he said.
He also said that saving a little money today could cost the city much more in the future if its credit or bond rating is affected.
"The thing that has really pushed me over the edge to support this budget and proposed property tax increase is not to be penny wise and pound foolish," Rushton said.
Councilman Steve Vincent said he does not want to see services decline.
Vincent demonstrated the city's online calculator that shows the estimated tax a property owner would pay.
The total for his home, valued at $142,400, from all taxing entities is $1,324.63, with Granite School District getting almost 44 percent. West Valley City's share is $352.91, or nearly 27 percent.
"Frankly I believe for the services I receive, that's a fair price," Vincent said of the city portion.
To watch a video of the West Valley City hearing and council vote on the tax increase, go to 1.usa.gov/r9Z1lv and click on the City Council tab.
Where does the money go?
West Valley City has created an online calculator that estimates property-tax bills based on the appraised value of a home, lists taxing entities and breaks down how the money is used. For example, the estimated property tax of a West Valley home appraised at $185,000 is $1,720.90, with the city's tax totaling $458.49. Of that amount, 31.46 percent is put toward police services and 12.89 percent goes to firefighting. The calculator can be found on the city website, http://www.wvc-ut.gov/. —
See the vote
To watch a video of the West Valley City hearing and council vote on the tax increase, go to 1.usa.gov/r9Z1lv and click on the City Council tab.