Some felt it was long overdue - considering it had been 50 years since this city's last property-tax boost.

"This is an action which is several years too late," said Councilman Casey Fitts. "The belt-tightening in recent years lacked vision."

Under former Mayor Wes Losser, who served from 2002 to 2005, the city trimmed 24 staff positions, capital spending was cut in half and some employee wages fell behind area market levels by 12 percent to 20 percent.

Fitts said he was keeping campaign promises he made last fall.

Council members Marilyn Brusch and Shane Siwik voted against the tax increase, even though they agreed with the need to raise wages.

"There's been enough proof to me of the need to bring employees up to par. We know we're losing employees. Some can make $800 more a month somewhere else," Siwik said.

But Siwik preferred to boost employee pay from the city's savings - a capital fund that has grown to almost $9 million over several years and is earmarked for repairs and upgrades.

Brusch said she would prefer a gradual tax increase - phased in over several years - rather than the whole amount all at once.

Council Chairman Bill Anderson blamed Utah lawmakers for the city having to take such drastic action.

"We wouldn't be having this conversation were it not for the actions of the state Legislature in this last session," Anderson said, referring to the changes in state law governing how sales tax revenues are distributed to municipalities.

"They took $1.5 [million] to $2 million away from this city," Anderson said. "If you want to be mad at somebody, that's who to be mad at."

Some saw Wednesday's landmark vote as a new beginning.

"I can't help but believe there's been a minimalist approach on the part of our past leaders," said Councilman John Weaver.

"This is a bold move into the future. Our city's potential is tremendous - we have real estate's top three assets - location, location, location."

Several off-duty police officers and firefighters attended Wednesday's vote, eager to know the outcome.

"It's a good day for us all," said Jason Nicholl, spokesman for Local 4080 of the International Association of Firefighters.

"For the longest time we felt we'd been asked to provide the impossible with the insufficient," said Nicholl.

"Now the city is living up to their side of the bargain - a fair, livable wage on par with other cities. This was a thank you for enduring the last four years."

cmckitrick@sltrib.com

What this means

l 134 percent property tax increase

l Taxes on a $150,000 home jump from $101 per year to $236 - or an extra $11.25 per month