TO: All Members in Provo School District

RE: 15.7% Tax Increase for Provo School District

Provo School District will be proposing to increase its property tax rate 15.7% over the certified rate at its Truth-in-Taxation hearing on August 27th at 8 PM at the school district office.

If approved, the approximate property tax increase would be $67.65 for a $150,000 residence and $123 for a $150,000 business.

Utah taxpayers are among the most heavily taxed in the nation. Utah's state and local tax and fee burden as a percent of personal income is now 9th highest in the nation and is 12.6% higher than the national average. Higher tax burdens lead to lower economic growth, and elected officials should seriously consider the negative impact higher taxes will have on economic growth and future tax revenues.

The Utah Taxpayers Association applauds recent decisions by the Provo School District to reduce costs by closing underutilized schools. Nevertheless, the Taxpayers Association is concerned that the Provo School District is proposing a massive 15.7% tax increase, the largest increase of any school district in the state this year. The Association encourages all taxpayers to attend the public budget hearing set for August 27th and make their opinions known.

     *Please make copies of this Tax Alert and distribute them to
       residents of Provo School District.