January 28, 2003

TO: All members in Carbon School District

RE: Proposed Tax Increase

Carbon School District officials will be proposing a property tax increase by increasing the special voted leeway election by 19%. If this tax increase is approved, the county’s revenue would be approximately $1.5 million.

District officials intend to use the increase to make teacher salaries more competitive. In 2002 Carbon School District’s property tax yield per student was 38% higher than the effective statewide average. With the proposed tax increase Carbon School District’s property tax yield per student will increase to 64% higher than the state average.

Utah taxpayers are among the most heavily taxed in the nation. Utah's total state and local tax and fee burden is 9th highest in the country and is 12.6% higher than the national average. Higher tax burdens lead to lower long term economic growth; therefore, when elected officials analyze their budget they should seriously consider the negative impact higher taxes will have on economic growth and future tax revenues.

The special election will be held on the Tuesday, February 4th, 2003, by ballot at polling places by precinct. The Taxpayers Association recommends that Carbon School District residents vote and make their opinions known.