August 8, 2003
To: All Members in Uintah School District
Re: Proposed Tax Increase
Unitah School District is proposing a 7.4% increase above the district’s certified property tax rate. With new growth and other factors, the district’s property tax revenue will increase 10.7% over last year’s revenues.
|
Annual Impact of Proposed Uintah School District Tax Increase
|
| Property |
$150,000 Valuation |
$300,000 Valuation |
| Residence* |
$35.15 increase |
$70.29 increase |
| Business |
$63.90 increase |
$127.8 increase |
* Residences receive a 45% exemption under state law. Business properties receive no exemptions.
The increase in the capital outlay levy accounts for 56% of the total increase, and the increase in the recreation levy accounts for nearly a quarter of the total increase. The proposed recreation levy is 42% higher than the certified level.
The Utah Taxpayers Association opposes this proposed tax increase for the following reasons:
1. Uintah School District raised taxes last year. Of Utah’s 40 school districts, only eight districts raised taxes last year and are proposing a tax increase this year. Of these eight districts, only three – Uintah and two others—are proposing two consecutive years of large tax increases.
2. Utah is currently experiencing severe economic problems. Utah’s per capita bankruptcy rate is highest in the nation and is twice the national average. Unemployment is still at historic highs. Increased taxes only exacerbate these problems and make it more difficult for businesses to hire and keep employees.
3. In order to stimulate the economy, the federal government has significantly reduced taxes. However, much of this economic stimulus is being reduced by state and local tax increases, such as Uintah School District’s increase.
4. Utah’s total state and local tax and fee burden as a percent of personal income is 10th highest in the nation and is 12.5% higher than the national average. Higher tax burdens lead to lower long term economic growth.
Uintah School District will be conducting a Truth-in-Taxation hearing Tuesday, August 12th, at 7:00 pm at the Uintah School District office, 635 West 200 South, Vernal.
*Please make copies of this Tax Alert and distribute them to
residents of the Uintah School District.
|
|
|
