Annual Impact of Proposed Weber School District Tax Increase
Property	$150,000 Valuation	$300,000 Valuation
Residence*	$9.98 increase	$19.97 increase
Business	$18.15 increase	$36.30 increase

* Residences receive a 45% exemption under state law. Business properties receive no exemptions.

School districts frequently claim that an increase in the voted leeway is necessary in order to obtain state matching funds. However, the district can still obtain matching funds by offsetting the increase in the voted leeway with a decrease in one of the other district levies. This would enable the district to obtain state matching funds while not increasing taxes on local taxpayers.

The Utah Taxpayers Association has concerns about the proposed tax increase:

1. Weber School District operation expenditures per student, largely instructional costs, increased at an annualized rate of 5.7% from 1997 to 2002, well in excess of inflation. During strong economic times, state and county taxpayers significantly increased spending for education.

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. Federal tax cuts, which are intended to stimulate the economy, are being offset by local tax increases, such as Weber School District’s tax 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.

Weber School District will be conducting a Truth-in-Taxation hearing at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, September 3rd, at the school district offices at 5320 So. Adams Ave, Ogden.