ln 1965 congressional salaries were raised from $22,-500 to $30,000 – and four years ago there was a 41 per cent jump to $42,500. Now a new proposal in process would give congress members and some other officials salary increases reportedly in the neighborhood of $10,000 a year. Obviously rising living costs affect congressmen as well as everyone else. But are such massive salary increases justified?… Continue reading Congressional Pay Raise
Category: Taxes
Hold Line on Tax Levies
With a new fiscal year scheduled to begin July 1, officials of many Utah County taxing units – school districts, cities, etc. – are busy these days mulling budgets, preparing for public hearings, and projecting tax levies. In relation to this, the Herald makes these suggestions: 1. We urge taxing units to employ every appropriate… Continue reading Hold Line on Tax Levies
Utah’s Property Tax Bill – How Is It Shared?
Tax burdens for the average Utah property owner have become increasingly heavy in recent years – and they’d be heavier still if it weren’t for the big percentage of the total tax paid by owners of commercial and industrial property. According to studies by the Utah Foundation, private tax research organization, owners of business and… Continue reading Utah’s Property Tax Bill – How Is It Shared?
Ballot Overprint – Waste of Tax Dollars
Utah lawmakers, when the legislature meets early next year, should take a hard look at a section in the statutes which consistently results in waste of the taxpayers’ money. The rule in question is 20-7-6 which provides that the clerk responsible for the election print 50 per cent more ballots than the total number of… Continue reading Ballot Overprint – Waste of Tax Dollars
Soaring Assessed Values Accent Levy Cut Need
The 90.4 per cent jump in Utah County’s total assessed valuation is unprecedented. The figures further emphasize the absolute need for taxing units – cities, county, schools. and special districts – to drastically slice the tax levy. Otherwise, taxpayers are going to face unwarranted new burdens as a result of the property reappraisal, which is… Continue reading Soaring Assessed Values Accent Levy Cut Need
Utah Property Tax Burden
Total property taxes charged by all units of local government in Utah in 1975 will amount to $207,300,000, according to the Utah Taxpayers Association. This is an increase of $26,209,860 or 14.5 per cent over the figure for last year – largest increase in the state’s history. Summarized the taxpayers association: “The 40 school districts… Continue reading Utah Property Tax Burden
Sewage Plant Expansion – Bond Issue Needed
Provoans will vote on a bond proposition, in addition to choosing a city commissioner and a city auditor, when they go to the polls Tuesday. They will be asked to approve or reject a $5,000,000 bond issue to defray one-fourth the cost of expanding the city sewage treatment plant and adding appurtenant facilities. The expansion… Continue reading Sewage Plant Expansion – Bond Issue Needed
Alpine School Bond Vote
Alpine School District’s proposed $12 million bond election, slated Oct. 4., raises some questions for the citizenry and school board to ponder. Apparently the money is needed, or will be needed as bonding capacity increases, judging by the superintendent’s report of population growth. Priorities have been established for new elementary schools in Orem and American… Continue reading Alpine School Bond Vote
Evaluate Property Tax – Good Place to Cut
In a recent speech in Provo, Gov. Calvin L. Rampton said he regards local government as the most important element of the government structure because it is closer to the people and its actions have the most direct effect on people. “If your sewer line becomes plugged, it is more important to you to get that fixed… Continue reading Evaluate Property Tax – Good Place to Cut
Tax Trend: Still Upward
The property tax continues to rise in America despite demands for property tax relief and revenue sharing efforts to ease spending pressures on the tax. Property tax collections in 1974 will total close to $51 billion when the final figures are in, more than twice the nation-wide total only eight years ago, according to Tax Foundation Inc., based in New York. Property taxes, which vary considerably within… Continue reading Tax Trend: Still Upward