The gist
The new tax rate represents a 4.55% increase from last year’s budget, which will net approximately $166,083 in property tax revenue.
Multiple City Council members noted that the increased tax rate is lower than the $0.51 per $100 valuation rate adopted in 2016, and that the increase is primarily due to rising labor costs. The increased tax rate will cost the average homeowner roughly $80-$100 more per year.
What they're saying
Place 5 council member Glenna Pearce expressed concern about a potential tax burden on residents in the long term.
“I've been vocal with not raising taxes. This year is a little different ... our city has reached a peak with all the services that we're providing, and that makes it tricky,” Pearce said. “When that happens, there's three ways that we can fix it, and that is raising taxes, giving up amenities, or minimizing our expenses ... I'm going to vote for the tax increase this year, but unless something major happens, I will not be voting for another one while I'm on council.”
Place 4 council member Wendy Gonzalez said the increased tax rate is needed due to flat property values.
“When the property values are flat and we're bringing in a lower rate than we used to, we can't provide the same services when everything out there costs more, and that's the reality,” Gonzalez said.
Place 3 council member Dale Randol praised department heads for finding savings in the budget over the three-month budget planning process.
“Yes, it's a tax increase, but I think if you watch the budget meetings, and what we went through, and the $400,000 that our department heads went out and found and put back in the budget, I think we've done a really good job,” Randol said.
Place 2 council member Todd Kounse said the increase is a needed step.
“We're raising this to meet the needs of the town, and it could be a whole lot worse,” Kounse said.
Place 1 council member Jim Rodriguez said the increase is needed to maintain quality personnel.
“I think everybody appreciates the services we have for police and fire. They want to keep them, keep them healthy and keep good people in those [positions],” Rodriguez said.
Mayor Chester Drash said the majority of the expenses are in employee salaries and that it is a needed expense if the city wishes to continue to attract top talent.
“The salaries are going up in every aspect of municipal government, as well as private business. That's our biggest expense, and it's not going to go backwards,” Drash said. “But if we want to get people from the government coming to us that are qualified [then] that's where it's at.”
