A 2018 budget open house are stated by commissioners to explain and answer questions that are concerning many taxpayers in Carbon County as county revenues are short and tax increases are discussed.
The county collects approximately $5 million of local property taxes. They also receive a variety of grants, loans, mineral lease funds, PILT funds, etc, that bring in an additional $22.5 million that make up the proposed $27.5 million approximate budget for 2018.
The commissioners talked to the Sun Advocate about several “hot buttons” associated with the proposed budget as tax payers want assurances that their tax dollars are being spent wisely.
The budget process
The 2017 current year budget was passed with the help of using $6 million out of the county’s reserves and that didn’t sit well with the commissioners. To address this problem, during the first quarter of this year the commissioners held departmental budget reviews and cut $4 million out of the $6 million that was going to come out of the reserves.
For the 2018 fiscal year budget, departments submitted requests to spend $5 million over expected revenues. The commissioners have cut $2.5 million out of these requests and are now dealing with budget requests of $2.5 million over expected revenues. And thus, the county is proposing a tax increase that would cover the $2.5 million shortfall.
Revenue streams
The county has seen a reduction of tax revenues over the past few years that include big dollars from centrally assessed property taxes, mineral lease funds and others. Fewer dollars from these sources puts pressure on the commissioners to raise local property taxes to make up the difference.
There are two proposed tax increases for 2018. One deals directly with the municipal services fund which impacts the un-incorporated areas of the county. The other is an increase in assessing and collecting of taxes which impacts the entire county.
Hopes explained that to cover the costs associated with law enforcement, fire, roads and other municipal services provided to county residents living outside of incorporated cities in Carbon County, a tax increase of almost 700 percent has been proposed.
“But, let’s make sure we know the numbers and put it into perspective,” said Potter.
He explained that on a home valued at $300,000 in all unincorporated areas of the county, would see their taxes increase about $337 annually.
The assessing and collecting portion of the tax increase would add another $40 a year to a home valued at $300,000 and will impact all properties in the county.
Mineral Lease Funds
This is another source of revenue that has been reduced drastically. From a high of over $7.5 million several years ago, commissioners are projecting about $2.5 million for 2018.
Centrally assessed property tax revenues are down significantly for the county. These revenues are collected by the state on such properties as utilities, mines, telecommunications and transportation companies.
These revenues used to account for 65 percent of the counties revenues. These revenues now cover only 41 percent, which forces local property taxpayers to make up the difference. Another reason for the proposed tax increase to cover the $2.5 million shortfall for 2018, voiced the commissioners.
The building of the 7th district courthouse
The county entered an agreement to build a new court facility for the state’s 7th district court with the agreement that the state will make the payments – not only until the building is paid off, but will continue to rent the facility from the county for a time afterward.
This concept is not new to the county as it repeats what happened when they constructed the existing court building.
“When it is paid off we get the revenues,” explained commissioner Casey Hopes.
Exit 241 landscaping project
This is a project that has been discussed over a period of time and has wide support which allows the county to progress with the plans. Currently the county has received a $50,000 UDOT grant, $10,000 from Castleview Hospital and another $70,000 from local businesses in the form of donations and materials as well as in-kind work.
Commissioner Jae Potter explained that the county’s portion of the project will be with providing the crushed rock, transportation and the labor needed.
“This is a project that will make a big difference people’s first impression with our county for minimal dollar expense on our part,” said Potter.
Commissioner Compensation
Both Hopes and Potter explained that they continually get asked about their compensation and future benefits that are paid after they are no longer on the commission.
Potter explained that they are on the states retirement program, and like all other employees of the county, the premiums are subsidized by the county. But, these premiums will quit when the commissioners are no longer employees of the county. They do not go on forever.
Commissioners are paid approximately $49,000 annually get 100% plus of their health insurance premiums paid, which is the same as other county employees. A cost of increase raise was approved for all county employees five years ago and again in 2017. They are considered full-time employees.
Budget open house meetings
The budget meetings will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the county administration building from 6 to 8 p.m. The second meeting is slated for Nov. 13 at the Carbon County Event Center from 6 to 8 p.m.
The actual budget hearing meeting will be at the commission chambers on Tuesday Nov. 14 at 6:00 p.m. as part of their regularly scheduled commission meeting. The final budget for 2018 will be passed before the end of this year.
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