Citizens take commission to task on proposed property tax hike

By Rick Sherman
Sun Advocate Reporter

    “This community is not going to support any more taxes!” was the message delivered to Carbon County Commissioners during a public hearing Tuesday evening at the county administration building.
    Many in the overflow crowd watched the proceedings on monitors outside the commission chambers upstairs, and also from the Justice Court chambers on the first floor.
    The public hearing follows two informal open house events where county elected and appointed officials made their case for proposed increases in two property tax levies: a 45 percent hike in the Assessing and Collecting levy which would affect all property owners in the county, and a 707.36 percent increase in the levy for the Municipal Services Fund which would affect those living outside of municipalities. Officials have cited declining mineral lease revenue for the need to raise the tax levies in order to maintain the same level of services provided by the county.
    Commission Chairman Jae Potter opened the hour-and-a-half long public hearing with the assurance that the input received will be taken into account. “We are going to welcome your comments and pledge to take careful consideration into them as we weigh our decision regarding what that possible tax increase is,” he advised.
    Commissioner Potter reiterated his opposition to the proposals. “I want to state very publicly that I am not in favor of the tax increases.” He added, “Until we do some type of a formal, external audit and make any reductions in services and in departments, I will not support a tax increase.”         
    Comments in reaction to the proposed increases reflected the comments made during a similar public hearing in December of 2016 regarding a previous increase of about nine percent in the General Fund and the Municipal Services Fund. Commissioner Potter also spoke against the 2016 proposal, but in the end, voted with Commissioners Hopes and Mellor to approve the rate increase.
From disappointment
to outrage
    The comments at Tuesday’s public hearing ranged from disappointment to outrage and the tone was extremely critical of the commissioners and other county officials. The nearly three dozen people who spoke were unanimously in favor of cutting services or benefits rather than increasing tax rates.
    If the county continues to raise property taxes, predicted Michele Fidel, those on fixed incomes won’t be able to stay in their homes. She said, “They’re having to sell their homes because they can’t afford the property tax and they’re going to be living in an RV.”     
    Former Commissioner John Jones suggested the county actually has some additional money to work with, but it has been misappropriated. He said, “We should be utilizing the Class B road Funds and not drawing down the Municipal Services Fund. I really don’t believe there’s a need for a tax increase.”
    Business owner Alan Peterson concurred, and called on the commission to have an external audit. “Somebody else needs to look at the numbers, look at the budgets, look at the funds and make sure that you truly know where it sits so that the public can know where we truly sit.”
    Bob Tanner said the county is in a critical situation that has yet to bottom out, and he called upon the commissioners to quit. Tanner did not hold back in his comments, which were met with raucous applause. He said, “The three of you might not have the ability, or the insight, or the knowledge, or maybe you’re not capable of doing the job you’ve been elected to do and because of that, I’m asking all three of you to quit.”
    Businessman Bob Etzel was also blunt with the commissioners. He declared, “You have exceeded your authority and you have destroyed the economy of Carbon County. I only pay a little over $30,000 here to Carbon County, but I’m through investing and carrying you on my back!”
    Public comments will be taken through December 6 when a budget hearing will be held during the regular commission meeting. The commission will vote on the proposed budget during their December 20 meeting.