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Richard Piatt ReportingA political hot potato is landing in the lap of a few city leaders in Utah this year. Some of those cities are talking about raising property taxes.
Lee and Janet Drake of Murray say their mayor isn't painting a very pretty picture with his idea to raise property taxes by 40-percent.
Janet Drake, Murray Resident: "I think that's way too much." "I THINK THAT'S WAY TOO MUCH."
Lee Drake, Murray Resident: "I fact, we're not thrilled at all."
But according to Murray's mayor, that money is needed to fix chronic and growing road problems in the city that won't get done otherwise.
Dan Snarr, Murray City Mayor: "The city's future is what I'm trying to address. And unfortunately, it takes money to address that future in today's dollars."
Murray's mayor isn't alone. For the first time in a few years more cities in Salt Lake County are serious about property tax hikes, at the same time. New businesses and new residences mean more tax money. But even all the growth and new construction can't keep up with the new demands on services -- things like police, water, sewer and fire.
In Salt Lake City, Mayor Rocky Anderson wants to beef up the police force with property tax money. That, along with voter-approved improvements to the Leonardo center, and to preserve open space, would cost the owner of a 190-thousand dollar home about 38-dollars more per year.
The Murray request would add 67-dollars a year to the taxes paid on a 200-thousand dollar home.
West Valley City is also creating a stir, considering a property tax hike of 133-dollars for the owner of a 150-thousand dollar home. That's a 64-percent jump. According to assistant city manager Paul Isaac, the city's needs have grown, revenue has not, to the point that doing nothing will mean severe cuts in services.
Paul Isaac, West Valley City Manager: "In my opinion, it's going to be a very drastic thing to do, and citizens will see it."
Back in Murray, higher taxes are easy to get mad about.
Janet Drake, Murray Resident: "What we get from Murray City is very little, as far as I'm concerned."
It's a dispute that won't be glossed over easily. Public hearings on each of these property tax increase proposals will be held during the summer.
