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SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Council forged ahead in adopting amendments to next year's budget despite the mayor's threat to veto, and pushed a proposed property tax increase to $8 million.
The newest version of the tax hike represents an approximate 13.8 percent increase, which means $54.34 annually for the average $200,000 household, or $494 for a $1 million business.
After a week of mulling over a proposed $7 million increase, councilmembers said they felt they could raise the bar higher in order to dedicate more money to long neglected capital improvement projects.
The motion came from councilmember Kyle LaMalfa, who said the city has reached the bottom of its ability to make budget cuts, and the tax hike is imperative to prevent future problems as infrastructure continues to decline.
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The extra $1 million brings the council allotments for funding core services and crumbling roads to $5 million. Prioritizing those projects is scheduled to be addressed in a meeting July 9.
City Councilmembers Stan Penfold and Carlton Christensen maintained their opposition to the proposed increase during Tuesday's work meeting and formal meeting, but the proposal still advanced with five supporting votes, which would have power to override a veto from Mayor Ralph Becker.
