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Richard Piatt ReportingThey say taxes are one of the sure things in life, but should there be limits? The people with the power to raise taxes are weighing in on the tax issue at a statewide conference today.
These are mayors, commissioners, council members -- decision makers. Most of them hate raising taxes as much as people hate paying them. They're learning from a Utah League of Cities and Towns poll that property taxes are the most hated tax of all. Sales tax is the least hated. But sales taxes help pay for things like the zoo, the arts, and some leaders think there should be more thought going into where that money goes.
Tom Hardy, Bountiful City Manager: "The resolution says, before we give sales tax authority to anyone, ourselves or anyone else, lets take a look at how governments in the state are financed and who ought to get it."
The idea is that property tax payers end up paying for most of the necessities cities and towns provide---things like streets, sewers and water. Some wonder if a larger portion of sales tax should go for those kinds of things too.
Dan Jones, Political Pollster: "The taxpayers are the consumer, and consumers are willing to pay the bill if they get the bang for the buck."
Dan Jones' poll shows most people aren't sure how taxes are divvied up or why they pay as much as they do. But more people want the people who are going to benefit from new sewers and streets to pay more for them.
Impact fees are a new trend decision-makers are picking up on as they figure out ways to pay for Utah's on-going growth.
