Although I'd intended to publish a little more on the proposed Weber County property tax gouge, I couldn't get any of the commissioners on the phone yesterday, so I'll have to put that project off. I'll be occupied for most of the day doing personal "chores," so I'll turn the place over to you folks to conduct an open forum.
One pet theory that I've been nursing, since learning of the proposed Weber County tax increase, is that the Weber County Commission, in making the proposal, may be firing a "shot over the bow" of the rival Ogden City administration over the "hoarding" of tax increment dollars that would otherwise flow to the county government. In other words, this proposed property tax increase, which would violate the campaign promises of at least two currently sitting Weber County Ccommisioners, may be as much about political posturing (as the 2006 Utah legislature begins preparation for its next session,) as about raising new county tax revenue.
I heard the same theory expressed by several people yesterday, as I visited Ogden's downtown farmer's market. If anyone else has any thoughts on this topic, it would be interesting to hear them.
And if there's anything else that you'd particularly like to discuss on any subject at all, please feel free to start up the conversation here.
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8 comments:
How long has it been since you have been to a town meeting with Rep. Rob Bishop fielding questions?
You have your chance this Thursday, August 18, at 8:00 p.m. at the Farr West Senior Center.
It is a lovely new building at 1896 North 1800 West in Farr West.
Farr West city government is an example to us all for there is no debt.
Get Jimmie Papageorge to move to Ogden and run him for mayor. He knows how to do things right.
Of course if Ogden had that many new residents and houses bringing that much new tax money we would probably be a little les apt to debt.
It would be good to hear from pro's and con's on this issue of just what the relationship is between the county commisioners and the big guy on nine and his five amigos on the city council.
Does any one out here have the straight unadorned true story on the dynamics and the connection between all of these off the wall RDA deals of the city's and the recent and proposed county tax hikes?
Rudi - can you get any of the commisioners to tell it like it is on this subject? The Wizard and his assistants will never give us the straight scoop, will any of these three on the county council?
I believe that it is going to be a tuff sell Ozboy. It seems like getting the "real" story would not be easy because both sides are going to put their spin on it.
Ut m'boy, what the hey happened? You just said that "both sides," and one side HAS TO BE our wonderous City Council, would put their own spin on things. You're saying that your champions are spin-misters? Good lord, the sky is falling!
Remember your words, Utmo.
Monday morning and a couple of thoughts: The Standard Examiner Op/ed lead chewed out the City Council and Mayor for the "No longer than 3 months" motel livng arrangement. Says that it's discriminatory, which it is.
Also, looks like the Chipmonk, you know, Jorgenson the clockwatcher, made 2B, when he explained why the new "communications" wizard had been hired by the City to help the Council communicate with the people. $28K a year for this position, a probably nice gal who will direct email, polls, and releases with "no spin," coming straight from our elected officials.
Wonder how she's going to deal with all the hot button issues on the plate to date?
Enjoy your day, and Rudi, for heck sakes, get something up and posted here. It's the final sign up day and there will be a feeding frenzy at City Hall around 4 pm. I like those who had the cojones to sign prior to the last minute, as it appears they are taking control of their own destiny, not waiting for someone else to do something so they could respond.
I was in the process of composing an article on our new "communications csar" even as you posted your comment.
Patience, gentle reader.
This is DEFINITELY the story of the day.
Oz,
Real rough cut... the city administration decided to take all of the tax increments allowable from the county. This left the county having to pony up the money for the rec center... see dian's post below for the whole skinny.
The reason the county might have raised taxes is to curb this sort of thing in the future. While the administration says this rec center will not cost us a dime... obviously it at least helped push the county to raise our property taxes. The tax increment is roughly $2.85 million over 10 years. This is helping to fund the rec center project... a possible reason for the increase.
From dian's post on the "Deja Vu" thread...
<<"The state legislature determined that cultural and recreational facilities are eligible to receive an additional portion of the property taxes being collected and distributed by the county from development project areas established prior to July 1, 1993. The tax revenue available for eligible projects is referred to as “additional tax increment.” The Redevelopment Agency decided in 2004 to request the “additional tax increment” for eligible projects."
This might answer at least one question many people have been asking-----Why a recreation center? This might be because the city could only get that tax money from Weber County for projects in either the cultural or recreational category.
My thought is that, since Weber county might lose that particular property tax revenue, from developmental project areas established prior to June 1, 1993, (courtesy of the Utah State Legislature,) should the recreation center project occur, it now feels that it has to make up that possible deficit by raising individual and business property taxes.
Another thing to note here is that the Legislature did not say -- You Must take these tax revenues for cultural and recreational projects. It said instead that it would allow these revenues to be taken, but it did not mandate it. It was the Ogden RDA that decided to take advantage of this and vote, in 2004, to take that revenue for a recreational (or cultural) project.
The document goes on to say that construction of the facility must commence before December 31, 2005, and that the additional tax increments must be pledged on or before July 1, 2005. It appears that this July 1, 2005 pledge was made.
This to me is a very good reason for Weber County to propose an individual and business property tax raise, because their tax revenue has been gouged for the recreation center project.
It makes sense. I of course have no way to know if this is indeed the motivation for the proposed recreation center and therefore the proposed tax increase, but it does make sense.>>
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