The Carbon County Commissioners gathered in the commission chambers for a regularly scheduled meeting recently. During this meeting, they were met with a proposal that would increase property tax levies. This was discussed by commissioners Casey Hopes and Jae Potter. Commissioner Jake Mellor was not present for the particular meeting.
County Clerk Seth Oveson presented these increases to the two commissioners, stating that they would be directed toward the municipal service and county assessing and collecting levies. A reason for the increased proposal was listed as a 9% increase in the county’s municipal services fund as well as the general fund in the previous year.
As explained by Oveson to the commissioners, it is the state law for the county to collect, distribute and otherwise manage all of the taxes for taxing entities that reside within the county. Oveson continued this sentiment by informing all that it currently costs Carbon County 1.2 million to conduct this effort. However, only $800,000 is collected on the levy.
One of the larger costs that exists within the municipal services fund is, in fact, the road services that are managed. With an approximated $3 million current budget, it is one of the higher funds that work to maintain the roads throughout the year. Oveson also wanted to ensure the commissioners and those in attendance that these increases are not to fund new employees or buildings.
With all of this having been discussed, it was then announced that the increase for 2018 would read around 45% for the assessing and collecting levy. That percentage would bring an additional $400,000. That number is not as large as the municipal services levy, which would raise to upward of $2,121,900. That is a 707.36% increase.
There is an opportunity for local voices to be heard before this proposal is approved or denied by the commissioners. As announced by Commission Potter, there will be open houses that are slated to take place on November 8 and November 13, respectively.
A public hearing will also take place during the next Carbon County Commission meeting that will be on November 14 beginning, as usual, at 4:30 p.m.