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Officials attribute Emery County tax increases to state valuation changes and declines in centrally assessed property values
Summary
Emery County commissioners explained to Green River residents that rising property tax bills reflect state-directed value assessments—counties must hit a 90% threshold—and a recent drop in centrally assessed commercial property value (officials cited roughly $432 million), shifting more of the tax burden onto local residential property owners.
County officials explained at a public meeting that local property-tax bills reflect two variables—property value and tax rate—and said Emery County’s tax rate has been unchanged for years while state valuation decisions have raised assessed property values.
A county speaker described how the state instructs counties to set values at or above 90% of the state’s estimated fair market value. The county assessor, Chris Bell (referenced in the meeting), raised residential values about 8% this year to comply with the state requirement. Officials warned that when centrally assessed commercial properties—like power plants or other utilities—lose assessed value, the share of the tax base paid by residential property owners increases.
Commissioners said centrally assessed assets in Emery County have declined substantially; one commissioner said power-plant assessments had fallen by approximately $432,000,000 during the speaker’s tenure, and another speaker noted centrally assessed properties decreased by about $25,000,000 this year. Officials attributed part of the change to a multimillion-dollar judgment against Pacific Corp in Oregon that reduced the company’s overall value and, therefore, its apportioned value in Utah.
Representative Logan Monson said legislators are preparing to address property-tax policy in the upcoming session and urged residents to follow January–March committee work. "Property taxes is going to be a big topic this coming session," Monson said, and he encouraged residents in rural counties to raise concerns with their lawmakers.
There was no formal action at the meeting. Commissioners urged residents to attend budget hearings and contact county and state officials about tax policy and valuation questions.
No ordinance, resolution or vote was taken at the meeting.
