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Public comment criticizes transit subsidies and housing near stations
Summary
A resident told the commission she is concerned about rising property taxes, transit subsidies, and overbuilt housing near transit stations, urging commissioners to gather more data before expanding or increasing transit-related taxes.
During the public comment period, Jennifer Garner of Layton City told the commission she is concerned about the proposed '5th and 5th' tax and criticized taxpayer subsidies for the Utah Transit Authority and housing development incentives near transit stations.
"Property taxes in that neighborhood have tripled," Garner said. She argued that UTA and associated development have been subsidized by taxpayers ‘‘on the front end and on the back end’’ and urged commissioners to gather more data and ask more questions before asking taxpayers to pay more. Garner also questioned the occupancy and financial viability of several housing complexes built near transit stations and said some financing had been extended multiple times because occupancy was insufficient.
Her remarks were delivered during the public comment slot; commissioners did not take an immediate substantive response on the record but thanked her for commenting and moved into scheduled recognitions and business items.
