Residents tell council tax increase will burden fixed-income homeowners

Several residents told the council during the required Truth in Taxation hearing that the proposed property tax increase would place additional burdens on people on fixed incomes and on homeowners hit with recent county reassessments.

Cindy Beeston, who introduced herself during public comment, said she appreciates public safety pay increases but urged budget reductions rather than a tax hike, noting the strain of housing, food and fuel costs. Doug Yawker, who said he has lived in North Logan for most of his life, described the effect of sharply increased home valuations over decades and said the cumulative impact is heavy on long-term residents on fixed incomes.

Tim Tolbert recounted recent county reassessment impacts: "Last year, I own 3 properties in North Logan. Last year, 1 of my properties was reassessed, and my property taxes increased at the county level 67%. The other property, which is a vacant building lot, increased by a 120%... So in addition to the county increases, the reassessing values, then we're adding 10% on top of 120%. So, it's not really 7%, it's more like 14% for me." An emailed comment from Janet Forbush, read into the record, asked why the hearings were scheduled when many are away and questioned whether the pledged allocations to police and fire would actually materialize.

Those speakers urged the council to find alternative revenue sources and to consider the impact on residents who cannot absorb higher costs.