At the regular Carbon County Commission meeting on October 18 Carbon County Clerk Auditor, Seth Oveson presented a proposal to increase the taxes for the County Assessing and Collecting Levy and the Municipal Services Levy.

One of the proposals outlined showed a 45 percent increase that would affect every person in the county who pays property taxes. The second proposal shows a 707.36 percent tax increase on the Municipal Services Levy that would be assessed only to county residents outside of the incorporated city limits of Price, Helper, Wellington and East Carbon.

Since the presentation in October, many tax payers became very troubled and questioned the details of the proposed tax increases. It was then that commissioners took the concerns of citizens seriously and immediately organized two Open House meetings. Many individuals thought the meetings were going to be an opportunity to address the commissioners, but it was more of an informal gathering. Any recommendations or concerns by citizens were submitted in writing through a suggestion box that was made available throughout the evening.

At each Open House all of the department heads were in attendance where they utilized the time to explain the services their office provides and how they serve the community. There were many hand-outs given to guests, plus diagram comparisons showing various home values with the current tax amount and with the proposed increase. There was a ten-year timeline of the county’s budget which gave insight of how the expenses and earnings have contributed to the current situation of the county’s budget.

It’s now time for tax payers to step up to the podium to share comments in front of commissioners at the public hearing. It will take place on Tuesday, November 14 at 6:00 pm inside the Carbon County Administration Building located at 751 East 100 North. Participation at the public hearing is extremely valuable in order to give elected officials the public’s perspective on the tax increase proposal. Citizens who are unable to attend the hearing may listen live on KOAL FM 107.3/AM 750 or access the live stream on www.castlecountryradio.com.

County officials will take all of the written suggestions from both open houses, along with the testimonies made at the public hearing to guide them with the county’s budget process.