Cache County passes 2014 budget with 5 percent tax increase

Both the Logan and Cache County School Districts raised property taxes in their successful bond elections on November 5. Now, the Cache County Council voted unanimously <span class=”aBn”><span class=”aQJ”>Tuesday</span></span> night to adopt a 2014 budget that calls for an additional five percent property tax increase.

County Executive Lynn Lemon had proposed a 10 percent increase but council members unanimously decided to make it five percent instead. Lemon said the smaller amount virtually assures that there will be another tax increase next year.

“In a year when we actually have a tax increase,” Lemon explained to the council, “the following August we have to have a Truth in Taxation hearing. It doesn’t make any sense but you have to go through and advertise that you increased taxes.

“And people come to us and say, ‘that doesn’t make any sense because you’ve already spent eight months of the tax.’ But that’s the law right now.”

Lemon said the Utah legislature is trying to change the way that is done.

The new budget totals $46,397,153 and includes money to increase wages for Cache County Sheriff’s deputies. The sheriff’s office is getting more money that will help encourage newly-hired deputies to stay.

Lemon said he realizes the property tax increase is hard on everyone but he also said to not raise taxes would not be realistic.

Under the new budget, employees will get a two percent pay increase but council members said when you include the benefits it is more like a five-and-a-half or six percent increase. Lemon agreed with council members that there will undoubtedly be budget cuts during the coming year.

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