Cache County weighs tax increase vs budget cuts

Last year, Cache County Council members planned to increase property taxes by 10 percent but in the end decided to go with a five percent tax hike. This year, another decision has to be made.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, a lot of time was spent going over the budget. County Executive Lynn Lemon said last year’s tax increase went mainly to the road department which had serious financial problems.

Lemon said without a tax increase this year it may be wise to cut the budget overall by five percent.

“So by October 21, even before we get the total budget done, you have to decide if you are going to do a tax increase,” said Lemon. “And if you are, then we are required to send out notice to all the citizens, all the property owners. It has to go out in the tax notice.”

Councilmember and County Executive-elect Craig Buttars said efforts should be made to cut expenses by five percent. A five percent property tax increase adds up to $22 a year on a home valued at $188,000.

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