The Mapleton City Council considered Wednesday a proposed property tax increase of more than 60 percent for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

A large decrease in new construction and a general downturn in the economy has forced many cities in Utah to consider tax increases for the next year, but residents are left wondering if city officials have trimmed budgets as much as they could have. On average, taxes in Mapleton will increase by more than $150 a year.

Mapleton Mayor Laurel Brady said tax rates must increase when home values go down in order to keep revenue constant. However, while rates may increase by 60 percent this year, the city has decreased its budget by more than $800,000, a cut of approximately 25 percent. Brady said the increase comes not only because of a dipping economy, but also because the city has not raised its rates for at least 12 years. In the future, Brady said citizens would be better served by rate changes every couple of years, but rates must be increased now to continue serving residents.

Barbara Jensen, a Mapleton retiree, said she has been on a fixed income for years, and an increase in taxes for her does not correspond with an increase in her income. Unlike younger Council members, she said she does not have the option to go out and work.

"We can't. We're fixed. We can't vote us a raise," she said.

Councilman Brian Wall reminded residents that much of the property taxes pay for city services like police and ambulance which are necessary services for residents. Unlike parks and other beneficiaries of impact fees, the police department does not pay for itself.

"Police don't bring in very much income," he said.

Mapleton resident Gene Stevens said a good way to decrease spending in the city would be to decrease litigation spending with Wendell Gibby.

Wall said the city is looking for ways to decrease spending, but residents need to speak up about what specific services they do not want to pay for. The Council lives in the city, and officials have cut the budget as far as they can.

"We live here just like you do," he said. "We're not happy to raise our taxes as well."

Related

• Mapleton waits to make decision on access road to Gibby property