American Fork will hold hearings on an estimated 14 percent property tax increase in upcoming weeks, and will ask residents to approve four additional property tax increases for bond issues in the fall.

American Fork City Council members worked through three hours of financial angst on Thursday as they pared down a list of what the city needs to what Council members hope residents will be willing to approve.

If Council members approve a proposed $38 property tax increase and residents approve all four proposed bonds this fall, the total spike in property taxes over last year on a $220,000 home would be about $90. A public hearing could be held as early as Aug. 5. The city plans to mail details of the proposals to residents in the coming weeks.

Despite cutting millions of dollars from the list of city needs, Council members expressed concerns about how residents would meet any tax increases, let alone the five proposed.

"Of the citizens who have talked to me, I don't think they can tolerate any tax increase," said Councilman Rick Storrs. "At least 100 have talked to me and they were all dead-set against it."

"We ought to communicate to the public and say, 'These are things we need as a city, you tell us how much you want to raise taxes on what you want, if anything,' " said Councilman Dale Gunther.

"This is a hard year and people are strapped," said Councilwoman Heidi Rodeback. "I can tell you in my own family I have had to be creative to get by with these gas prices. ... I'm talking about hunkering down because of hard times."

At one point in the meeting, Councilwoman Sherry Kramer said one of the smaller proposed tax increases would be the equivalent of her family cutting two trips to Del Taco to eat.

"I don't have two trips to cut out," Rodeback replied.

Mayor Heber Thompson reminded the Council that any tax increases would be on top of the new pressurized irrigation fees.

The first proposed tax would be determined by a Council vote, not a public vote, and would increase the city's share of property tax. A public hearing would be held in August. Council members said they need a 14-percent increase over last year to provide $250,000 to patch roads torn up by installation of the new pressurized irrigation system, $348,000 to pay for the Art Dye Trail in order to avoid the loss of nearly $600,000 in federal grant money for the trail, and to pay the salary for a library computer technician.

The library tech position is "mission critical for the library," Rodeback said. "They need someone or they cannot offer computer service, and the library catalog is online. Without that, the library shuts down."

The other four proposed tax increases would be bond issues on which residents would vote in the November election.

• The first bond would allow the city to borrow $6 million, which would cost the owner of a $220,000 home just more than $27 dollars a year in property taxes for 20 years. The money would be spent on speed mitigation and to construct or improve 50 South, 900 West to 1120 North, a bridge at 1120 North and two trails.

Council members had originally wanted to bond for $17 million for roads but cut the list to $6 million, saying residents could not afford the larger amount.

• The second bond would allow the city to borrow $2.4 million to improve Art Dye Park and improve Beehive Road. This bond would cost the owner of a $220,000 home about $11 per year for 20 years.

• A third bond would allow the city to borrow $3 million to expand the cemetery. This would cost $13 a year for 20 years for a $220,000 home.

• A fourth bond would allow the city to borrow money to purchase open space. This would cost just more than $1 a year for a $220,000 home for 20 years.

• A fifth bond, which would have allowed the city to borrow money to expand the parking lot at the American Fork Fitness Center, was removed from consideration and will not appear before voters this fall.