Property Tax Reciept

The past few weeks have left this blog a little empty as every spare minute that I had was used going through the City budget for this fiscal year. This has been a constant process ever since the City Council strategic plan meetings in February. Adjustments were even being made up to the last minute as we were set to bring this proposed budget to the regular City Council meeting. One of the other things that I have worked hard on during the past few weeks is the creation of the West Valley City property tax receipt calculator. Regardless of where anyone stands on the taxes and services questions, having a reliable, quick, and accurate tool in evaluating how much a household spends relative to their services received is something that every resident should have. The receipt also has some things that I found as a surprise. Namely the amount of money spent per household on round the clock police and fire service. I worked with our new City attorney in drafting up this resolution so that this tax receipt will remain official city policy in some form or another for years to come. I appreciate the suggestions and support from my colleagues on the City Council and for speedy work of the City staff in implementing this great tool.

You can find the tax calculator at http://www.wvc-ut.gov/index.aspx?NID=1115

The text of the resolution is below:


WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH
RESOLUTION NO. ______________________
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CREATION
AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROPERTY TAX
RECEIPT SYSTEM.
WHEREAS, West Valley City incorporated in 1980 to provide better service and planning control for its residents, among other things; and
WHEREAS, West Valley City provides essential municipal services such as police, fire
and public works; and
WHEREAS, to help fund these services West Valley City is authorized by Utah Code
Annotated §10-6-101, et. seq., to assess property taxes on residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is charged with appropriating those funds for the public good; and
WHEREAS, property tax funds are important to the financial stability and progress of
West Valley City; and
WHEREAS, education, public input, and transparency are all important parts of the budget process; and
WHEREAS, many safeguards and controls are in place to protect the integrity of public
funds; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of West Valley City, Utah, determines that it is in the best interests of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of West Valley City to provide a property tax receipt to provide information on how property taxes are used to provide municipal services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of West Valley City,
Utah, that it be the policy and practice of West Valley City to provide a property tax receipt for the use and benefit of the taxpayers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the property tax receipt be made available by widespread and popular means so that all taxpayers may be better informed as to the services that West Valley City provides relative to the property taxes collected.