A large number of community members gathered at the Carbon County Commission Chambers on Tuesday evening to ensure that their voices were heard. Not a single person, out of nearly 40, that spoke to the Carbon County Commissioners were in favor of the recently proposed tax increase.
With a proposed property tax increase for county assessing and collecting (44.99%) as well as municipal service funds (707.36%), this is a significant proposed increase that will affect Carbon County residents. A large turnout was predicted and measures were taken. Seating extended out of the commission chambers into the lobby. There was also a live stream that took place in the Justice Court where extra seating was provided.
A sign-in sheet was made available for those that wished to speak and all that stood before the commissioners were given a two-minute time limit to state their opinion. While the commissioners gathered information from the community, they did not answer questions during the public hearing.
Commissioner Chair Jae Potter pledged that the commissioners would take careful consideration of all the opinions voiced. He also expressed that a full copy of the budget can be found on the commissioners’ website. A copy of the budget may also be obtained through the county clerk’s office.
A form of the budget must be passed by Dec. 31. In early December, the commissioners plan on hosting another budget hearing with a revised tentative budget to continue. Commissioner Potter stated that they anticipate some form of the budget being officially passed at the regularly-scheduled Dec. 20 commission meeting.
Commissioner Potter then thanked those that participated in the budget open houses that recently took place. He also expressed a personal opinion on the proposed increase.
“I want to state very publicly that I am not in favor of the tax increases,” Commission Potter stated.
With that, the floor was open to the public that had signed up to speak. A myriad of opinions and thoughts were expressed throughout the hearing, which over one hour. Former Carbon County Commissioner John Jones spoke about the use and subsidizing of county monies in the past. Many that spoke stated that they believed that too many structures and additions are built without taking time to work on bringing businesses into the area.
Another opinion expressed was on county roads. Particularly, three that are maintained by Carbon County: Emma Park Road, Nine Mile Road and Ridge Road. All three roads are Class B roads that receive state monies. A suggestion was made that they work on turning those back over to the state instead of keeping them as county roads.
Local resident Bob Tanner made the request that the current commissioners quit their jobs to make way for others to take the position. While many points were raised and opinions were expressed, it was clear that there wasn’t a single person in favor of the proposed increases.
Watch ETV Channel 10 daily at 12 p.m. to view the public hearing.
