On Wednesday evening, the Carbon County Commissioners welcomed a large number of the community to their chambers following their regularly scheduled meeting for a meeting revolving around two public hearing. These two hearings pertained to the proposed increase to the Carbon County Municipal Services Fund certified tax rate as well as the 2020 county budget.
Extra chairs were placed not only in the chambers, but in the hallway outside and the courthouse located down the stairs as well. Those that wished to have their opinion heard were welcomed to sign up beforehand and were given two minutes to speak.
The meeting began with Commission Chair Larry Jensen laying out ground rules, including keeping doorways clear to meet the fire code. He also stated that comments from the audience at large would not be taken. Before opening the public hearing portion, background on the tax rate increase was given.
Commissioner Casey Hopes then explained why the increase is necessary, including the decrease in funds since 2008. He also touched on how many areas have increased in expenses. The municipal services fund has not had a tax increase since it was funded, he explained.
Commissioner Tony Martines stated that the county has done all possible to avoid a tax increase, including asking all department heads to reduce their costs. The budget will not provide any raises for county employees.
Following these remarks, Carbon County Clerk/Auditor Seth Marsing assisted the commissioners in presenting a brief slideshow for those in attendance and viewing from home on budget differences in the years past and present, as well as the proposed 2020 budget.
Once this had been completed, the public hearing portion of the evening was opened, noting for the record the individuals that prior correspondence had been received from. All that wrote in and called were in opposition.
One man remarked that he had lived in the county his entire life and had never witnessed a proposed increase at this rate. Another speaker assured the commissioners that she would lose her property if the increase passed.
“You’re going to tax me out of existence,” she stated.
While one woman stated that she is unopposed to the increase, she spoke on the time it takes for growth in the economy and urged others to understand that. She then stated she would like to see funds toward those that are downtrodden.
One individual, Cheryl Lupo, who ran for a Carbon County Commission seat in the last election, was given a full ten minutes to speak due to many giving up their time for her. Lupo’s request was to dissolve the Municipal Services Fund. Her information was gathered from the 2018 financial audit that may be found on the county’s website.
“There is no need for Carbon County to have a Municipal Service Fund,” Lupo stated.
Lupo also requested that the commissioners perform a service cost analysis, which will take those services that the fund is supposed to be giving to the citizens to ensure that those monies are spent properly.
By the conclusion of the evening, over 50 voices were heard over the course of nearly three hours. Ages ranged from over 80 years old to a senior in high school. The overwhelming message was that the county would lose many residents if the increase was approved, though a number of voices stated they would support the increase at a smaller rate.
The commissioners are next tasked to take the comments into consideration before hosting another public hearing on Dec. 18 beginning promptly at 6 p.m. Then, they will ultimately make a final decision on the budget and proposed tax increase.