A proposed raise in property taxes in Wellington was discussed at the city’s recent council meeting. Currently, Wellington City’s rate is .001859, the second lowest in the county next to Scofield’s .000494
According to councilman Pete Yakovich, the current property tax rates for cities throughout Carbon County are as follows:
East Carbon – .005964 or $272,911
Helper City – .003125 or $216,269
Price City – .002064 or $714,109
Scofield Town – .000494 or $3,774
Sunnyside – .008285 or $294,287
Wellington City – .001859 or $99,000
Yakovich suggested a raise in property taxes to .003 or approximately $175,000. He explained that the tax increase would be a great benefit to the city and the funds could be used for many things, including but not limited to hiring another seasonal worker/police officer, setting money aside for city hall maintenance/equipment and making progress toward capital improvement goals.
“It may not be popular but if people understand the situation we are in, they would be more willing,” Yakovich explained. “We are scraping the bottom of the barrel.”
Members of the council will further discuss the proposed property tax increase at a work meeting on June 11. If the council decides to move forward with the increase, a public hearing will take place by August.
Also at the meeting, the council approved a resolution supporting the .25% Local Option General Sales Tax. The resolution encourages Carbon County to submit the proposal to voters in November as well as encourage voters to support the proposal.
It was explained at the meeting that the revenue from the tax would be used for the transportation district, including maintaining roads throughout the county. The tax will add .0025 per dollar tax on general goods excluding food.