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Show Sanpete Messenger-Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition B12 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 Ballot measures Amendment (Continued from BIO) are required to keep an inventor)' and report the value of property such as desks, chairs, computers and small tools. A voter's guide distributed by ihe state says, "For a business or individual taxpayer with little tangible personal property, the burden of complying with tax requirements may be disproportionate to the amount of tax paid. Furthermore, the small amount of tax collected from a taxpayer with little tangible personal property does not always cover the government's cost of collecting it." The Utah constitution, as written, requires that any property tax passed by state or local governments apply to tangible property, which includes real property, such as land and buildings, and persona] property, such as furniture, machinery and equipment. The constitution allows an exemption for the personal property of individual taxpayers (the household furnishings exemption), but businesses are not exempt. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the legislature to provide that exemption to businesses under HB 338. If the amendment is passed, HB 338 will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2007. The amendment does not define an "inconsequential amount of revenue." but HB 338 says it is tangible personal property with a combined value of $3,500 or less. The voter's guide says that the estimated fiscal impact of HB 338 is a decrease in collected taxes of $1.06 million statewide, which is less than l/10th of 1 percent of the approximately $ 1.6 billion in property taxes collected annually. That amounts to about 67 cents for every $1,000 collected in property taxes. Because of Utah law, the voter's guide says, that loss will not be absorbed by government but rather "will result in a slight shift of the property tax burden to all other tax payers." There is no language in HB 338 to indicate an increase in taxes or that identifies any mechanism by which that shift will take place. Proposition No. 1 Mt. Pleasant sales tax increase The proposed road project On Nov. 7, Mt. Pleasant will would upgrade streets, according be asking voters to approve a sales to Christensen, including the retax increase for use on pending placement of two bridges, one at road projects and generally to in400 East and Main crease the city's road Street and the other budget. at 900 East between Vote FOR the The proposed Main Street and sales tax, which will proposition if 100 South. appear as "Proposiyon approve of In 1999, the tion 1" on Mt. Pleasthe quarter-ofUtah State Legislaant ballots, will be a-percent sales ture authorized muone-quarter of a cent tax increase. nicipalities to im(25 cents per $100) Vote AGAINST pose a quarter-cent and, according to if you do not sales tax, with voter Mayor Chcsley approve. approval. The tax Christensen, will put was approved for around $80,000 anmunicipal road nuaJly into the city's coffers. budgets only. Ephraim and Initially, said Christensen, the Gunnison have already exercised money will be used to service a $4 million, zero percent loan from the their option to apply this tax. NOTE: This tax should not be Utah Community Impact Board confused with the local option sales (CIB). The loan is not yet approved, as the CIB wanted the tax tax increase approved by the Legimplemented to help guarantee re- islature this year. This year's tax payment before granting the loan. option can only be used at the disEven with the lax increase the city cretion of county governments, alwould have to Find $120,000 per though the purpose of the tax—to improve transportation—is the year more to repay the CIB loan. The CIB is willing to make a same. The Sanpete County Commisloan without the tax but would sion has said it sees no immediate shorten the term from 20 years to 12 years, which would increase the need to seek voter approval to service on the debt from $200,000 implement this recently authorized lax. to $300,000 annually. Utah House of Representatives District 68 v/ww.kimchristison.com Now you have a choice... and a chance! At a Glance Bom and Raised in Centra! Utah Sanpete County Resident: 28 years Snow College Professor: 28 years Member National Rifle Association-Rated "A" Utah Sheriff's Association -Honorary American Federation of Teachers AARP Education A.S-Snow College Bachelor of Fine Arts-Utah State University Master of Education-Westminster College Ph.D-University of Utah Endorsements UEA AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers Rated 'TV'-National Rifle Association High Desert Uniserve Undivided Attention to Legislative Responsibilities l i d All Citizens of District 68. Unwavering and Meaningful Action to Improve the Public School System. Protection of our Natural Resources against "grabs" and Commercial Exploitation. Promotion of Legislation that Assures our Local, State, and National Security Honesty and Legislative Transparency on a 24/7, Open-Door Basis. Accessible and Humane Healthcare for the Elderly, Children, Poor, and Disabled. Insistence that the Retired are Secure and.our._ Veterans Receive their Promised Benefits; FOR THE HOLIDAYS COLOR COPIES (8 1/2 X I IJ from /copy Sanpete News 35 S. Main Manti Hours: 9-2: Monday 9-6: Tuesday-Friday Gall Lloyd e 888-620-1935 or e-mail: Uoyd@8anpeteme88enger.com NOW! |