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Show Proposition Question Editor: What about Proposition No. 1? Proposition No. 1 would exempt registered vehicles from property taxes, replacing that tax with a fee set by the legislature. Taxpayers have no way of knowing if the fee they will pay will be lower or higher than the property tax they presently pay because the legislature has proposed no fee schedule. At the present time, our county can estimate, the revenue to be received, but If Proposition No.' 1 passes, there would be no way to estimate. Another important point to consider would be the revenues which the county currently receives from the boats domiciled at Lake Powell. Taxes on these are legally collected, but if Proposition No. 1 passes, those revenues would probably go to the district or county of the owner. Again, the proposition is not specific enough. Currently, where the taxpayer can claim vehicle property taxes paid as a deduction on his income tax, fees as proposed by the legislature are not deductable. A set fee for a vehicle would not include expensive equipment mounted on the vehicle, such as with a drilling rig, so this, too, would reduce revenue. The Garfield County taxpayer-voter should ask himself or herself the following questions before voting Tuesday on Proposition No. 1.: (1) How much of the fee will the county get back? (2) Would the treasurer be able, to arrive, at a, fair distribution throughout the county to each separate taxing district, even little ones like Henrieville or Hatch? (3) Would the fee be the same for a small Chevy and a big Cadillac? For an inboard boat as for an outboard? (4) From what other source will the county make up any reduced tax revenues in the future? Tom Simkins Garfield County Assessor |