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Show Panguitch Property Tax Load Below Utah Average The overall property tax rate in Panguitch this year totaled 73.65 mills ($73.65 per $1,000 assessed valuation) compared with an average of 75.21 mills of 71 major cities survey by Utah Foundation, the private tax research organization. The largest portion of the property tax goes for support of local schools. A breakdown of the .1985, property tax in Panguitch compared with the average in the 71 cities included in the survey shows that Panguitch residents pay taxes of $41.06 per thousand for schools compared with $41.87, $18.85 for municipal taxes compared with $13.72, $10.57 for county taxes compared with $16.04, and $3.17 for special districts compared with the 71-city average of $4.58. According to the Foundation study, many Utah taxpayers experienced sharply higher property taxes this year. This higher tax burden was the result cf (1) higher assessments placed on properties because of the Tax Commission factoring order issued earlier, and (2) higher mill rates imposed in many taxing jurisdictions. Of the 71 cities surveyed, the total tax rate rose in 48 cities and declined in 23 cities. Despite the levy increases recorded in most Utah cities this year, overall' property tax rates in 1985 still were well below what they were during 1970. The average overall levy in the 71 cities had declined about 15 percnet during this 15-year period. In most instances, however, the lower tax rates 'were more, than offset by. assessment increases resulting from property revaluations and assessment adjustments; These assessment In . creases were a partial recongltion of the Inflation, that has occurred in real estate values during this period. Foundation analysts point out that the major reason for the unusually large property tax increase in Utah this year was the valuation boosts imposed this year. A tax commission factoring order required that valuations be raised by am-pounts ranging up to 20.5-percent in 17 of the counties. Four of the counties were allowed to reduce valuations and no change was required in eight counties. An Analysis of the 29 counties reveals that the county levy was raised in 15 counties, reduced in 12 counties, and remained unchanged in two counties this year. Although some of the increases were substantial, the average county levy was boosted by about 5 percent in 1985. This automobile belonging to Kenneth Moore of Kaysville was completely gutted Friday In an evening mishap In Circleville Canyon. Fire destroyed his 1974 BMW but Moore was unhurt. |