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Show Ghmges Ewat9 Mwsktssmm Chwge TOM BUSSELBERG North County Editor LAYTON -- It might be cheaper to sell that vacant land you were thinking of farming and buy that California Cali-fornia Green Giant, thanks to the new property tax levies. THAT'S THE firm opinion of Sen. Jack Bngerter, R-Bountiful, who said it might be cheaper for an elJerly couple, say to buy out-of-state produce rather than try to grow it on their vacant land. He's speaking of the tax increases affecting hundreds of Davis County landowners, who have pieces they may only use for gardening, to the business community, commun-ity, where increases from 25-40 percent are being noted in recently-received tax notices. Joining the senator in an outcry against the initial impact of Proposition One, passed by voters nearly a year ago, are Hersh Ipaktchian, Layton area businessman busi-nessman and chamber of commerce leader and Jack Olson, executive secretary for the Utah Taxpayer's Assoc. CALLING IT a "rigged affair" Mr. Ipaktchian was quick to blame politicians-including some local Davis County Legislators-for endorsing Proposition One, that was enacted as a constitutional amendment amend-ment in concert with a companion bill doing away with 20 percent rollbacks in 1981, increasing assessments assess-ments by which taxes are figured by to 25 percent, impacting everybody, as County Assessor Willard Gardner noted. Previously, residents were assessed at 15 percent of value and business at 20 percent while vacant land zoomed up to 64 percent and business by 27 percent, translating to correspondingly higher tax notices. MANY HOMEOWNERS kept that spare 1-2 acres as a possible hedge against inflation, he said, but now they're "assessed up to their necks." And a meeting with the board of equalization is probably a fruitless effort, he added, unless there's a foulup. It's "mandated "man-dated by the state tax commission-there's not much you can do, unless there's an error." Serious farmers, generally, aren't affected by the change to such a degree because they're covered by the green belt, Mr. Gardner hastened to add, but all in all, it's a hard situation, what with the "economy down and taxes up," he said further. "EVEN THE MOST optomistic supporters of Proposition One are now forced to admit that the measure was anti-business" Mr. Olson said, noting he's received reports of tax increases as high as 50 percent or more and as much as 20 percent on homes. "Politicians had claimed it would reduce home property taxes. It has been called a cruel hoax because be-cause it would not significantly reduce residential property taxes. "HUNDREDS of responses to a UTA poll have come from throughout the state with an average 25 percent Davis increase," Mr. Olson said. "I don't think you can repeal this," he said of the proposition. "Any attempt to repeal would have a shift in the opposite direction. That would have a 25-30 percent continued on back pg. Tax Changes Hurt, Businessmen Cham Continued from page one increase on homeowners. Politically, realistically, the harm's been done." Mr. liangcrtcr pointed tit having to "change the Constitution-repeal it. I Ihink the whole properly tax strucliire is unfair and I do Ihink wc as a legislature legisla-ture ought lo get busy. I Ihink our slate assessed properties aren't paying their fair share :;..J the residential re-sidential as compared to Ihe commercial is unfair. "I THINK WE'VE got lo take iinmediale action and I would like to be a pail of il," he cmphasicd, indicating he didn't think anything had yet been implemented im-plemented prior to Ihe budgcl legislative session coming up, possibly because "Ihe impact is just now being felt." We're "suddenly taxing more than we should," he continued, noting he felt a "tremendous amount of money" could be coming inlo coimly collet s that Hastate Ha-state officials aren't even realizing will niulorialie. lie added thai "people can't even alloid to live iii their own homes, lei alone have one three acre parcels" par-cels" if the lolal impact-yet lo be known-is as great as for his business. And of thai personal impact Soil Hangcrler added, "I'm floored." PRICKS WILL HAVK lo be raised by nianv businesses. Mr. Ipaklchian said, indicaling his ,CN. laiiranls haven't raised litem for I wo ycais, Hying to XirJll.M'rtMgimtiwrgnriirBi ",ulUI oir uI'Mig vsilh othct businesses due W -proor economy. iVople should lememK-i w ho pushed toi IV.'iV' " O'kMic s.ud. silxins , ),,, v ,s h,..' Nloutach, calling jt "excessive." but is vviipl'1' 11 0";;:;";!v:;w"' n ikt.,:,s..o,'x,- son ,u "P'oin koosI .,o moose" - ' 'hv.cen. to, the -0s,o,el.Mlm wiih..!- ' 11 .Y 'nlhe"lensol ,lHs,is.KKl,l " be impossible ,o, bM,u-,snvn ,o um'. T k 11 , bow cmweK-elain,.,,,,,;,,,,, , ,VM Icadiin;, of, lTs,,,.lV.7' |