Prior to Tuesday's hearing on amendments to the 2007 budget, County Clerk Diana Carroll explained that expenditures for 2007 in the amended budget total $433,355 greater than the originally budgeted amount. Carroll explained that total revenues for 2007 are $656,875 more than anticipated by the original budget. Taxes collected were 5.1 percent greater ($151,366) and licenses and permits raised $50,000 more than anticipated while several other receipts were comparably higher.
The big jump came from charges for services. These more than doubled to a total of $532,100.
The deficit for the year, which will be made up by drawing from the general fund balance, the county's rainy day account, is $103,707 instead of the $327,227 originally budgeted.
At the council's workshop on Nov. 30 Carroll reported the general fund balance stands at about $1.4 million.
Local resident Jim Nelson said the county appears to be "going backwards," because the government should follow business practices and spend no more than it receives.
Council chairman Jim Lewis said he wished it were possible to do that in government.
No public comments were given during the public hearing on the 2008 budget, but Grand County Recorder Merlene Dalton made her case once more for an additional full time position. The council will consider adding funds for that position when it acts on the budget on Dec. 18.
Two tax payers spoke during the hearing on a tax increase for 2008 after Carroll explained it amounts to a 21 percent increase in property tax collections over 2007.
This means that the tax on a $100,000 residence will increase by $11.85 next year, and the increase on a $100,000 business will be $21.55, she said. With this increase, the total tax collected for the county general fund on a $100,000 residence will be $156.50 in 2008.
Jim Nelson said he had little concern about the residential tax, but he complained about increased property taxes on commercial properties. "We kind of hit a double whammy this year," he said.
"You guys want low income housing, but we're having a hard time making a go of it. I hope you take that into consideration," Nelson said.
Grand County Treasurer Peg Taylor responded that low income people can get help with their rent. They should contact the county assessor, she said.
"Somehow, we have a 20 percent increase in residential taxes, but my income hasn't increased 20 percent," said Curt Fisher of Castle Valley. He said he understands that costs are rising, but, "20 percent is out of control."
Although the total property taxes collected for the county general fund will increase by 21 percent, the increase in the tax rate is 8.2 percent.
The proposed rate, while higher than the 2007 rate, will still be lower than the 2006 rate, so the 2008 tax on the average home will be lower than it was in 2006, county officials said.