As residents of Park City and Summit County, many of us have become accustomed to luxuries. Some of those luxuries include the services provided by our local governments. Those government entities include Park City Municipal, Summit County, and the Park City School District. We live in a wealthy area, and growth has enabled our government groups to flourish.

Yet recently the Park Record has reported that the fairy tale is ending (or at least pausing). According to Summit County Finance Officer Matt Leavitt, “It’s a subject that has been brought up just about every year for several years now and in the past, even during the recession, the county was getting enough new revenues from new growth and we could sustain government programs. But now growth has really slowed down significantly and that has impacted our ability to expand or even keep basic services.”

To counter this, the county says we need to raise property taxes. So we are faced with the prospect of raising property taxes related to our general and municipal funds by 27%. A primary homeowner with a house valued at $650,000 would pay $150 more per year in property taxes. According to Summit County, if taxes are not raised law enforcement, corrections personnel, ambulances, animal control employees, road maintenance, and donations to non-profits could be impacted.

Often in the past, our populace would rise up and say “NOT HERE! We will invest in Summit County and Park City. ” Yet, these may not be the same old times.

Alongside this 27% property tax increase, we also have a potential school bond. While not finalized, the likely bond is between $65 million and $110 million. For the same house mentioned above, it would likely cost the one owner at least another $150 per year.

If you live in Park City “proper,” the purchase of Bonanza Flat was approved by voters. When that goes through (and it will), that same $600,000 house will require at least another $120 per year in property taxes.

There is also the likelihood that other areas will require additional funding from property taxes as well. Think recreation. Think service areas. Think replenishing accounts.

All in, these likely tax increases could equate to a $500+ tax increase (per year) for Park City area residents with a $600,000 home. You folks in “real” Park City may pay double that if all this comes to fruition.

It feels like we are approaching a time when government entities are against each other for tax support from residents. It is almost like a Kickstarter. Who do you want to invest in?

Do you want to invest in Park City Schools? Will they spend the money wisely and make a return on your investment?

Should your money go to Park City Municipal? Will you get value from that money spent? Do you like them deciding on businesses that are allowed on Main St?

Do you want Summit County to raise property taxes and then spend $1.8m million dollars on increasing the average tenure of employees when the average county employee has been with Summit County five years more than the nationwide average?