Need, Want, or Ineptitude

The Fire Board (aka the Wasatch County Council) will meet again this week to consider the near 80% increase in property taxes for the Fire District SSD.   (as of today 12/16, no notice has been posted)
Below are a few reasons, in no particular order, it should NOT be approved.

• Failure to explain the REASONS to the public for the increase in 2013 or 2014.
• In 2013, it was needed to balance a $500K shortage although the 'truth' hearing indicated a new for new trucks.
• $1 million in recent litigation fees and growing ($179K in 2014)
• The suits seem to be running out of appeals, many think that a loss could be in the millions. Summary judgments have been issued, the suits seem to stem from improper procedures by the district. 
• Lack of openness and transparency
• Although the relatively new WCFD website DOES provide a lot of info, the only audio available is from last August.  It required several questions from the public to even confirm that a pay increase was included (in a deficit budget.
• Using “mil rates,” rather than budget expenditures, for comparisons
• See the post below
• Using Park City as a comparison (or goal?)
• PC is probably the wealthiest entity in Utah, they have chosen to spend $10 Million on fire protection
• Illegal, or improper, Board Pay in previous years
• Utah code 17B-1-308 states "board members may not receive compensation for their service as board members in addition to compensation they receive as members of a county or municipal legislative body."  While they discontinued the pay in 2013, nothing was done about previous years.  
• A SURPLUS of $121,691 in the proposed 2014 budget
• Simply reducing the proposed surplus, the tax increase could be drastically reduced.
• $2,000 for training, but $6,000 for uniforms
• It seems training might be more important than appearance
• Public Safety Impact fees (fire) unaccounted for in budget
• Collected by the county from new houses being build, and responsible for added fire services, a $100K is expended each year - and not accounted for in the budget.
• Last year, 22% of Wasatch voters petitioned to have a vote on this issue
• While ending a moot question, it gave a strong indication of the wishes of the voters and taxpayers.
• Failure to follow law and procedures for a similar increase last year, requiring correction by Tax Commission
• With little acknowledgement, the idea of the 80% tax increase was reversed
• Failure to follow law in transparency (posting audios, financial statements) 
• While I understand that more information may have been discussed in the Dec 5 Hearing, that information is not readily available to the general public.  Utah Code requires posting audio of meetings within 72 hrs.   It's been over 7.2 DAYS.  It is possible it could be posted 'somewhere,'  The only audio found on WCFD site is from August.    However, Wasatch Taxpayers have posted some video clips from that meeting. 

Last, but not least, the idea that taxation mil rates have not been raised for years is NOT a justification for such a large increase.  May I suggest talking to your Council prior to their decision, they may have other opinions?