On Tuesday's agenda for the Orem City Council is a vote that ought to get every Orem resident's attention. The council will decide whether to set what's known as a "truth-in-taxation" hearing for August. These hearings are only conducted when a tax increase is anticipated.
Council members have been poring over their budget packets for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, and questions have been raised as to whether there's enough money to service all city needs. On Tuesday night (May 8), the council will vote up or down whether to schedule a truth-in-taxation hearing. The vote will telegraph their intentions on taxes.
If Tuesday's vote is "no," it means that the council will have to cut more than $3 million from the proposed budget. If it's "yes," it means Orem residents can anticipate a property tax hike next year to make up for a revenue shortfall.
There's a June deadline for approval of next year's regular budget. If a tax increase is anticipated, the budget will still pass on time — by the end of June; but it will be a temporary budget under which the city can operate, pending the truth-in-taxation hearing in August, which could change things around. Likely issues that might affect the vote include UTOPIA, the high-speed Internet connection project.
Can you think of anything else to avoid spending money on in Orem? You might want to be prepared to give the city your advice.
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