Responsible Spending
Yes, Bluffdale has a tax problem and the real root of the issue is spending. Over the last decade or so Bluffdale has gone through a lot of growth which has led more businesses and residents to the city. This growth brings in more tax revenue naturally which is good, but the result hasn't been less of a tax burden its been the opposite. Despite city officials stating growth is good b/c of the increased revenue, they have grown their spending by even higher amounts leading to multiple tax increases, introducing new fees and always funding wants ahead of the most critical needs. The city increased taxes in 2017, 2019, and put a new fee in place in 2024. What's the point of growing as a new city if that growth doesn't pay for the services needed to sustain itself.
A great example of this spending problem is the Parks department. In FY2018, the Parks department had an annual budget of about $500k. But the forecast for the FY2026 budget plans for over a $2.0M annual budget which is a 300% increase!!! Keep in mind, during that same timeframe, the city had a budget shortage for the Fire Department multiple times, gave large raises to city leadership, built a new publics works building and raised taxes or fees three times. The Parks budget is indicative of the city as a whole recently in that they don't want to keep spending in line with their revenues. Unlike us personally, who has to keep our spending below our income, the city has regularly relied on tax payers for more money just so it can maintain its plan.
As a city councilman, I'll make sure we reduce spending in non-critical areas like Parks and make sure we can keep taxes low or if possible even eliminate some of them.
Lower Taxes
Did you know that Utah has the highest tax burden of any republican controlled state and is 14th highest overall only coming behind Massachusetts?
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-highest-lowest-tax-burden/20494
For some reason our government from the state, to the county, and even local cities have not been good conservatives with tax dollars. Bluffdale alone has raised taxes or fees 3 times since 2017 which goes against the Salt Lake County Republican Platform which states...
"We are committed to fiscal responsibility and oppose any legislation which does not promote a balanced budget...we recognize the power to tax is also the power to control and believe that the best way to control government is to strictly limit the amount of taxes imposed on the poeple. We encourage further simplification of tax systems, the elimination of the estate tax, and broad-based rate reduction where possible."
Instead of reducing spending to let the growth in tax revenues naturally increased our budget, they've chose to spend on big projects and grow departments regardless of the income from the city. What's even worse is that this has happened during a period of great growth and prosperity. If we have to raise taxes during periods of growth and rising tax income, what will happen when our economy slows down or we go into some small recessions? Tax increases would definitely be required to pay our bills in that situation which means we would have tax increases when times are good and when times are bad. How does that make sense? Is that fair? Is that in-line with the GOP conservative principles?
When I'm on the council, I'll make sure that we look for every opportunity to eliminate or reduce taxes and prepare ourselves for the times when the city isn't growing.
Listen to Residents
Over the last few years I've been concerned by how little the city has listened to residents for major spending issues. In 2022, the city increased property taxes which was quickly overturned by almost 70% of residents voting for a referendum cancelling the tax increase. And what was the city's response to that? They issued another tax increase the following year in 2023 which was also defeated by a majority of citizens who voted against that tax increase in another referendum. So what was the city's response after that? For the third year in a row they issued a tax increase this time with a fee. Despite countless city council meetings, emails, conversations, and losing two referendums the city didn't listen to its citizens. Instead of representing them, the city had its own agenda and was going to move forward no matter what and get its way.
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As a councilman, I will always put the needs of the people I represent above my own personal agenda. I'll make sure my personal interests don't conflict with the majority of the citizens and truly be a representative for the city.
Prioritize Public Safety Spending
We all know the most important use of our taxes is to pay for public safety like the Fire and Police departments. That's why I've been really shocked to hear how those departments didn't have enough money to fully staff their stations and needed to reduce hours or hire part-time employees. Obviously, that is a top priority but is even more concerning when looking at the other departments that have been growing and growing without major shortages. The Parks department is the best example of having the wrong priorities. Over the last 8 years, the Parks department went from $500k annual budget to over $2.0M proposed in FY2026. How is it that we have the extra $1.5M per year and yet our police and fire didn't have the money it needed? This is obviously not a standard we should be setting in our city.
As a councilman, I'll look to pass new legislation that requires the Police and Fire departments to get the funding it needs, before other departments. This will eliminate the game of spending all the budget in non-essential areas, then complaining that the Public Safety fund is running low. This will also eliminate the game of going to citizens and asking for a tax increase for Fire and Police which to me is a form of blackmail. "Either give us more money or we won't have enough fire and police to protect you fully!" This should never be a choice citizens have to make. If tax increases are needed it should be for things that won't cause harm to property or life. Sure, we can debate tax increases for new buildings, renovations, parks, general city staff etc, but Police and Fire should never be used as a negotiating tactic for a tax increase going forward.