John Williams, one of the volunteers in my campaign to bring Liberty back to West Valley wrote a letter to the editor regarding the 18% increase in property taxes and it was published today.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700172133/West-Valley-City-property-taxes.html
We actually met at the said Council Meeting regarding the tax increase. He was first in the meeting to speak against the tax increase and raised some very brilliant points.
In fact, 90% of those that spoke were against the increase. In the comments section regarding this letter, "Watchman" pointed out one of the Councilmembers statement (and I might add, a finger was pointed at us during the statement) "How dare you come in here and tell us what to do."
Now I'm not going to say here whether they were right or wrong to vote for the increase, that's a story for another post. What I'd like to say is I was amazed a Councilmember feels we shouldn't dare to speak with our elected officials.
(Admittedly this was a passionate issue, and maybe this isn't what they meant to say, then again maybe it is how they feel. I just might ask sometime and find out. It was definitely a passionate meeting.)
I'm here to listen. I'm here to generate ideas that will lower taxes. I'm here to eliminate oppressive ordinances, keeping only those that are reasonable.
I'm here to restore our Liberty.
Jeff White
Showing posts with label Taxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taxes. Show all posts
21 August 2011
15 August 2011
18% Property Tax Increase - Plan of Action
I'll state it now.
The council said it was an emergency and they raised our property taxes. This is only acceptable if, when the emergency's over the taxes are lowered.
I was at the meeting when the City Council deliberated, listened to public comment (if you could call it that) and voted on the proposed property tax increase.
The City Manager presented plenty of diagrams detailing the emergency. The City Council bought it and despite much opposition during the public comment period voted for the increase.
I'm not discussing whether this could've been avoided, I'll discuss that later. I'll simply tell you I believe it was avoidable. Here I'm discussing what to do now that the increase has been approved.
So we have an emergency and have to fix it. When I was an EMT I faced life and death emergencies. In such a situation we acted and got the victim to the hospital immediately where their emergency could be fixed. Now I ask you, after the emergency is ended and the patient has recovered, does the hospital keep them? No! I repeat, no. They release them.
We should do the same with this property tax increase. If this really is an emergency and our elected officials thought so, then let's fix it and follow the hospitals example and lower the taxes after the emergency's over.
Other candidates state we need experience, but seem to think experience on the planning commission is what's needed. How does this experience lower taxes?
We need experience all right and we need someone experienced with delivering products and services to it's customers, while reducing costs and still maintaining profitability enough to give employee raises for the last three years. Does this sound like WVC?
I work in an R&D lab with a company that's eliminated tens of millions of dollars from their annual budget and we're still receiving raises. Our customers are still receiving the same quality of service and products. Our company is profitable.
I'm experienced at generating ideas; I'm experienced at researching my ideas and the ideas of others to reduce costs, provide better products and services and increase the profitability of the company. I'm experienced at working with a team that's successful at this.
My company is now implementing an idea of mine that will save $600,000 annually. I can do this for my company, I can do this for West Valley City. Ideas like this will make the City profitable. The emergency can be resolved and we can then lower taxes.
Please ask yourselves, do you want lower taxes? What ideas does anyone on the City Council, the City Mangers office or my fellow candidates have to do so. Read my blogs, I've recorded many courses of action that would lower taxes and I have more.
We want Liberty. I'll fight for that Liberty.
We want lower taxes, I have the experience and the desire to lower them.
I'm for lower taxes! I'm for liberty!
Jeff White
The council said it was an emergency and they raised our property taxes. This is only acceptable if, when the emergency's over the taxes are lowered.
I was at the meeting when the City Council deliberated, listened to public comment (if you could call it that) and voted on the proposed property tax increase.
The City Manager presented plenty of diagrams detailing the emergency. The City Council bought it and despite much opposition during the public comment period voted for the increase.
I'm not discussing whether this could've been avoided, I'll discuss that later. I'll simply tell you I believe it was avoidable. Here I'm discussing what to do now that the increase has been approved.
So we have an emergency and have to fix it. When I was an EMT I faced life and death emergencies. In such a situation we acted and got the victim to the hospital immediately where their emergency could be fixed. Now I ask you, after the emergency is ended and the patient has recovered, does the hospital keep them? No! I repeat, no. They release them.
We should do the same with this property tax increase. If this really is an emergency and our elected officials thought so, then let's fix it and follow the hospitals example and lower the taxes after the emergency's over.
Other candidates state we need experience, but seem to think experience on the planning commission is what's needed. How does this experience lower taxes?
We need experience all right and we need someone experienced with delivering products and services to it's customers, while reducing costs and still maintaining profitability enough to give employee raises for the last three years. Does this sound like WVC?
I work in an R&D lab with a company that's eliminated tens of millions of dollars from their annual budget and we're still receiving raises. Our customers are still receiving the same quality of service and products. Our company is profitable.
I'm experienced at generating ideas; I'm experienced at researching my ideas and the ideas of others to reduce costs, provide better products and services and increase the profitability of the company. I'm experienced at working with a team that's successful at this.
My company is now implementing an idea of mine that will save $600,000 annually. I can do this for my company, I can do this for West Valley City. Ideas like this will make the City profitable. The emergency can be resolved and we can then lower taxes.
Please ask yourselves, do you want lower taxes? What ideas does anyone on the City Council, the City Mangers office or my fellow candidates have to do so. Read my blogs, I've recorded many courses of action that would lower taxes and I have more.
We want Liberty. I'll fight for that Liberty.
We want lower taxes, I have the experience and the desire to lower them.
I'm for lower taxes! I'm for liberty!
Jeff White
19 July 2011
Emancipate Your Property Against Tax Increases
Here's the promised idea based on lifetime hunting/ fishing licenses Utah used to offer. I'm not sure how to work this logistically, but if we could...
We're facing an 18.15% property tax increase depending on a vote by the City Council on August 9th. How does this effect those among us on fixed incomes, what about those struggling to survive paycheck to paycheck.
I understand a City needs money to operate. I also understand some of our neighbors (and perhaps even you) are struggling as well.
The idea: We could pay the City say $10,000 to $20,000 and emancipate our property against property taxes for the lifetime of the homeowner. Emancipate before retirement and your fixed monthly income will never be effected by a tax increase. (We may be able to apply this to the County, School District, and the Library also.)
If you look at how the property tax pie is split up, it may take a little negotiating with the other entities who have their fingers in the pie, so to speak. Follow this link to see what I mean. http://www.wvc-ut.gov/index.aspx?NID=1115
This property tax calculator is on the West Valley Cities home page and it's enlightening.
I don't know how to do it, but lifetime memberships are nothing new. The United States Fencing Association offers this, the State offered it with hunting/ fishing licenses, why not our City. Emancipate your property and never see another tax increase as long as you own the home (at least the WVC portion.)
We could then say, "The only constants may be death and taxes; but not in West Valley City."
Perhaps this idea is workable, perhaps not, perhaps it'll lead to an idea that's better. As Alfred Nobel stated, "If I have a 1,000 ideas a year and only one of them works, I'm satisfied."
Jeff White
We're facing an 18.15% property tax increase depending on a vote by the City Council on August 9th. How does this effect those among us on fixed incomes, what about those struggling to survive paycheck to paycheck.
I understand a City needs money to operate. I also understand some of our neighbors (and perhaps even you) are struggling as well.
The idea: We could pay the City say $10,000 to $20,000 and emancipate our property against property taxes for the lifetime of the homeowner. Emancipate before retirement and your fixed monthly income will never be effected by a tax increase. (We may be able to apply this to the County, School District, and the Library also.)
If you look at how the property tax pie is split up, it may take a little negotiating with the other entities who have their fingers in the pie, so to speak. Follow this link to see what I mean. http://www.wvc-ut.gov/index.aspx?NID=1115
This property tax calculator is on the West Valley Cities home page and it's enlightening.
I don't know how to do it, but lifetime memberships are nothing new. The United States Fencing Association offers this, the State offered it with hunting/ fishing licenses, why not our City. Emancipate your property and never see another tax increase as long as you own the home (at least the WVC portion.)
We could then say, "The only constants may be death and taxes; but not in West Valley City."
Perhaps this idea is workable, perhaps not, perhaps it'll lead to an idea that's better. As Alfred Nobel stated, "If I have a 1,000 ideas a year and only one of them works, I'm satisfied."
Jeff White
10 September 2009
Let's Help 35th South Businesses
Road Construction.
It's a nuisance to those driving, but it can be a death sentence to a business. In an area like 35th South where the construction is longer than a week or a couple of months, businesses could fail.
Politicians and City leaders are always stating we should be more business friendly. This is not just West Valley; all Cities recognize the need for sales tax revenue generated within City limits. This is why they want to be business friendly. The improved road will help future business, but durring the construction it's killing them.
Here's my business friendly proposal.
When a construction project lasts longer than a week or two, the City should help the businesses affected weather the storm. Give them a free business license for a year. If the project lasts longer than a couple of months, give them a waiver on the West Valley portion of their property taxes.
Let's do more than say we're business friendly; let's be business friendly. Large companies can absorb this, but a small business owner cannot.
I'm here for you. The Time is Right for Jeff White.
It's a nuisance to those driving, but it can be a death sentence to a business. In an area like 35th South where the construction is longer than a week or a couple of months, businesses could fail.
Politicians and City leaders are always stating we should be more business friendly. This is not just West Valley; all Cities recognize the need for sales tax revenue generated within City limits. This is why they want to be business friendly. The improved road will help future business, but durring the construction it's killing them.
Here's my business friendly proposal.
When a construction project lasts longer than a week or two, the City should help the businesses affected weather the storm. Give them a free business license for a year. If the project lasts longer than a couple of months, give them a waiver on the West Valley portion of their property taxes.
Let's do more than say we're business friendly; let's be business friendly. Large companies can absorb this, but a small business owner cannot.
I'm here for you. The Time is Right for Jeff White.
24 August 2009
My Promised Monday Morning Idea
Well...
I had a great idea, to use Sales Taxes to eliminate the WVC portion of our Property Taxes. I'm a researcher, so I took the opportunity when a current Council Member called to ask me how my campaign was going, and I responded that I'm studying the budget and trying to understand it better.
After our conversation, I realized my promised Monday morning idea was great, until I had a bigger picture. So here's the bigger picture.
Our budget is balanced in that a third is from Property Taxes, a third from Sales Taxes and a third from other sources such as USANA Amphitheater, the E-Center, animal services, etc.
He stated that, "The beauty of this balance is if RC Willey has a bad month, our budget isn't in jeopardy."
I'm always thinking. I'm always generating ideas (sometimes it drives my wife nuts). I'm skilled at research and willing to look hard at ideas to find the best. I'll bring these qualities to the City Council.
Please contact me. Leave your thoughts, ideas and comments. I'll get back with you, every time.
I had a great idea, to use Sales Taxes to eliminate the WVC portion of our Property Taxes. I'm a researcher, so I took the opportunity when a current Council Member called to ask me how my campaign was going, and I responded that I'm studying the budget and trying to understand it better.
After our conversation, I realized my promised Monday morning idea was great, until I had a bigger picture. So here's the bigger picture.
Our budget is balanced in that a third is from Property Taxes, a third from Sales Taxes and a third from other sources such as USANA Amphitheater, the E-Center, animal services, etc.
He stated that, "The beauty of this balance is if RC Willey has a bad month, our budget isn't in jeopardy."
I'm always thinking. I'm always generating ideas (sometimes it drives my wife nuts). I'm skilled at research and willing to look hard at ideas to find the best. I'll bring these qualities to the City Council.
Please contact me. Leave your thoughts, ideas and comments. I'll get back with you, every time.
22 August 2009
How Sales Taxes Help WVC
Have you wondered how sales tax helps the City? We always hear "let's make our City more business friendly." We hear this because of sales tax revenue.
After sales taxes are collected, they are distributed. The State gets a portion and the county and city the business does business in also get a portion.
West Valley City gets 1% of all sales tax revenue for all sales within the boundaries of West Valley City. The more businesses that set up shop in our City and sell products or services, the more revenue for WVC.
In Las Vegas there is not a State Income Tax because the casinos are taxed on their revenue enough they don't need one. It would take a lot of businesses to eliminate property taxes, but if we had more and they did better, we could certainly lower our property taxes.
I'll have another idea about sales taxes that would lower property taxes Monday morning, stay tuned.
After sales taxes are collected, they are distributed. The State gets a portion and the county and city the business does business in also get a portion.
West Valley City gets 1% of all sales tax revenue for all sales within the boundaries of West Valley City. The more businesses that set up shop in our City and sell products or services, the more revenue for WVC.
In Las Vegas there is not a State Income Tax because the casinos are taxed on their revenue enough they don't need one. It would take a lot of businesses to eliminate property taxes, but if we had more and they did better, we could certainly lower our property taxes.
I'll have another idea about sales taxes that would lower property taxes Monday morning, stay tuned.
29 July 2009
Lowering WVC Property Taxes, Part 3 of 3
I know a family in the process of building their own garage. They're doing this because, like most of us, they do not have a lot of money. (According to our 2000 census, the average family in West Valley earns $50,435.)
The garage is not yet complete and the County Assessor has already been to their home to reassess the value. This inspired for the following brainstorm for lowering property taxes.
Here's the idea: when major improvements are made on a home, the City issues a tax break. Perhaps for each $5,000 of verified improvements, that add value to the home, you get one year without a tax increase, with a maximum break of three years. If the home is sold in that time period, the tax rate returns to the value of the property.
This allows you a few years tax break to help pay for the improvement. How about an incentive to improve our homes instead of fines for non-compliance with an ordinance? I like incentives over fines any day. So what do you think? Maybe we even step it up a notch and say for every $5,000 spent, you get a 5% reduction in your property taxes for a year. Why not?
There are plenty of ways we could beautify our city and reduce taxes at the same time; so with your support and my willingness to brainstorm ideas like this, we'll work wonders.
I'll be careful with your money.
The garage is not yet complete and the County Assessor has already been to their home to reassess the value. This inspired for the following brainstorm for lowering property taxes.
Here's the idea: when major improvements are made on a home, the City issues a tax break. Perhaps for each $5,000 of verified improvements, that add value to the home, you get one year without a tax increase, with a maximum break of three years. If the home is sold in that time period, the tax rate returns to the value of the property.
This allows you a few years tax break to help pay for the improvement. How about an incentive to improve our homes instead of fines for non-compliance with an ordinance? I like incentives over fines any day. So what do you think? Maybe we even step it up a notch and say for every $5,000 spent, you get a 5% reduction in your property taxes for a year. Why not?
There are plenty of ways we could beautify our city and reduce taxes at the same time; so with your support and my willingness to brainstorm ideas like this, we'll work wonders.
I'll be careful with your money.
27 July 2009
Lowering WVC Property Taxes, Part 2 of 3
Lowering taxes - What! Did he just use a political catch phrase? Well yes, I did. The difference... I've researched and there are many plans that work, here's just one.
Four cities around the country partnered with Kentucky Fried Chicken to lower taxes. KFC filled potholes around the city and then placed a chalk advertisement over the repaired pothole. The cities were able to save on road repair while providing advertising for a local business.
Why can't we do this? We could use any local business, or several for that matter. Why not? We would even have several options for the money saved. Here are two.
1. We could lower property taxes by the amount saved.
2. We could realocate the money saved to another service like... snow removal.
While option two would improve services at no extra cost to you and I, it really doesn't lower taxes. That said, it does look like a valid option.
I work in a research laboratory; I do research. I'll research each issue that comes before the City Council before I commit to a vote. I've included the link for the inspiration summarized above.
With your support and my committment to research, we can succed at lowering taxes.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1692753/chattanooga_teams_up_with_kfc_to_repair.html
Four cities around the country partnered with Kentucky Fried Chicken to lower taxes. KFC filled potholes around the city and then placed a chalk advertisement over the repaired pothole. The cities were able to save on road repair while providing advertising for a local business.
Why can't we do this? We could use any local business, or several for that matter. Why not? We would even have several options for the money saved. Here are two.
1. We could lower property taxes by the amount saved.
2. We could realocate the money saved to another service like... snow removal.
While option two would improve services at no extra cost to you and I, it really doesn't lower taxes. That said, it does look like a valid option.
I work in a research laboratory; I do research. I'll research each issue that comes before the City Council before I commit to a vote. I've included the link for the inspiration summarized above.
With your support and my committment to research, we can succed at lowering taxes.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1692753/chattanooga_teams_up_with_kfc_to_repair.html
25 July 2009
Lowering WVC Property Taxes, Part 1 of 3
My top priority is listening to people in West Valley and your telling me that one of the top priorities you want me to address is lowering taxes. I've listened, I've researched and I've brainstormed. This is the first of three ideas that could resolve this issue.
If we're tightening our belts, we should also tighten our city's belt. I'm committed to taking a closer look at the budget and eliminating waste. Following is an example from my life.
Two years ago I recognized fuel prices would break $3.00 per gallon and my '69 Ford Falcon got 17 mpg. My daily commute is 66 miles. Simple calculations revealed a monthly payment of $100, gas prices of $3.00 and a car getting 30 mpg would cost the same as my Falcon. I found a Honda Civic at 38 mpg and when gas prices reached $4.50 per gallon, I was saving, saving and saving and at current fuel prices I'm still saving.
My research skills allow me to predict what may happen, form a hypothesis and test it. I'm committed to carefully researching the city's budget as I do my own; I'm convinced we can have the same services, zero layoffs and do this for less.
With your support and my willingness to research and work, we can lower our taxes.
Together we can work wonders.
If we're tightening our belts, we should also tighten our city's belt. I'm committed to taking a closer look at the budget and eliminating waste. Following is an example from my life.
Two years ago I recognized fuel prices would break $3.00 per gallon and my '69 Ford Falcon got 17 mpg. My daily commute is 66 miles. Simple calculations revealed a monthly payment of $100, gas prices of $3.00 and a car getting 30 mpg would cost the same as my Falcon. I found a Honda Civic at 38 mpg and when gas prices reached $4.50 per gallon, I was saving, saving and saving and at current fuel prices I'm still saving.
My research skills allow me to predict what may happen, form a hypothesis and test it. I'm committed to carefully researching the city's budget as I do my own; I'm convinced we can have the same services, zero layoffs and do this for less.
With your support and my willingness to research and work, we can lower our taxes.
Together we can work wonders.
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