The Tuesday Uintah County Commission meeting included a public hearing on the proposed 2024 budget and a Truth In Taxation presentation regarding the intent to increase property tax revenue by $5,653,500 dollars. Clerk-Auditor Mike Wilkins presented the tentative 2024 budget showing balanced revenues and expenses at $76,940,100 dollars which he stated is a difference of $5,575,423 dollars from the 2023 current budget of $82,515,523 dollars. Following Wilkins’ presentation in support of the property tax increase, Commissioner Sonja Norton stated that there are all different kinds of numbers being shared out in the community and so an Auditor was invited to explain the numbers. Auditor Jon Haderlie with Larson & Company also referred to numbers “floating around” the community. Following the meeting, Evans Family Media inquired of Commissioner Brad Horrocks, who has publicly opposed the property tax increase, as to the origin of the numbers that he has shared with the community. He stated, “I have confirmed that the financials I have came from Mike Wilkins office. The financial report released today was selectively presented during the budget hearing.” The complete 2022 year end financials provided by Commissioner Horrocks can be accessed on the State Auditor’s website at reporting.auditor.gov. A direct link to that complete report on the State Auditor’s website is provided with this news story on www.BasinNow.com. The entire Commission meeting which includes the Clerk-Auditor and Independent Auditor presentations can be watched on the Uintah County YouTube channel. A Public Hearing on the proposed property tax increase will be held on Tuesday, November 7th, at 6 pm at the Uintah Conference Center.
