I am writing to inquire about the protocol your teams use to assess Tooele County property taxes and values including those that are not currently for sale. The Tooele County website regarding home taxation states, “Market value is typically defined as the amount of money a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller.” How can this be factually established for properties not available for this kind of transaction? The hyperinflation of our economy coupled with high interest rates makes acquiring a home further out of reach which only stifles willingness of buyers. This supposed willingness of both parties is not reflected in our current tax increases or economy.

There is a significant amount of concern within our community regarding these recent tax increases, as evidenced by the discussions on the “Tooele County 411” Facebook group. Many residents, including myself, believe that home ownership should not be unduly burdened by government taxation. For instance, despite my home value decreasing by $1,000 this year, my property taxes have increased by 19%. This suggests that home values are being used as an exploitable variable to manipulate desired budget outcomes, disregarding fairness or the American values of protecting personal property outlined in the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The founding fathers aimed to establish a country where property rights were safeguarded. The Fifth Amendment states that no person shall be “deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Property taxes, however, can be perceived as an ongoing government claim on privately owned property, effectively forcing property owners to continually pay for the right to retain ownership. This can be seen as a violation of the right to fully own property without perpetual financial obligation to the government.

We are particularly concerned about the excessive spending of our school district. They should not be allowed to function as a branch of government. The end result of these institutions is to provide our youth with a High School diploma which has unfortunately become diluted in its marketable value in gaining employment. The massive school campus just built in Tooele stands as a monument of excessive spending all in the name of transferring knowledge from one person to another at the expense of home ownership and trust in our community leaders. Multiple wages within the school district have been posted and met with jaw dropping opposition as these people are bringing in six figure incomes at the expense of community members barely being able to pay mortgages and rent. Our elderly members who are approaching the long awaited mortgage free chapter of their lives are locked into perpetual annual rent to the county for the rest of their retirement which may unjustly push them back into the workforce. Some families who can barely afford their property taxes face losing their homes by the very school their children attend.

Given the community’s desire for clarity and transparency, I respectfully request that you engage with us on the “Tooele County 411” Facebook group to provide insights and explanations regarding these issues. We believe that open communication with your offices is crucial in addressing our concerns and fostering trust in the assessment process.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and participation in our community discussion.

Sincerely,

Mike Gallacher

Tooele