ALL NEWS

Wasatch County taxpayers may be left with a big due bill due to “typo”

Dec 7, 2019, 7:33 AM

A meeting of the Wasatch County Council broke some bad news to taxpayers: a typo that could cost them for years to come.

A seemingly random typo, in the second it took to hit “enter,” erroneously over-valuated a single home in an unincorporated area of Wasatch County and now may wind up costing innocent county taxpayers dearly over the next few years.

The home in question, a 1,570-square-foot house built on two acres in 1978, actually only has a 2019 taxable value of $302,000, according to county property records.  According to The Deseret News, the home was recorded in 2019 tax rolls with a market rate value of more than $987 million, with an overestimate of about $543 million in taxable value.

A meeting back in early November brought what is believed to have been a clerical error to light.  Some believe the clerk possibly dropped a cell phone on the keyboard while entering the data, and now taxpayers may be on the hook for what might be years to come.

The error has caused a countywide overvaluation of more than $6 million, resulting in revenue shortfalls in five different Wasatch County taxing entities.

Wasatch County officials are apologizing to taxpayers, and promise to review policies and procedures hoping to prevent similar costly mistakes in the future.  They’re also warning residents that taxpayers may see increased tax rates for upwards of three years to help make up for the lower amount collected in 2019 after budgets had already been approved anticipating the windfall of $6 million that was configured in error.  County officials are working with the Utah State Tax Commission to figure out what to do.

A tax correction notice sent out by the county shows a budget shortfall of more than $1 million, which County Manager Mike Davis says will be offset with fund balance reserves to be recouped by rate increases in future years.  Fire services, the parks and water departments will all be short hundreds of thousand dollars each, according to that notice.

The Wasatch County School District will suffer the biggest blow, short nearly $4.5 million, which will have a significant impact, although teacher and staff salaries will not be impacted this year, according to district spokesman John Moss.

Davis first noticed the costly error the first weekend of November when a citizen requested a property tax list and noticed the valuation looked way off.  Davis says he then launched his own investigation and discovered the Assessor’s Office error, leading to the council’s call for the November 4th emergency meeting.

 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

All News

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of t...

Simone Seikaly

Extending state flooding emergency, firearm restrictions, among topics for Utah special session

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of the legislature.

11 months ago

A video recorded by Facebook user Larry Jacquez shows the police response following the shooting in...

Jamiel Lynch, CNN     

At least 3 people killed and 2 officers wounded in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police say

Multiple people were shot and at least three killed in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police said in a Facebook post.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now....

Allessandra Harris

Camping over Memorial Day Weekend? Plan ahead

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now.

11 months ago

slcpd on the scene of the deaths...

Josh Ellis

Police: Teen killed by father in murder-suicide in SLC office building

Police responded to the office complex near 3000 S. Highland Drive on Saturday after emergency responders received a call from a community member who reported finding a body.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Wasatch County taxpayers may be left with a big due bill due to “typo”