Jordan school board caves, slashes controversial tax hike in half

West Jordan (Salt Lake Tribune) » After some soul-searching, the Jordan School District Board of Education on Monday came to consensus on a new budget - one that doesn't raise taxes by 40 percent.

Taxes are still going up. The board is leaning toward a more moderate, 20 percent tax increase.

In order to plug a $33 million budget shortfall, the board also is looking at carving $21 million from the district's rainy day fund.

"I still feel 40 percent was the right way to go, but there's been great public outrage," said board chairwoman Peggy Jo Kennett, who warned there will be fallout.

Tapping reserves makes the district more vulnerable to mid-year legislative budget cuts, said Kennett. "We need to realize if we have any kind of emergency next year we'll be doing layoffs and it will be teachers."

Axing programs and busing routes are also likely. And class sizes could go up by four students, said Kennett.

The new, tentative spending plan will be aired, and probably approved Tuesday at a public hearing at Riverton High School.

Board members hope it appeases some of the testy 1,200 property owners who protested the 40 percent tax hike scenario floated last week.

A tax hike of 20 percent would generate $23.5 million and cost home owners about $68 annually per $100,000 of home value.

It would cost commercial property and second home owners $123 million.