Of the three major taxes (the three-leg stool for funding the government), I hear more complaints about one (property tax) than the other two.

The reason is obvious: for many, it comes in one lump sum. Income tax payments are taken regularly from paychecks, so, not only is the tax not as noticeable, but a majority of Utahns receive a refund in February or March or each year. Similarly, sales taxes are hardly seen since they are an incremental portion of every transaction, and few people get upset paying 94 cents in tax on a $13 pizza.

But property tax is a different animal. A good portion of homeowners have paid off their mortgage, so they see a sizable tax bill, often made worse by the increase in the value of their home. The increased value would normally be a good thing, but not when you have to write a check in late November.

This year I wrote a check to my county for more than $2,000. After analyzing where the money goes, I wasn’t angry. Honestly, in many ways my payment is a bargain.

Take a look at mine; yours is probably similar.

The largest portion goes to the school district. In my case, the cost of the county and state school levies was $116 per month, an increase of about $4.50 monthly over the past year. I view the school taxes two ways. First, someone else paid for my education, and since I’m not a deadbeat, it’s only fair that I pay back what I received. Second, the societal costs of having uneducated hoards flooding into our communities and unable to contribute to our lifestyle and economy is certainly more than $116 per month.

I paid about $4 per month in library taxes. I feel like a lottery winner since my savings this year for my wife and I on library use vs. purchasing books is approaching $800.

My county taxes are $22 per month, a $4 increase. For $22 monthly I get potentially life-saving paramedic service, upkeep and snow removal on county roads, flood deterrence, a jail, and mosquito abatement crews. Gee, just keeping criminals and mosquitoes out of my neighborhood is worth $22.

I paid $2 each month to the sewer district, a whole 12 cents more than last year. If you hate paying for an efficient sewer system, please don’t ask me to visit your home without a HAZMat suit!

I paid less than $4 per month to my water district. Considering we have some of the most inexpensive water in the U.S., I consider it a steal. In fact, we should have to pay more as the drought continues. 

Then I have my city tax, another $22 per month, a relatively small number for driving on city streets and knowing that if I call 911, trained police and fire professionals will arrive within minutes. 

In all, I’m paying about $15 more per month than last year. At the same time, my house increased in value by more than $100,000.

Granted, I didn’t open up the champagne to celebrate writing out the check. But I also recognized that a tax is our payment to live in a civilized society. So, since I’d rather live in Utah than in Ethiopia, my check is in the mail.