Utah Foundation releases Paying for Water: A Brief Summary of the Series. In this executive summary of Utah Foundation’s new Paying for Water Series, Utah Foundation provides a brief overview of its findings. It reveals that, when considering the role of property taxes alongside water rates, the preferred approach may depend on the water provider’s priorities.
The four reports in the series are:
- High and Dry: Water Supply, Management and Funding in Utah (August 2019)
- Drop by Drop: Water Costs and Conservation in Utah (September 2019)
- Who Gets the Bill? Water Finance and Fairness in Utah (September 2019)
- Getting Clear on Water: Practical Considerations in the Tax Versus Fee Debate (September 2019)
Utah Foundation President Peter Reichard said that the public and policymakers must clarify their goals and priorities in order to ensure the optimal revenue approach. “If the top priority is conservation, a greater reliance on water rates gives you more leverage. They also offer better cost transparency and fairness among users,” Reichard said. “If the top concern is revenue stability and flexibility, then property taxes offer a useful arrow in the quiver. They can also spread costs beyond the user base.”
The report, Paying for Water: A Brief Summary of the Series, is available on the Utah Foundation website at www.utahfoundation.org, with the four installments of the series. Thanks to the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation for providing grant support for The Paying for Water Series.
