Katie Fox updates Utah County on VOCA grant and rising victim services demands

The Utah County Commission convened on June 29, 2022, to address several key agenda items, including updates on victim services and the adoption of the 2022 tax rate levies.

The meeting began with a presentation by Katie Fox from the Utah County Attorney's Office regarding the VOCA grant funding. Fox highlighted the importance of victim coordinators, noting that the county employs three, with one position partially funded by the VOCA grant. She reported that the office is meeting its goals despite a 25% funding cut in the last grant cycle, which the county supplemented. Fox emphasized the increasing number of victims served each year, particularly in cases of sexual assault and domestic violence, which require more resources and time due to their complexity.

Commissioners expressed appreciation for the efforts made under challenging circumstances, particularly in light of inflation and limited resources. Fox acknowledged the rising number of victims but could not definitively correlate this increase with population growth.

Following the discussion on victim services, the commission moved to agenda item 14, which involved adopting the 2022 tax rate levies for Utah County. The county clerk, Bert Harvey, explained that the tax rates are adjusted based on property values, which have increased, resulting in a decrease in the tax rate itself. He noted that this year's rate is the lowest in his lifetime, reflecting a stable budget despite population growth.

Commissioner Lee pointed out that while the tax rate is decreasing, there is an increase in cash revenue due to new property values. He cautioned that inflation could diminish the benefits of this increase. The commission ultimately voted unanimously to adopt the tax rate without any changes from the previous year.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adopt the tax rate, which passed with a 3-0 vote, marking a significant decision for the county's financial management moving forward. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the county in balancing budgetary constraints with the growing needs of its residents.