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Utah County Will Balance Budget By Police Fee, Including On Churches

By Howard M. Friedman

Salt Lake County, Utah is proposing to balance its budget by assessing a law enforcement fee on homes, businesses, churches and non-profits. Yesterday's Salt Lake Tribune reports that the amount of the annual fee will depend on the demand for police services that is generated by the particular type of property. For example, big box stores would pay $13,584; taverns would pay $1,044 and preschools would pay $588. Under the plan, which the County Council will vote on today, churches would pay $1,008 per year, while smaller non-profits would be assessed $180. Some 41 churches in the unincorporated county would be covered by the new fees. A number of clergy object to imposing the fee on churches in the county.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on January 11, 2010 (boomark / email).