At tonight’s Salt Lake City Council meeting, proposals for several property-tax increases to fund city expenses and for the construction of a new library branch will be open to public comment.---

The proposals which will get a public hearing before the council potentially approves a city budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The proposals include two-one-time property tax increases as well as another proposal that would seek an additional property tax increase for the construction of the new Marmalade Library Branch.

While the city has sought to not increase taxes, the proposed increases would be considered judgment levies—one time increases meant to allow a city to recover property taxes not collected in the year previous due to properties that were judged to be of less value. For the general city fund the proposed levy is $644,688 and for the construction of the new library the levy would be $112,820.

Since these increases could be approved tonight it’s important for the public to have a right to give their opinion. So if you have objections to the proposals tonight is the night to speak now or pay later.

Check it out tonight, Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 S. State, Room 315.