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GCTA Extends Invitation


GARFIELD COUNTY – Whether merely curious or already committed, nearly 40 people attended last week’s mid-afternoon kickoff of the Garfield County Taxpayers Association (GCTA) at the Escalante Interagency Auditorium.

The purpose of the GCTA is to conduct research, disseminate information, and generally provide both a resource and a forum for county residents who want to better understand the workings of their local governments, which includes towns, the county, and the state. GCTA is a non-partisan, non-political entity, directed toward improving understanding of our governing bodies, better communication and accountability on the part of our local government.

GCTA is in its infancy, with its structure yet to be determined. Two primary models were described: 1) incorporation as a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, and 2) an informal, grassroots discussion forum.

As a 501(c)(3), GCTA would be an education-based body with an elected board and working committees. The committees would be responsible for gathering information and getting it distributed to the membership. The member list itself would be protected and maintained by GCTA. As an educational nonprofit, GCTA could obtain grants and solicit tax deductible donations to fund its activities.

As a grassroots forum, the GCTA would be member-led and largely discussion-based. With no official leadership, topics of interest and the related research would be ad hoc. Expenses would be self-funded or by group contributions. There would be no central body maintaining membership roles as everyone would need everyone else’s contact info.

What types of activities does a taxpayer association concern itself with? Basically, anything funded by public dollars up to the county/state level. GCTA would determine its priorities. From there it’s a matter of attending meetings and hearings, digging into budgets and other publicly available documentation, calling government officials, asking questions, and then educating each other. Most of the topics might be things that come up at the dinner table when the discussion turns to taxes or funding public programs. A taxpayer association provides the organization with a level of standing that individuals by themselves typically don’t carry.

Currently, a free website has been set up which gives an idea of the content a GCTA might provide. Already it contains useful information such as contact information for elected officials, links to county and state information, summaries of relevant bills that were considered by the legislature, and more.

County residents are invited to sign up on the website: GCTAutah.org. Within a couple weeks, a survey will be distributed to those signees asking them to weigh in on preferred structure, topics of interest, and preferred level of participation. Of course, members can opt out anytime they want, and new members are always welcome.

Questions can be directed to GCTAutah@gmail.com.

—Garfield County Taxpayer Association

 

 

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