Corroon's tax hike | The Salt Lake Tribune

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Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon's op-ed, "Now is the time for critical tax increase" (Opinion, Nov. 18), on the financial state of Salt Lake County, is well-reasoned and compelling. I have admired Corroon's business acumen and judgment for years, as he effectively and efficiently led the county's government.

Once again, I found myself nodding in agreement with his arguments — until I got to the county needing "$1.9 million to fund our other post-employment benefits like health insurance for retirees."

Have our county's leaders had their heads in the sand regarding benefit trends for the past 10 years? Thousands of companies have eliminated post-65 health insurance for retirees, and many have also eliminated pre-65 health insurance to reduce overhead expenses.

Given the Affordable Care Act and Medicare, this item is certainly an unnecessary expense that we citizens don't need to support with a tax increase. I am tired of hearing about benefit packages for public employees that far outstrip those of employees in the private sector.

Trimming this line item from the budget will not balance the books, but it will lower the general fund tax increase.

Paul J. Beyer

Sandy (unincorporated part)