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Richard Piatt reporting A bill to change the way property taxes are calculated in Salt Lake County is on the verge of final passage at the Utah Legislature. Senate Bill 48 calls for an "equalization" of the tax burden used to fund school districts.
The idea is to spread out the burden of paying for new schools. As it is now, people who live in rapidly growing areas, like the new Jordan West District, could face astronomical property tax increases. Those in areas not growing as quickly, like in Salt Lake City, don't face that challenge.
The recent split of the Jordan School District put this issue on the front burner, but it's been simmering for years. As tax policy, there are a lot of legislators who feel this is a matter of fairness. But like any change in tax policy, some benefit more than others.
Some districts, like the Salt Lake City School District, could face a loss of revenue when the tax money is redistributed. "The residents in Herriman and South Jordan, right now, are paying sales taxes that are going into facilities that are regional, mostly located in Salt Lake City. It's only appropriate that they get some funding back for their education," explained Royce Van Tassel, with the Utah Taxpayers Association.
What's not known is how, exactly, this new policy will affect property tax rates. It may mean higher taxes for some cities and lower taxes for others.
Salt Lake City School District officials have expressed concern about having to raise property taxes in order to make up the difference. Even today, they're trying to make a deal with legislators that will address that in some way.
