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SANDY -- The Canyons School District pledged they wouldn't have to do it, but in order to pay the bills the district is proposing a property tax increase.
The district is looking to raise about $4 million; all but $200,000 of that will go to the Jordan District as part of a countywide equalization law.
Jennifer Toomer-Cook, communications director for the Canyons School District, said, "Countywide equalization is a brand new law this year. And a $3.8 million liability that we have under that law we cannot absorb in our current budget."
The proposal includes a 3.8 percent property tax increase, which works out to be about $46 a year for a median priced, $300,000 home.
It's a step away from the pledge the district made of no new taxes, but Toomer-Cook says it's not an uncommon proposal.
"People and school districts all over the county are raising taxes to pay for countywide equalization, and we're no different. We're going to have to do that," she said.
Those who live in the boundaries of the Canyons, Murray, Salt Lake and Granite school districts will all be contributing to the Jordan District, which was left hurting after the split.
According to the Jordan District, taxes in that area could go up 40 percent to make up for a more than $30 million budget shortfall.
Some people aren't surprised.
"I actually kind of expected that. So, I guess I didn't believe them," said Jill Gillis, who lives in the Canyons School District but was against the split.
Karen Fogg lives in the Canyons District too, but was for the split.
"I don't put a lot of stock in the promises the school board makes," Fogg said.
Tony Porter agrees. He lives in the boundaries of the Jordan School District and was against the split.
"I was very surprised when they said they thought they wouldn't have to raise property taxes, and it doesn't surprise me a bit that they're having to do that," Porter said.
It's frustrating for both sides.
"I think it would have been better to keep the assets in one group and not have to split it," Gillis said.
But what's done is done.
"It is frustrating. Our tax dollars should be for what we need in our area," Fogg said. "It shouldn't go towards a different area where they have different problems."
The public will have a chance to voice their opinions at a truth in taxation hearing scheduled for Aug. 4 at the Canyons District Headquarters in Sandy (9150 S. 500 West).
Story compiled with contributions from Courtney Orton and Randall Jeppesen.
