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- Numerous Utah cities are pursuing property tax hikes for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
- Ogden Valley proposes the largest increase at 506%, while Saratoga Springs seek a 220.9% hike.
- Public hearings for these proposals will occur in August before officials in the locales take formal action.
SALT LAKE CITY — Wednesday marks the beginning of the state and municipal fiscal year, after leaders of cities all across Utah scrambled to piece together new spending plans.
The process, however, is far from over for any locales considering property tax hikes — and there are plenty of those scattered throughout the state.
Officials in Ogden Valley, a new Weber County city, are seeking what may be the largest tax hike: 506%. The increase stems in part from lower-than-expected revenues the city will get, but city officials are still wrangling in court with state tax authorities over whether they can even seek a hike.
Among the other large proposed hikes, officials in Eagle Mountain in Utah County seek a 220.9% increase, while Hildale in Washington County is pursuing a 170% increase; a 55% increase is sought by officials in Roy in Weber County; 54% in Saratoga Springs in Utah County; and 46.4% in Woods Cross in Davis County.
None of these taxes is final until municipalities hold truth-in-taxation hearings in August, after which adjustments can be ratified.
Why do municipalities seek increases?
There are multiple reasons why towns and cities across the state are seeking to increase property taxes, said Bountiful Mayor Kate Bradshaw, who also serves as the president of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Most of it has to do with rising costs and the impact that has on everyone.
Cities, she explains, are primarily funded through sales and property taxes, though some also collect fees and other charges. In larger cities or other populous areas, especially those across the Wasatch Front, sales tax is a major revenue component.
Sales tax is also volatile. Rates are set by the state, which also receives some of the tax revenue. They can generate large numbers when people are buying various goods within city limits, but when people feel the economic pinch, such as inflation, they spend less, which cuts into revenue.
Bradshaw said many cities are facing "fairly flat" sales tax projections this year. However, local governments aren't exempt from rising costs, either. When the cost of gas increases, cities have to account for that within their fleet of firetrucks, police cars, garbage trucks and other vehicles.
Prices of asphalt, pipes and other products have all gone up in recent years, the mayor points out. Bountiful is one of a few that operate their own power departments, which have dealt with price increases in infrastructure and the cost of generating electricity, too.
Many cities, including several along the Wasatch Front but also other historic pioneer settlements, are well over a century old. That requires constant upkeep or replacement of aging infrastructure, such as water pipes and roads. Maintenance and rising costs are among the major uses for many of this year's proposed increases.
"The cost of the things that we have to have to provide frontline services to residents — all of those have gone up dramatically," she said.
Natural disasters can also eat up budgets. This year's active fire season — the state's worst in at least six years — might increase overtime costs for firefighters putting out the fires in affected cities. In general, any significant public safety need that results in more overtime will increase costs, Bradshaw added.
Labor, in general, is another key factor this year. Several increases are being sought to pay for additional first responders or increases within those departments.
Depending on the severity of the deficit, many towns and cities can be torn between two options: raise property taxes to make up the shortfall or cut programs. Salt Lake City ultimately chose both, trimming over $13 million from its budget while requesting a 12.5% tax increase to generate another $13 million to solve a $26 million deficit.
Making up the deficit in cuts alone would have resulted in "significant" layoffs or cuts to city services, which continue to rise, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall explained in May. That led to the approach Utah's capital city took.
Who is increasing taxes?
Utah lawmakers considered a bill this year that would have capped tax increases at a relatively small percentage, but it stalled as the Utah League of Cities and Towns and various municipalities pushed back on what it would likely have done.
They argued it would have prevented small towns and cities from hiring one extra firefighter or officer, or even new vehicles, in any given year. Other cities would have also had to spend years raising funds for large-scale projects.
"You wouldn't be able to react to the needs that folks have," said Cameron Diehl, the league's director.
The state passed a new law this year requiring cities and towns to list how their increases will be spent, which has changed how they communicate these increases to residents. Most will hold formal public hearings in August to allow the public to speak out before voting on the proposed hikes.
KSL reviewed proposed property tax hikes in some of the state's largest municipalities and counties to see what is being proposed and how it would affect residents.
Cities will eventually have to decide between cuts and increases.
"That's always going to be the balance for cities because we provide mostly frontline services — we do water, streets, public safety and — depending on the city — power, so those are very difficult services to (reduce)," Bradshaw said. "That makes the 'tighten the belt' conversation incredibly challenging."
What's being proposed?
KSL reviewed various tax increase proposals across Utah. Home values reflect the average in each particular locale. Final totals are subject to change.
Salt Lake County
— Draper is considering a 25% property tax hike, which would boost property tax collections by $2.7 million. The taxes on a home worth $807,000 would increase by $103.86 per year. The increased funds would help the city reduce reliance on reserves, fund three new firefighter posts and aid in playground maintenance in city parks. A hearing on the plans is set for Aug. 12.
— Herriman leaders propose a 5% increase for the city's law enforcement budget and a 2.4% increase for its fire department. The law enforcement increase would raise $512,970 and increase annual taxes by $25.70 on a home worth $640,000. The fire increase would raise just over $200,000 and boost annual taxes on a home of the same value by $11.62. Both increases are meant to offset inflationary costs.
— Midvale officials are considering an 8% property tax hike, which would generate an extra $78,814 for the city. The increase would boost taxes on a home worth $503,000 by $5.54 a year. The increase is needed to help the city maintain current levels of service with contracted public safety providers, including the Unified Police Department and the Unified Fire Authority.
— Murray has proposed a 5.72% property tax increase, which would boost property tax revenue by $714,297 a year, from around $12.62 million to $13.34 million. Taxes on a home worth $614,000 would increase by $26.46 per year. The increase is needed to help hire a new police officer and boost police and firefighter pay.
— Salt Lake City leaders are proposing a 12.5% property tax hike, which would generate $13.5 million. It would increase the rate by $100.14 per year for a primary residence valued at $703,000. The city plans to use the funds for various items, including public safety and maintenance staff and programs, as well as capital improvement projects across the city. A public hearing is slated for Aug. 11.
— South Salt Lake officials are considering a 34.4% property tax hike, which would generate an extra $1.87 million a year for the city. Taxes on an average-valued home would increase by $84.84 a year. The extra funds would be used for public safety.
— Taylorsville officials are proposing to raise property taxes by 5%, which would raise revenue by an estimated $234,800. That would lead to a $10.64 annual increase on a home valued at $472,000. Scott Harrington, the city's assistant city administrator and chief financial officer, said during a May meeting that the new revenue is expected to be used for general road maintenance.
— West Jordan officials propose a 2.26% property tax increase that would raise just over $500,000 at an annual cost of $8.96 to the owner of an average-valued residence. The increase would fund a crossing guard position, several parks department positions, and help establish an annual summer event known as Beet Days.
— West Valley City leaders propose a 5% property tax increase that would raise an estimated $1.9 million in extra revenue. The increase would raise property taxes on an average-valued residence by $32.71 per year. A little over half of the revenue would pay for new firefighter positions, while the rest would cover raises for the police department.
Utah County
— Eagle Mountain is proposing the largest property tax hike in percentage terms in Utah County, 220.9%, which would generate approximately $6.74 million in new revenue for the city. The owner of a home valued at $488,000 would pay an additional $314.03 annually. The city wants more deputies for its police force, a division of the Utah County Sheriff's Department. Leaders say the city's public safety has been underfunded for far too long. The city has not increased property taxes through the truth-in-taxation process since 2010.
— American Fork officials propose a 9% property tax increase, which would boost collections from $7.34 million to $8 million, up around $660,000. For a home worth $492,300, residents would pay $34 more each year. The increase would help pay for nine full-time firefighters for the lakeside area of the city.
— Cedar Hills proposes a 20% increase in property taxes, anticipated to generate an additional $150,000. A home valued at $678,342 could expect to pay about $56 more annually. It would put the new revenue toward public safety contracts.
— Highland proposes a 53% increase in its library property tax rate to produce $171,600 in extra revenue. This amounts to approximately $28.65 more per year on a $1-million home. The money would be used to bolster library staffing.
— Lehi officials propose a 9.8% property tax hike that would generate an additional $1.7 million. A home valued at $600,000 would see about a $35 tax increase. The funds would go toward increasing wages and positions in the police, fire, parks and justice departments.
— Orem is considering a 7% increase to its public safety property tax to generate an extra $450,000. For the owner of a $513,000 home, the increase would be an additional $11.85 per year. Orem officials would use the funds to hire two new police officers.
— Pleasant Grove officials propose a 16.55% increase in property taxes, which would generate an extra $683,088. A home valued at $570,655 would be expected to pay about $50 more annually. City officials hope to hire two new police officers and three additional firefighters with the funds.
— Santaquin is considering a 3.4% property tax increase, which would generate an additional $73,407. A home valued at $450,000 would pay about $11.89 more in taxes each year. The new revenue would go toward fire department equipment and library staffing.
— Saratoga Springs proposes increasing property taxes by 54% to generate an extra $3.1 million. For a house valued at $550,000, that would lead to approximately $165.92 more a year in taxes. Saratoga Springs said the revenue would fund additional fire and police services.
— Springville is proposing a 3% property tax increase to its general operations fund to generate an additional $97,000. A home valued at $500,000 would expect a $6.36 increase in taxes each year. The money would help offset the increased costs of city services due to inflation.
Davis County
— Centerville leaders are considering a property tax increase of about 15.8% that would boost property taxes from around $2.33 million to $2.7 million a year. That would increase taxes on a home worth $582,000 from around $384 to $445 per year. The increase would fund the hiring of an additional police officer and cover the increased cost of service from South Davis Metro Fire.
— Clearfield officials are considering a 6.59% property tax hike that would generate an extra $233,106 a year for the city and boost taxes on a $510,000 home by $21.60 a year. The extra funds would be used to buy a mower that can be used on steep slopes, street maintenance, maintenance of city facilities and for new police equipment, among other things. A proposed tax increase last year of about $19 a year for the owner of an average-valued home was rejected by the Utah State Tax Commission.
— Farmington officials seek a 5.84% property tax hike that would boost property tax revenue from around $5.13 million to $5.43 million. The increase would boost taxes on a home worth $650,000 by $32.12 a year. The funds would be used to cover increased costs resulting from hiring three new firefighters and expanding the fire marshal position to a full-time role. Currently, reserves are being tapped to cover the increased expense. A hearing on the increase is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 18.
— Kaysville is seeking a property tax increase of 14.1%, which would boost property tax revenue from $5.68 million to $6.48 million. Taxes on a home valued at $711,000 would increase by $76.65 a year. Approximately $649,000 of the increase would be allocated to the city's police and fire departments.
— South Weber seeks a property tax hike of 0.91%, which would boost the property tax revenue the city gets by $12,046. Taxes on a home worth $596,000 would go from $465.80 to $470.07. A truth-in-taxation hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11.
— Woods Cross is looking to generate nearly $1 million in additional property taxes, from $2.14 million to $3.13 million, through a proposed 46.4% property tax increase. The increase would be used to pay a portion of the bond payments towards the construction of a new city hall. If approved, the owner of a home valued at $513,000 would pay an additional $182.42 in property taxes each year.
Weber County
— Harrisville officials are weighing a 3.32% property tax hike, which would boost revenues from $1.05 million to $1.09 million. That would increase taxes on a home worth $430,000 by around $7.81 to $370.60 a year. The extra funds would be used for sidewalk repairs and to reduce the city's accident liability.
— Hooper officials are pursuing a property tax hike of 47.6%, boosting revenues from $268,904 to $396,904. That would increase the tax on a home worth around $450,000 to $103.21, up by $39.19. The extra funds would be used to cover increased contract costs of law enforcement services provided by the Weber County Sheriff's Office.
— North Ogden officials are seeking a property tax hike of up to 5%, which would boost revenues from around $3.1 million to $3.25 million. That would increase taxes on a home worth $533,463 from around $382.57 to $401.70. The extra funds would be earmarked mostly for public safety, including hiring of a community service officer to assist with code enforcement, animal control and evidence handling, and purchase of a new police car. Additional funds would be used for new security software.
— Ogden Valley is considering a property tax hike of up to 506%, boosting tax revenue from $489,519 to around $2.96 million. That would increase taxes on a home worth $1.22 million from around $106.90 to $647.43. Ogden Valley incorporated earlier this year, and the massive proposed increase stems in part from lower-than-expected sales tax revenue expectations. The extra funds would enable the new city to speed up staffing additions and service capacity expansion. Revenue expectations were lower than a feasibility study conducted before the city was created, which factored in the tax hike proposal.
State tax officials say Ogden Valley may not be subject to tax because its certificate of incorporation was filed a day past a Utah State Tax Commission deadline. City officials are challenging that determination in court and the issue hasn't yet been resolved.
— Roy officials are considering a 55% property tax hike, which would boost collections from $5.11 million to $7.91 million. That would increase taxes on a home worth $439,000 from around $388 to $602 a year.
The extra funds would allow the city to cover a 2.5% pay increase enacted for employees last March without tapping reserves. It would also allow for new 2.8% pay increases for workers in several city departments. The proposed increase has prompted significant pushback from some in the city.
— South Ogden leaders are considering a 10.39% property tax hike, which would boost property tax revenues from $4.58 million to $5.06 million. That would increase taxes on a home worth $483,000 from around $652 to $716. The extra funds would be used to generate funds to acquire a new fire engine, for sidewalk replacement and maintenance, park maintenance and acquisition of new police cars.
— Washington Terrace officials are considering a 6.7% tax hike, boosting collections from $1.46 million to $1.56 million. That would boost taxes on a home worth $430,699 from around $377 to $402 a year. The extra money would be used to cover the rising costs of law enforcement protection by the Weber County Sheriff's Office.
Washington County
— Toquerville proposes a 33.8% increase that would increase property tax revenue from $290,259 to $388,259, up $98,000. The owner of a $450,000 home would see a tax hike of $80.39 per year. The extra funds would help cover litigation costs and street repairs, and offset increased spending driven by inflation and population growth.
— Hildale officials propose a 170% increase in property taxes, which would generate an extra $208,404 a year. The hike would cost the owner of a $450,000 home an extra $467 per year. The new funds would be for the police department and general government services.
Tooele County
— Grantsville officials seek a 5% property tax hike, which would boost property tax collections by $110,598, from around $2.21 million to $2.32 million. Taxes on a home worth $563,139 would increase by $21.99 per year. The extra funds would cover the cost of hiring a new parks employee to help support two new planned parks.
—Tooele officials are pursuing a 2.49% property tax hike, which would boost collections by around $238,000, from $9.55 million to $9.79 million.
Taxes on a home worth $382,162 would increase from $531.15 to $544.39, up $13.24. The increase would help speed long-term debt payments and allow the city's volunteer fire department to pay stipends to volunteers and to hire an administrative assistant.
Wasatch/Summit counties
— Heber City leaders propose a 5.2% property tax hike to generate $174,000 in new revenue. For a home valued at $850,000, this would mean an increase of approximately $18.72 a year. The increase would help offset the rising costs of services, materials and labor across departments.
— Henefer leaders propose an 18.5% increase, which would generate an additional $10,000 for its capital improvement fund. For a home valued at $600,000, this would mean about a $27.47 increase yearly.
Contributing: Bridger Beal-Cvetko, Curtis Booker, Arianne Brown, Logan Stefanich and Cassidy Wixom
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