Hearings across Utah started this week on the varied property tax hikes proposed by an array of cities, school districts and other taxing units.
Some of the hikes have already prompted backlash — proposals in the Tooele and Weber school districts, for instance — with more public hearings coming through the rest of August. Every entity seeking to boost taxes via truth-in-taxation hearings, as they’re known, has a list of reasons why the extra funds are needed. Still, taxes are a touchy subject, and increases inevitably spark calls from some to keep government spending in check.
“While we recognize that costs have increased for government entities over the past few years, costs for taxpayers have also increased. We challenge cities, school districts and special service districts to find new ways to cut back spending and avoid tax increases wherever possible,” said Billy Hesterman, president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, a tax watchdog group.
State law allows taxing units to boost taxes a limited amount each year to reflect growth, using what’s called the certified tax rate. But if cities, school districts, towns and other taxing entities decide they need to boost taxes beyond that threshold, they’re required to hold truth-in-taxation hearings to explain their plans and allow the public to sound off.
The Utah Taxpayers Association each year compiles a list of Utah taxing entities planning to go through the truth-in-taxation process, and for the 2025-26 fiscal year there are 59 of them pursuing tax increases, down from 66 last year.
The median proposed rate hike among the 59 entities is 8.31% above what would otherwise be allowable, according to the Utah Taxpayers Association, down from 11.58% last year. In dollar terms, the proposed increases for the owner of an average-valued home in the varied entities range from just a few dollars for the year to several hundred dollars.
Tooele School District held a hearing on its proposed tax increase for 2025-26 on Tuesday in Tooele. It’s one of many Utah entities proposing increases. | Tooele School District
Below is a rundown of some of the entities seeking the largest hikes, a few already approved, gauging by the actual proposed bill increases, in dollar terms, for the owners of average-valued homes. School districts, which typically require more in property tax revenue than other entities, and smaller locales account for most of the entities listed.
The figures come from the Utah Taxpayers Association and the notices issued, per state law, by the varied entities. Bill estimates for school districts factor just the fund line items that local school boards control from year to year, not the portions controlled by the Legislature or the debt service line item. Actual increases would vary depending on home value, while the proposed hikes can be reduced, though not increased, when officials take formal action.
Wellington, Carbon County: The city proposes a $487.59 increase on a home worth $256,000, from $216.41 under the certified rate to $704. The increase would generate an extra $376,375 a year, up 224.9% from last year, and a hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Box Elder School District: The district proposes a $343.53 hike on a $450,000 home, from $923.18 to $1,266.71. The increase would generate an extra $11.26 million in property tax revenue, up 36.5%. A hearing is set for Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Tooele School District: The district held a hearing on Tuesday, approving a $284.24 increase on a $475,000 home, from $1,139.31 to $1,423.55. The hike will generate an extra $9.25 million in property taxes, up 24.2%.
Gunnison: The Sanpete County city proposes a $249.02 increase on a home worth $415,000, from $315.67 to $564.69. The hike would generate an extra $209,130 in property taxes, up 78.4%. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Alta: The Salt Lake County town proposes a $200.98 increase on a home worth $1.81 million, from $829.79 to $1,030.77. The hike would generate an extra $98,659, up 24.3%. A hearing is set for Wednesday, Aug. 13.
North Sanpete School District: The district proposes a $248.79 increase on a home worth $415,000, from $613.31 to $862.10. The increase would generate an extra $1.88 million, up 40.7%. A hearing is set for Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Kaysville: The city proposes a $175.33 increase on a $690,000 home, from $552.17 to $727.50. The increase would generate an extra $1.8 million, up 31.7%. A hearing is set for Thursday, Aug. 7.
Weber School District: The district held a hearing on Wednesday, approving a $115.28 increase on a $524,000 home, from $804.37 to $919.65. That increase is down from the original proposed hike. The hike will generate an extra $9.7 million.
Woodland Hills, Utah County: The city proposes a $165.41 increase on a $967,000 home, from $1,645.01 to $1,810.42. The hike would generate an extra $101,815, up 10%. A hearing is set for Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Cache County School District: The district proposes a $158.55 increase on a $547,000 home, from $570.41 to $728.96. The increase would generate an extra $6.24 million, up 28.1%. A hearing is set for Thursday, Aug. 28.
Eureka, Juab County: The locale proposes a $155.87 increase on a home worth $447,000, from $215.86 to $371.73. The increase would generate an extra $36,782, up 69.1%. A hearing is set for Monday, Aug. 25.
Castle Valley, Grand County: The city proposes a hike of $111.03 on a home worth $425,000, from $201.96 to $312.99. The increase would generate an extra $74,092, up 54.9%. A hearing is set for Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Willard, Box Elder County: The city proposes a hike of $123.50 on a home worth $515,000, from $271.35 to $394.85. The increase would generate an extra $130,999 a year, up 45.2%. A hearing was held Wednesday, but officials aren’t expected to take formal action until Aug. 28.
Garfield County School District: The district proposes a $185.38 increase on a $350,000 home, from $632.75 to $818.13. The increase would generate an extra $1.07 million, up 29%. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 21.
Alpine School District: The district held a hearing Tuesday, approving a $114.40 hike on a home worth $520,000. The increase will generate an extra $22.85 million, up 10.5%.
Roy: The city is considering a $108.10 increase on a $432,000 home, from $384.44 to $492.54. The increase would generate an extra $1.42 million, up 28%. A hearing is set for Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Granite School District: The district held a hearing Tuesday, approving a hike of $106.28 on a $565,000 home, from $1,151.33 to $1,257.61. The hike will generate an extra $17.8 million, up 8.4%.
