Truth in Taxation is a public hearing process that allows residents to learn about and comment on the County’s proposal to increase property tax revenues. The County Council makes the final decision.
With the exception of new growth, a taxing authority may not receive more property tax revenues than what was received the prior year. The property tax calculation does not consider inflation or other increases in providing services.
The Utah Taxpayers Association recommends that taxing entities address inflation by going through this process every five to eight years. Summit County last went through the Truth in Taxation process in 2017. Other special service districts in the County, such as Service Area #6 have not gone through the process since 2013.
The Problem: County property tax revenue does not meet our community's essential and growing needs.
Inflation has drastically reduced our purchasing power.
Budget expenditures have grown to meet increased community needs, growth, and increased demand for services. This has created an imbalance in the General, Municipal, and Assessing & Collecting funds that support basic services like law enforcement, emergency medical services (ambulance), road maintenance, and snow removal.
A Potential Solution: increase tax revenues by $5.45 million to fund routine operations
This increase will allow the County to address the impacts of inflation and maintain expected levels of service in the community.
Municipal, General, and Assessing & Collecting funds support basic services and programs including law enforcement, emergency medical services (ambulance), road maintenance, snow plow services, and the library.
Entity
Increase
Primary Residence Value
Annual taxpayer increase
General Fund
15.64%
$1,352,000
$45.49
Assessing & Collecting
37.52%
$1,352,000
$22.88
South Summit Fire
182.7%
$763,000
$216.96
Service Area #3
20.8%
$1,000,000
$79.20
Service Area #6
69.37%
$1,216,000
$91.39
North Summit Rec
70.5%
$785,000
$18.57
Municipal Services
5.94%
$1,198,000
$12.02
General Rate tax comparisons across counties in Utah.