Summit County looking at tax increase

If adopted, the new tax rate would be implemented in June 2022. Photo: Olga DeLawrence

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — In a letter to the Summit County Council, County Manager Tom Fisher recommended a proposed increase in property tax revenues.

Every five years, the County Manager is tasked with looking at various property tax funds in order to make recommendations based on revenue levels in relation to needed services and the impacts of inflation.

Fisher precisely called for revenue increases in the following areas:

• For the general fund an increase of $1.5 million, or approximately 9.0%
• For the assessing and collecting fund an increase of $500 thousand, or approximately 14.5%
• For Service Area #6 an increase of $300 thousand, or approximately 28.4%

Summit County Financial Officer Matt Leavitt told Townlift that for most primary property owners with an average market value home of roughly $715,000, the proposed impact would be about $40-$45 per year. For those in Service Area #6, which is the subdivisions in the unincorporated areas of the County, it would be an additional $30-$35. “As we get closer to closing the tax roll after board of equalization then we will have a clearer idea of the impacts,” Leavitt said in an email.

“The intention of increasing property tax revenues for the above amounts is to address costs of inflation since the last Truth in Taxation (TNT) process, provide funding for the increasing demand for programs and services within the County, and broaden the foundation of the County’s most reliable funding source,” Fisher said in the letter.

Per Utah law, the County is required to give a 14-day notice before the election and must hold a public meeting, which begins the “truth in taxation” process.

Below are the full steps in the truth in taxation process:

• September 29th begin two-week notification of public hearing regarding Truth in Taxation and the intent to increase property tax revenues.

• October 13th conduct a public hearing with the stated intent to increase property taxes.

• October 26th or earlier (7 or more days before the election) a notification will be mailed to the owner of each property.

• November 24th first notice is published.

• December 1st a second advertisement is published.

• On December 8th first public hearing for the recommended property tax rate increase.

• December 15th public hearing on the 2022 budget the property tax increase may be adopted by resolution.

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If adopted, the new tax rate would be implemented in June 2022.