“A referendum that overturns a property tax increase will have serious implications for funding critical county operations— including public safety, our largest statutory obligation. Overturning a county tax increase does not eliminate the underlying county costs or mandated responsibilities. Rather, it simply shifts how and whether the county can meet them, ultimately forcing reductions in critical services, especially for our most vulnerable–and will eventually lead to the need for an even greater tax increase down the road. As the most populous county in the state, the increased revenue for our general fund is critical to meeting the growing needs and interests of our residents.
Funding for countywide operations—from the jail to meals on wheels to flood control to election integrity, and services for seniors—would also be directly and negatively impacted by a reversal of the property tax increase.
Salt Lake County follows the Truth in Taxation law, which ensures that the County’s property tax revenues don’t increase when property values rise. In response to the emails and hours of public comments, the Salt Lake County Council identified $12.4 million in budget cuts reducing the expected cost to about $5.41 per month for a home valued at $638,000.
It has been six years since the last property tax increase, yet the impacts of inflation have steadily grown during this time. Thanks to collaborative and conservative fiscal management, we have been able to delay the inevitable increase; however, that is no longer sustainable. The approved percentage increase is lower than the increases approved in Utah County and Davis County within the last year.
Increasing the county’s revenue is fiscally responsible, essential to addressing structural gaps and cost of living, and necessary to ensure our continued delivery of quality regional public services.”
—Salt Lake County Mayor, Salt Lake County Council Chair Dea Theodore, Salt Lake County Council Members Laurie Stringham, Suzanne Harrison, Natalie Pinkney, Jiro Johnson, Aimee Winder Newton, Ross Romero, and Sheldon Stewart
