Provo, UT – On Wednesday, the Utah County Commission finalized its budget for 2025, incorporating a notable rise in property taxes that the commissioners deemed “essential.”
The county has sanctioned a significant rise of 47.99% in its share of the property tax, alongside a 10% hike in the assessing and collecting segment of the tax.
The county property tax for a typical home valued at $532,000 is set to rise from $190.78 to $282.33, reflecting an annual increase of approximately $91.55. The tax for the county’s assessing and collecting segment is set to rise from an average of $31.89 to $35.35, reflecting an annual increase of approximately $3.46.
According to county administrator Ezra Nair, during a truth-in-taxation hearing in August, this would amount to approximately $8 per month from each household to tackle identified services and deficits. He recognized that the rise will greatly affect the community.
The tax hike faced strong backlash during the August gathering from community members already struggling with rising inflation and the higher cost of living.
Nair announced that the county is implementing measures to alleviate its property tax load. The county health department faced a reduction exceeding $2 million, resulting in the termination of over 100 staff members. In response, the county is exploring alternative revenue streams, including attracting businesses to boost sales tax income and pursuing federal assistance for specific initiatives.
The proposed rise is expected to bring in approximately $25 million for the county’s general fund and an additional $1 million for the assessing and collecting fund for the 2025 tax year.
The resolution for the tax increase outlines that the generated funds will be allocated towards law enforcement, public safety requirements, road maintenance, infrastructure enhancements, and essential capital improvements and public services to meet the demands of growth across the county.
The county raised its portion of the property tax in 2019 and subsequently made a partial reduction in 2021. The rise in property tax would represent a 16% boost to the county’s overall general fund budget, which is made up of property tax, sales tax, fees, and interest.
Following the initial draft of the budget, adjustments have been implemented to enhance its balance, ensuring that county officials won’t have to draw from the “rainy day fund,” budget manager Gina Tanner stated during Wednesday’s commission meeting.
Commissioner Skyler Beltran decided to refrain from casting his vote on the budget, expressing that he lacked sufficient time to thoroughly comprehend the details, having only assumed his role as a commissioner in September. Beltran took over for Tom Sakievich following his resignation due to health concerns. He is set to maintain his role as commissioner in January following his victory in the general election held in November.
Amid pressing public safety issues within the county attorney’s and sheriff’s offices, coupled with the loss of federal funding that has supported the Children’s Justice Center for two decades, the tax increase was deemed “necessary,” he stated.
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“While I might not fully endorse the total we settled on, I want to clearly state that a tax increase was undeniably essential this year,” Beltran remarked.
Beltran expressed his positive outlook on enhancing the budget process moving forward, mentioning potential staffing plan modifications and “baseline adjustments” he hopes to see put into action next year.
