Draper held a mandatory public hearing Wednesday, Aug. 12, on Mayor Troy Walker's proposed 25% property tax rate increase, the latest in a series of proposed hikes for a city that says it still can't fully fund its police and fire departments.

The Truth in Taxation hearing at City Hall, required by state law before any rate above the certified level can be adopted, gave residents the chance to comment in person and via Zoom. No vote was taken. The City Council's final decision on the FY 2026-27 budget comes Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.

What it would cost

The increase would hit differently depending on which county a Draper homeowner lives in. The city straddles Salt Lake and Utah counties, so the council held two separate hearings Wednesday night.

For a Utah County homeowner with an $838,000 home, the city portion of the annual tax bill would rise by $104.17, according to the official state notice. For a Salt Lake County homeowner, the annual increase would be about $116.97, according to the city's Salt Lake County filing. Draper businesses in Utah County would see a $189.38 annual jump on an $838,000 property.

The city's event page pegs the average Draper home at $807,000 and estimates the increase at $8.66 per month. Draper's current rate of 0.000936 is one of the lowest in Salt Lake County, the city says.

Why the city says it needs the money

Draper says property taxes currently cover less than half of its public safety costs. The city has been drawing down fund balances to fill the gap, a practice officials describe as unsustainable.

Walker's proposal frames the 25% bump as one step in a multi-year plan to stabilize police and fire funding without a single, larger increase down the road. Draper raised its rate in 2024 for the first time in 17 years, citing the same staffing and retention pressures.

The city also points to inflation-driven costs for road construction, emergency vehicles, park maintenance and contractors.

Third straight year of hearings

The Utah Taxpayers Association flagged Draper as one of nine entities holding a Truth in Taxation hearing for the third consecutive year, meaning the city has proposed exceeding its certified rate each year since 2024. Statewide, 67 taxing entities are proposing a combined $93.6 million in additional property tax revenue this August, according to Utah Policy.

Billy Hesterman, president of the association, said in an Aug. 4 press release: "When an entity returns for a third or fourth consecutive year, taxpayers deserve an especially clear explanation."

What's next

The council will vote on the full FY 2026-27 budget, including the tax rate, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Draper City Hall, 1020 E. Pioneer Road. As we reported Aug. 6, the five council members who will cast that vote are Kathryn Dahlin, Michael Green, Bryn Heather Johnson, Tasha Lowery and Fred Lowry.

Residents can still submit written comments to city recorder Nicole Smedley at [email protected]. The certified tax rate deadline is Sept. 1.