Draper homeowners would pay about $8.66 more per month in city property taxes under a proposal from Mayor Troy Walker to boost funding for police and fire services.

The 25% rate increase for fiscal year 2026–27 would bring in additional revenue to cover public safety staffing, emergency vehicles, and equipment, according to an announcement the city posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2026. Property taxes cover less than 50% of Draper's police and fire costs, the city said, and drawing from fund balances to make up the difference is no longer sustainable.

Draper's current tax rate of 0.000936 remains one of the lowest in Salt Lake County, according to the city. The proposed rate would rise to approximately 0.001170. For a home at the city's average value of $807,000, the increase amounts to $8.66 per month on the city portion of the tax bill. Business owners with a property valued at $1 million would see a $19.50 monthly increase.

The proposal follows a 2024 rate increase that was Draper's first in 17 years, also aimed at police and fire staffing and retention.

Sales tax decline adds pressure

Walker signaled the need for the increase at his State of the City address in January 2026. He told residents that sales tax revenue dropped for the first time in the city's recent history in 2025, calling it alarming for city finances.

"When you need a cop, you need one," Walker said during the speech. "Good people cost money. Paramedics are at a premium right now."

The city's General Fund draws roughly $21.5 million from sales tax and $11 million from property taxes, Walker said at the time. Personnel costs account for $30 million of the budget, covering 319 employees including police and fire staff.

The city's July 9 announcement described the proposal as part of a multi-year approach with annual adjustments rather than a single large increase.

Public hearing set for August 12

Residents can weigh in at a Truth in Taxation public hearing on Wednesday, August 12, at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 1020 E. Pioneer Road. The City Council is scheduled to vote on final budget adoption on Tuesday, August 18, at 7 p.m.

The Draper City Council adopted an interim budget on Tuesday, June 9, but the specific vote count on that action was not publicly available.

The proposed $8.66 monthly figure applies only to the city's share of the property tax bill. Residents also pay property taxes to Salt Lake County, school districts, and service districts.

Neither the Draper Police Department nor the Draper Fire Department independently commented on the proposal. Documentation is available at draperutah.gov/city-government/budgets-and-finances/property-tax/.