Draper is proposing its first property tax rate increase in roughly 18 years, and the City Council has scheduled a public hearing for Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Draper City Hall, 1020 E. Pioneer Rd., for residents to weigh in before a final vote.
The council formally set the hearing date at its Tuesday, June 2, meeting. Budget Officer John Vuyk presented the resolution and has led the city's budget process for fiscal year 2026-27.
What's driving the proposal
Mayor Troy Walker laid out the budget pressures at his January 2026 State of the City speech. He told attendees that sales tax revenue dropped for the first time in 2025, calling it alarming for a city that draws $21.5 million of its General Fund from sales tax and only $11 million from property taxes.
"We've worked hard to keep the budget in line, but it's getting more difficult because everything is going up in cost," Walker said in January. He added that Draper "probably should have done a few" increases over the past two decades.
Walker also disclosed his own property tax bill for city services — police, fire, parks, water and sewer — at $645 on a home valued at approximately $1 million, arguing the city delivers substantial services for a low rate. The median home price in Draper is between $820,000 and $1 million, according to the same presentation.
Why the hearing is required
Utah's Truth in Taxation law (Utah Code § 59-2-919) requires cities to hold a public hearing whenever they propose collecting more property tax revenue than the previous year. Draper's FY 2026-27 tentative budget includes a rate above the city's certified tax rate, the rate that would generate the same property tax revenue as the prior year. Budget Officer Vuyk disclosed this at both the Tuesday, May 19, and Tuesday, June 2, council meetings.
How residents can participate
The hearing is open to the public. The FY 2026-27 tentative budget is available for inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the City Recorder at Draper City Hall and online at www.draperutah.gov.
Residents who want to comment but cannot attend can contact Budget Officer John Vuyk at 801-576-6318 or [email protected]. For accessibility accommodations, contact City Recorder Nicole Smedley at 801-576-6502 or [email protected].
The six-member City Council will vote on the final tax rate after the hearing. The mayor votes only in the event of a tie.
