Nineteen Draper residents took the microphone at a Wednesday, Aug. 12 hearing to push back against a proposed 25% property tax rate increase, telling city leaders to find cuts before asking homeowners to pay more.

At the Truth in Taxation hearing at Draper City Hall, speakers cited inflation, rising living costs and the squeeze on fixed-income households. Several urged the council to trim discretionary spending, specifically naming community events and the city's surveillance technology, rather than raise the tax rate.

Mayor Troy Walker and city staff told attendees the increase is driven by rising operational costs for police and fire services and by a need to stop drawing down the city's rainy day fund to cover routine expenses.

Walker also explained a quirk of Utah tax law that frames the entire debate: even though Draper property values have climbed, the city cannot automatically collect more revenue from those higher assessments. State law requires this public Truth in Taxation process before the rate can be adjusted upward.

Third year in a row

This is the third consecutive year Draper has held a Truth in Taxation hearing. The Utah Taxpayers Association flagged that pattern in an Aug. 4 press release, naming Draper among nine entities returning for a third straight year.

"When an entity returns for a third or fourth consecutive year, taxpayers deserve an especially clear explanation," Utah Taxpayers Association president Billy Hesterman said in that release. "Government should not need to ask residents for additional revenue year after year without presenting a credible long-term plan to control spending."

What it would cost

The proposed increase would add roughly $8.66 per month to the average Draper homeowner's tax bill, according to city estimates released in early August. Statewide, 67 taxing entities are proposing a combined $93.6 million in new property tax revenue this August, the Taxpayers Association reported.

What happens next

The council took no vote Wednesday.

The binding decision on the FY 2026-27 budget and tax rate is scheduled for the Tuesday, Aug. 18 council meeting. Residents who want to weigh in before then can contact council members through the city's website or attend the Aug. 18 session in person.