Draper homeowners on opposite sides of the county line will see different property tax increases under the proposal heading to a binding council vote Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Because Draper straddles Salt Lake County and Utah County, state law required separate rate proposals for each portion. That detail emerged clearly in the city's Aug. 12 Truth in Taxation hearing materials. The Salt Lake County side faces a 25.12% rate increase, generating $2,455,712 in new annual revenue. The Utah County side faces a 22.55% increase, bringing in $122,224. Combined, the two proposals would add $2,696,000 to Draper's annual tax revenue.

In dollar terms, a Salt Lake County homeowner with a $941,000 residence would pay about $117 more per year in Draper city taxes, roughly $9.75 a month. A Utah County homeowner with an $838,000 residence would pay about $104 more per year, or $8.66 a month.

Where the money goes

Finance Director John Vuyk presented the city's case at the Aug. 12 hearing. The two headline spending items: three new firefighter positions at $415,000, replacing $250,000 in overtime the department currently uses to meet minimum staffing, and a boost in playground maintenance funding from $130,000 to $200,000 to satisfy risk and insurance requirements.

The broader rationale is to stop drawing down Draper's reserve fund to cover day-to-day operations. Without the increase, the city projects burning through roughly $2.5 million in reserves annually to cover the gap.

Residents pushed back

The vote is Tuesday.

But multiple residents at the Aug. 12 hearing argued the city should cut discretionary spending rather than raise taxes, according to an OpenUtah recap of the meeting. Speakers cited inflation, fixed incomes and questioned spending on community events and surveillance cameras. Mayor Troy Walker and staff countered that rising property values do not automatically translate into more city revenue under Utah law, which is why the formal hearing process exists.

The Utah Taxpayers Association flagged Draper as one of nine entities holding a Truth in Taxation hearing for the third consecutive year. "When an entity returns for a third or fourth consecutive year, taxpayers deserve an especially clear explanation," association president Billy Hesterman said in an Aug. 4 press release ahead of the hearing.

How to weigh in before Tuesday

The council's binding vote on the FY2026-27 final budget, which determines whether the tax rate takes effect, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Draper City Hall, 1020 E. Pioneer Rd. A public hearing will precede the vote. Residents can also join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 894 6642 4795, Passcode: 413389) or email comments to [email protected].