Draper homeowners would pay about $8.66 more per month in city property taxes under Mayor Troy Walker's proposed 25% rate increase, which goes before the public at a Truth in Taxation hearing Wednesday, Aug. 12.

For the owner of an average $807,000 Draper home, that works out to $103.86 per year. A business valued at $1 million would see an additional $234 per year, or $19.50 per month, according to the city's interim budget document.

The increase would generate roughly $2.7 million in new property tax revenue for fiscal year 2027.

Why the city says it needs the money

According to the city's Truth in Taxation notice, property taxes currently cover less than 50% of police and fire costs, and drawing from fund balances to make up the difference is unsustainable. Inflation has driven up costs for road construction, emergency vehicles, park equipment, and contractors, while sales tax revenue remains unpredictable.

Finance Director John Vuyk wrote in his May 19 budget transmittal letter that the city is working toward a stable property tax base to provide reliable, ongoing funding for public safety operations.

The FY2027 budget would fund three new firefighters to reduce reliance on overtime and help maintain minimum staffing levels. It also includes a new school resource officer for the police department, set to be hired in April 2027 and assigned to a school associated with the eBay campus by fall 2027. A $70,000 police vehicle for the SRO is part of the package.

City employees would receive a 5% salary adjustment split between cost-of-living and merit increases.

The bigger budget picture

The total proposed FY2027 budget across all city funds is $167.9 million. The General Fund alone totals $54.1 million, with taxes accounting for about 78% of that revenue.

The budget also includes a 4.5% culinary water rate increase, which the city describes as a direct pass-through of cost increases from the Jordan Valley Water District. No other utility rates would rise.

Draper's current certified property tax rate is 0.000936, which the city calls one of the lowest in Salt Lake County. In 2024, the city implemented its first rate increase in 17 years to address police and fire staffing. The current proposal continues what the city describes as a multi-year approach with modest annual adjustments rather than sudden, larger hikes.

How to weigh in

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, in the Draper City Hall Council Chambers at 1020 E. Pioneer Road. Residents can also attend virtually at bit.ly/drapertaxhearing (Zoom Meeting ID: 894 6642 4795, Passcode: 413389).

The Aug. 12 hearing is the last public input opportunity before the vote. As we reported July 20, the city posted formal tax-increase notices for both its Salt Lake County and Utah County portions. The official Salt Lake County notice pegs the increase at $116.97 per year for a $941,000 residence; the Utah County notice shows $104.17 per year for an $838,000 home.

The City Council is scheduled to adopt the final FY2027 budget Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. Residents can also reach the city at 801-576-6318 or visit draperutah.gov/city-government/budgets-and-finances/property-tax.