Dozens speak out against 48% tax increase proposal in Utah County

PROVO, Utah — Larry Finch was just one of dozens of community members who spoke out against an almost 50% proposed tax increase by Utah County during a tax hearing Thursday night.

“Here in America we are born free, but now we’re taxed to death,” he said.

Utah County is proposing a hike that would boost its portion of property taxes on a home worth $532,000 by 48%, from $190.78 to $282.33. This would equate to about $8 a month from each household to “address noted services and deficits,” county administrator Ezra Nair said.

This increase comes after Alpine School District also voted on a 12% increase earlier this week during a tax hearing Tuesday where public comments were virtually unanimously against it. The increase amounts to approximately $107 per year for the district’s median home value of $489,000 and is the sixth increase in 10 years.

The county last increased its share of the property tax in 2019 and then partially reduced it in 2021. The property tax increase would amount to a 16% increase of the county’s total general fund budget, which consists of property tax, sales tax, fees and interest.

Nair outlined inflation as a major reason for the increase during Thursday’s truth-in-taxation hearing. The county is dedicated to keeping taxes low and ensuring the budget focuses on providing public safety and essential support services, he said.

“I think we can all agree that taxes suck,” he said. “We recognize this is significant.”

Read the full story on KSL.com here.

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