Tooele residents voice outrage in emotional meeting regarding proposed tax increase
Aug 6, 2025, 9:25 AM
Tooele County School District proposing tax increase. (Tooele County School District)
(Tooele County School District)
TOOELE — Emotions were heated in a meeting at Tooele High School last night, as members of the public spoke out against a proposed property tax increase from the Tooele County School District.
The district is looking to increase its property tax revenue by just over 8%. According to the district, this increase would cost a family living in a $475,000 home a little over $284 per year.
A $475,000 business would pay around $516 more per year under this proposal.
If approved, the property tax hike would generate just over $9.25 million in revenue for the district.
According to the district’s website, the revenue would:
- Close the $9.25 million cash flow deficit to avoid job losses or salary reductions.
- Sustain current staffing levels and maintain competitive compensation for teachers and staff.
- Address deferred or inadequate maintenance.
- Support long-term financial stability.
- Protect the quality of education for students.
Many members of the public still are not on board with the idea. School board members were interrupted several times during Tuesday’s meeting by booing or other outbursts from the crowd.
At one point in the meeting, people were also given a chance to speak, and they did not hold back.
“I don’t know what else to say, we do not want a tax increase,” one man said ahead of a burst of applause from the crowd.
“The reason we’re upset is because it is our livelihood that is at stake,” one woman said, fighting back tears. “We are losing our homes…we’re trying to put food on the table.”
On its website, the district said implementing this tax increase now “will have a lower annual impact on homeowners than implementing a similar increase in future years.”
Related reading: Weber School District proposes 21% property tax increase
