Kyle Shields
Treasurer
[email protected]
Ingrid Swenson
Business Manager
[email protected]
435.249.0489
Kyle Shields
Treasurer
[email protected]
Ingrid Swenson
Business Manager
[email protected]
435.249.0489
Property Taxes are one of the most complex and often misunderstood taxes that the government levies.
How Does Property Tax Work?
The property tax system in Utah is a revenue-driven system, not a rate-driven system. Generally, as valuations of existing property increase, property tax rates decrease. This automatic reduction in property tax rates prevents local governments from getting a windfall simply because valuations have increased.
The reduced property tax rate is known as the certified tax rate (CTR). This rate is then applied to all property, including “new growth.” While local governments receive increased revenues due to new growth, the tax rates include no automatic adjustment for inflation, which is by design.
Why did my property taxes increase so much this year?
Generally, when property valuations increase, property tax rates decrease to maintain revenue neutrality (excluding new growth). This revenue-neutral rate is called the certified tax rate. This rate is then applied to all properties, including new residential and commercial developments.
Increased valuations due to new developments/construction do not reduce the property tax rate.
Despite the ratcheting down of property tax rates as valuations of existing properties increase, sometimes property owners see a higher property tax bill. Sometimes, property owners see a decrease. There are several reasons why.
Property valuations increase faster in one area than in others.
If a given property’s valuation increases faster than the average property in a given tax entity, that property owner may experience an increase in their property taxes. Property valuations can increase faster in some areas than in other areas for two reasons.
First, every property is required to be reviewed in detail at least once every five years. As a result, properties that were recently reviewed by the county will typically experience larger valuation increases than properties that were not reviewed recently. Second, real estate market demand may push up the value of some properties faster than others.
Properties that increased faster than the county (and/or school district/city/special service district) average will experience an increase in property taxes while others will experience a decrease. In the end, it all works out because other parts of the county and school district will be reviewed in detail in following years and their taxes will increase while everyone else’s
decreases. Properties that experience a large increase due to a review may have been undervalued in previous years.
Local government raises taxes
The property tax process does not prevent local governments from raising taxes. Once the certified tax rate has been calculated by the Utah State Tax Commission, local governments have the option of exceeding the certified tax rate. When local governments decide to exceed the certified tax rate, they must go through a tax increase process that includes notification and public hearings, this is commonly known as the Truth-in- Taxation process.
Certified tax rates do not include adjustments for inflation. Therefore, local governments occasionally increase property tax rates to recoup inflationary losses or to increase services.
Sometimes, the proposed increases do more than offset inflation, sometimes less. To understand how an entity spends your taxes or why an entity has gone through the tax increase process, please participate and get involved in their budget public hearings.
Conclusion
Clear as mud, right? If you are wanting more information about property taxes, don’t hesitate to call us at the Agency. We are here to help.
2024 TAX RATE INCREASE PROPOSAL
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Why did you buy new bathrooms if you do not have the funds to maintain the ones in the parks?
Will my taxes go up this year?
Why do you need a boost in the operating budget?
Why do you need to increase my taxes by 104%?
Why are there two tax raises listed on my mailer? Will I have two tax increases?
What is the relationship between the Greenbelt Service District, The Recreation Service District, and the Service Agency?
Why is my increase, i.e., $200/month?
Aren’t new homes automatically accounted for in the taxation process?
Why don’t you gradually raise taxes over 4-5 years?
Why can’t we properly budget so we don’t have to pay more taxes?
Why don’t you sell properties (greenbelts)?
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SWIMMING POOL | Resident | Non Resident |
---|---|---|
Daily Admissions | $4 | $6 |
Punch Card - 20 visits | $72 | $108 |
Season Pass - Individual | $90 | $135 |
Season Pass - 2 individuals | $150 | $225 |
Season Pass Family - Additional per individual | $25 | $40 |
Pool Party - Sunday-Thursday (2 hr. min)* | $100/hr | $150/hr |
Pool Party - Friday-Saturday (2 hr. min)* | $150/hr | $200/hr |
Swim Lessons | $40 | $40 |
Swim Team | $100 | $100 |
1 Country Club Dr. Ste 1
Stansbury Park, UT 84074
Phone: 435.882.6188
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