Property Tax | City of Draper

Draper residents benefit from a transparent and efficient property tax system administered primarily by Salt Lake County (for most of the city) and Utah County (for portions in that jurisdiction). County offices handle key functions, including property assessment (by the Assessor’s Office), tax rate calculations (often involving the Auditor), billing and collection (by the Treasurer), and distribution of funds to all taxing entities.

This collaborative system ensures fair valuations, timely collections, and equitable distribution of revenues to support local services.

Draper City 2026-2027 Property Tax Increase Proposal

Draper maintains one of the lowest property tax rates in Salt Lake County at 0.000936. The City has operated efficiently with lean staffing for years. However, property taxes currently cover less than 50% of public safety (police and fire) costs. Continuing to draw from fund balances to cover deficits is unsustainable.

In 2024, Draper City implemented its first tax rate increase in 17 years to address police and fire staffing and retention needs. Those improvements are helping, but it will take time and additional adjustments before our public safety divisions are fully funded. Economic realities such as inflation have substantially increased the City’s costs for materials and services—including road construction and maintenance, emergency vehicles and equipment, park playgrounds and maintenance, contractors, and more. These pressures, combined with unpredictable sales tax revenue and other variables, require a thoughtful long-term plan.

Mayor Walker, as the City's budget official, is proposing that the City Council approve a 25% increase in the property tax rate for the 2026–27 fiscal year. This is part of a balanced, multi-year approach with modest adjustments (some years higher, some lower) to achieve stable funding for public safety without sudden, more substantial increases.

2026-27 tax increase impact on a typical Draper homeowner:

Average home value in Draper: $807,000
Proposed monthly increase (City tax portion): $8.66

2026-27 tax increase impact on a typical Draper business:

Average business value in Draper: $1,000,000
Proposed monthly increase (City tax portion): $19.50

Letter from the Mayor, City Council, and City Management

Public Input Opportunities

June 2, 7:00 PM, Public Hearing for interim budget at City Council Meeting
June 9, 7:00 PM, Interim Budget Adoption, City Council Meeting
August 12, 6:00 PM, Truth in Taxation Meeting, City Council Chambers
August 18, 7:00 PM, Final Budget Adoption, City Council Meeting

For more details on your specific tax bill, visit the Salt Lake County or Utah County Treasurer/Assessor websites.

Information based on current public data; rates and distributions can vary annually. Check official county resources for your property.

Property Tax/Budget 2026-27 Documents

Budget Memo

Adopted Preliminary Budget – Fiscal Year 2026-27

Property Tax Rate Increase Statement

Property Tax Impact Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the City proposing a 25% property tax increase?

The City is proposing this increase to address a current structural budget shortfall and ensure the City can continue providing the level of public safety, infrastructure maintenance, parks, recreation, and municipal services residents expect.

This increase is intended not only to resolve the City’s immediate financial challenges, but to implement longer-term financial planning to address consistent shortfalls.

How much will this increase cost the average homeowner?

The estimated increase for the average home in Draper (valued at $807,000) would be $8.66 per month or $103.92 annually.

Is my total property tax bill increasing by 25%?

No.

The proposed increase represents a 25% increase only to the City’s portion of the overall property tax bill — not the total tax bill paid by property owners.

A property tax bill is made up of several taxing entities, including:

School District
County
City
Special Service Districts
Water and Sewer Districts
Other local taxing entities

The City’s portion is only one component of the total property tax bill.

Actual impacts will vary depending on property value and the distribution of taxes among taxing entities. The County assessment later this summer will provide property value and estimated impacts.

Why don't increased property values increase City revenue?

Utah’s Truth in Taxation law ensures that rising property values do not automatically generate more revenue for the City from existing properties. When overall assessed values increase, the tax rate is adjusted downward to keep total revenue from those properties roughly the same as the prior year (excluding new growth like new construction).

This revenue-neutral mechanism prevents a windfall from market appreciation. Any additional revenue beyond new growth requires a transparent public process and explicit rate adjustment, such as the one proposed here.

How can residents provide feedback or ask questions?

Residents are encouraged to attend public hearings and contact City officials with questions or concerns regarding the proposed tax increase and the City’s financial plans.

The official Truth in Taxation Hearing will be held on August 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall (1020 E. Pioneer Rd), where public comments can be made for the record.

Other public meetings:

· June 2, 7:00 PM, Public Hearing for interim budget at City Council Meeting

· June 9, 7:00 PM, Interim Budget Adoption, City Council Meeting

· August 18, 7:00 PM, Final Budget Adoption, City Council Meeting

Questions? Contact Finance Director John Vuyk