Truth In Taxation
Property Taxes — Clear, Simple, Transparent
Why is Eagle Mountain City looking to increase Property Taxes?
Two words — Public Safety
residents
The Mayor & City Council have heard you! In conversations across the City, our residents have expressed a desire for more public safety.
looking to add seven new Deputies
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office has requested the addition of one sergeant and six deputies to meet the needs of our growing City.
total INCREASE requested
By increasing property taxes to a total amount of less than $9.8 million, the City will be able to meet law enforcement needs. 100% of your property taxes go to public safety.
A Letter from Mayor Gray & Chief Deputy Knutzen
Dear Residents,
We hear you, and we understand how important public safety is to our community.
Residents have asked for more services, and we are responding to that need.
The level of service our community expects is directly connected to the staffing and resources we are able to maintain. As our city continues to grow, so does the demand for timely response, visible presence, and reliable public safety services.
To meet these needs, we are introducing a property tax adjustment. This increase is specifically designated to support public safety, and every dollar will go directly toward strengthening those services. It will help ensure adequate staffing, improve response reliability, and support officer safety.
Our shared commitment is to make sure every resident feels safe, supported, and confident in the services they rely on each day. We will continue working with residents to strengthen these services as our community grows and keep Eagle Mountain a great place to live.
Sincerely,
Mayor Jared Gray & Chief Deputy Erik Knutzen
Investing In Our Future
Property taxes play an important role in positioning Eagle Mountain for long-term stability and future growth. Because property tax revenue is a steady, locally controlled funding source, it helps the City plan beyond a single year and make consistent investments in essential services. This includes expanding public safety capacity that will contribute to quality of life as the community continues to grow.
By providing a reliable funding base, property taxes also allow the City to plan for future needs rather than reacting only to immediate demands. As Eagle Mountain expands, these funds help ensure that core services remain sustainable over time. This long-term approach supports a well-managed, financially stable community that can adapt to growth while continuing to meet resident expectations.
What is a Property Tax?
Property tax is a primary funding source for local governments, generated from the value of property within a city. In Utah, the system is revenue-based rather than rate-based, meaning tax rates are adjusted annually to produce a consistent amount of revenue from year to year. A public hearing is only required if a city plans to collect more total revenue from existing taxpayers than it did the previous year.
The process involves coordination among several elected county officials. Each year, the county calculates a Certified Tax Rate, which is designed to generate the same total property tax revenue as the prior year. The City Council can then adopt that rate or choose to set a higher rate if additional revenue is needed.
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Property Tax Increases
Property tax increases become necessary when the cost of providing city services rises or when additional investment is needed to meet the needs of a growing community. Factors such as population growth, inflation, and increased demand for public safety, road maintenance, parks, and other essential services can all contribute to higher operating costs over time. Eagle Mountain chooses to use its property taxes solely for public safety. When existing revenue is not enough to maintain service levels, an adjustment in property tax revenue can help ensure the City continues to provide reliable and effective services.
In addition, property tax increases can support long-term planning and infrastructure improvements that keep pace with growth. These adjustments are considered through a public process, allowing residents to provide input while ensuring the City remains financially stable and able to meet both current needs and future demands.
Property Tax Decisions
In Utah, property values are set by the county, while tax revenue decisions are made by local elected officials. Cities can keep revenue the same using a state-calculated rate, or propose an increase with public notice and a hearing.
If a new property tax increase is approved, the revenue will used to fund essential public safety operations at the level approved by the City Council. These funds help support core functions of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office – Eagle Mountain Division, including the addition of deputies to meet the growth of the City. All expenditures are incorporated into the city’s adopted budget and are subject to public oversight and annual review to ensure funds are used as intended and in alignment with community priorities.
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Property Taxes in Utah
The Utah State Tax Commission oversees and provides guidance on locally assessed property taxes, conducts appraisal and assessment for centrally assessed properties, and administers the state’s certified tax rate process.