Tooele taxes could increase by hundreds to compensate for school district deficit after massive funding loss

TOOELE — Residents in Tooele County are calling on the state to perform an audit of their school district after another tax increase proposal could drive up tax expenses for families.

The district made the proposal earlier this summer, citing a budget deficit of seven million dollars after losing state funds and depleting property values couldn’t compensate for the construction of new schools.

Home values have been plummeting in Tooele County, with property values dropping nearly 5% in 2024. Meanwhile, residents find themselves paying more taxes to keep them.

“There’s nothing we can do,” Mandy Brown said about the new proposal. She said she feels the district has already made up its mind, despite offering a Truth in Taxation hearing at the end of August for the proposal.

“We’re going from $3,682 a year to $5,262,” she said of her possible new property taxes. “In one year.”

She said, if passed, property taxes in Tooele will have gone up by nearly 60% since 2022. Business owners who live in the county feel double the impact.

“In two years, I can tell you my commercial building went from just under $3,000 in property taxes to over eight,” Brown added.

Tax increases sought by schools are not the only factor impacting expenses according to a spokesman for the Tooele County School District. He points out families may also see a one-time assessment adjustment made by Tooele County from last year that will be reflected on this year’s tax bill and that it could account for the majority of the increase for many households.

As far as the tax increase the district is seeking, a notice issued earlier this summer indicated the average household in Tooele County would see an annual tax increase of $253.50, or $21.13 per month.

The school board will be holding a truth in taxation meeting on August 27th at 6:00 p.m. at the School District’s office building to weigh the pros and cons of the increase.

They say, however, the funding is needed to finish constructing the new schools after losing $50 million in state funds loss in January, due to stopping an online program that enrolled over 8,000 students.

“I’m sure $50 million being pulled out of the budget, they’re going to have to make ends meet,” resident Nicco Herrera said.

Not every resident is against the tax increase, however. Especially those who started paying less in taxes after seeing home values plummet.

Herrera says his home lost over $100,000 in value.

“With the proposal that would only be $130 extra, so it’s not too much of a big deal,” he said.

Herrera said it makes sense for the difference to be made up, in order for his kids to receive better schooling. However, Brown said another increase may force her to rethink where she calls home.

“Tooele County is quickly, rapidly, becoming very, extremely unaffordable when it used to be one of the most affordable counties to live in,” she said.

A spokesman for the Tooele County School District says the district welcomes the request for an audit, pointing out that a third-party CPA firm audits the district every year.

“As we navigate the complexities of school funding, it is crucial that our community has access to accurate and transparent information,” says Melissa Rich, Tooele County School District Board of Education President. “We are dedicated to making thoughtful decisions that respect our taxpayers while ensuring our students have the resources they need to thrive.”