At a time when most states and municipalities are moving to lower property taxes, a city in southern Utah is going in the opposite direction with a substantial property tax hike.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports the City Council in Ivins, Utah, voted 4-1 to raise property taxes on residential and commercial properties by nearly 34%. The property tax hike will increase the city’s portion of the tax on a $743,000 home by roughly $122 a year, while property taxes on a $743,000 commercial property would rise by roughly $220.
The supporters of this measure cited a $540,000 budget shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and the need to restore funds lost to inflation since the city’s last tax increase in 2010.
“What business can sustain itself on a fixed revenue for 15 years?” said Mayor Chris Hart. “It is simply unsustainable.”
Hart noted rising costs on city services coupled with a 61% population increase over the past 15 years. Ivins Finance Director Cade Visser observed additional expenses were created when the city professionalized its mostly volunteer fire department and expanded police patrols.
“We have increased our level of service, increasing our costs and hopefully making the city a safer place and providing a better benefit,” Visser said.
Opponents to the tax hike stressed the city could have postponed its action until it could begin collecting sales and room taxes from Black Desert, a new $2 billion resort in Ivins. But Ivins countered that the tax revenue collected from Black Desert is below projections.
“We were hoping to get $300,000 worth of transient room tax, but were going to [collect] close to $120,000,” Visser said. “So, my expectations were off … I was too bullish.”
Their base property taxes must be extremely low to have a 34% increase only generate an extra $123 on a $743K property. The headline makes the increase sound horrible.
Agreed. Sensational headline- STILL VERY LOW TAXES!
Boo Hoo, here in NH a 2% tax increase can be as much as $500 or more per year.
No comparative context is provided for previous tax increases but…
Sounds like a thorough independent audit is definitely warranted now!
What a way to spin a story! At least they (albeit indirectly) published how little the existing tax milage is. Sounds a lot like the way Greenville, SC was spinning a “one penny” tax hike (from 6 to 7 cents, or, in other words, a 17% increase!
LOL, considering we are in the age of enlightenment, where government is being exposed as ultra-corrupt, DOGE needs to audit the budget. I love how Democrats just applaud tax increases.
@WeThePeople – Do you not see DOGE, Trump and Elon as corrupt? It is LAUGHABLE. Disgustingly laughable how much Trump is personally making off of being president of the United States. It is unconstitutional, illegal, and disgusting. As a democrat I can tell you that we/democrats do not applaud tax increases. My husband, also a democrat, and I see sales tax as problematic as it taxes the working poor at the same rate as those working not under or near the poverty line. We don’t want taxes to increase on anyone earning less than 100,000 – or on ANYONE’s first 99,999. How income taxes work are the first bracket, let’s say 100,000 single or 200,000 jointly – let’s just say, if that’s the first bracket. That amount of money is taxed at the same rate for everyone making less than that or for that amount for anyone making more. Then the next bracket – let’s say 200,000 to 500,000 that is taxed at that bracketed rate and so on. My husband and I know Republicans, that OWN businesses – we own a business – we know there re those who believe that if you make over a certain amount, are in a higher tax bracket than ALL your earnings are taxed at a higher rate and that is incorrect. Taxes are the same for everyone up to the amount of the first bracket. Those that earn more than the first tax bracket, only pay an income tax increase on the additional earnings in a higher bracket. All to say, we, democrats are often incredibly thoughtful and judicious on taxes – we do not all applaud anything and I do not see anyone applauding taxation without reason.
I understand the mayor’s argument, it’s not stated what insentives may have resulted in an increase in population. However, when was the last time government projected revenue ever was close to what was advertised?
Such a MINIMAL increase! Definitely a headline-grabbing story of an underfunded and under-taxed location. Most city occupants would wish to be so lucky.
That percentage increase on my home (valued significantly under $ 700K) would translate to a $ 1,700 per year increase.
Wow, a tax increase that amounts to less than coffee money for the month, ok not bad.