Cottonwood Heights families in the Canyons School District will see their property taxes rise about $27 a year if the board approves a proposed increase at Tuesday's Truth-in-Taxation hearing. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Canyons Board of Education Chambers, 9361 S. 300 East, Sandy.

The hearing is the final scheduled opportunity for Brighton High and Ridgecrest families to speak publicly before the board votes.

How to participate

Residents have three ways to weigh in:

In person: Sign up on the comment sheet at least 15 minutes before the 6 p.m. start. Each speaker gets two minutes. Late arrivals may still sign up and speak during the public comment period.

Via Zoom: Register at canyonsdistrict-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/x6vdJ5d2Rva7tSR73cjbtg. After logging on, provide your name and contact information, then give audio or video remarks in queue order.

Written comment: Email [email protected] before or during the hearing. Include your name and address. Comments are limited to 450 words and will be read aloud and entered into the official record.

The hearing will also be broadcast live on CSDtv at canyonsdistrict.org/board-meeting-livestream.

What the increase means for your tax bill

For the average Canyons District home, now valued at $770,000, the "Canyons School District" line on the tax notice would rise approximately $72. But the "Canyons School Debt Svce" line would drop about $45, making the net increase roughly $27 per year, or $2.25 per month.

The proposed increase totals approximately $6.87 million in new revenue for the 2026-27 fiscal year, representing about a 5.5% rate increase according to the district's Tax Impact Statement.

Where the money goes

About $2.2 million would flow to the General Fund to offset inflation and state funding reductions. The biggest piece: boosting the cost-of-living raise for all district employees from 1.5% to 2.25%. Without the increase, teachers would get a 1.5% raise; with it, teachers, custodians, paraprofessionals, and administrators all get 2.25%.

If approved, starting teacher pay at Canyons would reach $65,825, up from $50,000 in 2019-20.

Another $210,000 would hire two teachers in manufacturing and engineering for the Canyons Innovation Center, set to open in August 2027. Those teachers would spend 2026-27 building curriculum.

The remaining $4.5 million is a relabeling of existing revenue, shifting funds from the "Debt" bucket to the "Capital" bucket as bonds are retired. The district says it plans to use those capital dollars to renovate or rebuild 13 elementary schools that are more than 50 years old, without raising taxes further.

How the board got here

The Canyons Board of Education voted unanimously on June 16 to adopt the tentative budget and authorize the Aug. 4 hearing. Board President Amber Shill presided, with members Amanda Oaks, Katie Dahle, Karen Pedersen, and Jackson Lewis all voting in favor.

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox told the board at that June 16 meeting that the proposed increase would generate approximately $6,871,000 in new revenue and that the Truth-in-Taxation hearing would be held Aug. 4.

The district notes that even with the proposed increase, property tax revenue would not keep pace with the Consumer Price Index. Enrollment fell to 31,506 students in 2025-26, and the district projects continued declines, which reduce state funding. Canyons will employ 53 fewer teachers next year due to enrollment loss.

Tax relief and appeals

Homeowners on fixed incomes can apply for one of seven state property tax relief programs by Tuesday, Sept. 1. Information is available at slco.org. Those who believe their property is overvalued may appeal to the Salt Lake County Board of Equalization by Tuesday, Sept. 15, through the Salt Lake County Auditor's website at slco.org/auditor/.

The board is expected to vote on final budget adoption at the conclusion of Tuesday's hearing.