A Holladay family with a $570,000 home would pay about $125 more per year in property taxes under Granite School District's proposed increase, according to the Utah Taxpayers Association, which now ranks the district's ask as the single largest among 67 entities seeking hikes across Utah.
The association identified Granite's $21.1 million proposal as the biggest of $93.5 million in combined property tax increases proposed statewide for fiscal year 2026-27, Utah News Dispatch reported Tuesday, Aug. 4. Granite, Salt Lake City ($13.8 million) and Cache County School District ($8.6 million) together account for nearly 47% of all proposed increases.
The district's Truth-in-Taxation public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. at Granite headquarters, 2500 S. State Street in Salt Lake City. That's six days after Holladay students at Olympus High and Skyline High return to class Aug. 12, according to the district calendar.
The hearing is families' last formal chance to comment before the board votes.
What the numbers show
The Salt Lake County official notice lists Granite's proposed additional revenue at $21,115,465, a 10.26% increase over the certified tax rate. Based on the county's slightly higher average home value of $579,000, residential taxes would rise from $1,152.47 to $1,277.62.
Business Administrator Todd Hauber presented the tentative budget at the board's June 2 meeting, describing the purpose as funding "various operational and capital priorities." The board formally adopted preliminary tax rates and authorized the hearing at its June 16 meeting.
As we reported July 23, the district is seeking additional revenue after its proposed tax rate last year was not approved by the Utah State Tax Commission, leaving ongoing expenses unfunded.
Watchdog flags repeat increases statewide
The Utah Taxpayers Association also flagged that 11 taxing entities statewide are proposing property tax increases for the fourth consecutive year, with another nine seeking increases for a third straight year.
"Property-tax increases should never happen on autopilot," association president Billy Hesterman said in the Aug. 4 release. "Truth-in-Taxation hearings give taxpayers a chance to ask why more revenue is needed, how the money will be spent and whether elected officials considered alternatives."
KSL News independently confirmed the association's figures, reporting Granite's increase at 10.3%.
How to attend
Granite School District serves approximately 59,106 students across 85 schools, including Olympus High and Skyline High in Holladay. Board President Nicole McDermott leads the seven-member board that will ultimately vote on the rate.
Residents can attend the Aug. 18 hearing or call the district at 385-646-4700 for more information.
