Holladay families who want to speak up about a proposed $21.7 million property tax increase have until Tuesday, Aug. 18, when the Granite School District board holds its Truth in Taxation hearing.

The hearing starts at 6 p.m. at the Granite Education Center, 2500 S. State St. in Salt Lake City. Business Administrator Todd Hauber will formally tell the board that the proposed rate exceeds the certified tax rate, according to the amended final agenda published this week. Board President McDermott will also speak.

The proposed increase is roughly 11.2% above the certified rate, according to board records from June. For the average district home valued at $570,000, that translates to about $125 more per year on the property tax bill, the Utah Taxpayers Association estimated in an Aug. 4 report. The association ranked Granite's proposal as the largest by dollar amount among 67 Utah taxing entities seeking increases this cycle.

The stakes are real. As we reported July 23, the district says it needs the revenue to offset state funding cuts and unfunded mandates. Granite told KUTV it has cut more than $7 million in operational costs over the past two years and wants to reduce class sizes.

Three ways to comment

The district posted public comment instructions alongside the agenda. Residents can participate three ways:

  • In person: Sign up on a sheet in the foyer outside Auditorium A before or during the meeting. No advance registration is required.
  • Via Zoom: Fill out the online form on the district's public comment page and check the virtual-comment box. Instructions will be emailed to registrants.
  • In writing: Email comments to [email protected]. Written submissions will be entered into the official record.

A livestream will also be available on GraniteSchools.org and the district's YouTube channel for those who want to watch without commenting.

What's at stake for Holladay

Holladay students at Olympus High School and Skyline High School are served by Granite School District. With classes having started Wednesday, Aug. 12, families are now juggling back-to-school logistics alongside a tight window to register for virtual comment or plan to attend.

"Property-tax increases should never happen on autopilot," Billy Hesterman, president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, said in the Aug. 4 report. "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."

Under Utah law, the board can reduce the proposed increase after the hearing but cannot raise it further. The board's final vote on the tax rate has not been publicly scheduled beyond the Aug. 18 hearing.