Granite School District reviews property tax rates for charter school funding

The Utah government meeting on June 18, 2025, focused on the proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with significant discussions surrounding property tax rates and their implications for local school funding.

Key points included an explanation of the certified tax rate, which is designed to maintain revenue levels from the previous year while accounting for new growth. The Salt Lake County auditor provides this rate, and any adjustments beyond it are classified as tax increases. The meeting highlighted the necessity of adhering to state-mandated levies, particularly the state basic levy, which is essential for participation in the minimum school program.

A notable change discussed was the increase in the charter school levy, which rose from approximately $6 million in fiscal year 2025 to $7.4 million in fiscal year 2026. This increase creates a $1.4 million shortfall in the board local levy, which must be addressed to maintain previous funding levels. The rise in the charter school levy is attributed to updated state methodologies for determining the number of charter school students within district boundaries, as well as increases in local revenues due to prior tax adjustments.

Additionally, the meeting addressed capital funding for school maintenance and construction projects. The proposed budget reflects a decrease in the capital local rate, allowing for continued funding while responding to increased property values, which rose by about 5.2%. This adjustment aims to generate additional revenue to tackle ongoing deferred maintenance issues that have accumulated over the past two decades.

Overall, the discussions underscored the complexities of school funding in Utah, particularly the balancing act between maintaining revenue levels, supporting charter schools, and addressing infrastructure needs. The next steps will involve finalizing the budget and determining how to fill the identified revenue gaps.