Cache County school board adopts 2025 tax rates and 2025–26 budget after public hearing; votes 6–1

The Cache County School District Board of Education voted 6 in favor and 1 opposed to adopt the district—s proposed tax rates for tax year 2025 and, shortly afterward, approved the district—s 2025—26 budget by the same margin after a truth-in-taxation hearing on Aug. 28.

Business Administrator Jared Black opened the hearing with a presentation explaining the state—s voted-and-board local levy guarantee program and why the district is proposing a higher board-local levy this year. Black told the board the change is needed to return the district to the levy level the state requires to receive full state guarantee funding. "The combined 2,000 rate is estimated to result in $6,200,000 in additional local property taxes," Black said, adding that the state then offsets local increases so the program balances local and state contributions.

The hearing drew a large group of public speakers who voiced opposing and supportive views. Ron Hill, a Cache County teacher and vice president of the Cache Education Association, said he supported the increase and urged the board to prioritize teacher pay: "I would like to speak in favor of this property tax increase," Hill said. Other speakers opposed the increase, citing impacts on seniors, homeowners and small businesses. Aaron Rudy, owner of Aaron's Elite Auto Service, told the board that commercial property does not receive the same homeowner exemptions and that higher property taxes would raise costs for small businesses and could reduce entry-level hiring.

Several legislators and local officials spoke during the hearing. Rep. Jason Thompson (Utah House of Representatives) and Rep. Casey Snyder sought to clarify the district—s choices: Snyder emphasized the district—s discretion, saying the proposed levy is a spending choice rather than a state mandate.

Board discussion acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. Board President Terry Rhodes and several board members described the choice as painful but necessary to sustain staffing and services for about 20,000 students. When the board voted electronically, the motion to adopt the tax rates passed 6—1; the subsequent motion to adopt the 2025—26 budget passed by the same tally.

The business administrator and board gave taxpayers several practical next steps: property owners may appeal assessed values through Cache County—s Board of Equalization (the district does not handle appeals), and Cache County has statutory tax-relief programs (the county website lists details and an appeal deadline, Sept. 15). Black also noted that some of the district—s other levies will decline in rate this year, partly offsetting the proposed board-local increase.

Votes at a glance - Adopt tax rates for tax year 2025: motion moved by Kathy Christiansen; second not specified on the record; outcome: approved, vote 6—1. - Adopt 2025—26 budget: motion moved (text on record); second not specified; outcome: approved, vote 6—1.

What this means: Board action returns local levies toward the state—s guarantee threshold, which the district says will generate an estimated $6.2 million in additional local property tax revenue; state funding mechanics mean local increases are accompanied by adjustments in state allocations. The board and administrators said the combined revenues support teachers, paraprofessionals, supplies and other operating needs.

The board president said the district values all public input received during the hearing and encouraged residents with concerns about assessed values or tax-relief eligibility to contact Cache County offices for appeal and relief information. The Facilities Advisory Committee and district staff will continue work on the budget implementation and priorities as the new fiscal year begins.