Davis County presents 2026 tentative budget, warns of $12 million structural shortfall and three options including a possible 29.97% property tax adjustment

Scott Park, Davis County controller, presented the 2026 tentative budget to the commission and said the county faces a ‘‘structural deficit of over $12,000,000’’ in the general fund if no action is taken.

Park told the commission that inflation since the last general‑fund tax increase in 2017 has eroded revenue — ‘‘inflation has gone up 32%’’ — and that public‑safety and criminal‑justice costs have risen faster than new revenue. He outlined three budget choices: deep service cuts that would avoid a tax increase but require roughly $12.7 million in reductions and elimination of about 55 positions (including about 24 in public safety); a moderate package pairing smaller cuts with a roughly 14.9% tax adjustment (about $4.16 per month on an average household) and…