Davis County commissioners voted Dec. 2 to adopt a resolution setting a tax rate that the county estimates will raise about $6.3 million, or approximately 14.9%, toward the county’s tentative 2026 operating and capital budget.

The vote followed a formal Truth in Taxation public hearing in the Davis County Commission chambers in Farmington and overflow rooms across the county, where dozens of residents urged the commission not to raise property taxes and urged cuts, audits and greater transparency.

County Controller Scott Park told commissioners the general fund faces “a $12,000,000 structural deficit,” and outlined three broad options: deep cuts with no tax increase; a hybrid with a 14.9% increase plus roughly $6,000,000 in targeted reductions; or a near‑30% increase to avoid cuts. “For this budget to work, we would have to pull millions of dollars from our savings account just to keep the lights on,” Park said, describing higher wages, inmate medical costs and health insurance as major budget pressures.

Why it matters: the resolution begins a formal step that lets county staff refine a tentative budget with a target revenue amount. Commissioners said the published near‑30% figure represented a legally required maximum, not a final plan; several commissioners and the controller said the commission expects to refine the number and identify cuts before adopting a final budget.

Public comments: more than one hundred residents spoke across rooms and online. Common themes were that the proposed increases would harm seniors and fixed‑income households, that one‑time federal COVID or ARPA funds were used to sustain recurring positions, and that county staffing and benefits need review. “My taxes every year go up… This year, as you can see, was $8,412 for my home,” said Marty Nelson of Farmington, describing the impact on a long‑time homeowner. Several speakers named capital projects — a proposed $15–16 million animal shelter, a western sports park and county‑run golf courses — as candidates for delay, sale or reduced scope.

Responses and context: Commissioners acknowledged many speakers’ concerns but said state law and multi‑jurisdictional tax levies complicate the picture. Chair Loreen Kamalu noted that the percentage quoted in public notices relates to a change in the county’s general‑fund levy only and is not the same as the entire property‑tax bill residents receive from multiple taxing entities. Commissioners also pointed to reserves that have been drawn down and said the county would need to preserve a minimum fund balance to remain operational if revenues fall short.

The vote: the commission adopted the resolution required to set the levy above the certified rate, a procedural step that officials said enables the controller to continue work on a targeted tentative budget. The roll call recorded two ayes and one nay; Commissioner John Cross was recorded as the lone dissenting vote. Officials said a 14.9% change would not close the full structural deficit and would require additional cuts across county services.

What’s next: County staff will use the adopted revenue target to refine the tentative 2026 budget and present final recommendations to the commission. The controller and commissioners said they will continue discussing where to make cuts if revenue does not fully cover projected obligations.

Votes at a glance: The commission adopted a resolution to levy a tax rate exceeding the certified tax rate that the county estimates will generate about $6.3 million (14.9% increase). Roll call: two ayes; one nay. No further final budget adoption occurred at this meeting.

Reporting note: Quotes and figures in this story come from remarks at the Dec. 2 Davis County Commission public hearing and the county’s tentative budget presentation.