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League warns cities to prepare for 2026 fights over redistricting, collective bargaining and property tax
Summary
League staff told local officials to prepare outreach to legislators before the 2026 session on three high‑priority issues: redistricting authority, a referred public‑sector collective‑bargaining ballot measure, and property‑tax reform proposals that could limit local taxing authority.
At the Nov. 17 meeting of the Utah League of Cities and Towns’ Legislative Policy Committee, staff outlined three major political items likely to shape the 2026 legislative session and urged members to prepare outreach to state lawmakers.
Staff identified redistricting and related initiative authority as one high‑profile issue after recent court activity, and said the League anticipates bills that could affect legislative and municipal authority. A second item is a public‑sector collective‑bargaining measure that was referred to the ballot after supporters gathered enough signatures. The third and most emphasized item was property‑tax reform, which League staff said is being discussed in multiple forms — from caps on increases to changes in the truth‑in‑taxation process.
"Explain what property tax means in your city," staff urged members, adding that cities account for roughly 15 percent of overall property‑tax bills and that many legislators and residents do not understand municipal reliance on property tax for services. The League gave three specific asks for pre‑session conversations: educate legislators on city property‑tax impacts, explain how housing and land‑use issues play out locally, and press for restoration of $500,000 cut from the Local Administrative Advisor program.
Staff also cited energy (including Governor Cox’s Operation Gigawatt and a recently announced nuclear plan) and homelessness as session issues that intersect with local authority. The League said it is gathering legislative priorities from the governor and legislative leaders and will report back to members.
Next steps: League staff asked members to set meetings with their legislators before session and offered to provide materials and data to help explain local fiscal impacts.
