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Residents split as council hears South Davis Recreation District's proposed 5% tax increase
Summary
The South Davis Recreation District requested a 5% property-tax increase at a required presentation to Bountiful City Council; the district estimates about $86,200 more a year and staff and Councilwoman Bradshaw described budget pressures. Public comments included both opposition (tax burden concerns) and support (value to seniors and community health).
The Bountiful City Council provided the public opportunity on Nov. 25 to comment on a proposed 5% property-tax increase by the South Davis Recreation District. Tyson Beck of the district explained the increase would raise an estimated $86,200 a year, and that for an average taxable home value of $623,000 the increase would be roughly $2.11 per year.
Councilwoman Bradshaw, who serves on the recreation district board, said the district has worked to move toward fiscal sustainability through fee increases, expense reductions and negotiating with the school district for swim-team fees. She described rising insurance, staffing and pool-chemical costs and a prior 39% increase in the district levy in 2024.
During the public-hearing portion, resident Ron Mortensen urged the council to oppose the proposed increase, arguing that new growth has boosted revenues and that multiple overlapping tax increases have burdened homeowners. "This makes the rec district better off in a lot of cases than the people that are supporting it," Mortensen said, urging spending restraint.
In contrast, Lane Pappenfuss and other residents described health and community benefits from the recreation center and urged support for the modest increase to maintain programs and facilities used by seniors and families.
Tyson Beck and Councilwoman Bradshaw clarified the council's role: the recreation district is an independent taxing entity and the council's role is limited to hearing public comment and forwarding any sentiment to the district board. No council vote on the tax occurred that night.
