Highland Council sets Truth-in-Taxation hearing after debate over library funding

Highland City Council on May 5, 2026 adopted procedural resolutions required by Utah———state law and set a Truth in Taxation hearing for Aug. 11, 2026 after staff and the Highland City Library director outlined a plan to increase the library—————s dedicated property tax. The proposed change would raise dedicated library tax revenue by about $171,600, a 53.8% increase on the library———s current dedicated rate and about $28.65 per year for the average Highland home.

The council———— heard a detailed presentation from Aaron Wells, the city administrator serving as temporary budget officer, who explained that the votes taken at the May 5 meeting were procedural steps required by state statute (Utah Code 59-2) and would not finalize any tax increase. Wells reviewed the multi-step schedule: a public open house on May 13, additional hearings in June and July as needed, and the statutorily required hearing on Aug. 11 before any final vote.

Library Director Karen Lou told the council the library ranks 57 of 60 Utah public library systems in local operating revenue per capita despite very high use: Highland checks out more items per capita and provides higher attendance at programs than many peers. Lou said state and federal reductions in library subsidies have sharply increased the library———s cost to provide Libby (the statewide digital-content service), and that Libby costs are now allocated by usage across participating libraries. —————————————"We ranked 57 in revenue per capita and we've absorbed 18 years of inflation with staff resourcefulness," Lou said, summarizing the fiscal squeeze. She told the council the proposed increase would convert one part-time library employee to full time, add one part-time staffer, underwrite Libby licensing ($10,000 of the new funds) and continue senior programming previously paid for by grants.

Council members asked clarifying questions about alternatives and one-time options. Staff said a previously-discussed $417,000 repayment from the general fund is a policy choice and was not included in the tentative budget; council could revisit it later. Staff also outlined alternatives if the increase is not adopted: cutting hours, scaling back programs, or withdrawing from the Tempenogus Library Consortium (TLC), all of which would reduce service.

After an hour of public comment by residents and library advocates who described the library as a community hub, the council adopted the tentative budget and the resolutions documenting notice and impact schedules required under truth-in-taxation procedures. The council voted to adopt the procedural resolution announcing the city———s intent to consider a property-tax increase for the library and to set the hearing for Aug. 11; the motions passed by voice vote.

What happens next: staff will publish required notices, host an open house May 13 (5———————————— 5————p.m.——— to 8 p.m.) and return with further budget detail. The Aug. 11 hearing will be the formal statutorily noticed Truth in Taxation meeting where members of the public may testify before the council takes any final action.

Authorities and actions recorded at the meeting are limited to the procedural items the council adopted (resolutions identifying the budget as including a proposed increase, an impact schedule outlining estimated revenue, and hearing dates). No final tax-rate adoption occurred on May 5; council members emphasized the multi-step public process and repeatedly noted the August date will be the final public vote.