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Cottonwood Heights budget hearing spotlights $3.5 million property tax proposal, public divided on trade-offs
Summary
Budget officer Scott Jurgis presented a property tax impact schedule tied to a proposed $3.5 million increase — an estimated 42.87% figure — and gave examples of homeowner and commercial impacts. Public commenters urged both spending cuts and expanded services.
Cottonwood Heights budget officer Scott Jurgis presented a property tax impact schedule at the city’s June 2, 2026 council meeting that tied a proposed $3.5 million revenue increase to estimated homeowner and commercial impacts. The schedule, made available online and in print, estimates a 42.87% increase figure and lists an average monthly impact of $20.92 for a home valued at $819,251.03; a $1,000,000 commercial property was estimated at about $46.44 per month.
The schedule broken down by department showed approximate reductions in funding if the full increase is not adopted: about $1,000,000 for general government, just under $3,000,008 for public safety, roughly $498,000 for public works, and about $160,000 for community and economic development. "This document ... demonstrates what our prior year 2025 tax rate was with current revenue and then our proposed revenue with the tax increase of $3,500,000," the budget officer said, announcing the document for public review.
Why it matters: the proposed increase is intended to fund core city services including public safety and infrastructure; the council opened a public hearing so residents could weigh in before the Truth in Taxation period and any final decisions.
Public reaction during the hearing was mixed. Runer Bowman said he would support a tax increase only if the council simultaneously cuts expenses and pursues economic development to “grow a bigger pie,” urging the council to "share the pain" rather than ask only residents to shoulder higher rates. Bob Jacobs told the council he was prepared to accept higher taxes if they deliver more services, saying, "I'd rather pay a little more money and get a lot more services."
The council did not take a final budget vote at the meeting; the mayor said the tentative budget will return during the Truth in Taxation period for further hearings. Documentation for the tax impact schedule was made available on the city website and in print at City Hall for residents seeking specifics.
