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Perry City proposes a 13.33% city property tax increase, schedules public hearing for Aug. 11
Summary
Perry City staff told the council the city is considering a property tax rate above the certified rate that would raise about $164,354 to cover a contracted fire increase, pay raises for police and enhanced IT and legal support; a Truth-in-Taxation hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11, 2026 at 7:15 p.m.
Perry City announced it is considering a property tax rate that would exceed the certified rate and generate approximately $164,354 in new revenue, staff told the City Council on May 28.
The budget officer statement presented by city staff said the proposed increase — roughly 13.33% at the city level — would be used to cover a contracted fire-services increase ($125,000), market-based pay increases for the police department (about $28,600 allocated for competitive pay and IT support), enhanced IT support and funding for necessary legal counsel. Staff estimated the change would add roughly $60 per year for a typical $454,000 primary residence and about $208 per year for a $867,000 commercial property.
"The proposed tax increase will generate approximately $164,354," city staff told the council. Mayor Kevin Jepsen repeated the same figures to place them on the record and confirmed the city will hold the required public hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at 7:15 p.m., where residents can comment on the proposal.
Why it matters: the city said the increase responds to rising contract costs for emergency services and personnel compensation pressures in public safety. The presentation included a line-item overview of how the new revenue would be allocated across departments and a public-notice timeline tied to Utah’s truth-in-taxation rules.
Council members asked staff for follow-up detail on certified-rate calculations and how the city’s proposed change would affect residents when combined with other taxing entities’ levies. Staff advised they will publish the property-tax-impact schedule and make the figures available online and at local offices ahead of the hearing.
Next step: Perry City will publish formal notices and hold the public hearing on Aug. 11, when residents may testify. Council members said they will consider whether a budget work session is needed before the next regular meeting when updated certified-rate data are available.
